Types of Cough and Their Effects
The easiest way different types of cough can be classified, is on the basis of the duration it lasts and the content of the sputum they produce. Since it is caused by hundreds of allergic irritants, medical conditions and even with some medication, its severity varies.
Following is the basic classification:
Acute or Chronic
Depending on the duration of the cough it can either be classified as Acute or as Chronic. It is considered Acute cough if it lasts for maximum of 2-3 weeks. This is mainly caused by allergies to certain substances like dust mites, fumes or animal dander etc. It can come and go quickly as the triggers come and go.
Another type lasts longer than 3 weeks and is persistence. This is called chronic cough and is usually caused by some underlying problem including, smoking, asthma and other medical conditions. It can also be a side effect of certain medication like beta blockers.
Productive or non productive
Usually a viral or bacterial infection can cause a productive or chesty cough. This type of cough expels the phlegm containing abnormal mucus and germs so that the respiratory tract clears and breathing becomes easier.
A non-productive cough is dry. It is tickling, irritating and painful. It can be allergic or neurotic and can be caused by serious underlying disease. It is often caused by infection (cold and influenza) of the nose and/or throat (upper respiratory tract). It usually gets worse in warm conditions.
This type of cough can also be due to infection of the lower respiratory tract, such as with inflammation of the smallest airways in the lungs, or pneumonia, which is inflammation of the lung tissue itself. Cigarette smoke and asthma are other common causes of dry cough.
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Types of Cough