Cough Treatment Ankara

What is a Cough?

A cough is a reflex that occurs in the respiratory tract. It is a defense mechanism by which our body attempts to clear irritants or foreign objects from the respiratory system.

Coughing can occur when there is a problem in our lungs, airways, or throat.

Mechanism of Coughing

Coughing is a defense mechanism in the respiratory tract and is generally a reflex aimed at removing elements that irritate or obstruct the airways.

Coughing occurs to clear the airways and expel foreign substances, mucus, or irritants.

The mechanism of coughing generally involves the following stages:

• Irritation: When the respiratory tract is exposed to irritants such as foreign substances, dust, irritants, or infections, the cough reflex is triggered. Receptors in the respiratory tract detect irritants and send this information to the brain, initiating the cough reflex.
• Deep Inhalation: Before the cough reflex begins, we usually take a deep breath. This helps draw more air into the lungs and provides the necessary air for an effective cough.
• Cough Reflex: After inhaling, the glottis, a flap at the back of the throat, closes. Then, the respiratory muscles contract, drawing a rapid and forceful breath. This increases the air pressure in the lungs.
• Glottis Opens: As the air pressure builds up, the glottis opens, and air is rapidly expelled through the respiratory tract, carrying with it mucus, foreign substances, or irritants.
• Expulsion by Coughing: Along with the rapid airflow, accumulated substances, mucus, or irritants in the respiratory tract are expelled. This helps clear the airways and aids in the removal of potentially harmful substances.

What Causes a Cough?

A cough is often a symptom of an infection or irritation in the respiratory tract. Some common causes include:

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Colds, flu, or sinusitis can cause coughing.
• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Bronchitis (acute or chronic),pneumonia, or other respiratory infections can lead to coughing.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke irritates the respiratory tract and can cause chronic coughing.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, or allergic bronchitis can also cause coughing.
• Reflux: Acid reflux, where stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, can cause coughing.
• Asthma: Asthma, a disease characterized by the narrowing of the airways, is one of the most common causes of coughing.
• Medications: Certain medications, especially ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure),can cause coughing.

Types of Cough:

Coughs can vary, and their severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms can differ depending on various factors. A cough can be mild and temporary, or it can be severe and long-lasting. However, coughing is usually a symptom that resolves on its own.

If your cough is severe, persistent, occurs with other symptoms, or causes concern, it is important to consult a pulmonologist. This way, the underlying cause of the cough can be identified, and appropriate treatment can be recommended.

Coughs can be classified based on their characteristics and duration.

Here are some common types of coughs:

• Dry Cough: A cough that is not accompanied by mucus or phlegm, often resulting from irritation of the throat. Dry coughs can be associated with upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, cigarette smoke, or the side effects of certain medications.
• Productive Cough: A cough where mucus or phlegm is expelled. Phlegm is a type of mucus that helps clear the respiratory tract. Productive coughs are often associated with lower respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
• Chronic Cough: A persistent cough lasting more than 8 weeks. Chronic cough can be a symptom of various health issues, such as smoking, asthma, reflux, chronic bronchitis, or the side effects of medications. Identifying the underlying cause is important.
• Paroxysmal Cough: A type of cough that causes sudden and severe coughing fits. It is characterized by hoarse, harsh, and repetitive cough sounds. Conditions like rubella, whooping cough, or certain allergic reactions can cause paroxysmal cough.
• Nighttime Cough: A cough that worsens at night, particularly when lying down or during sleep. Conditions like asthma, reflux, postnasal drip, or sleep apnea can contribute to nighttime coughing.

What is a Lung-related Cough?

A lung-related cough typically occurs as a symptom of a problem in the lower respiratory tract or lungs. This type of cough can result from irritation, infection, or other pathological conditions in the respiratory tract or lung tissue.

A lung-related cough may manifest in the following ways:

Productive Cough: Increased mucus or phlegm production due to an infection or irritation in the lungs. Phlegm expelled during a cough usually contains bacteria, viruses, allergens, or other foreign substances that have accumulated in the respiratory tract.

Inflammation, Tumors, or Fluid Accumulation in the Lungs: Conditions such as inflammation, tumors, or fluid accumulation in the lungs may present with a cough.

Chronic or Long-lasting Cough: Chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis (widening of the bronchi),pulmonary fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause persistent or recurrent coughing.

Coughing Up Blood or Blood-streaked Phlegm: Coughing up blood or producing blood-streaked phlegm may indicate that the cough is lung-related.

These causes and symptoms may suggest that the underlying cause of the cough originates from the lungs.

Productive Cough

A productive cough is a type of cough where mucus or phlegm is expelled. Phlegm is a type of mucus produced in the respiratory tract that helps clear the airways. A productive cough often indicates an issue in the lower respiratory tract.

Some causes of productive cough include:

• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Bronchitis (acute or chronic),pneumonia, or bronchiectasis can cause productive cough. Infections lead to inflammation in the respiratory tract and increased mucus production. The color of phlegm is usually yellow or green.
• Asthma: Asthma can cause the narrowing of the airways and increased mucus production, leading to a productive cough. The color of phlegm is usually clear.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD, often associated with smoking, is a progressive lung disease. Increased phlegm production and a productive cough are characteristic symptoms of COPD.
• Sinusitis or Allergic Rhinitis: Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis) or allergic rhinitis can cause drainage from the nose and sinuses. This drainage can flow down the throat, leading to a productive cough. The color of phlegm is usually clear.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke irritates the respiratory tract and increases mucus production. Smokers often experience productive coughs.

Dry Cough

A dry cough is a type of cough that is not accompanied by mucus or phlegm. Dry coughs are often associated with upper respiratory tract infections, allergic reactions, cigarette smoke, or the side effects of certain medications. Some common causes of dry cough include:

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Colds, flu, or sinusitis can cause dry coughs. These infections irritate the respiratory tract and lead to coughing.
• Allergic Reactions: Allergic rhinitis or allergic bronchitis can cause irritation in the respiratory tract and lead to a dry cough. These conditions usually arise from exposure to allergens (such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander).
• Cigarette Smoke: Cigarette smoke irritates the respiratory tract and can lead to a dry cough. Smoking or passive exposure to cigarette smoke can contribute to dry coughs.
• Reflux: Acid reflux, where stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, can irritate the throat and cause a dry cough. Reflux-related coughs are often more pronounced when lying down or after meals.
• Medications: Certain medications, especially ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure),can cause dry coughs.
• Respiratory Tract Irritation: Polluted air, chemical irritants, or other factors that cause respiratory tract irritation can lead to dry coughs. These conditions irritate the respiratory tract and lead to coughing.
• Pulmonary Fibrosis: A chronic and progressive disease, pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by at least a 3-month history of dry cough as a significant symptom.

Dry coughs generally resolve on their own. However, if a dry cough is severe, persistent, occurs with other symptoms, or is bothersome, it is important to consult a pulmonologist.

How is a Cough Treated?

Cough treatment is based on the underlying cause. Some common cough treatment methods include:

Treatment of the Underlying Cause: Identifying and treating the underlying cause of the cough is important. The cause of the cough may be an infection, allergy, asthma, reflux, or another health issue. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause. For example, antibiotics may be used for infections, bronchodilators or corticosteroid inhalers for asthma, and anti-reflux treatments for reflux.

Medications: Certain medications can be used to alleviate cough symptoms. Cough suppressants reduce the cough reflex, thereby decreasing coughing. However, they should not be used for productive coughs, as they may prevent the clearance of mucus from the throat and respiratory tract. Cough suppressants are typically used for severe coughs that do not respond to other treatments or in patients with lung cancer.

Mucolytics: For productive coughs, mucolytic medications can help thin the mucus, making it easier to expel.

Humidifiers: Humidifiers or steam inhalation can help relieve coughs. Humid air can soothe the respiratory tract and reduce coughing.

Comforting Techniques: Some techniques can help alleviate cough symptoms, such as drinking warm fluids, steaming, gargling with saltwater, and using throat lozenges or cough suppressants in lozenge form.

The primary treatment for a cough is identifying and treating the underlying cause.

What Helps Relieve a Cough?

Some natural remedies and home treatments that may help relieve a cough include:

• Increased Fluid Intake: Drinking plenty of fluids such as warm water, herbal teas, warm milk, or herbal mixtures can help moisten the throat and alleviate coughs.
• Honey: Honey is known as a natural cough suppressant. You can add a teaspoon of honey to warm water or herbal tea, or consume it directly.
• Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe a cough. You can make ginger tea by adding fresh ginger slices to boiling water. You may also add a bit of honey and lemon juice.
• Mucus-loosening Herbal Teas: Herbal teas such as flaxseed, sage, thyme, linden, or chamomile can help thin mucus and clear the respiratory tract.
• Breathing Moist Air: Moist air can help relieve a cough. Taking a shower, steaming, or using a humidifier can moisten the respiratory tract and provide relief.
• Gargling with Salt Water: Gargling with a mixture of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt can soothe throat irritation and reduce coughing.

These methods can generally help relieve mild coughs.

Cough Syrups

Cough syrups are products used to alleviate or suppress coughing. They fall into two main categories: cough suppressants and expectorant/mucolytic syrups.

Cough Suppressants: These syrups work by suppressing the cough reflex to reduce coughing. Suppressing a cough can help alleviate distressing or nighttime cough fits. However, they may prevent mucus from clearing the throat and respiratory tract. Cough suppressants typically contain active ingredients such as codeine, dextromethorphan, or levopropoxyphene. These syrups should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Expectorant/Mucolytic Syrups: These syrups work by thinning mucus and clearing the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough up mucus. They can help expel the mucus that causes the cough.

Cough syrups are a temporary treatment method used to relieve symptoms and do not treat the underlying cause. It is important to use these medications under medical supervision.

Is Coughing Contagious?

In some cases, coughing can be contagious. Coughs caused by respiratory tract infections, especially, can be spread by viruses or bacteria. Cough droplets or aerosols produced during coughing may contain viruses or bacteria that can be transmitted to others.

The contagiousness of a cough depends on the type and characteristics of the underlying infection. For example, viral upper respiratory tract infections such as the flu or common cold can easily spread through coughing.

To reduce the spread of contagious coughs, the following precautions can be taken:

• Hand Hygiene: Regularly washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers can prevent the spread of infection from hands to others.
• Cough and Sneeze Etiquette: Cover the mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Used tissues should be disposed of immediately. Avoid touching the mouth and nose with hands during coughing or sneezing.
• Mask Usage: Wearing a mask, especially in situations where a respiratory tract infection is suspected or in crowded environments, can reduce the spread of contagious cough droplets.
• Avoiding Close Contact with Infected Individuals: Stay at least one meter away from people who are coughing or sneezing and limit close contact.
• Staying Home: If you are coughing or ill, it is advisable to stay home as much as possible and minimize contact with others.

Coughs caused by allergies or irritants, such as dry coughs, are generally not contagious.

Does Smoking Cause Coughing?

Yes, smoking can cause coughing or worsen an existing cough. Cigarette smoke irritates the respiratory tract and leads to coughing. The effects of smoking on coughing include:

• Respiratory Tract Irritation: Cigarette smoke contains chemicals and particles that irritate the respiratory tract, triggering the cough reflex. When smoked, the smoke reaches the lungs and respiratory tract, leading to coughing.
• Increased Mucus Production: Smoking irritates the bronchi and respiratory tract, leading to increased mucus production, which can cause a productive cough. Smokers may find it harder to clear mucus, leading to more frequent coughing.
• Respiratory Infections: Smoking weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to respiratory infections, which can cause coughing and respiratory tract irritation.
• Chronic Bronchitis: Smoking increases the risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a persistent cough, mucus production, and continuous irritation of the respiratory tract.

If you have a cough and smoke, quitting smoking can help alleviate your cough and improve your overall health.