Is Coughing Giving You Sleepless Nights?

Couldn't sleep well last night? Did coughing disturb you for the whole night? It is nothing very unusual. Most of us have had gone through similar circumstances at some points of time in our lives. And our doctors have been able to deal with the issues quite well. It is true that the doctors know the definite lines of treatment, but we, as laymen, can still afford to have a better understanding of coughs, the causes of coughing and the possible courses of actions that doctors may take under different circumstances. Let's clear our conceptions:

What is Coughing?

Coughing is a term used to denote a noisy expulsion of air through the mouth. The expulsion of air comes from the lungs. It is an important mechanism to keep our airways clear.

Why does Coughing Occur?

Coughing occurs with the purpose of discarding any foreign particle from the large airways. The entry of foreign bodies into the airways results in the irritation of the same. This irritation is a consequence of stimulation of extremely sensitive nerve endings present in these airways. If these particles get settled in the airways, they may result in its damage and hence they need to be immediately expelled. Through coughing, the lungs create a sudden and a forceful gust of air that travels through the airways towards the exit, bringing out the foreign bodies with it.

The Types of Coughing

Coughing can be made to fall under three main categories:

1. Acute Coughing: This type of coughing occurs suddenly. It is usually the result of an allergy or an infection and it prevails for less than three weeks
2. Sub-acute Coughing: This type of coughing exists for 6 to 8 weeks. It results from an infection but persists even after the causative factor is abolished.
3. Chronic Coughing: A chronic cough stays for as long as 8 weeks and even more. They are seen in chronic diseases such as asthma.

What Causes Coughing?

Coughing is a protective mechanism, but it can indicate serious infections when it exists for a long time. The various causes are:

1. Entry of dust particles into the airways is the most common reason behind coughs.
2. Entry of food particles into the airways may trouble you while eating. This usually occurs when food is swallowed in an improper way.
3. Infections due to bacteria or virus. These cases normally involve a characteristic cough indicating the presence of a microorganism that has affected the respiratory tract. The cough, characteristic to the disease or the microorganism, is a useful tool in the diagnosis of the disease. But sometimes, the coughs stay back even if the infection is brought under control. When the cough results from an inflammation caused due to the infection, it becomes very difficult to control.
4. Respiratory tract diseases such as asthma and bronchitis are also found to be associated with coughs. These diseases cause inflammations and result in coughing. Here, the cough is also associated with various other symptoms. For example, in asthma, coughing comes with wheezing.
5. Gastrointestinal reflux may cause coughs. This is a condition that occurs when the stomach contents regurgitate back into the food pipe, away from the intestine. Classical symptoms of this condition include heartburn (due to acid mixed in the food) and sour taste in the mouth.
6. Drugs, such as those used in diabetics, heart diseases and high blood pressure, can also result in coughing. Coughing, in this case, is a side effect of these medications. Immediate cessation of the drug is the only way to stop the coughs.
7. Psychogenic cough may result from psychological problems such as emotional stress or psychological complaints.
8. Tumors often stand as a more serious cause of coughing.
9. Cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure may cause coughing in individuals.
10. Smoking causes the airways to become dry leading to coughs.
11. Coughing can result when the body remains in certain specific positions. For example, lying down straight may cause coughing.

The Treatment of Coughs

• Coughing can be handled by controlling the causative factor. An immediate response to coughing will include drinking fluids since liquids can thin up the mucus in the throat, thereby making it easier to cough out. Warm fluids can get you a much better result.
• When coughing occurs due to certain positions, the individual may be asked to take other postures. In this case, prevention is the best solution.
• Lifestyle changes may also need to be implemented to prevent certain irritants or foreign bodies from invading the nasal airways. The universal appeal of "Quit smoking" will find yet another reference in this case.

Coughing is normal and there is nothing to panic. But characteristic coughs need to be monitored carefully since they may indicate the presence of an infection. Some coughs may result from an existing tumor. These are serious cases and may require proper medical intervention. So, next time, you remain sleepless at night on account of coughs, give a thought to fix up an appointment with your doctor!