About this topic
Coughing is an important reflex that helps clear the throat and airways. But, cough is also one of the common signs of illness. A cough can be dry or productive. Acute cough may go away in about 3 weeks or less. A chronic cough can last longer than 3 weeks. ‚
A cough most often points to a disease in the throat, airways, or lungs. It may be from an infection or allergies. Ear, heart, or stomach acid problems may cause coughs. Some coughs are from lung damage from smoking or other lung disease. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Follow all of your doctors instructions.
- Take your drugs as ordered by doctor.
- Try to thin mucus.
- Drink lots of liquids.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to avoid dry air.
- Treat the problem that causes the cough.
- Stay away from smoke and airborne irritants such as pollen and dust.
- Take warm, steamy showers to help soothe the cough
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Control coughing
- Get rid of mucus
- Thin mucus that blocks your nose
- Block allergens if your cough is due to allergies
- Increase airflow if your cough is due to asthma or COPD
- Reduce swelling of the airways
Will physical activity be limited?
Your cough may interfere with some of your activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Some people feel milk products worsen their sputum production and worsen their cough, but this has not been proven. There is no need to reduce milk intake. Honey has been shown to be as effective as the leading over-the-counter (OTC) drug for calming coughs. Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2 mL to 5 mL) of honey as needed. It can thin the secretions and loosen the cough. Never give honey to a child under the age of 1. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill the virus.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Clean items and surfaces you most often touch like door handles, remotes, phones, or toys. Wipe them with a disinfectant. This can help reduce the spread of infection.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Take vitamin C to help strengthen your bodys ability to fight disease.
- Get a flu shot each year.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing, chest tightness, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin color, seizures, or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more mucus or change in color of mucus.
- Wheezing, chest tightness, lips turn blue with coughing, or other problems with breathing
- If you have violent coughing episodes
- If you are losing weight (but not trying to) and have night sweats
- If you have numbness, tingling, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- If you have swelling in your legs
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help thin the mucus and ease my cough.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have wheezing, chest tightness, my lips turn blue with coughing, or I have other trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/cough-toux/index_e.php ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cough/treatment.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚