Skip to main content

Dry And Wet Cough...... What's the difference???

      In the society today, lots of people are faced with this conundrum and as a result they can't really explain to the health professional the kind of cough they are having and this can eventually lead to wrong diagnosis. This article will try to remedy the problem.
    Dry cough:  A dry cough is a non productive cough whereby little or no mucus is produced and it is caused by irritation or inflammation in the throat. It is most often the result of an infection caused by cold and flu viruses.
Causes
  • Viral infections 
  • Allergies
  • Acid reflux
  • Side effect of a medication 
  • Stress
  • Underlying diseases e.g asthma, tuberculosis, whooping cough.  
Treatment 
Treatment of dry cough can be done by;

  • Removal of the trigger: Dry cough can be relieved when the trigger is removed. This is mostly applied when the cough is being caused by a pollutant or irritant and also if the cough is as a result of the side effect of a medication.e.g side effects of ACEIs(lisinopril, enalapril etc) 
  • Use of cough suppressants :Dry coughs are mostly relieved by using a cough suppressant.e.g Dextromethorphan. 
  • If it is caused by an underlying medical condition, treating the condition relieves the cough

Wet Cough:This is also known as chesty cough and it is characterized by expectoration i.e production of mucus. This occurs as a result of the pollutant or infection causing the body to produce more mucus from the bronchitis in order to expel it. This type of cough is mostly caused by an underlying Bacterial infection depending on duration of the cough and colour of the mucus. 
Causes 
These include :

  • Cold and flu viruses – these infections  are the most common cause of chesty mucous coughs. 
  • Other lung infections – a wide variety of other infections, ranging from pneumonia to TB (tuberculosis), can give rise to a chesty cough. 
  • Other medical conditions – these range from chronic bronchitis and obstructive airways disease to cystic fibrosis. 
  • Smoking – prolonged irritation of the lungs by cigarette smoke leads to a change in cell structure in the respiratory tract and the excessive production of mucus.

Treatment 
  • Use of expectorant :These help to expel out mucus from the lungs and as a result give relief. e.g guaifenisen. 
  • Antibiotics :This mostly applies when the cough is caused by a Bacterial infection. 
  • Hydration :Taking more fluids help to loosen the mucus and help relieve the cough. 
For more information talk to your Pharmacist. 

Written By Pharm Edidiong Orok (B.Pharm) 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Benefits of Apple cider vinegar

       A lot has been said and a lot remain unsaid about Apple cider vinegar  but this article will try to highlight 5 benefits of Apple cider vinegar and these include ; Regulation of skin PH: Apple cider vinegar acts as a great natural toner that can leave your skin looking healthier. Our skin is naturally acidic with a PH of 4.5-5.5 but since we tend to use harsh cleansers and soaps, this natural acidity goes away.            Apple cider vinegar can treat acne and other skin conditions due to its malic and lactic acids that soften and exfoliate the skin to reduce red spots. Weight Loss Aid : Apple cider vinegar  can help one shed the pounds by suppressing ones appetite, increase ones metabolism and reduce ones water weight. Gets Rid of Dandruff : The acidity of Apple cider vinegar helps change the PH of the scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. The dosage for this is Mixing a quarter cup of Apple cider vinega...
7 comments
Read more

CO-TRIMOXAZOLE... THE OVERLOOKED CAUSE OF SORE THROAT

A sore throat refers to pain, itchiness or irritation of the throat . you may have difficulty swallowing foods and liquids and the pain may get worse when you try to swallow.Throat pain is the primary symptom of a sore throat.However,other symptoms may include: I. Dry throat II. Swollen glands in the neck III. White patches on the tonsils IV. Hoarseness        A sore throat can affect people of all ages .Sharing a close space with others also increases the risk of upper respiratory infections that can initially present as a sore throat . Causes Causes of sore throat include ; • Bacterial infection • Environmental factors • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD) • Viral infection • Immunosuppression Treatment   Treatment of sore throat includes; • Demulcents(e.g. strepsil) • Antibiotics(e.g. Cefuroxime) • Local anesthetics(e.g. benzocaine) • Analgesics (e.g. Ibuprofen).       Co-trimoxazole is an antibacterial agent...
2 comments
Read more

HOW DOES CIGARETTES AFFECT THE SPERM

Both men and women should consider smoking cessation if they’re trying to conceive.  A new study published in BJU International found that cigarette smoking is associated with inflammation in men’s accessory glands and testis, which leads to altered sperm quality. The take-home message for pharmacists and patients is that smoking can alter sperm in a way that makes it harder for fertilization to occur. “Men who smoke produce a semen that has an inflammatory profile [and] sperm with many cellular alterations—mainly higher DNA damage, alteration in energy production, and lower capacity to fertilize oocytes,” lead study author Ricardo P. Bertolla, DVM, PhD, MBA, of Sao Paulo Federal University, told Pharmacy Times.  Although the study took place in Brazil, Dr. Bertolla said he saw no reason the study group would have singularities based on the geographic location.  “This is definitely something that applies to men in the United States,” he said.  ...
1 comment
Read more