Coughs
The cough is a familiar symptom many of us experience when we are sick with the cold or flu. It is important to realize that while the cough is not an actual disease, it is an indicator and symptom of something gone array in the body. There are two types of coughs – productive and non-productive. A productive cough produces mucus. Typically, it is recommended that a productive cough not be prevented by cough medicine because it is working to clear the body’s airways. A productive cough is caused by any of the following factors, infection, viral illness, lung disease, reflux disease, tobacco use, or nasal discharge. A non-productive cough, on the other hand, is a dry cough that occurs without mucus. There are several reasons for a non-productive cough. They include, viral illness, allergies, bronchospasm, asthma, blockage of the airway, medication for high blood pressure and exposure to dust and fumes. There are several illnesses that can cause a cough and some of them are severe. Therefore, the Mayo Clinic recommends contacting a physician if you suffer from a cough for a long period of time because it may indicate a serious condition. In general, most coughs are caused by a virus and cannot be treated with an antibiotic. Physicians, however, have various methods for treating coughs. In the event you experience a cough with any of the following symptoms, the Mayo Clinic recommends contacting an emergency service immediately. - Severe chest pain or discomfort
- Chest pain with sweating, vomiting or nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, or pain that spreads from the chest
- Moderate to severe trouble breathing
- Choking
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