Coughs

A cough (a reflex action to clear your airways of mucus and irritants such as dust or smoke) can be classified in two categories, non-productive and productive coughs. Within these categories, coughs can also be classified by how long they last. • Acute cough lasts for less than three weeks

• Subacute cough gets better over a three-to-eight-week period • Chronic (persistent) cough lasts for longer than eight weeks

Non-productive Cough

A non-productive cough is one that does not bring up any mucous. It’s also known as a dry cough. Non-productive coughs tend to be caused by irritation in the throat or swelling in the airways caused by other conditions such as asthma or bronchitis. Non-productive coughs can occur when you a person has a cold, the flu or any other upper respiratory illness. These illnesses can also cause a productive cough as well.

Productive Cough

A productive cough causes the formation of mucus or phlegm in the lung. Also known as a chesty cough, this type of cough causes the cough reflex to be triggered to help raise phlegm in order to clear the lungs. These types of coughs can occur along-side a build-up of catarrh in the nasal passage. Mucus or phlegm can vary in appearance and be either:

• Green

• Yellow

• White and creamy • Clear

• Blood-tinged • Dark red blood

• Bright red blood Coughs occur when there an upper respiratory infection (or cold) is present. This cause, usually resolves within a few days- however some symptoms can get in the way of work and other activities so treatment is recommended.

Much more serious illnesses can also cause productive coughs so it is important to check how long the symptoms of the cough have been present, and if there are other symptoms a patient may be experiencing. If the cough is productive and lasts longer than a week or two, a referral to a doctor or GP is recommended.

Immediate medical attention from a doctor should be sought should a patient produce pink, frothy secretions or blood when coughing. This can be a sign of a lifethreatening condition. This can be a sign of a life-threatening condition. You should contact your health care provider right away if you are coughing up blood also.

Recommendations

Coughing is irritating no matter which category it falls under (productive or non-productive), and often patients will seek to have them resolved quickly. Establishing and eliminating whether a cough requires a trip to the doctor, is the first step to being able to recommend the correct relief for a patient. Whilst recommending medication, there are steps that a patient should be encouraged to take in order to aid relief, such as drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and running a humidifier when sleeping at night.

Treatments

There are several types of treatments available such as:

• Cough suppressants - Suppressants do their job by blocking the cough reflex.

Dextromethorphan is the most common ingredient for this. This ingredient will be listed as DM on the medication packaging. • Expectorants – help loosen and thin mucus and help bring up phlegm so that coughing is easier. They include compounds such as

guaiphenesin, ammonium chloride, squill, sodium citrate and ipecacuanha which are found in small quantities of cough mixtures so they are unlikely to have any side effects or interact with any other medicines. • Topical Ointments - Camphor and menthol are types of natural treatments. They usually come in an ointment which can be rubbed on the throat and chest. Their strong-smelling vapors can ease a cough and open up stuffy sinuses.

• Combination Medicine - Many over-thecounter treatments mix both a suppressant and expectorant with medicines for other symptoms. These could include an antihistamine, a decongestant, and a pain reliever. A mixture of medications in one can be effective if a person has a range of cold symptoms, such as: body aches, coughs, and congestion. However, some medications may cause drowsiness, alcohol, and may not be suitable for children.

• Herbal medication - has been in used for the treatment of coughs and colds for many years, often used ingredients in treatments include: herbs like thyme which has antiseptic properties, marshmallow extract which is an anti-inflammatory, and menthol as it has decongestant properties. Herbal medicines also tend to be free from alcohol and sugar.

WWho? Anyone can be affected

WWhat are the symptoms? Depending on type of cough to suggest if it

is allergic or viral

HHow long has the patient had the symptoms? Coughs should clear

after 3 weeks, is it short or persistent?

AAction already taken? Customers who may already have purchased

cough medicines

MMedication? Some of the ingredients in cough medicines should not

be given to children such as opioids. Antacids may interfere with other medicines