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Cough, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Definition of Cough
Coughing is the body's natural response to expel substances and particles from the respiratory tract to prevent them from entering the lower respiratory tract. Coughing can also signal other conditions, from asthma to lung cancer.
The throat and lungs produce a small amount of mucus or phlegm to keep the airway moist. Occasional coughs are normal, because they help move phlegm, which is responsible for keeping the airways moist.
However, a cough that lasts for several weeks can indicate a condition that requires medical attention, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever and phlegm that is greenish yellow or mixed with blood.
Keep in mind, coughing can also be a symptom of COVID-19. If you or your child has a cough, especially if it's accompanied by a fever, headache, or loss of smell, see a doctor right away.
Click the link below so you can be directed to the nearest COVID-19 screening:
- Antibody Rapid Test
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
Symptoms and Causes of Cough
Coughs are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, heartburn, fever, earache, and muscle aches. Based on the duration of occurrence, cough can occur less than 3 weeks to more than 8 weeks.
Coughing can be caused by an infection in the upper respiratory tract or lower respiratory tract. It could also be due to allergies or other long-term conditions, such as asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis.
Cough Treatment and Prevention
In addition to taking cough medicine, there are several independent efforts that can be done to deal with coughs. The trick is to get enough rest, drink lots of water, and eat honey.
Keep in mind, most coughs occur due to viral infections. Therefore, the way to prevent it is to avoid the transmission of the virus. In addition, coughs can also be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Causes of Cough
In general, coughing can occur when a person inhales substances that irritate the respiratory tract, including:
- Dust
- Cigarette smoke
- Strong smell, like perfume
- Pet hair
- Pollen
- Mold
Coughing can also be caused by various conditions. The following are the causes of cough based on its duration:
Acute Cough
Acute cough is a cough that lasts less than 3 weeks. This condition is often caused by:
- Infections in the upper respiratory tract (ARI), such as in the nose (rhinitis), sinuses (sinusitis), throat (pharyngitis), and voice box or larynx (laryngitis)
- Infections in the lower respiratory tract, such as in the bronchi (bronchitis) and lungs (pneumonia)
In addition to respiratory tract infections, acute cough can also be caused by:
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Allergies, such as allergic rhinitis or hay fever
- Acute bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Acid reflux disease or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19
Subacute Cough
A subacute cough usually lasts 3–8 weeks. This condition can be caused by long-term ARI, either due to asthma, sinusitis, rhinovirus, cough after infection, or postnasal drip.
Chronic Cough
A chronic cough is a cough that lasts more than 8 weeks and can even last for years. Some of the causes of a prolonged cough include:
- Asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Acid reflux disease (GERD)
- Post-nasal drip
- Pulmonary edema
- Heart failure
- Taking ACE inhibitors
- Lung cancer or spread of cancer to the lungs
- Sarcoidosis
In addition to these causes, smoking habits, a history of allergies, working in a work environment with high pollution can also increase a person's risk of having a chronic cough.
Cough Symptoms
In addition to the body's normal process of removing foreign objects, coughing can be a symptom of an illness, such as the flu, lung, heart, or nervous system disease. In this case, the appearance of a cough is also accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Have a cold
- Fever
- Weak
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing or coughing when swallowing
- Hard to breathe
- Swollen foot
Cough can also be divided into productive cough and nonproductive cough. Productive cough is a cough that produces phlegm or mucus. While nonproductive cough is a cough that does not produce phlegm, or commonly known as a dry cough.
When to go to the doctor
Coughs are generally harmless, but if your cough doesn't improve within a week, you should see your doctor.
See a doctor immediately if you feel that your cough is interfering with your activities and work, especially if it is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Hard to breathe
- Chest pain
- Gastric pains
- Coughing thick, greenish-yellow mucus
- Bleeding cough
- Sweating at night
- Hard to sleep
- Fever
- Headache
- Wheezing
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Voice change
- Lumps on the chin, neck, or armpits
Cough Diagnosis
The doctor will first conduct a question and answer session with the patient about coughing, including when and how long the patient has had a cough. The doctor will also ask if the patient has a history of allergies, smoking habits, or contact with people with respiratory infections before coughing.
After that, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination, including by looking at the throat or listening to the patient's breathing using a stethoscope.
If necessary, the doctor will perform additional tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
- Blood test, to count white blood cells which is a sign of infection in the body
- Sputum culture, to identify the microorganism causing the cough
- Nasal swab and throat swab tests, to detect bacteria or viruses, including the COVID-19 virus
- Bronchoscopy, to examine the possibility of foreign objects entering the patient's lungs and respiratory tract
- Chest X-ray and CT scan, to see the inside of the chest in more detail
- Esophageal pH check, to check if cough is caused by stomach acid reflux
- Spirometry or pulmonary function tests, to evaluate breathing and lung function
- Methacholine test, which is a breathing test to observe lung response, especially in people with asthma
Cough Complications
Coughs usually go away on their own within 2-3 weeks after symptoms appear. However, in severe cases, coughing can cause complications such as:
- Fatigue
- Hard to sleep
- Dizzy
- Vomit
- Headache
- Urinary incontinence
- Abdominal muscle pain
- Chest pain
Cough Prevention
Coughs are most often the result of a viral infection that causes the common cold. Therefore, prevention can be done to minimize the transmission of the virus, including by:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if soap and water are not available
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your face before washing your hands
- Practice good coughing and sneezing etiquette
- Use a mask when you are sick or in an environment with many sick people
In addition, the doctor will also recommend the following things to prevent coughing:
- Quit smoking
- Implement a healthy, nutritionally complete, and balanced diet
- Exercise regularly for 30 minutes every day
- Sufficient water intake
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Avoid contact with people with infectious diseases, such as flu, tuberculosis, and pneumonia
- Check with the doctor if you have GERD or asthma
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