Dry cough, oily cough, how to differentiate them?

Cough is a common symptom of many diseases and infections. Fat cough, which produces a discharge of mucus, is to be distinguished from dry cough, which often lasts longer. It is important to recognize them because they are not treated the same way.

Coughing is a natural defense of the body to get rid of foreign bodies (pollen, smoke, mucus, allergens…). We distinguish dry cough, which does not produceexpectoration, oily cough where mucus is expelled. These two types of cough reflect different causes and are not treated in the same way.

Oily cough: recognize it and treat it

When wet coughing, the body tries to get rid of agents pathogens by the expectoration of mucus. It gives the feeling of having liquid thick stuck in the back of the throat, and is usually accompanied by other symptoms (runny nose, tiredness, fever…). Oily cough is often the symptom an infection, mostly viral (influenza, cold, pneumonia…). When it occurs in the morning upon waking, it can also signal a bronchitis chronic obstructive.

Oily cough, used to evacuate infectious agents and to cleanse the respiratory tract, should especially not be treated with cough suppressants, which prevent proper expectoration of mucus. We can take syrup expectorant (not recommended for children), but it is especially useful to drink a lot, in order to fluidify the sputum. It is also useful to moisten theair and unclog the nose with some serum physiological.

Dry cough: recognize and treat it

Unlike oily cough, dry cough does not produce sputum (it is said to be non-productive). It is manifested by a feeling of "tickling" at the back of the throat which triggers the cough reflex. In case of a strong cough, it sometimes causes sore throat irritation, dyspnea, a hoarse voice. Dry cough most often responds to irritation from allergy, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, reflux gastroesophageal, or significant exposure to irritants such as dust, smoke, or tobacco. Dry coughs can also precede or follow a fatty cough, which lasts for several weeks.

Dry cough is a symptom that does not cared for not as such but irritations can be soothed by cough syrups (not to be used for a long time), lozenges, honey tea, gargles. It is also advisable to humidify the ambient air, and to raise the pillow at night to facilitate breathing and reduce coughing attacks.

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