Cough - Revision history

Prab: CSV import

2025-04-05T23:53:39Z

CSV import

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:53, 5 April 2025
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			{{SI}}
			{{Infobox medical condition
			\| name = Cough
			\| image = [[File:Coughing_icon.svg\|alt=Icon of a person coughing]]
			\| image_size = 150px
			\| alt = Icon of a person coughing
			\| caption = Icon representing a person coughing
			\| field = [[Pulmonology]]
			\| symptoms = [[Coughing]], [[sore throat]], [[chest pain]]
			\| complications = [[Pneumonia]], [[rib fracture]], [[syncope]]
			\| onset = Sudden or gradual
			\| duration = Acute (<3 weeks), subacute (3–8 weeks), chronic (>8 weeks)
			\| causes = [[Infection]], [[allergy]], [[gastroesophageal reflux disease\|GERD]], [[asthma]], [[smoking]]
			\| risks = [[Smoking]], [[air pollution]], [[occupational hazards]]
			\| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[chest X-ray]], [[spirometry]]
			\| differential = [[Asthma]], [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease\|COPD]], [[heart failure]]
			\| prevention = Avoiding [[smoking]], [[vaccination]], [[hand hygiene]]
			\| treatment = [[Cough suppressant]], [[antibiotics]] (if bacterial), [[antihistamines]], [[inhalers]]
			\| medication = [[Dextromethorphan]], [[codeine]], [[antihistamines]]
			\| prognosis = Generally good with treatment
			\| frequency = Very common
			\| deaths = Rarely directly causes death
			}}
	{{SI}}		{{SI}}
	'''Cough''' represents a critical reflex action aimed at maintaining clear airways, vital for optimal respiratory function. It becomes a symptom of concern when it is chronic or when it suggests an underlying disease or disorder.		'''Cough''' represents a critical reflex action aimed at maintaining clear airways, vital for optimal respiratory function. It becomes a symptom of concern when it is chronic or when it suggests an underlying disease or disorder.
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	[[File:Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 2.0.svg\|thumb\|Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 2.0]]		[[File:Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 2.0.svg\|thumb\|Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 2.0]]
	A cough can be classified as either dry or productive. A productive cough leads to the expulsion of [[mucus]], also known as phlegm or sputum. On the other hand, a dry cough does not produce mucus.		A cough can be classified as either dry or productive. A productive cough leads to the expulsion of [[mucus]], also known as phlegm or sputum. On the other hand, a dry cough does not produce mucus.

	Furthermore, coughs can be categorized into acute or chronic based on their duration. Acute coughs, commonly resulting from a cold, flu, or sinus infection, are sudden in onset and typically resolve within 2 to 3 weeks. Chronic coughs persist for more than 2 to 3 weeks and may signal a more serious condition.		Furthermore, coughs can be categorized into acute or chronic based on their duration. Acute coughs, commonly resulting from a cold, flu, or sinus infection, are sudden in onset and typically resolve within 2 to 3 weeks. Chronic coughs persist for more than 2 to 3 weeks and may signal a more serious condition.

	== Causes ==		== Causes ==

	Several factors can trigger a cough, including:		Several factors can trigger a cough, including:
	* Recent [[upper airway infections]] such as the common cold and flu		* Recent [[upper airway infections]] such as the common cold and flu
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	* Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollutants		* Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollutants
	* Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors used for blood pressure control		* Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors used for blood pressure control

	== Self-Care and Management ==		== Self-Care and Management ==

	Several home remedies can alleviate a cough:		Several home remedies can alleviate a cough:

	* Cough lozenges or hard candy may help dry, tickling coughs. However, these should not be given to a child under 3 years old due to the risk of choking.		* Cough lozenges or hard candy may help dry, tickling coughs. However, these should not be given to a child under 3 years old due to the risk of choking.
	* A vaporizer or a steamy shower may increase air humidity and help soothe a dry cough.		* A vaporizer or a steamy shower may increase air humidity and help soothe a dry cough.
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	* Over-the-counter medications, such as guaifenesin and decongestants, can assist in mucus expulsion and clearing postnasal drip, respectively.		* Over-the-counter medications, such as guaifenesin and decongestants, can assist in mucus expulsion and clearing postnasal drip, respectively.
	* Despite its discomfort, a cough is often a beneficial response aiding the body's healing process. Therefore, using cough suppressants may not always be recommended. Patients should consult a healthcare provider before starting any over-the-counter cough medicine. Furthermore, patients should not expect antibiotics for viral infections, as they are ineffective against viruses and will not alleviate a cough due to allergies.		* Despite its discomfort, a cough is often a beneficial response aiding the body's healing process. Therefore, using cough suppressants may not always be recommended. Patients should consult a healthcare provider before starting any over-the-counter cough medicine. Furthermore, patients should not expect antibiotics for viral infections, as they are ineffective against viruses and will not alleviate a cough due to allergies.

	== When to Seek Medical Attention ==		== When to Seek Medical Attention ==

	Patients should immediately seek medical care if they experience:		Patients should immediately seek medical care if they experience:

	* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing		* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
	* Hives or a swollen face or throat with difficulty swallowing		* Hives or a swollen face or throat with difficulty swallowing
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	* Fever, which may suggest a bacterial infection		* Fever, which may suggest a bacterial infection
	* Thick, foul-smelling, yellowish-green phlegm, another possible sign of a bacterial infection		* Thick, foul-smelling, yellowish-green phlegm, another possible sign of a bacterial infection

	Symptoms suggestive of congestive heart failure, such as a history of heart disease, leg swelling, or a cough that worsens upon lying down		Symptoms suggestive of congestive heart failure, such as a history of heart disease, leg swelling, or a cough that worsens upon lying down
	* Exposure to someone with [[tuberculosis]]		* Exposure to someone with [[tuberculosis]]
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	* Cough persisting for longer than 10-14 days		* Cough persisting for longer than 10-14 days
	* Cough in an infant less than 3 months old		* Cough in an infant less than 3 months old

	== Diagnosis ==		== Diagnosis ==
	Diagnostic investigations can include a physical examination, focusing on the ears, nose, throat, and chest, and may include further diagnostic tests such as:		Diagnostic investigations can include a physical examination, focusing on the ears, nose, throat, and chest, and may include further diagnostic tests such as:

	* Bronchoscopy		* Bronchoscopy
	* Lung scan		* Lung scan
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	* Sputum analysis, if the cough produces sputum		* Sputum analysis, if the cough produces sputum
	* Chest X-ray		* Chest X-ray

	== Prevention ==		== Prevention ==
	Preventive measures include avoiding smoke and exposure to allergens. For seasonal allergies, individuals should try to stay indoors on high-allergen days, and those with year-round allergies should consider using dust mite covers, air purifiers, and avoiding pets and other known triggers.		Preventive measures include avoiding smoke and exposure to allergens. For seasonal allergies, individuals should try to stay indoors on high-allergen days, and those with year-round allergies should consider using dust mite covers, air purifiers, and avoiding pets and other known triggers.

	== References ==		== References ==

	Irwin RS, Madison JM. The diagnosis and treatment of cough. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000 Dec 7;343(23):1715-21.		Irwin RS, Madison JM. The diagnosis and treatment of cough. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000 Dec 7;343(23):1715-21.
	Braman SS. Chronic cough due to acute bronchitis: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006 Jan 1;129(1):95S-103S.		Braman SS. Chronic cough due to acute bronchitis: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006 Jan 1;129(1):95S-103S.
	Pratter MR. Chronic upper airway cough syndrome secondary to rhinosinus diseases (previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome): ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006 Jan 1;129(1):63S-71S.		Pratter MR. Chronic upper airway cough syndrome secondary to rhinosinus diseases (previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome): ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006 Jan 1;129(1):63S-71S.

	== External links == <!--T:24-->		== External links == <!--T:24-->
	*[http://familydoctor.org/handouts/237.html FamilyDoctor.org – Chronic cough: causes and cures]		*[http://familydoctor.org/handouts/237.html FamilyDoctor.org – Chronic cough: causes and cures]

Prab at 19:42, 19 June 2023

2023-06-19T19:42:28Z

New page

{{SI}}
'''Cough''' represents a critical reflex action aimed at maintaining clear airways, vital for optimal respiratory function. It becomes a symptom of concern when it is chronic or when it suggests an underlying disease or disorder.
[[File:Coughing icon.svg|thumb|Coughing icon]]
== Definition and Description ==
[[File:Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 2.0.svg|thumb|Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 2.0]]
A cough can be classified as either dry or productive. A productive cough leads to the expulsion of [[mucus]], also known as phlegm or sputum. On the other hand, a dry cough does not produce mucus.

Furthermore, coughs can be categorized into acute or chronic based on their duration. Acute coughs, commonly resulting from a cold, flu, or sinus infection, are sudden in onset and typically resolve within 2 to 3 weeks. Chronic coughs persist for more than 2 to 3 weeks and may signal a more serious condition.

== Causes ==

Several factors can trigger a cough, including:
* Recent [[upper airway infections]] such as the common cold and flu
* [[Allergies]] and [[asthma]]
* Lung infections like [[pneumonia]] or [[acute bronchitis]]
* Chronic lung diseases such as [[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease|COPD]] (emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
* [[Sinusitis]] leading to postnasal drip
* Lung diseases such as bronchiectasis, [[interstitial lung disease]], or tumors
* [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease|GERD]]
* Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollutants
* Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors used for blood pressure control

== Self-Care and Management ==

Several home remedies can alleviate a cough:

* Cough lozenges or hard candy may help dry, tickling coughs. However, these should not be given to a child under 3 years old due to the risk of choking.
* A vaporizer or a steamy shower may increase air humidity and help soothe a dry cough.
* Drinking extra fluids can thin throat secretions, making them easier to cough up.
* Over-the-counter medications, such as guaifenesin and decongestants, can assist in mucus expulsion and clearing postnasal drip, respectively.
* Despite its discomfort, a cough is often a beneficial response aiding the body's healing process. Therefore, using cough suppressants may not always be recommended. Patients should consult a healthcare provider before starting any over-the-counter cough medicine. Furthermore, patients should not expect antibiotics for viral infections, as they are ineffective against viruses and will not alleviate a cough due to allergies.

== When to Seek Medical Attention ==

Patients should immediately seek medical care if they experience:

* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
* Hives or a swollen face or throat with difficulty swallowing
* Violent, sudden-onset cough
* Cough that produces blood
* Fever, which may suggest a bacterial infection
* Thick, foul-smelling, yellowish-green phlegm, another possible sign of a bacterial infection

Symptoms suggestive of congestive heart failure, such as a history of heart disease, leg swelling, or a cough that worsens upon lying down
* Exposure to someone with [[tuberculosis]]
* Unintentional weight loss or night sweats
* Cough persisting for longer than 10-14 days
* Cough in an infant less than 3 months old

== Diagnosis ==
Diagnostic investigations can include a physical examination, focusing on the ears, nose, throat, and chest, and may include further diagnostic tests such as:

* Bronchoscopy
* Lung scan
* Pulmonary function tests
* Sputum analysis, if the cough produces sputum
* Chest X-ray

== Prevention ==
Preventive measures include avoiding smoke and exposure to allergens. For seasonal allergies, individuals should try to stay indoors on high-allergen days, and those with year-round allergies should consider using dust mite covers, air purifiers, and avoiding pets and other known triggers.

== References ==

Irwin RS, Madison JM. The diagnosis and treatment of cough. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000 Dec 7;343(23):1715-21.
Braman SS. Chronic cough due to acute bronchitis: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006 Jan 1;129(1):95S-103S.
Pratter MR. Chronic upper airway cough syndrome secondary to rhinosinus diseases (previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome): ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006 Jan 1;129(1):63S-71S.

== External links == 
*[http://familydoctor.org/handouts/237.html FamilyDoctor.org – Chronic cough: causes and cures]
*[http://www.asthmaxpert.com Asthma cough treatments]
*[http://www.abouthomeremedy.com/home-remedy-for-cough.html Home Remedy for Cough]
*http://www.chestnet.org/patients/guides/cough/p8.php
*[http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/04-1990fjev1 FASEB Journal article on theobromine effectiveness as a cough suppressent]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4032585.stm BBC Article about chocolate as cough medicine]
*[http://www.ilovegsh.com/asthma-relief.html Effective Asthma Action Plan]
{{obesity}}
{{health}}
[[Category:Reflexes]]
[[Category:Symptoms]]