Healthwatch: That Pesky Cough!
Ann Pinning, MSN, FNP-BC

There are many reasons for a cough, the most common being an infection in the respiratory tract (sinuses, bronchioles or lungs). Common reasons for a chronic dry cough include gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), post nasal drip, asthma, post-viral cough and some blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors).

Coughing is your body’s natural reflex to remove mucous, irritants or foreign substances from your airway and lungs.  Therefore productive coughs are actually helpful to the body’s healing process and shouldn’t be suppressed completely, especially if you are asthmatic or have other respiratory disease.

Here are some tips to help deal with a cough:

• Drink plenty of fluids which help to thin secretions. Honey in hot water, tea or lemon juice is a natural way to help quiet a cough. (Don’t give honey to children under 1 year).
• Keep your head elevated on extra pillows at night.
• Cough drops only work to soothe the throat so sucking on hard candy or chewing gum may work just as well.
• Avoid smoking or exposure to environmental fumes. Keep the sleeping  environment as dust free as possible.

Studies show that cough remedies work only half the time and over using them may prevent your body’s natural defense (the cough) from working efficiently to clear the infection. However, they may provide a benefit when rest is needed. Follow these guidelines in choosing a cough preparation:

• Expectorants thin the mucus, making it easier to cough it up when you have a productive cough. The active ingredient to look for is guaifenesin (such as in Robitussin and Mucinex).
• Suppressants suppress the cough reflex and work best for the dry hacking cough. These contain dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM or Mucinex DM).
• Use these preparations with caution in young children. Check with your pediatrician for his recommendation in use for children under the age of 6 years.

When is it necessary to see the doctor? Make an appointment for the following reasons:

• If your cough has worsened after 7 days. With a common viral upper respiratory infection, cough symptoms begin to improve by day 5-7, although a dry cough may linger for 2-3 seeks after a viral illness, longer if you’ve been treated for a bacterial bronchitis or pneumonia.
• If fever over 102 is present for more than 3 days, or if high fever does not respond to fever reducers.
• If there is chest tightness or chest pain with coughing, shortness of breath, or if you cough up blood.
• If dry cough lasts longer than 2 weeks. You will also want to be evaluated if you suspect your cough may be related to GERD, asthma or allergy.

Remember, to prevent the spread of disease, COVER YOUR COUGH!  
May His tender arms cover you and keep you healthy this Fall.