Coughing
Like sneezing, coughing is the reflexive action of clearing the throat of foreign irritants or mucus. While most cough occasionally, there are also conditions that may lead to frequent coughing. Coughs that last no more than a couple of weeks are referred to as acute coughs. These episodes often clear up, improving significantly within fourteen days. If it lasts one to two months, it’s considered subacute. Chronic coughs are persistent coughs lasting more than two months.
Some of the triggers of coughs are clearing your throat, bacteria-induced conditions like strep throat, viruses, smoking, and specific medications. Damaged vocal cords, postnasal drips, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and heart failure may also cause it. In many cases, coughs generally clear up or improve in a few days. However, if it persists or is accompanied by symptoms like fever, chest pains, headaches, breathing difficulty, or blood, you must seek immediate medical attention.
Coughs are treated in many ways. For healthy individuals, it often involves little more than self-care, such as staying hydrated, elevating the head when sleeping, gargling with salt water, and avoiding irritants. However, the diseases will need to be treated for episodes triggered by medical conditions to alleviate your coughs.
