One of the last symptoms of a mild virus or illness to go away is a cough. The irritating sensation of needing to cough can be difficult to deal with, especially if it goes on for weeks.
Atit Patel, MD, is a family medicine doctor at Penn Fair Primary Care in Penfield. He says that, when to see a provider about a lingering cough, why some coughs last longer than others, and how to treat it.
First, it’s very important to understand what the body is doing when a person coughs. A cough is a response to something irritating the nose, throat, airway, or lungs.
It helps to think of the nose and throat as giant filters that help to keep unwanted things out of the lungs. If something makes it past the nose or throat, the lungs have their filters that respond to things that come in. When any of these filters are triggered, a sign is sent to the brain to cause certain muscles to create a high-pressure environment and begin coughing.
Sometimes there are pollens or dust particles that cause the cough; other times there are certain chemicals, fumes, or smells, that cause the same reaction.
More often than not, a cough is a symptom of a bigger cause, says Dr. Patel. It’s about narrowing down what’s going on based on what other symptoms are happening and asking the correct questions to find out exactly what is happening.
Most coughs stem from a mild viral infection such as a common cold, COVID-19, or RSV. Other bacterial illnesses like pneumonia might lead to a cough but are less likely than viruses – especially in healthy people.
It’s important to consider other aspects that can contribute to a cough, including allergies that cause COPD, asthma, post-nasal drip, GERD, certain medications, chronic conditions like heart failure, or changes in the environment.
Coughs can be annoying, especially when they last more than two weeks. Often there is not a quick fix. If you are unsure what is causing the cough and it is interfering with your daily life, it is best to contact your healthcare provider to determine what might be behind it.
What it comes down to is that each individual has a medical history, so each needs to be treated uniquely for their situation, says Dr. Patel. Sometimes it is nothing more than a cough, but it might also be a sign of something more.
Home medications and over-the-counter treatment for coughs
There are several treatments, both home medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, that Dr. Patel recommends to relieve a cough. These include:
Honey- This offers both relief from throat irritation and works as a cough suppressant. Avoid using this remedy for children under the age of 2 due to botulism risk.
Ginger- Soothes throat irritation and contains anti-inflammatory properties, mostly for patients with asthma.
Warm fluids- Drinking tea, broth, or soup can relieve not just coughs but also runny noses.
Steam- A hot shower, humidifier, or standing over a heated bowl of water with a towel over your head can all reduce a cough.
Cough drops- Moisten the throat and lessen the urge to cough
For patients with allergies, nasal sprays or cough syrups like Robitussin can be helpful. When using an OTC medicine, you should always read the list of ingredients. Some have active ingredients that can affect other medications or double up on top of another medicine that you are already taking, so it’s very important to know your medical history.
Especially with prolonged coughs, it’s important to treat the symptoms with the correct remedies or medications, says Dr. Patel. If you are concerned and your other symptoms are gone but the cough is irritating you, get advice from your healthcare provider and make sure there isn’t something else there.
