What causes a cough?

Coughing is a natural event that occurs in order to clear out any normal mucus build up. When coughing becomes persistent it indicates the possibility of illness or disorder. Coughing may be caused by a common cold, upper respiratory disorder or sinusitis and is associated with mucus build up in the throat and lungs. Other causes include asthma, allergies, inhaled irritants, bronchitis and a number of other medical diagnosed conditions. Coughs occur when small particles (eg food) are inhaled, in order to expel them. Coughing is also a side effect of the flu and measles.

Some prescription medication may cause a cough - consult your pharmacist for advice.

What happens with a cough?

A cough is a violent reflex action to expel irritant mucus or other particles from the throat and lungs. A cough may be dry (unproductive) or contain phlegm (productive). A productive cough may indicate bacterial infection (yellow, green phlegm) - viral infection or allergy (white, watery phlegm) - your medical practitioner may order tests to determine the cause.

A persistent cough may indicate underlying disorder, consult your medical practitioner.

Traditional Pharmacy

Treatment by your medical practitioner may include the use of antihistamines, antibiotics and bronchodilators.

Over the counter cold medications containing paracetamol, codeine, pholcodine, dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine help alleviate headache, dry cough, runny nose, fever and pain. Consult your pharmacist.

Dry unproductive cough associated with nasal congestion may be relieved by an antitussive cough medicine containing codeine, pholcodine or dextromethorphan and the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine. Dry unproductive cough associated with sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion may be relieved by one containing chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan.

Chesty (productive) coughs may be relieved by an expectorant cough medicine (to loosen mucus) containing bromhexine and guaiphenesin. Expectorant cough medicines may also contain pseudoephedrine for use in a chesty cough in association with a runny nose. If you are taking medication for blood pressure, a suitable expectorant medicine containing diphenhydramine (antihistamine) and ammonium chloride and sodium citrate (mucus loosening) is advised.

A decongestant nasal spray may give short term relief to blocked nose and nasal congestion.

Consult your pharmacist for advice.

Natural Pharmacy

Drink plenty of fluids including fruit juices to help loosen any mucus. Drinking hot tea, including herbal teas (sweeten with honey) acts as a decongestant (loosening mucus) to help relieve a cough.

A good way to treat a cough associated with a cold is with rest, keep warm and drink plenty of fluids. Echinacea, marshmallow, eucalyptus and vitamin C lozenges help reduce severity of sore throats. Vitamin C may be effective in reducing the duration of a cold. Consult your pharmacist for advice.

What else to do?

• Avoid potential irritants such as pollen and dust.
• Elevate the head of the bed a little to help reduce nighttime coughing.

Prevention and Cautions

It is imperative not to smoke. Smoking is most irritating to the lungs and throat and a major cause of coughing.

Persistent coughing that last longer than a couple of weeks requires professional advice.

Seek professional advice if

• You experience chest pains or have an earache.
• You have a persistent high temperature.
• You have blood in your sputum
• You begin wheezing or become breathless.

References

• The Merck Manual 17th Edition
• Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition