Amarillo STAT Care

Can't stop coughing?

A cough is caused by the body responding to an irritation of the windpipe or removing other substances inside the lung. The cough is physically created by a spasm of the diaphragm resulting in a quick expulsion of air. This air leaving the lungs takes with it the irritant leaving the throat and lungs clean. So really a cough is the body's way of “scratching its throat and clearing the lungs”.

A cough can be accompanied by

Itchy Eyes -
Wheezing -
Fever -
Runny Nose -
Shortness of breath -

*A cough is normally not life threatening but can be a sign of other life threatening illnesses*

You can treat your short term cough at home with cough drops. If it is associated with runny nose and excess mucus production drink plenty of fluids and take a Guaifenesin (mucus drying medication). While coughing it is important that you avoid irritants. Smoking while you have a cough will only make the cough last longer and limit the body's ability to heal itself.