Coughing is a natural process to clear the irritants of your throat and lungs. An occasional dry cough can be a cause of concern, but persistent coughing may indicate a medical condition that can be serious.
What is a Dry Cough?
A dry cough is a cough that does not bring up mucus or phlegm. This type of cough may cause a tickling sensation and is often due to irritation in the throat. In contrast, a wet cough is productive, which brings up phlegm that helps clear the airways of irritants. Doctors classify coughs as:
- Acute
- Chronic
A cough is considered chronic if it lasts longer than 8 weeks. In this write-up let us discuss the possible causes of a dry cough and the various treatment options which are available.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and is considered a respiratory disease. The most common symptoms are:
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Fatigue
You may also experience:
- Diarrhoea
- Body aches
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose, or sometimes even both
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, then you may also develop symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty in breathing. Without proper treatment, COVID-19 can be fatal for a few people.
Treatment – Currently there is no cure available to treat COVID-19, but paracetamol and vaccination. Apart from this, you will also be advised to take proper rest at home and stay away from other people as possible.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a condition where scar tissue is developed inside the lungs. As the scar tissue is thickening, it makes it difficult to breathe. One of the common symptoms of IPF is a persistent dry cough. Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Gradual weight loss
Treatment – There is no cure currently to treat IPF. The aim of the treatment is to relieve your symptoms and slow down the progression. Other treatment options include:
- Medications such as nintedanib and pirfenidone
- Oxygen therapy
- Lung transplantation
- Pulmonary rehabilitation – A program of exercises, training, and provide support for people with long-term conditions.
Asthma
Asthma is a long term condition that leads to narrowing of the airways and inflammation in the lungs. One of the most common symptoms of asthma is coughing, which can become worse at night or early in the morning.
This type of cough brings up phlegm. However, there is a variant of asthma called cough-variant asthma, wherein the main symptom is a dry cough. Other symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Feeling a tight chest or pain
Treatment – There is no cure for asthma. Typically, doctors prescribe the following treatments when you are suffering from asthma:
- Inhaler – A quick-relief option such as short-acting-beta 2-agonist, that treats asthma when it flares up.
- Long-term medications – Low-dose corticosteroid inhaler that helps reduce inflammation and prevents future attacks.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition where acid starts leaking from the stomach back up into the oesophagus, or food pipe. The number of gastrointestinal symptoms includes:
- Heartburn
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Bad breath
- Pain or difficulty in swallowing
Treatment – Many people can manage GERD symptoms through various lifestyle changes, such as:
- Eating frequent small meals instead of large meals
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking and alcohol
- Limiting fatty or spicy foods that can trigger GERD symptoms
Upper respiratory infections
Infections such as common colds, flu can cause acute coughing. Initially, the cough starts as a productive option but later on becomes dry as you recover from the infections. Other symptoms include:
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Sore throat
Treatment – By taking plenty of rest and staying properly hydrated, you can treat viral upper respiratory infections at home itself. But from a doctor’s end, you will be prescribed an antiviral medication to treat the flu.
Summary
A dry cough is a condition that does not produce phlegm or mucus. It is a temporary condition and rarely a cause of concern. However, a chronic dry cough can be an underlying condition of asthma or GERD.
So, whenever you are suffering from dry cough, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider immediately and get it diagnosed at the earliest.
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