Cough: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

A cough is more than just a sound or reflex; it often serves as the body’s way of protecting itself. Whether it clears irritants from the airways or signals an underlying issue, each cough has a message to share. By paying attention, we can start to understand what our body is trying to tell us.

However, a cough can occur in different forms, sometimes lasting only a few days with a typical cold. At other times, it persists, indicating infections, allergies, or even chronic lung conditions. The duration, sound, and strength of a cough often give clues about its true cause and what it means for your health.

Therefore, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment of coughs is crucial for managing discomfort, finding effective relief, and recognizing when to seek medical help for more serious issues.

What is a Cough?

A cough is the body’s natural response to clear the airways. When irritants such as dust, mucus, or infection enter the throat or lungs, the body responds by forcefully expelling air. This process helps protect the lungs and keep breathing passages clear.

Lifecycle of a cough:

1. Trigger: Irritants, mucus, or infection stimulate the nerves in the airways.
2. Buildup: The lungs take in air, the vocal cords close, and pressure builds
3. Release: The vocal cords suddenly open, creating the burst of air we recognize as coughing.

Cough: Causes

Below are some of the most common causes of coughs, which can help you understand why they occur.

• Infections in the airways: A cold, the flu, or bronchitis can irritate the throat and lungs, causing the body to expel mucus and germs.
• Allergic reactions or asthma: Dust, pollen, and even pets may inflame the airways, leading to repeated coughing spells.
• Acid reflux (GERD): Stomach acid sometimes moves upward into the throat, which can cause a persistent dry cough, often worse at night.
• Smoke and polluted air: Breathing in cigarette smoke, pollution, or strong chemical fumes often keeps the cough going.
• Long-term lung issues: Conditions like COPD, tuberculosis, or even lung cancer can cause a persistent cough.

Cough: Symptoms

Below are some of the most common symptoms of a cough that can help you easily recognize it

• Dry tickling throat: An irritating, scratchy feeling that causes constant coughing without mucus.
• Mucus or phlegm production: Wet cough with clear, yellow, or green mucus, often related to infections.
• Wheezing or noisy breathing: Whistling or rattling sounds while breathing, associated with asthma or blocked airways.
• Nighttime coughing: Cough that worsens when lying down, usually due to acid reflux or post-nasal drip.
• Cough with fever or fatigue: Cough combined with exhaustion, weakness, or fever, typically from viral or bacterial infections.
• Chest tightness or pain: Discomfort in the chest muscles from frequent or deep coughing.
• Shortness of breath: Trouble catching your breath during or after coughing fits, especially in lung conditions.
• Persistent or long-lasting cough: A cough that lasts for weeks, indicating deeper issues like allergies, GERD, or chronic lung disease.

Cough: Treatment

The best treatment for a cough depends on its cause, intensity, and whether it’s dry or wet. Here are the most effective options:

1. Home remedies

• Honey and warm water: Coats the throat to ease irritation and reduce coughing.
• Ginger tea: Acts as an anti-inflammatory and soothes coughing spells.
• Steam inhalation: Loosens mucus and relieves airway congestion.
• Humidifier use: Adds moisture to the air, helping to prevent throat dryness.
• Saltwater gargle: Eases throat irritation and clears mucus.
• Turmeric milk: Provides anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits to help ease cough symptoms.

2. Over-the-counter (OTC) medication

• Mucinex^® Chest Congestion Guaifenesin 600 mg Tablets^*, which helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and make coughs more productive. Only Mucinex^® has a bi-layer tablet that dissolves fast and releases medicine for up to 12 hours^*.
  

^*This product may not be right for everyone. Always read and follow the label.

FAQs

In what ways can you get a cough from your environment or lifestyle habits?

Environmental factors, such as smoke, dust, mold, strong odors, and allergens like pollen or pet dander, can cause a cough. It can also come from lifestyle habits like smoking, vaping, or exposure to occupational fumes.

Does water help with coughing, and what role do fluids play in recovery?

Drinking water can help with coughing by thinning mucus, soothing the throat, and supporting the immune system. It also replaces fluids lost from fever or illness, keeps airways moist, and promotes faster recovery.

How can you get a cough just from dust, cold air, or spicy food?

A cough can be caused by dust, cold air, or spicy foods irritating the throat and airway nerves, leading to inflammation, mucus production, or a tickle. Dust and allergens can irritate, cold air increases nerve sensitivity, and capsaicin in spicy foods stimulates receptors. This irritation can result in postnasal drip and coughing.

How do you get a cough linked to allergies, asthma, or acid reflux?

Allergies can cause postnasal drip, which can lead to a dry cough. Asthma triggers coughing when the airways become swollen or constricted. Acid reflux (GERD) irritates the throat and airways with stomach acid, sometimes causing a tightening sensation and cough.