Coughs

“The air in the dorm is so dry, that it makes a lot of us cough at night. We find that a cheap humidifier or even a large bowl of water in the room adds enough moisture to relieve those nightly coughs.”

Rachael G., Cornell University

Coughing clears the lungs and airways. Coughing is only a symptom, not the problem.

Signs & Symptoms

There are 3 kinds of coughs:

	Productive. This brings up mucus or phlegm.
	Nonproductive. This is a dry cough.
	Reflex. This is a cough that comes from a problem somewhere else, like the ear or stomach.

Causes

Common causes of coughing are:

	Tobacco smoke
	Dry air
	Infections. Examples are bronchitis, colds, and the flu. (See “Colds & Flu” )
	Allergies and postnasal drip
	Asthma

Other causes include having something stuck in your windpipe and acid reflux from the stomach that comes with heartburn. Coughing can also be a symptom of medical conditions, such as tuberculosis.

Treatment

How to treat your cough depends on what kind it is. Treat the cause and soothe the irritation. Stay away from smoking and secondhand smoke. Smoke hurts your lungs and makes it harder for your body to fight an infection.

Questions to Ask

With coughing do you have signs of severe allergic reaction? A hard time breathing or swallowing Severe swelling all over, or of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat Obstructed airway Wheezing Dizziness, weakness

With coughing, do you have any of these problems? Trouble breathing and/or you are not able to say more than 4 to 5 words between breaths Fainting You cough up true red blood.

Do you have a very sudden onset of coughing from inhaling a small object?

With a cough, do you have any of these problems? An itchy, red splotchy rash A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher Your chest hurts only when you cough and the pain goes away when you sit up or lean forward. You cough up green, yellow, or bloody-colored mucus. You lose weight for no reason, feel tired, and sweat a lot at night.

Does your cough last for more than 3 weeks without getting better?

Self-Care

For Coughs that Bring Up Mucus:
	Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, hot tea, and fruit juice. These help loosen mucus and soothe a sore throat.
	Use a cool-mist vaporizer in your room.
	Take a shower. The steam can thin mucus.
	Take an over-the-counter expectorant or cough medicine containing guaifenesin.
	Don’t smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.
For Coughs that Are Dry:
	Drink liquids. Have warm tea, chicken soup, etc.
	Suck on cough drops or hard candy.
	Take an over-the-counter cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan. Take only as directed.

Table of Contents

July 19, 2002