Coughs

Question 1

What are the causes of coughs?

Answer 1

• Reflex action of the body due to infection, inflammation or irritation of the airway,
• Productive/Chesty: Phlegm is produced and the cough reflex expels the phlegm
• Non-productive/dry: No phlegm productive.

Question 2

What are the referral symptoms of a cough?

Answer 2

• Longer than 3 weeks duration and not improving
• Regularly recurring cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain/pain on breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Yellow, green, brownish stained phlegm
• Offensive or foul smelling phlegm
• Fever

Question 3

What are the OTC treatments of coughs?

Answer 3

• Expectorants (for chesty coughs)
• Self-limiting but patients often opt for symptomatic relief
• Suppressants
• Demulcents