Cough

Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. There are two types of cough: dry tickly, which is treated with a cough suppressant; and chesty, which is treated with an expectorant or mucolytic.

Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Acute coughs are the kind you most often get with a cold or flu. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks.

Causes of chronic cough include:

• Asthma
• Allergies
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Smoking
• Throat disorders, such as croup in young children
• Some medicines

Water can help ease your cough – whether you drink it or add it to the air with a steamy shower or vaporiser. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under two should not have cough medicine. For children over two, use caution and read labels carefully.

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