A cough can be voluntary or involuntaryand it is the body’s way to help clear the airways of irritants and to prevent infection. Cough is not a disease in itselfbut a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
The best medicine or treatment for cough depends on the cause and whether the cough is acute or chronic.
Medicines used to treat cough may include:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines containing guaifenesin and/or dextromethorphan (these can be found as cough syrups and in tablet form)
- According to U.S. News and World Reportthe top pharmacist-ranked over-the-counter cough suppressants include:
- Delsym
- Mucinex DM
- Robitussin
- NyQuil
- According to U.S. News and World Reportthe top pharmacist-ranked over-the-counter cough suppressants include:
- Antibiotics for infection caused by bacteria such as bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis
- Antibiotics will not treat cough caused by viruses such as the common coldfluor COVID-19
- Inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids to treat asthma and COPD
- Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)or nasal inhalers like ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) for postnasal drip
- Famotidine (Pepcid)cimetidine (Tagamet)ranitidine (Zantac) omeprazole (PrilosecPrilosec OTC)lansoprazole (PrevacidPrevacid 24-Hour)rabeprazole (Aciphex)pantoprazole (Protonix)esomeprazole (Nexium) to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Pain relievers (analgesics) to treat the pain caused by coughing
- If cough is caused by an ACE inhibitoryour doctor may switch your medicine
- Never stop taking a prescribed medication without first talking to your doctor
If the cough is not serioushome remedies that may help relieve symptoms and get rid of a cough faster include:
- Staying hydrated
- Inhaling steam in a shower or using a humidifier
- Gargling with warm saltwater
- Cough lozenges (lozenges are not recommended for young children; they can be a choking hazard)
- Don’t smoke
- Avoiding allergens such as pollendustanimalsor mold
- Avoiding inhaled irritants such as smokedustand other pollutants
- For GERD: Avoiding foods that increase refluxavoiding meals before lying downelevating the head while sleeping
What Are Symptoms of Cough?
A cough may be accompanied by other cold symptomsincluding:
- Postnasal drip
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Heartburn
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
What Causes Cough?
Causes of cough include:
- Infections
- Common cold (viral infection)
- Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Pneumonia
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Smoking
- Most common cause of chronic cough
- Postnasal drip
- Allergies (allergic rhinitis)
- Sinus infection
- Lung conditions
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- Interstitial lung disease
- Lung cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Certain medications such as ACE inhibitors
- Inhalation of foreign objects into the lungs (usually in children)
- Sarcoidosis
- Congestive heart failure
References
Image Source: iStock Images
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-cough-in-adults-beyond-the-basics?topicRef=16896&source=see_link
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0215/p567.html
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/cough
https://health.usnews.com/drugs/rankings/top-rec-cough-suppressants
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-cough-in-adults-beyond-the-basics?topicRef=16896&source=see_link
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0215/p567.html
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/cough
https://health.usnews.com/drugs/rankings/top-rec-cough-suppressants