Know Your Cough

Understanding the types of coughs

Coughing, also known as tussis, is a voluntary or involuntary action that clears the throat and breathing passage of foreign particles, bacteria, irritants, fluids, and mucus; it is a fast expulsion of air from the lungs.

There are several kinds of coughs, each with particular features that can assist your doctor in determining what underlying condition is causing it. A productive cough is one that produces phlegm or mucus and may indicate pneumonia, bronchitis, or the flu. The color of the mucus might indicate a more serious issue. A dry or nonproductive cough is one that does not generate mucus.

The most common form of cough is acute cough. It only lasts three weeks or less and will eventually subside on its own. This form of cough does not necessitate medical care. Coughs that continue for more than eight weeks might be an indication of a more serious or chronic lung illness.

Phases of Cough

Inhalation Phase
01

Inhalation Phase

The inhalation of air into the lungs causes the expiratory muscles to lengthen (2.5 – 3.0 liters)
Compressive Phase
02

Compressive Phase

As a result of expiratory muscle contraction, the glottis closes, and intrathoracic pressure rises.
Expiratory phase
03

Expiratory phase

Excessive expiratory flow and loud coughs result from the glottis opening. A burst of high-velocity air is released.

Who is more prone to have a cough?

A cough can affect everyone. The most prevalent symptom reported in healthcare providers’ offices is a cough. Some people, however, are more prone to coughing than others. These include who:
Vape
Smoke substances (like tobacco or marijuana)
Suffer from chronic ailments, particularly those affecting the lungs or nervous system.
Coughs can be caused by a variety of factors.
Are children. Kids tend to fall sick often, especially when they go to school or daycare.

How can coughing be prevented?

The last thing you want to do if you have a severe cough is for it to spread and infect your friends or family members too. Similarly, you’d presumably expect that your friends and family would do everything they could to keep their cough from spreading to you.

Having strong immune defenses will help you fight off the next cough, cold, or virus that comes your way. Sleep is one of the most important components of a good immune system that fights colds and flu. Poor quality or insufficient sleep has been shown to reduce resistance to illness, so having your sleep hygiene habits dialed in will help you face the outside world with confidence, along with a few handy hygiene practices.

Some of the most basic and effective methods for avoiding person-to-person or object-to-person transmission are also the simplest. A few types of coughs can be avoided by limiting irritants that cause you to cough. You can help prevent coughs caused by infections by doing the following:

Getting immunized against influenza, COVID-19, and pneumonia.
Staying away from sick people.
Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Wash your hands frequently with soap, water and/or hand sanitizers.