Cough cough COUGH!!!

Cough! Cough! COUGH!

So, you’ve got a pesky cough, and you’re wondering what’s up with it. Coughing can be a real nuisance, and it comes in two main types: dry coughs and wet coughs. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between these two cough types, what causes them, and how to deal with them.

Dry Coughs: When Your Throat’s in a Tickle

A dry cough is the kind of cough that doesn’t bring up any mucus or phlegm, but it can drive you nuts.

Wet Coughs: When Things Get Gross

Wet coughs, on the other hand, can be, well, pretty gross. They’re known as productive coughs, the coughs that bring up mucus or phlegm, and they often come with that lovely “rattling” or “gurgling” sound.

What’s making you cough?

1. Irritants: Coughs can be triggered by things like smoke, dust, or other irritating substances floating around in the air.
2. Asthma: If you’re in the asthma club, you might get dry coughs when your airways throw a little fit.
3. Allergies: Allergic to pollen, pet dander, or other stuff? It can lead to a scratchy, dry cough, too.
4. Colds and Flu (read our article on figuring out if you have a cold or flu)

Taming the Dry Cough Beast

• Reach for over-the-counter cough suppressants to calm that urge to cough.
• Give your throat some love with cough lozenges, humidifiers or a steamy shower. Your irritated throat will thank you.

Conquering the Wet Cough Swamp

• Over-the-counter expectorants can help thin out that gooey mucus and make it easier to cough it out.
• If your cough isn’t getting better after a week, chat with your doctor. They’ll check to make sure it’s not caused by a bacterial infection, like a sinus infection or pneumonia. If it is, they might prescribe antibiotics to help you get better.

Conclusion

We’ve covered the basics of dry and wet coughs, but if you’ve got a cough that just won’t quit, with a fever, chest pain or trouble breathing, you must see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-cough-causes

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327142

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/overview

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cough/