COUGH - How to prevent whooping cough

While anyone can contract the disease it usually affects 

infants and young children and is particularly dangerous 

for babies under 12 months of age

Although immunisation has reduced the severity of the disease, it's still a common infection.

Immunisation is vital and needs to be done on time. A combined vaccine against whooping cough and other diseases is available through GPs. Booster vaccines are also available and are recommended for any adults or older children who are around babies or young children.

To help protect a baby against whooping cough keep them away from anyone who is coughing.

If you are in contact with someone with whooping cough watch out for the symptoms and if they develop see a doctor immediately to begin early treatment.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

COUGH - Symptoms of whooping cough

The symptoms of whooping cough develop 

about a week to 10 days after infection

In its first stage the disease starts off like a cold with a slight cough, runny nose and a mild fever. After a week or two more serious symptoms will develop including:

• More severe coughing, sometimes with lots of mucus. Coughing may result in choking or vomiting.
• Children with the disease may sometimes turn blue or red after a coughing fit and experience apnoea - when they stop breathing temporarily.

In its third stage, the convalescent period, coughing starts to subside. But it can take up to three months to regain normal health after the infection.

To diagnose whooping cough a doctor my undertake a number of tests such as taking a swab from the back of the nose or blood tests to confirm the disease. Tests are not always reliable and may take weeks to become positive.

Antibiotics are usually prescribed during the early stages of whooping cough to ease the symptoms of the disease. This also makes the person less infectious to others. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to people who have been in direct contact with the infected person such as household members, even if they have been immunised.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

COUGH - Whooping cough

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection 

characterised by severe coughing that ends in a "whoop"

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly infectious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable coughing. This respiratory infection mainly affects the windpipe (trachea) and the two airways (bronchi) that branch off from it to the lungs.

It's caused by the bacterium Bordeltella pertussis, which can be easily passed on through droplets in the air from coughing and sneezing.

The name of the disease comes from the noise you make after a coughing fit when you gasp for air. Sometimes coughing is so severe, vomiting may result.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

COUGH - How to make your own cough syrup

Fix a nasty cough with 

this goodness-packed at-home remedy

This surprisingly pleasant-tasting home remedy made from honey and onion makes an absolutely brilliant cough syrup. Honey has antibacterial properties, as do onions. In addition, onions contain thiosulfi nate - a sulphurcontaining compound that reduces bronchial constriction. They are also mucolytic, reducing the viscosity, or thickness, of mucus, allowing it to be eliminated more easily.

Onion and honey cough syrup

Peel and roughly chop a red onion (brown and white onions are OK), place in a bowl and cover with honey. Place in a warm room for six to eight hours. Strain the onion from the syrup.

Adult dose is one tablespoon every two hours, children one teaspoon every two to four hours.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

COUGH - Whooping cough in adults and children

Learn the symptoms of whooping cough 

and how to protect yourself and your family

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious (and for babies, sadly, even life-threatening) contagious respiratory infection, which usually begins like a normal cold. There may be nasal congestion, runny nasal mucus, fatigue, fever and a cough which gets progressively worse.

The cough tends to be persistent and uncontrollable and may be accompanied by gagging, choking or even vomiting. The sufferer may take big gasps of breath, producing the 'whooping' sound, but this is not always present, especially in older children and adults.

In newborns however there may be no cough at all. Instead the infant may simply stop breathing and turn blue. Feeding may be affected and there may be choking and gagging.

Whooping cough is spread through droplet infection, such as when an infectious person coughs, spraying the bacteria (which is called Bordatella pertussis) into the air, which may then be inhaled by those nearby. Unless identified and treated with appropriate antibiotics people with whooping cough are infectious for the first 21 days of their illness. Once the infected person has started antibiotics they are still considered infectious for the first five days of treatment so should stay away from school or work and not mix with adults, including pregnant women, or children. It is especially vital to avoid contact with infants under twelve months of age, as they are the most vulnerable.

The purpose of taking the antibiotics is both to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms (if given early enough in the course of the illness) as well as to reduce the person's infectiousness. If more than three weeks have elapsed since the onset of coughing, antibiotics are not required since the infectious period should have passed.

Those who have come into contact with an infected person may also need to be treated with antibiotics, particularly if they are potentially 'high risk'. High risk individuals (those in whom infection could be severe or dire) and people who could transmit infection to someone high risk, should be treated with the appropriate dose and type of antibiotics as a preventive measure, both for their own wellbeing as well as to avoid transmitting the infection to another high risk person. This group would include a child under the age of 24 months who has not had three doses of whooping cough (pertussis-containing) vaccine, women in the last month of pregnancy regardless of her vaccination status, as well as those who have come in close contact with an infected person who may have contact with other 'high risk' people.

Whooping cough treatment

Fortunately there is a vaccine against whooping cough, which reduces one's risk of contracting the infection, but unfortunately this immunity wanes over time such that even those who have been immunised can catch it. To bolster fading immunity against whooping cough you need to have a booster vaccine.

Whooping cough vaccine

In Australia we are fortunate that babies are routinely offered vaccination against whooping cough at the ages of 2, 4, and 6 months. They are then given a booster at age 4 and 15 years of age. Adults can also be given boosters and this is especially encouraged for those adults who are in close contact with babies and young children, who are the most vulnerable.

If you are concerned you (or someone you know, care for and love) may have whooping cough, see your GP as soon as possible. Your GP can assess and examine you and, if required, do a test for pertussis and offer appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/

COUGH - Symptoms and Home Remedies to Prevent Asthmatic Cough

BY A R ON JUNE 26, 2011

Asthmatic Cough

• An asthmatic cough is considered as a non-productive cough or one that does not bring out any kind of liquid substance like mucus. This is often described as a dry cough.

• Studies have shown that these asthmatic coughs are caused by irritants or allergens that are found in the environment which starts an excessive reaction to the immune system. When this happens, histamines are produced and the air passages swell causing the muscles surrounding the bronchial passages to have spasm to push the irritant out. That is why the coughs usually have a spasmodic quality.

• Besides environmental factors, other causes of the coughs include lack of exercise, genetics, and changes in diet.

• Treatments that can be used here include regular use of a bronchodilator. This helps in loosening the muscle area in the bronchial tubes. Relaxed muscles in the area can stop the asthmatic coughs.

• Anti-inflammatory steroids which are taken using a nebulizer can also help in reducing the swell of the bronchioles which in turn will help in controlling and even stopping asthmatic coughs.

Asthmatic Cough Symptoms

• Asthmatic coughs can continue until patients would have difficulties in breathing. There are times when the patient will feel like being gagged during episodes of asthmatic coughs.

• Dry cough that can last for more than a week.

• Dry throats that sometimes are inflamed.

• Wheezing. This symptom involves hearing a light and high-pitched whistling sound when breathing. It can be commonly heard during exhalation.

• Tightening of the Chest. This symptom may often lead to shortness of breath which in turn can make patients feel anxious. When this happen, the tightening feeling usually worsens.

• Shortness of breath or dyspnea.

Asthmatic Cough Home Remedies

• One cup of hot black tea with honey can be taken before sleeping. Green tea can also be used. The theophylline and the caffeine that are in the tea are great cough relievers while the honey can help in soothing the dry and irritated throat.

• Patients with asthmatic coughs should include magnesium-rich food in their daily diet. This nutrient helps in controlling the contraction of the muscles during asthmatic cough attacks. Patients with such illness often have low-magnesium levels. Bananas, prune juices, nuts along with list of vegetables and meat are good sources of magnesium.

• Take at least 2 times Ginger tea with minced cloves of garlic.

• One teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed in a glass of milk can also relieve symptoms. This should be taken 2 to 3 times in a day.

• Avoid irritants that trigger asthmatic coughs.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

COUGH - What are the Causes of Dry Cough for Weeks and Its Home Remedies?

BY A R ON AUGUST 6, 2011

Dry Cough for Weeks

Normally, the body’s response to inflammation or irritation in the larynx, throat, bronchial tubes and even lungs is cough. There are two basic types of coughs—congested cough and dry cough. Each of these coughs has underlying causes.

Dry cough happens if the throat is unable to release sticky phlegm which is also an onset symptom of a cold. Over time, the phlegm becomes less sticky and the cough becomes progressive. However, if the cough continues to be dry despite cured cold the patient experiences a chronic dry cough.

There are many causes of chronic dry cough such as a post nasal drip. A post nasal drip is common among people suffering from sinusitis, cold, or certain allergies. A person can develop dry cough after breathing in irritants such as dust, smoke, or powder. Other conditions that can lead to chronic dry cough are asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and disorders involving kidney, heart, and blood pressure.

Dry Cough for a Month

An ordinary dry cough should eventually disappear after several treatments. However, if it persists for several weeks, it can be a symptom of a more serious problem involving the lungs.

A dry cough is a sign of a wide variety of serious illnesses. It can result from inflammation, infection, trauma, airway obstruction, malignancy, and other abnormal processes.

In a more serious condition, a persistent dry cough may indicate an infection such as viral laryngitis. An acute dry cough that occurs suddenly and lasts up to three weeks comes with cold. On the other hand, a dry cough that lasts for one month and longer is an indication of asthma or a symptom common among chain smokers.

Asthma is associated with chest pain or chest tightness, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, and wheezing. Meanwhile, chain smokers commonly develop chronic dry cough due to the chemicals inhaled from tobacco.

Causes and Home Remedies for Dry Cough

Chain smokers are advised to stop smoking immediately to avoid serious complications in their respiratory system including lungs and in the heart. Prolonged smoking can even cause certain cancers. Dry coughs can be treated using home remedies and herbs that include:

• Aromatherapy. Essential oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint are particularly effective
• Teas. Concoct teas from herbs such as oregano tops, guava tops, eucalyptus and peppermint leaves.
• Garlic. Munch garlic every night during meal time
• Ginger. Prepare thick slices of ginger and soak them in a cup of hot water. Simmer. Sip.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

COUGH - Causes of Dry Hacking Cough and Its Home Treatment Method

BY UPU ON NOVEMBER 29, 2011

A cough is a natural response by the body or the respiratory system of the body to expel the irritant substance that is obstructing the air passage, and interferes in breathing mechanism.  While cough is just a symptom the real cause for it is an underlying lung disease, or irritation of the respiratory tract.

What are the Causes of Dry Hacking Cough

There are two types of cough; productive and dry.

Productive Cough: in this type of cough there is expectoration or discharge of mucus or sputum. It is also called wet cough.

Dry Cough: in dry cough there is no discharge or expectoration of sputum.

Generally a dry hacking cough can cause lot of distress and agony for the patient. It interferes in his daily activities due to shortness of breath as well as occasional chest pain. Persistent harsh, hoarse and dry cough can irritate the throat, leading to sore throat. Frequently women complain of involuntary dribbling of urine with a bout of dry cough, this is mainly attributed to the abdominal pressure due to cough and anatomical position of the urethra or the urinary passage in women.

There are several causes for dry hacking cough. While taking medical history, the physician always asks the patient whether the cough is dry or there is expectoration.

This helps him in diagnosing the causes for dry cough. Following are most common causes for dry cough.

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: dry hacking cough is common symptom in later stage of common cold. The post nasal drip irritates the larynx which results in dry coughing. A person may experience dry and barking cough for few days or a week after the viral cold has cleared up.

• Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes for dry cough. The inhaled smoke is responsible for irritating the respiratory tract to produce hacking cough.

• Tuberculosis: though not so common disease in developed countries, tuberculosis is still a life threatening disease in developing states. During the initial stage of tuberculosis, the person experiences debilitating dry cough with occasional blood tinged sputum.

• Tropical Eosinophilia: persistent recurrent bouts of dry cough aggravated at night, with mild fever, weakness etc. Filariasis and intestine worms such as round worm or hook worm are common causes for tropical eosinophilia.

• Lung Cancer: blood tinged sputum, persistent dry cough, history of smoking, weight loss, and age above 50 years are indicative features for the dreaded disease.

• Asthma: in asthma there is breathlessness associated with wheezing and dry cough.

• Allergy from dust, industrial chemical fumes.

• Whooping cough, laryngeal infection or tumor can produce brassy or metallic sound with a dry cough. It can also occur in aneurism of aorta though a rare entity.

Dry Hacking Cough Treatment and Remedies

• To find instant relief from irritating dry cough, drink warm water or warm soup. It is the best home remedy known to mankind since olden days.

• Salt water gargling: salt is a common kitchen ingredient, mix a pinch of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and gargle it three to four times in a day. It not only alleviates dry cough but also soothes the sore throat resulting from constant coughing.

• Boil few basil leaves in a cup of water. Strain the liquid and add 2 tsp of honey. Now sip it slowly. Basil leaves and honey act upon the mucus lining of the throat and soothe the air passages. You can also chew few basil leaves instead of boiling for instant stoppage of dry and hacking cough.

• Use a humidifier in your bedroom it helps to relieve dry hacking cough caused due to dry weather.

• Cinnamon is a common home remedy which has gained popularity due to its effective natural ability in treating dry barking cough. Add few cinnamon pieces in your tea and sip it slowly. Green tea and cinnamon both with act upon the respiratory system and prevent persistent dry cough.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

COUGH - Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe For Cough: Its Benefits For Cough Remedy

BY SALINA ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2012

Dry cough is one of the most distressing types of cough, which is associated with severe irritation of the throat, hoarseness of voice and severe pain in the throat. Apple cider vinegar has very beneficial action, especially in the treatment and management of this type of dry cough. Here are some tips and various recipes of how to use apple cider vinegar effectively for the management of cough and other throat ailments.

Traditionally, the use of Apple Cider Vinegar has been recommended for the management of dry cough and sore throat. According to several naturopaths, consuming two to three teaspoon of apple cider vinegar about thrice a day is considered to be adequate for the management of dry cough.

Some experts suggest additional doses of apple cider vinegar, especially in cases of severe acute attacks.

However most people may find it difficult to consume raw apple cider vinegar since it has a pungent odor and has a typical tart taste, hence often many experts suggest it can be diluted with either water or blended with other types of food items like honey or sugar, to make it easily edible.

Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe For Cough Remedy

While some experts suggest that consuming raw apple cider vinegar can have profound benefits on the treatment and management of dry cough, the pungent odor and tart taste of the vinegar makes its direct consumption difficult.

Here are some cough recipes containing apple cider vinegar, which are equally effective,

• Vinegar and Honey: Add about two teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Add a teaspoon of raw honey to it. Heat the mixture and consume it when warm. Honey has strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory action, which has a soothing effect on the throat, while apple cider vinegar helps treat the dry cough.
• Home Made Cough Syrup: This cough syrup helps to naturally reduce cough and clear congestion in the throat. Add about one-fourth tablespoon of finely grounded ginger and equal amount of cayenne pepper to a glass of water. Add one tablespoon of honey and equal amount of apple cider vinegar to the mixture. Ensure that the ingredients are mixed thoroughly and consume the mixture every two hours to suppress the cough. Store the mixture at room temperature and discard it, if not used, after about eight hours.

Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Cough Cure

Apple cider vinegar is considered to have profound benefits in the management of all forms of cough, especially dry cough, which is associated with severe irritation of the throat. Experts suggest that apple cider vinegar has the following benefits in the management of cough,

• Vinegar is an astringent, which in turn helps control the spread to infection in the throat. Apple cider vinegar can be very useful when dry cough is associated with a bacterial infection (as compared to a viral infection).
• Vinegar has a soothing effect on the throat, which helps in reducing the inflammation of the throat and also helps alleviate the pain.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

COUGH - How To Get Rid Of Morning Cough Naturally? What Are Its Causes?

BY SALINA ON FEBRUARY 8, 2013

You may find yourself waking up to a morning cough, which does not go away. The intensity and frequency of the cough depends upon the severity of the underlying condition, but by and large, a bout of cough tends to last for a few minutes in the morning.
A lifestyle modification and altering a few of your daily habits as well as adopting certain measures will help manage your morning cough. On the other hand, if your problem perseveres you must visit your health care provider. It is vital to establish the precise cause of the cough and start appropriate medication.

Causes Of Early Morning Cough

• Smoking is the commonest cause for a daily morning cough. The most important indication of tobacco poisoning is a chronic morning cough. In extreme cases, a smoker may cough up blood in morning.
• Asthma results in morning cough as well. In an individual who has asthma, the respiratory passages get constricted; there may be some degree of inflammation as well, and consequently, the patient complains of cough and breathless in the morning on waking.
• Post Nasal Drainage: This can affect anybody in their sleep. Mucus present in the sinuses slowly drains back in to the posterior aspect of the throat, and this triggers discomfort and irritation.
  The discomfort worsens when one lies down, and hence he will complain of cough on waking in the morning.
• Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease is known to set off a chronic cough in the morning. GERD is accompanied by acidity, heartburn, regurgitation in to the esophagus and abdominal discomfort; and is thus easy to diagnose. GERD causes irritation in the throat, and often produces a morning cough.

Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Morning Cough

A few home remedies and medicinal foods can help manage a chronic morning cough effectively and rapidly. Alongside, you need to follow certain lifestyle changes and adhere to a wholesome diet too.

• Caraway seeds: Caraway seeds have always been touted as an excellent home remedy for the most obstinate of coughs. They act like an expectorant and help reduce mucus build up and clear up sinuses. Add about 5 spoons of caraway seeds to a big bowl of boil water; inhale the vapors emanating for 5 minutes. Do this at least thrice a day and more so, before lying down at night. It will afford immense relief.
• Eucalyptus essential oil: Sniffing at eucalyptus oil is beneficial as well. It soothes the lining of the respiratory tract, allays cough and nasal discharge and more importantly is useful in cases of asthma and bronchitis. You may also add a drop or two to hot water and inhale the vapors.
• Massaging the chest and back with eucalyptus oil mixed with sesame seed oil or almond oil will ease congestion and make breathing trouble free.
• Honey and turmeric: Turmeric is an anti inflammatory herb; which alleviates congestion, inflammation and swelling in the respiratory system effectively. Honey, helps soothe the lining of the bronchi and bronchioles. Blend 1 teaspoon of powdered turmeric with a tablespoon of honey and consume before going to bed.
• Onion juice: A lot of experts recommend onion juice to manage the condition well. Express juice from onion and add either jaggery or honey to make it palatable and consume every night before sleeping. Onion will drain sinuses, unblock them and prevent congestion from building up. It also tones up the tissues of the respiratory system.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

COUGH - How Dark Chocolate Can Help You Beat Persistent Coughs?

BY SALINA ON OCTOBER 25, 2013

Research and clinical trials have shown that chocolate is a very effective remedy for chronic coughs. Researchers with the Hull Cough Clinic tested chocolate on 300 patients who suffered from a chronic cough, and found that about 60 % of them saw immense respite when administered chocolate. Studies indicate that the theobromine content in chocolate is decidedly the most efficacious and safest cough suppressant there is.

How Does Chocolate Help You Beat Persistent Coughs?

Research has most definitely stated that chocolate is exceedingly effective for chronic recurrent coughs. Theobromine found in chocolate is efficacious in the management of acute as well as chronic coughs.

Partakers in the trial were treated with a placebo, codeine, and theobromine before they were subjected to capsaicin in the form of an inhaled gas. Capsaicin has almost always been used to bring on coughing in clinical trials.

For the clinical trial, patients were given chocolate twice a day for 14 days, and then they were assessed for the improvement in their cough. Experts have stated that the amelioration was due to the presence of theobromine, a compound present in cocoa. The patients were administered 1000 mg of theobromine, equivalent to 2 ounces of unsweetened dark chocolate or 16 ounces of milk chocolate.

The quantity of the theobromine used for the study was a single dose of 1000 mg. 1 ounce of unsweetened dark chocolate provides approximately 450 mg of theobromine, sweet dark chocolate will give you 150 mg, whilst milk chocolate gives around 60 mg.

Theobromine appears to impede the action of the sensory nerves, which in turn puts a stop to the cough reflex. Theobromine works directly on the vagus nerve, which is responsible for setting off coughing. What’s more, the research also proved that theobromine was more effectual than the extensively used codeine to manage coughs.

Consequently, what researchers advocate is that those who suffer from chronic, long drawn out cough, those who are diagnosed with bronchitis or asthma should incorporate theobromine in to their daily routine. It will help allay the frequency and intensity of cough episodes significantly.

Take 1 teaspoon of dark chocolate with half a glass of warm water every 4 hours for a week. Thereafter, you can taper the dose to twice a day. This promises you complete freedom from nagging, recurring, tickly coughs.

Dark Chocolate Benefits For Cough

Experts recommend that having a bar of dark chocolate daily is very good for those who suffer from chronic coughs and long term bronchitis. Chocolate is loaded with the active compound theobromine which has a very beneficial effect on protracted, obstinate, and repeated cough.

On the other hand chocolate is not a cure, and the symptoms can return once the treatment ends. They advise having 2 to 3 ounces of dark chocolate every day along with natural treatments to manage bronchitis such as ginger tea, basil tea, turmeric and milk, caraway seeds and eucalyptus oil.

Furthermore, theobromine is safer than all over-the-counter and prescription cough drugs. Cough medicine can have a few minor side effects; the common ones include – drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

So, the next time you have a bout of coughing, try eating some dark chocolate. It has a worthwhile assertion of being the best cough remedy; also, it is delicious, and has been touted as the most effective and safest cough suppressant around.

Source: http://www.simple-remedies.com/

HEALTH - The Natural Cough Cure

The Natural Cough Cure

by Elysia McMahan

During this year’s cold and flu season, I was on the hunt for a reliable cough remedy that I could easily make at home. My only criteria was that  it be better than anything I could find at the store and be safe and natural. I thankfully found, there was no need to resort to visiting my doctor or the local pharmacy, because there were a number of  items in my very own kitchen that could easily provide relief from my awful hack-attack.

If you’ve ever suffered from a cough that just wouldn’t quit, then you understand how important it is to find a great homemade cure.

It’s important to note that a recent research review published in The Cochrane Library determined that there wasn’t any sound evidence for or against the efficiency of formulas such as Mucinex or Robitussin.

Natural cough remedies are known to as work well, if not better than their commercial counterparts in helping your body’s defenses to expel mucus, soothe irritated passages, and control coughing without all the drugs.

One of the most commonly used ingredients in homemade antidotes is honey. Honey helps reduce irritation and inflammation by coating the throat, which is why it is the primary ingredient in a variety of products for cough control. Lemon infused with healing herbs such as caraway, thyme (which alleviates chest congestion and supports respiratory function) and eucalyptus also lend a hand with their cough suppressive and potent infection-fighting qualities.

For reliable cough relief, try a recipe recommended by Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., director of education at the University of Arizona’s Program in Integrative Medicine.

Friends, this recipe is worth a try!

What you need:

• ½ teaspoon of thyme
• 2 teaspoons of organic lemon rinds
• 1 teaspoon sage
• Note: Dried or fresh herbs may be used
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• ½ of a lemon

Directions:

1. Pour hot water over the 2 teaspoons of organic lemon rinds, ½ teaspoon of thyme and 1 teaspoon of sage.
2. Then cover and steep the tea for 15 minutes.
3. After straining the tea, add the juice of ½ a lemon and 1 tablespoon honey.

For best results, drink two to three cups daily.

HEALTH - Coughing for three weeks?

Coughing for three weeks? You need a cancer check: Patients urged to contact doctor as new campaign is launched

By SOPHIE BORLAND

PUBLISHED: 23:34 GMT, 1 July 2013 | UPDATED: 23:34 GMT, 1 July 2013

Patients with a cough lasting more than three weeks will be urged to see their  doctor under a lung cancer campaign being launched today.

Fewer than one in seven of the 38,000 new cases every year are diagnosed early enough for effective treatment by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Health officials say that, while the survival rates for other forms of cancer have dramatically improved over the past 30 years, they have remained almost static for lung cancer.

Bad sign: Persistent coughing is one of the symptoms of early stage lunch cancer

On average patients will live for just five months after diagnosis compared with nearly ten years for cancers affecting the bowel and breast. This makes it by far the deadliest form of the disease in England – with a death toll of 28,000 lives a year.

There are a total of 38,000 new cases every year but only 15 per cent of adults are diagnosed at the ‘early-stage’ when it can be effectively treated by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

NHS officials say that while the survival rates for other forms of cancer have dramatically improved over the past 30 years, they have remained almost static for lung cancer.

On average patients will live for just five months after diagnosis compared to nearly ten years for cancers affecting the bowel and breast.

High risk: Lung cancer patients live on average five months after diagnosis

Experts say one reason patients are diagnosed so late is that they are unaware of the symptoms which include a persistent cough, chest pain, breathlessness and weight loss.

Under a new campaign launched today, patients are being urged to see their GP if they have had a cough for more than three weeks.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: ‘More people die from lung cancer than any other cancer in England, but many people don’t know the signs and symptoms that could save their lives.

‘The message from this campaign is clear - if you have a persistent cough, go and see your doctor. The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed, the more likely that treatment will be successful.

The £1.8 million campaign is part of a Government drive to improve early cancer diagnosis in the hope of saving an extra 5,000 lives a year by 2015.

From six weeks starting until mid-August, adverts will appear on the TV, radio and in newspapers and magazines highlighting the early warning signs of lung cancer.

Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England said: ‘These figures show that more needs to be done to raise awareness of the signs of lung cancer and ultimately save more lives.

‘Only by increasing awareness of potential symptoms, and encouraging people to visit their doctor sooner rather than later, will we see the number of early diagnoses, and people surviving the disease, start to rise.’

COUGH - An Overview

Coughs Overview

A cough is an action the body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating to the air passages, which carry the air a person breathes in from the nose and mouth to the lungs. A cough occurs when cells along the air passages get irritated and trigger a chain of events. The result is air in the lungs is forced out under high pressure. A person can choose to cough (a voluntary process), or the body may cough on its own (an involuntary process).

Causes of Coughs

There are many causes for cough. Doctors classify coughs into two categories, acute and chronic. An an acute cough is one that been present for less than three weeks. Chronic coughs are those present for more than three weeks.

Acute coughs can be divided into infectious (caused by an infection) and noninfectious causes.

• Infectious causes of acute cough include viral upper respiratory infections (the common cold), sinus infections, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and whooping cough.
• Noninfectious causes of cough include flare-ups of chronic conditions such as chronic bronchitis,emphysema, asthma, and environmental allergies.

The easiest way to simplify the causes ofchronic cough is to divide them into their locations with respect to the lungs. The categories are environmental irritants, conditions within the lungs, conditions along the passages that transmit air from the lungs to the environment, conditions within the chest cavity but outside of the lungs, and digestive causes.

• Any environmental substance that irritates the air passages or the lungs is capable of producing a chronic cough with continued exposure. Cigarette smoke is the most common cause of chronic cough. Other cough-producing irritants include dusts, pollens, pet dander, particulate matter, industrial chemicals and pollution, cigar and pipe smoke, and low environmental humidity.
• Within the lungs both common and uncommon conditions cause chronic cough. Common causes include asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Less common causes of lung-induced chronic cough include cancer,sarcoidosis, diseases of the lung tissue, and congestive heart failure with chronic fluid build-up in the lungs.
• The passages that connect the lungs to the external environment are known as the upper respiratory tract. Chronic sinus infections, chronic postnasal drip, diseases of the external ear, infections of the throat, and use of ACE inhibitor medications for high blood pressure have all been implicated in chronic cough.
• In addition to disease processes within the lung and air passages, diseases elsewhere within the chest cavity may also be responsible for chronic cough. Conditions within the chest known to cause chronic cough include cancer, unusual growth of a lymph node, and an abnormal enlargement of the aorta, the main blood vessel leaving the heart.
• An often-overlooked cause of the chronic cough is gastroesophageal reflux(GERD). GERD occurs when acid from the stomach travels up the esophagus. This abnormal condition can cause irritation of the esophagus and larynx resulting in the reflex production of a cough.

Cough Symptoms

What differentiates the cause of a cough are the associated signs and symptoms. Another important factor in determining the cause of the cough is whether it is acute or chronic.

Acute coughs have been divided into infectious and noninfectious causes.

• Signs and symptoms that point to an infection include fever, chills, body aches,sore throat, nausea, vomiting, headache,sinus pressure, runny nose, night sweats, and postnasal drip. Sputum, or phlegm, sometimes indicates an infection is present, but it is also seen in noninfectious causes.
• Signs and symptoms that point to a noninfectious cause include coughs that occur when a person is exposed to certain chemicals or irritants in the environment, coughs with wheezing, coughs that routinely worsen when an indivdual goes to certain locations or do certain activities, or coughs that improve with inhalers or allergy medications.

The signs and symptoms of the chronic cough can be hard for doctors to assess, because many causes of chronic cough have overlapping signs and symptoms.

• If a cough is related to environmental irritants, it will worsen when exposed to the offending agent. If a person has an environmental allergy, the cough may improve when using allergy medications. If a person has a smoker's cough, it may improve if they stop smoking and worsens with increased smoking.
• If a person has a chronic lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, they may have a persistent cough or a cough that worsens with certain locations or activities. An individual may or may not have sputum with a cough, and often have improvement with the use of inhaled or oralsteroids, or other inhaled medications.
• If a cough is caused by chronic sinus infections, chronic runny nose, or chronic postnasal drip, the person will often have the signs and symptoms associated with these conditions. A person may also notice that the cough worsens when his or her problem worsens, and often the cough will improve when the underlying problem is treated.
• If a cough is associated with medications, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the cough often begins after starting the medication in question, but can come on at any point during the use of the medication. The cough is often dry and improves when the medication is stopped.
• A cough associated with GERD is often associated with a sensation ofheartburn. This type of cough worsens during the day or when lying flat on the back. Furthermore, a sizable minority of people with a cough caused by GERD will note no symptoms of reflux, but most people will report improvement in their cough when GERD is treated properly.
• If a cough is a warning sign of an underlying cancer, the person may have a group of symptoms. If lung cancer or a cancer of the air passages is present, the person may cough up blood. Other signs and symptoms that may warn of a cancer include worsening fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained loss of weight, or decreased ability to swallow solid or liquid foods.

When to Seek Medical Care

In general, contact a doctor if you experience the following:

• Cough is associated with a fever and sputum production
• Cough fails to get better after other symptoms go away or lessen
• Cough changes in character
• Trial therapy shows no signs of reducing the cough
• You begin coughing up blood
• Cough interferes with the activities of daily living or sleep cycles
• Call a doctor immediately if you have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Most coughs do not require evaluation in the emergency department, and efforts should be made to discuss the situation with a doctor. But certain circumstances warrant emergency evaluation.

• If you have a cough that is caused by a chronic condition, discuss what signs and symptoms warrant going to the emergency department with your doctor or specialist.
• If you develop severe shortness of breath or chest pain with your cough, you could have any number of serious medical problems that require urgent intervention.
• Elderly people or people with weakened immune systems who develop a cough and fever should be seen in the emergency department if they are unable to contact their doctor.
• If you have lung disease and an acute worsening in your cough that does not respond to home therapy, you should go to the emergency department.

Cough Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a cough is based largely on the information you provide. Information necessary to help make an accurate diagnosis includes the duration of the cough, associated signs and symptoms, activities or locations that make the cough worse or better, relation between the cough and time of day, past medical history, and any home therapies already attempted.

• In an acute cough the doctor may be able to make a diagnosis simply by interviewing the patient, and performing a physical examination. If the patient has an acute cough, chest X-rays typically do not add to the doctor's ability to make a diagnosis. Elderly people, people with weakened immune systems (i.e., from cancer,diabetes, or AIDS), and people with abnormal lung sounds on examination may benefit from an X-ray to check for pneumonia.
• In a chronic cough, doctors will often rely on the interview and physical examination to aid them in determining what tests, if any, are appropriate in order to make a diagnosis. Many people will receive a chest X-ray to search for problems. Beyond this, other diagnostic tests may be ordered at the doctor's discretion and based on the interview and examination. Some of these tests may be ordered by a doctor, and others will require referral to a specialist. The specialist selected will depend on the suspected source of the cough.
• It is important that the patient be an active participant in his or own own health care, and discuss with a doctor the purpose of any test ordered and what the expected results will mean.

Cough Treatment

Remedies for Cough

Home care of a cough is often directed at treating its underlying cause.

• If the patient has an acute cough and have not been to a doctor, he or she may attempt to use over-the-counter cold remedies to relieve the symptoms. If a common cold or flu is suspected, these may provide relief until the infection resolves on its own. Acute coughs that are caused by allergies are often relieved with allergy medication, and coughs due to environmental irritants will respond to elimination of the irritating agent.
• Home care of the chronic cough with a known cause is directed at treating the underlying cause of the cough. This should be done in close consultation with a doctor or with a specialist. Although not every chronic cough can be eliminated, many people can find relief of their cough by following their doctor's recommendations closely.

Cough Medical Treatment

The treatment of a cough will depend largely on its severity and underlying cause.

The treatment of an acute cough is directed primarily at decreasing the cough in addition to treating the underlying cause.

• Symptomatic relief of cough can be provided by over-the-counter or prescription cough remedies.
• Severe coughs or coughs that interfere with sleep may need remedies that include narcotic medications. If these are prescribed, avoid alcohol, driving, and operating any heavy machinery while using the medication.
• If a bacterial infection is suspected the doctor will often prescribe antibiotics. People suspected of having a viral infection will not benefit from antibiotics, and will receive treatments directed at their symptoms only.
• Elderly people, people with severe bacterial or viral infections, and people with weakened immune systems may require admission to the hospital to manage the underlying problem.

The treatment of a chronic cough will also be directed at treating the underlying condition. It is important to recognize that treatment may be difficult, may employ multiple approaches, and may not completely eliminate the cough.

• If the patient has a cough caused by smoking, allergies, or environmental irritants, he or she will benefit from elimination of the offending substance. It may take several weeks for the doctor to assess the response to this approach because of the length of time required to repair damage to the lungs and air passages from the offending agent.
• If the patient has a lung disease, he or she will often need ongoing therapy to treat the condition. Therapies used will depend largely on the type of disease. Multiple treatments are often used at the same time to help reduce symptoms. Careful adherence with the treatment will be critical to help slow the progression of any disease and to reduce symptoms. In cases where home therapy fails and symptoms worsen, the patient may need hospitalization so that additional or more intensive therapies may be attempted.
• If the patient's cough is suspected to be caused by a medication, he or she will show improvement when the medication is stopped. When this occurs, the cough may take up to a few weeks to resolve. Another medication may be needed to replace the one the patient stopped taking.
• If the patient is suspected of having a cough caused by GERD, he or she will need treatment to reduce the amount of acid reflux from the stomach. This is typically done with diet changes and medication. Successful treatment may take time, and multiple therapies may be needed.

Cough Follow-up
The best plan for follow-up care for a cough of any nature is to discuss when and where follow-up should occur with a doctor, or the doctor from the emergency department. Acute coughs typically get better on their own and often will not need follow-up. Many chronic coughs will take weeks to months to improve or resolve even when treatments are followed closely. Follow-up should be arranged based on this time schedule. For coughs that do not improve with standard treatments, referral to a specialist may be needed to decide the cause and best treatment.

Cough Prevention
Prevention of a cough is based on avoiding the medical problems that cause cough.

The most important aspect of prevention is to stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, particularly for people with asthma, chronic lung disease, and environmental allergies.

For people with GERD, prevention is aimed at diet modification, sleeping with the head of the bed elevated, and taking all medications as prescribed.

For any person who is on medication for a chronic lung disease, the best prevention is strict adherence to the doctor's prescribed treatments.

Cough Prognosis
The prognosis for a cough will vary depending on the underlying cause. After the cause has been addressed, most acute coughs will get better within 2-3 weeks. People who smoke and have a cough can expect a longer time period before the cough resolves. People with chronic cough often have more varied results, and people with chronic lung disease often have periods of resolution in addition to periods of worsening of the cough. Again, smoking will make a chronic cough last longer and should be avoided.

Synonyms and Keywords

coughs, acute cough, chronic cough, smoker's cough, asthmatic cough, productive cough, dry cough, postnasal drip cough, pulmonary cough,captopril cough, ACE inhibitor cough.

Author and Editor

Author: Manuel Hernandez, MD, Chief, Department of Emergency Medicine, Parkway Medical Center.

Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP