Khaberni - Hearing others coughing and choking is one of the annoying things in life, but learning to listen to your cough may sometimes save your life.
Cough comes in different shapes and severity levels, and according to Doctor Naweed Asif from "London General Practics Clinic, understanding the nuances between different types helps a person determine whether they need medical care or just a cough suppressant.
According to "Daily Mail", Doctor Asif estimates that about half of his patients complain about coughing, but despite being a concern for many, it is "a normal act performed by the body."
The doctor classifies cough into 6 different categories.
Dry cough
Doctor Asif describes dry cough as a sporadic sound that does not produce phlegm, a sticky mucus secreted by the lungs to trap irritants such as dust, germs, and viruses to protect the respiratory tract.
If the cause of the cough is an allergy, it is common in the spring season, while if it is due to a viral infection, it is more common in the winter season.
He says: "Most of these coughs improve on their own within days or weeks, and are usually mild."
However, "we are concerned about the cough that does not improve after 3 weeks, as it may indicate cancer."
Dry cough may be a warning sign of lung, mouth, throat, or other upper respiratory tract cancers.
However, esophageal reflux is another cause for dry cough, a problem affecting about a fifth of adults.
Wet cough
Doctor Asif explains that wet cough produces mucus and makes a gurgling or crackling sound.
Since phlegm helps protect the respiratory tract from bacteria and viruses, the body produces more of it when trying to fight an infection. The presence of phlegm in the lungs can make breathing difficult, so the body coughs to expel it along with the germs it has absorbed.
However, coughing with phlegm can strain the chest muscles, leading to pain in the chest, back, and ribs.
Like most types of cough, cough with phlegm usually goes away on its own in about 3 to 4 weeks without the need for treatment.
It is often accompanied by nasal blockage or runny nose, which can be annoying, because excess phlegm is also expelled through the nostrils.
Children often swallow phlegm, which is not a cause for concern, according to Doctor Asif.
In mild cases, cough with phlegm is treated with rest, fluid intake, and soft foods.
However, if the condition worsens at night, it is advised to sleep with the head raised on pillows, as this helps better manage wet secretions.
Bronchitis
If the child has a high fever, presence of blood in thick phlegm, or if their condition worsens significantly, they should make an appointment with their doctor, as this may indicate bronchitis which can develop into serious pneumonia.
Bronchitis is an inflammation that affects the airways, and can lead in severe cases to respiratory failure. This inflammation occurs when the bronchus, the tube leading to the lungs, becomes infected.
He adds: "Phlegm sound is often coarse, and it comes with wet phlegm, but it has not yet reached the lungs."
However, pneumonia is a serious infection in the lungs, where the tiny air sacs get filled with fluids, making it difficult to breathe.
Barking cough
Barking cough requires urgent medical attention, as it often requires treatment, especially in children.
Although less common in adults, they may also get it, and may likewise need treatments such as steroids.
The doctor explains: "It is characterized by a sharp and loud sound. Often described in medical books as "barking that resembles the bark of a seal."
This type of cough is primarily associated with croup, a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system.
And "it is also associated with some viral symptoms, as the sufferer may experience a fever or runny nose."
Cough with wheezing
Doctor Asif warns of the importance of taking a cough with wheezing seriously. It can be distinguished by a clear whistling or squeaking sound, appearing during coughing and during normal breathing.
This type of cough, which may be painful due to swelling of the respiratory tract, may be a symptom of a chest infection, which also may cause phlegm.
It is associated primarily with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, both of which are a group of lung diseases that make breathing difficult.
The doctor says: "Although this cough may be persistent and associated with a chronic condition, we always advise consulting a doctor if the frequency increases or if breathing becomes more difficult."
The treatment in this case depends on the cause of the cough, for instance, if the cough is a sign of an asthma attack, it requires urgent treatment, as the attack could be life-threatening.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough might make a person feel as if they are about to choke.
It is related to a highly contagious bacteria known as Bordetella pertussis and can spread quickly among family members.
Though it is more common among children, adults can get it too, but they may not necessarily produce the distinctive "inhaling" sound.
Also, infants younger than 6 months old may not suffer from the classic whooping cough, or it may be difficult to hear.
Whooping cough episodes can last a few minutes, worsen at night, and may cause difficulty in breathing. Due to the reduced amount of oxygen entering the lungs and pumped into the bloodstream, the skin of the infected person may turn blue or gray.
It may also accompany whooping cough with thick phlegm causing vomiting and severe redness in the face.
Doctor Asif says: "This cough, especially in children, requires immediate treatment with antibiotics, and public health authorities should be notified of any confirmed infections."
Chronic cough
Doctor Asif defines the last item on his list as chronic cough, which he describes as "the most complex and changeable" because it may be a sign of underlying diseases.
Causes of this cough include asthma, chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or very serious conditions, such as lung cancer.
This type of cough does not necessarily produce a distinctive sound, unlike other types. And "if the cough persists for more than 8 weeks, it is crucial to see a doctor to avoid exacerbating the illness."
