What does coughing all the time mean

Drinking enough fluids can thin secretions and is almost always helpful. Inhalers , are effective for asthma-related cough or chronic lung disease, such as COPD.

Inhalers can consist of bronchodilators or corticosteroids, which open up the airways and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter cough medicines , are intended to suppress coughs, but not the underlying cause. Some of these medications have potentially dangerous side effects, such as overdose in young children, and should be avoided in young age groups.

Lemon drops or other hard candies may be soothing, but never give these to children. Over-the-counter cough syrups should not be used for children unless recommended by a pediatrician. The cause of a persistent cough can range from colds to allergies to more serious diagnoses and complications. It is important to make an appointment to speak with your healthcare provider to help identify the cause of your cough and receive the appropriate treatment. The earlier a cause is identified, the sooner your symptoms may be relieved, and you will be able to have an effective treatment for the underlying condition.

It is considered a good cough remedy. Multiple studies have shown that honey can suppress a cough and help ease symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. Most causes of a cough resolve with treatment and time. But if you experience these symptoms, get emergency medical attention:. Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk.

These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Patient education: Chronic cough in adults beyond the basics. Updated April 21, Kaplan AG. Chronic cough in adults: Make the diagnosis and make a difference. Pulm Ther. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. European Respiratory Society. Merck Manual. Updated April Acute tongue swelling, the only initial manifestation of carotid artery dissection: a case report with differentiation of clinical picture.

Ann Vasc Surg. NIH Medline. Nasal swab. Most cases of pneumonia are acute infections requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. However, some lung infections can be more indolent and can cause a persistent cough.

Fever is an important clue to infectious causes of persistent coughing. Pertussis whooping cough is a respiratory tract infection that can cause serious problems in children who have not been immunized properly with diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus DPT vaccine. Pertussis began to resurface in adolescents and adults because the original tetanus-diphtheria booster shots did not cover pertussis and the vaccine's effectiveness wears off over time.

Heart disease can masquerade as lung disease if coughing and breathlessness are its main symptoms. It's a common occurrence in patients with heart failure HF. Their cough is most pronounced when they're lying flat, so they often resort to sleeping propped up on pillows. The cough of HF may be dry, or it may produce thin, frothy white sputum. Leg swelling, fatigue, and exercise intolerance are other common symptoms of HF. Abnormal swallowing can lead to persistent coughing if food triggers the cough reflex by heading down the "windpipe" instead of the "food pipe.

Environmental irritants can trigger the cough reflex, not just once but with nearly every breath of air laden with chemicals or particles ranging from sulfur dioxide to nitric oxide to dust and molds.

Even clean air can trigger coughing if it is too dry or too cold. Lung cancer certainly belongs on the list of disorders that cause persistent coughing. Fortunately, though, it's not high on the list, at least in nonsmokers. Mental factors can produce many physical symptoms, including cough. Psychogenic coughing increases at times of stress and disappears during sleep. If you don't think that coughing is a common complaint, just head to the nearest drugstore.

You'll find a bewildering array of syrups, sprays, tablets, and lozenges designed to control coughing. You'll also see a steady stream of customers coughing up lots of money to purchase products that may be ineffective. Many cough remedies contain expectorants, compounds intended to loosen sputum, making it easier to clear. Guaifenesin is the most popular expectorant. Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence that expectorants are effective. You'll probably do just as well by using a humidifier and drinking lots of water.

Cough suppressants are also very popular. Nonprescription agents such as dextromethorphan can partially suppress the cough reflex, promoting patient comfort. Prescription cough syrups with codeine tend to be more effective. When used appropriately, cough suppressants can reduce discomfort; remember, though, that because coughing can serve a useful function, it should not always be suppressed. Medicated lozenges and cough drops are among the most widely sold cough remedies.

These products contain various combinations of menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, honey, and other ingredients. Like with liquid cough medicines, some also contain topical anesthetics.

Despite their popularity, there is no evidence that medicated cough drops are more effective than simple hard candies. Don't ignore a chronic cough — but don't panic just because your cough lingers for more than three or four weeks.

Most often, the puzzle can be solved without elaborate tests, and the problem can be corrected with simple treatments. In fact, you may be able to diagnose and treat yourself, especially if postnasal drip or gastroesophageal reflux is the culprit.

Even so, your doctor can also help. In most cases, it won't take much more than a stethoscope and a treatment trial or two.

But if your cough is accompanied by sputum production, bloody sputum, fever, weight loss, night sweats, breathlessness, undue fatigue, or chest pain, you should consult your doctor without delay. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? In many cases, more than one cause is involved. The following causes, alone or in combination, are responsible for the majority of cases of chronic cough:.

Being a current or former smoker is one of the leading risk factors for chronic cough. Frequent exposure to secondhand smoke also can lead to coughing and lung damage. Having a persistent cough can be exhausting.

Coughing can cause a variety of problems, including:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A chronic cough is a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer in adults, or four weeks in children.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Cough. A chronic cough can be wet and produce phlegm or dry and tickle the throat. A chronic cough is when a cough lasts longer than 8 weeks in adults or 4 weeks in children. Common causes include asthma , allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , or bronchitis. Less commonly, it can be a sign of a more severe condition, such as a heart cough or lung disease.

In this article, we take a close look at the causes and symptoms of a chronic cough, ways to treat it, and when to see a doctor.

A variety of factors can cause a chronic cough. Sometimes, more than one factor may be responsible. A cough is typically the result of something that is irritating the airways causing the muscles in the chest and stomach to contract. The irritation also causes the glottis that covers the airways to open quickly, causing air to rush out.

The result is a cough. A dry cough is a non-productive one, meaning the cough does not produce mucus. People who smoke cigarettes and those who take ACE inhibitors tend to have a dry cough. A wet cough is one that produces mucus or sputum.

This is the case when, for example, a person has postnasal drip or cystic fibrosis. A chronic cough can become a medical emergency. If a person experiences the following symptoms along with a chronic cough they should seek emergency treatment:.