How to tell the difference between different types of cough

Coughing is one of the body's most common and normal defence mechanisms in winter. It is also one of the symptoms linked to colds or flus and keeps foreign particles, mucus or micro-organisms from entering the body through the respiratory tract. In other words, its function is to prevent more severe health problems. 

It is an involuntary reflex of the body that cleans and clears our airways in order to enable proper breathing. It is caused by excess mucus, dryness, mucus in the larynx, trachea or bronchi, or due to a build-up of, among other things, chemicals. 

At this time of year, doctors' surgeries receive many patients with a cough. So we definitely need to protect ourselves against respiratory illnesses, for example by avoiding sudden changes in temperature or by cleaning surfaces thoroughly to avoid allergic reactions. These conditions can lead to an annoying cough. 
 

How to relieve a dry cough

A non-productive cough, also known as a dry cough, is a cough that does not produce mucus. Although it does not bring up mucus, it can often be very annoying and irritating. Coughing itself leads to more irritation and thus exacerbates the problem. It usually goes hand in hand with an inflammation or infection of the throat or upper respiratory tract, such as a cold or flu, but it could also be due to allergies and other conditions, such as reflux, asthma or sinusitis. 

This type of cough can last for several weeks and to alleviate it we should hydrate well by drinking water, broths or juices. Another suggestion is using humidifiers to help us breathe better. As for medication, cough suppressants are prescribed to treat unproductive coughs as they can help calm or eliminate a persistent cough.

How to relieve chesty coughs

A chesty cough is a cough that comes with a lot of mucus, either in the airways or in the throat. Sometimes this mucus will be easy to cough up. In other cases, removing the excess mucus may be difficult. 

This is, therefore, the easiest type of cough to identify and, once the phlegm is removed, it usually disappears. Coughing will gradually eliminate mucus. To relieve productive coughs, mucolytic or expectorant drugs are prescribed, as they, among other things, make coughing up sputum easier.

Cough in children

We need to be familiar with the causes and different treatments for coughs in children, as they can sometimes be different from those we see among adults. If a young child has a persistent cough, it is important to consult a paediatrician to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. In any case, watch out for other symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath or chest pain.

In the case of children, the best strategy to prevent a cough is to maintain good hygiene, with consistent hand washing, and avoid direct contact with other sick people. Other recommendations include staying well hydrated, following a diet rich in vitamins and keeping our surroundings dust- and smoke-free.

Ultimately, during the winter months it is common for doctors' surgeries to be full of patients with certain seasonal illnesses, such as flu and colds. Coughs join them, at this time of the year, as a frequent cause of consultation. Learning how to prevent these infections or winter ailments is important in order to maintain good health, no matter how chilly the weather may be.