Most of us cough several times a day without even noticing it. A cough is simply your body's way of keeping the lungs clear of mucus and irritants such as dust, smoke or foreign bodies. When nerve endings in the lungs sense any of these, a reflex is triggered, causing you to cough. infections leke colds make you cough more but once the cold ctears4 the coughing stops. However, a chronic cough is one that goes on for weeks, months or years, in which case you may need further help. Here are some common causes:
1. THE SYMPTOMS: You've had a streaming cold that's left you with an irritating dry cough.
IT COULD BE: Post-viral cough.
WHAT'S THE CAUSE? It's not known exactly, but it is thought to be the result of nerve endings in the airways becoming more irritable, causing the cough reflex to be more easily triggered.
WHO GETS IT? Anyone can get this after a cold, flu or other respiratory virus.
WILL IT GO AWAY? Yes, almost always within a week or two.
WHAT'S THE TREATMENT? There are no effective drug treatments.
HELP YOURSELF Breathing warm humidified air can sometimes ease the tickle. Buy a humidifier, or try the old wives' trick of inhaling boiling water from a bowl with a towel over your head.
2. THE SYMPTOMS: You sneeze and cough, your nose is blocked and you're always clearing your throat.
IT COULD BE: Post-nasal drip.
WHAT'S THE CAUSE? Secretions from the nose dripping into the back of the throat. It's usually rhinitis — either seasonal (hayfever) caused by pollen allergy, or perennial (year-round), often a reaction to things like dust mites or animal hairs. Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) can also bea trigger.
WHO GETS IT? Anyone, but a tendency to allergies can be inherited.
WILL IT GO AWAY? Hayfever goes away when the pollens die cown, but you're stuck with perennial rhinitis for life.
WHAT'S THE TREATMENT? Antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. Desensitising injections of substances that cause a reaction may help boost immunity so you are less likely to succumb during the pollen season.
HELP YOURSELF: Learn to identify and manage triggers. For hayfever, dust your work and home area often. For perennial rhinitis, wash sheets, blankets and pillows weekly in hot water, and buy dust-proof covers for bedding.
3. THE SYMPTOMS: Your breathing sounds like a whistle. Your chest is tight and you struggle for breath, especially at night and in the early morning.
IT COULD BE: Asthma.
WHAT'S THE CAUSE? The passages that carry air to and from your lungs become inflamed and over-sensitive to irritants, thought to be due to a combination of genes and exposure to substances such as tobacco smoke, infections and some allergens early in life.
WHO GETS IT? One in 20 adults have asthma, and women are more at risk than men.
WILL IT GO AWAY? There's no cure. You may get more attacks after a cold or in the winter.
WHAT'S THE TREATMENT? Quick-relief inhalers to relax the airways and help ease immediate symptoms, plus long-term preventive inhalers to keep severe attacks at bay.
HELP YOURSELF: Smoke, cold air, exercise, animal hair and perfume can tricger an attack.
4.THE SYMPTOMS: As well as a cough you've got heartburn, a sour taste in your mouth and acid reflux, and often wake up hoarse.
IT COULD BE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
WHAT'S THE CAUSE? The valve at the bottom of your gullet or oesophagus doesn't close properly, so food and acid leak back, or reflux, into your oesophagus. It's not known why this triggers chronic coughing, but it's thought that inflammation caused by GERD may stimulate nerve endings in the gullet, causing the cough reflex to kick in.
WHO GETS IT? Anyone, but you're more at risk if you are over 40, overweight or pregnant. Smokers are also more at risk, as chemicals in smoke relax the oesophageal valve.
WILL IT GO AWAY? Controlling GERD can diminish coughing.
WHAT'S THE TREATMENT? Over-the-counter antacids or acid suppressants or stronger prescribed medications and, very occasionally, surgery. Shedding some weight if you need to, avoiding eating within two to three hours of bedtime, steering clear of alcohol and cutting down on caffeine, fizzy drinks, chocolate, fatty and fried foods. Plus, avoiding tight clothing — which can press on the stomach — can help to ease GERD and chronic coughing.
4. THE SYMPTOMS: A constant phlegmy cough, plus recurring chest infections, a tight chest and wheezy breathing that means it's a struggle to breathe.
IT COULD BE: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (CO PD).
WHAT'S THE CAUSE? COPD is caused by damage to the airways or bronchial tubes (bronchitis), and the smaller airways and air sacs in the lungs (emphysema). The most common culprit of COPD is smoking or passive smoking. Working in a job that exposes you to pollutants or diesel fumes can aggravate the symptoms.
WHO GETS IT? You are most at risk if you are over 45 and have been a smoker (or if you have lived with a smoker). Women tend to be more susceptible to COPD than men, although it's not known why.
WILL IT GO AWAY? Unfortunately, damage to the airways is permanent. However, stopping smoking, if you need to, can stop things getting worse.
WHAT'S THE TREATMENT? You can take short- and long-acting inhaled drugs to relax and open up the airways, plus medicines to make sputum thinner, and antibiotics for chest infections. In severe cases of CO PD, oxygen may be needed.
HELP YOURSELF: It's advisable to get an annual flu jab to protect you against fiu and any subsequent infection that may develop on the back of it. Also, take regular exercise and lose weight if you need to.
5. THE SYMPTOMS: A cough that started after being prescribed drugs for blood pressure, which is worse at night or lying down.
IT COULD BE: A side-effect of medication.
WHAT'S THE CAUSE? It's a well-known side-effect of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure. It's thought that this is because they stop the breakdown of a chemical called bradykinin, which makes the nerve endings in the lungs more sensitive to stimuli.
WHO GETS IT? 15% of people prescribed ACE inhibitors.
WILL IT GO AWAY? Yes, if you stop taking ACE inhibitors, but it can take some weeks.
WHAT'S THE TREATMENT? Your doctor can prescribe alternative medications, such as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which don't cause coughing.
WORRIED IT'S SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS?
Although debilitating, most chronic coughs aren't a sign of anything serious, but see your doctor if you: *Cough up blood-stained phlegm (sputum)
*Have persistent green/yellow phlegm
*Have a cough that lasts longer than three weeks or experience a change in a cough you have had for a long time
*Have difficulty breathing and/or your breathing is fast or laboured
*Have a persistent fever
*Have chest pain + Lose your appetite, feel constantly tired or lose weight for no reason
NATURAL WAYS TO EASE A COUGH
*SIP GINGER TEA Grate some ginger into boiling water, steep for 10 minutes and sweeten to taste with honey. Ginger is said to boost circulation and help clear sinuses and lungs of mucus. *PICK UP A PINEAPPLE Pineapple contains an enzyme, bromelain, which is a natural cough suppressant and can soften and loosen hard, sticky mucus.
*TRY A NATURAL COUGH SYRUP Classic homeopathic remedies that contain soothing Rooibos and Fennel Seed or Licorice Root will do the trick. Try Phyto Nova Natural Cough and Cold Spray, R73 for 150ml. Available from pharmacies and health stores.
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