Essential information about dry cough

A cough is a natural response of the body to clear the airways of mucus and any other congestion. There are two types of cough, namely productive and non-productive. A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus while a non-productive or a dry cough doesn’t produce either. A dry cough may become a serious problem if it keeps you up at night or interferes with your daily life. There are several causes of a dry cough such as asthma, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The best course of treatment is to take something to relieve your pain and to follow a treatment plan in consultation with a doctor to identify the underlying cause.

This article further examines some important pointers when it comes to dealing with a dry cough.

What is the relation between a dry cough and asthma?

• A person with asthma experiences inflammation of the airways and swelling. Cough Variant Asthma (CVA) has dry cough as one of its symptoms. Other symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping.
• The long-term measures to address dry cough caused due to CVA include inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone and budesonide, which are basically Flovent and Pulmicort.
• The short-term measures to address a dry cough when it is caused by CVA include bronchodilator inhalers.

What is GERD and what are the treatment options when it causes dry cough?

• GERD is a type of acid reflux that is chronic in nature. It is caused due to stomach acids flowing into the esophagus as it connects the stomach to the mouth. This acid reflux is the reason for your dry cough.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medication could be used to treat GERD as well as your dry cough. These acid reducers are omeprazole which is Prilosec as well as lansoprazole, commonly known as Prevacid.
• There are numerous home remedies as well that you could ask your doctor to suggest.

Can a dry cough be an outcome of postnasal drip?

• Postnasal drip is the dripping of excess mucus that is watery or runs down the back of the throat. This mucus is produced due to seasonal allergies or by the membranes in the nose during a cold.
• The drip down the back of the throat may irritate the nerves and trigger a cough.
• Steam or use of a teapot may be helpful in order to alleviate any soreness or irritation.
• Alternatively, a neti pot and a hot shower also work well.

Can dry cough be a result of viral infection?

• A viral infection may cause the common cold and thereby lead to a dry cough. While the other symptoms gradually ease, some people experience a persistent dry cough.
• Sensitivity in the airways after a viral infection is common and is the most probable cause of a cough.
• Warm liquids and cough drops may help ease the situation as coughing only serves to aggravate the problem.

What are some other less common causes of a dry cough?

• Environmental factors may contribute to a dry cough. The presence of nitric oxide or sulfur dioxide in the air may trigger a dry cough. Pollutants, pollens, or other gases in the air are also common irritants. If you happen to live in a dry climate, a humidifier will help.
• Known to be very contagious, whooping cough may also be a cause of a dry cough. It causes an uncontrollable fit of coughing followed by a “whoop” sound as you breathe in.
• Pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung, may arise due to some underlying condition or a trauma to the chest. The result would be a cough along with pain and shortness of breath.

How do I get rid of a dry cough?

• Sucking on lozenges and suppressants like Robitussin may help you overcome the dry cough.
• Some people swear by natural remedies like adding honey to lemon and hot water to soothe their throat.

Taking stock of the situation and addressing the problem early on may help you to overcome the condition and will certainly benefit you in the long run.