Cough Treatment

What is a dry cough a sign of?
Chronic dry coughs are usually caused by irritation from cigarette smoke, environmental irritants, allergies, postnasal drip, or asthma. Several chronic lung diseases also cause a dry, hacking cough. Some people cough out of habit for no clear reason.
How do you know if your cough is getting better?
Make an immediate call to your doctor if:
1. Your cough is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
2. You're coughing up blood or bloody-looking mucus in any quantity.
3. You're coughing up yellow or green mucus.
4. You have a fever of 101 or higher.
Is a persistent cough a sign of cancer?
Be on alert for a new cough that lingers. A cough associated with a cold or respiratory infection will go away in a week or two, but a persistent cough that lingers can be a symptom of lung cancer. Don't be tempted to dismiss a stubborncough, whether it's dry or produces mucus. See your doctor right away.

Can a bad cough be dangerous?
Serious illness or complications from whooping cough are almost unheard of in these age groups. Most people never seek medical attention. If they do, doctors may misdiagnose pertussis symptoms as bronchitis or asthma. Despite the mildness of their illness, however, adults with pertussis are still infectious.
How can I stop coughing at night?
To help you get the rest you need, try these nighttime remedies to quell your cough:
1. Have some honey. ...
2. Zap your cough with a vaporizer. ...
3. Elevate your head while you rest. ...
4. Apply vapor rub. ...
5. Switch to a nighttime cough formula.
How long do I wait to see a doctor for a cough?
Coughs Can Last About 2 Weeks. Jan. 14, 2013 -- Just how long should that peskycough last? The answer, according to most doctors, is close to 18 days. Yet many people with a cough get antsy after about five to nine days, a new study shows.
Is coughing a sign of cancer?
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are: A cough that does not go away or gets worse. Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm) Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing.
Is a bad cough contagious?
But a cough also can be a method of spreading a viral or bacterial infectious disease if the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. Consequently, people are understandably concerned that coughing is "contagious". However, what is actually contagious is the infecting pathogen, not the cough itself.
Do hot showers help coughs?
Try breathing in steam from a hot shower. Or use a humidifier or vaporizer in your room while you sleep. The steam can keep your nose and throat from being too dry and get rid of that back-of-the-throat tickle. The moisture can also ease your breathing and loosen mucus, helping you cough it up.
What is the best cough medicine?
Suppressants help cut the number of times you cough. The active ingredient listed is usually dextromethorphan (DM). Other cough suppressants include camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol.
Why can I not stop coughing?

That's because most coughs are caused by viral infections like colds or the flu, and will get better in a week. Antibiotics only work on infections caused by bacteria. If your cough isn't better after a week, see your doctor to make sure the cause isn't a bacterial illness, like a sinus infection or pneumonia.