Dry Cough: Introduction
A cough is your body's method of removing irritants from your lungs and airways so you can breathe properly. If nothing comes out when you cough, it is because there is no mucus clogging the lungs or airways. An upper respiratory infection or bronchitis can induce a chronic dry cough.
A dry cough is one that does not produce mucus in the throat. Sometimes a dry cough is accompanied by swelling and congestion, or a tickling sensation in the throat, and one tries to cough to get rid of it, but to no avail.
The various symptoms, reasons, antibiotics, and dry cough treatments are discussed in the following sections.
What is Dry Cough?
A dry cough is one that produces no phlegm or mucous. A dry cough is uncomfortable and sometimes accompanied by a tickly throat. Dry coughs are most commonly caused by viral infections such as colds and flu, but they can also be caused by allergies or throat irritants.
Dry Cough Symptoms
A dry cough can cause a tickling feeling in the throat. Coughing may help you clean your throat. As you forcefully release air, your throat may feel dry and irritating. You may get a sore throat.
If you have a dry cough, you will most likely experience the following symptoms:
A persistent tickling in the throat
Mucus deficiency
A cough that appears to be ineffective
Insomnia
There is no wheezing or congestion.
Dry cough symptoms should last no more than a week or two and should go away within three weeks. Some coughs might continue for up to eight weeks after a viral infection. Coughs that last longer than eight weeks (or four weeks in children) are termed as chronic and should be treated by a doctor.
Dry Cough Reasons
The causes of dry cough include:
Infectious Agents
The following diseases are likely to cause a dry cough.
A dry cough can be a sign of a variety of diseases. Upper respiratory infections include URIs, sometimes known as colds, which can induce a variety of coughs, including dry coughs. A dry cough might last for four weeks with a 25% possibility.
Bronchitis: A dry cough is the most typical symptom of bronchitis. After a few days, the cough may produce mucus.
Smoking: Tobacco use irritates the throat, resulting in a dry, persistent cough. Heavy smokers may develop a moist mouth.
Medical Reasons
Asthma: Not everyone who has asthma will have a dry cough. Cough-variant asthma does not cause traditional symptoms such as shortness of breath or wheezing. Instead, the major symptom is a persistent and dry cough. This cough is more prevalent after being exposed to irritants such as cold air or smoke.
Heart Failure: While heart failure is not a typical cause of dry cough, it can cause fluid to back up into the lungs. A dry cough might result from lung congestion.
Medicine for Dry Cough
Antitussives are thought to function by suppressing the cough reflex. For example, dextromethorphan or pholcodine.
Expectorants, such as guaifenesin or ipecacuanha, work to relax secretions, allowing you to cough up extra mucus.
Antihistamines inhibit histamine release. This minimises congestion and the amount of secretion produced by the lungs. Brompheniramine, chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, promethazine, and triprolidine are a few examples.
Decongestants induce the blood arteries in the lungs and nose to thin (constrict), reducing congestion. Examples include phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline, and xylometazoline.
List of Antibiotics for Dry Cough
Bromhexine is a medication used to loosen or thin mucus discharges that might clog the airways. The medicine enhances bronchial secretion discharge by making it simpler to eliminate mucus from the respiratory tract.
Delamanid is an anti-tubercular medication used in conjunction with bedaquiline to treat individuals with active multidrug-resistant TB when other therapies fail or show no response. It is used to treat tuberculosis and dry cough.
Pseudoephedrine with hydrocodone- Hydrocodone and pseudoephedrine are decongestants and cough suppressants used to treat congestion and cough caused by a cold, flu, or hay fever.
What is Chronic Dry Cough or Persistent Dry Cough?
A chronic cough, defined as one that lasts more than eight weeks, might be problematic. However, it is extremely frequent and may be caused by:
Asthma
Bronchitis
Allergies
Gastroesophageal reflux syndrome (GERD)
Postnasal dripping
Treatment of Dry Cough at Home
If dry cough symptoms are not caused by a medical problem, then there are some home remedies.
Demulcents: Demulcents soothe and alleviate inflammation in the throat. Try a cough syrup with sugar and glycerol, or mix honey and lemon in warm water.
Cough Suppressants: Cough drops and cough syrups can help you stop coughing.
Increase Fluid Intake: Drink additional fluids, particularly water, to keep the pharynx covered and to prevent tickling.
Gargling with salt water might assist if your dry cough is caused by an inflamed throat. Salt draws water out of mucous membrane cells, which reduces swelling.
Interesting Facts
A dry or nonproductive cough is one that does not generate mucus. The most common form of cough is acute cough. It only lasts three weeks or less and will eventually go away on its own. This form of cough does not necessitate medical care.
FAQs on Dry Cough
1. What exactly is a dry cough?
A dry cough, also known as a non-productive cough, is a type of cough that does not produce any phlegm or mucus. It often feels like a tickle or an irritation in the back of your throat, which triggers the cough reflex. It is the body's response to an irritant in the respiratory system.
2. What are the most common causes of a dry cough?
A dry cough can be caused by several factors. Some of the most common causes include:
- Viral infections like the common cold or flu.
- Environmental irritants such as dust, smoke, or strong fumes.
- Allergies to pollen, pet dander, or dust mites.
- Medical conditions like asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Post-nasal drip, where mucus drips down the back of your throat.
3. What is the main biological difference between a dry cough and a wet cough?
The main difference is the presence of mucus. A dry cough is non-productive, meaning you don't cough up any mucus, and it's usually caused by irritation in the upper airways. In contrast, a wet cough is productive, meaning it brings up phlegm or mucus from the lungs. A wet cough is the body's way of clearing an infection or fluid from the lower respiratory system.
4. Why does a dry cough often seem to get worse at night?
A dry cough can feel worse at night for a couple of key reasons. When you lie down, mucus from post-nasal drip can pool at the back of your throat, causing irritation that triggers the cough reflex. Additionally, the air in a bedroom is often drier at night, which can further irritate your airways and make the cough more persistent.
5. Is a dry cough contagious?
A dry cough itself is a symptom, not a disease, so it is not contagious. However, the underlying cause might be. If your dry cough is from a viral infection like a cold or the flu, the virus can be spread to others through respiratory droplets. If the cough is from non-infectious causes like allergies or acid reflux, it is not contagious.
6. What are some simple ways to soothe a persistent dry cough at home?
To soothe a dry, tickly cough, you can try a few simple remedies. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of warm fluids like water or herbal tea can help. Sucking on lozenges or gargling with warm salt water can also reduce throat irritation. Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, especially in your bedroom at night, can also provide significant relief.
7. When should I be concerned about a dry cough?
While most dry coughs are temporary, you should consult a doctor if your cough lasts for more than three weeks. It is also important to seek medical advice if the cough is accompanied by other serious symptoms like a high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, or if you are coughing up blood.
8. Can a chronic dry cough be a sign of asthma?
Yes, a persistent dry cough can be a primary symptom of a specific type of asthma known as Cough-Variant Asthma (CVA). Unlike classic asthma, the main symptom of CVA is a chronic dry cough, rather than wheezing or shortness of breath. This cough often worsens at night or during exercise.
