HEALTHY LIVING — It's just a little cough … or is it? - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News
HEALTHY LIVING — It's just a little cough … or is it? - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News |
| HEALTHY LIVING — It's just a little cough … or is it? - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News Posted: 10 Apr 2020 12:00 AM PDT  STOP! This is NOT about COVID-19. While we should all be aware of those symptoms in this time of abundant caution, we must also acknowledge that other diseases have not disappeared and also need our attention. Did you get the respiratory "crud" that most folks suffered with this winter? And is that cough is still hanging on? Or have you had a little nagging cough that has been around so long now that you forgot when it started? Is it a productive cough, meaning that you are coughing up mucus or is it a back of the throat tickle resulting in a dry cough? There are several kinds of coughs, some we should just let run their course, that don't require strong medications. There are also some that are symptomatic of a much larger problem and need to be seen to by your doctor. Let's take a look at some and see if any may apply to you. The common cold: Sore throat, runny nose, followed up with about 10 days to two weeks of coughing and sneezing. It's viral, spreads quickly, and an antibiotic will not cure it. Over-the-counter meds will help alleviate the symptoms but it won't cure or shorten the duration. Rest and drink plenty of liquids. If symptoms last over two weeks, you may have a secondary infection and please do see your doctor. The flu: Cough, could be dry or clear phlegm, accompanied by a spiking fever, chills, achiness, and generally feeling like you have been hit by a truck. Go see your doctor, ASAP, do not wait. Get a yearly flu shot. Pneumonia: Wet cough, yellow or green mucus, fever, chills, chest pain, and possibly mental confusion. This is an infection that can come on quickly and can involve one or both lungs. This sometimes requires hospitalization, or in the case of "walking pneumonia" resting at home and taking antibiotics are called for. Bronchitis: A cough often with phlegm, but not always, soreness in the chest and a fever. Often referred to as a "chest cold". It's actually an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, they swell and it causes you to cough. First, see your doctor to rule out pneumonia, drink plenty of liquids to keep mucus thin and steam from a hot shower helps relieve cough. Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Unfortunately, this is making a comeback, there is a vaccine for this and adults are encouraged to get a booster, especially if you will be around babies. It produces an uncontrollable, violent cough that makes it hard to breathe, forcing you to inhale deeply-often producing a whooping sound. Get to your doctor ASAP, they will put you on antibiotics. Postnasal drip: When your nose or sinuses produce extra mucus, it can drip down the back of your throat and trigger your cough reflex. This condition is also called upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). Asthma: An asthma-related cough may come and go with the seasons, appear after an upper respiratory tract infection, or become worse when you're exposed to cold air or certain chemicals or fragrances. In one type of asthma (cough-variant asthma), a cough is the main symptom. Easily diagnosed and treated. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): In this common condition, stomach acid flows back into the tube that connects your stomach and throat (esophagus). The constant irritation can lead to chronic coughing. The coughing, in turn, worsens GERD — a vicious cycle. If you have even woken up in the middle of the night, coughing without any other symptoms, this might be the reason. My best advice, see your doctor. Coughs can be simply annoying, but it is also the body's way of telling you to pay attention, something is not right. The body is an amazing thing and has the ability, in many cases, to heal on its own, but with any symptoms, if they persist, don't dilly dally — get help. Take care of that cough and stay healthy, my friends. Jody Holton writes about health for The Port Arthur News. She can be reached at jholton3@gt.rr.com |
| What is Smoker's Cough? Here's Everything You Need to Know - Men's health UK Posted: 27 Mar 2020 12:00 AM PDT Curious about smoker's cough? You've come to the right place. Here, we'll be exploring everything you need to know about a raspy, continuous cough that's not only disrupting your day-to-day life, but also your sleep patterns and, more likely, your long-term health. What's more, smoker's cough shares more than a few similarities with the Coronavirus (Covid-19), a disease that's currently tearing through continents around the world. That said, it's of utmost importance that you identify any symptoms or ailments you have and talk to a registered GP if any concerns arise. But first, a little science. A study in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health examined young, military personnel aged between 18 and 21-years-old from Finland, almost half of whom were daily smokers. After several tests, the study found that smoker's cough was more common with long-term smokers and that 40 per cent of the daily smokers and 27 per cent of the occasional smokers in the study group were experiencing chronic cough and phlegm production. What's more, the study also noted that "aerobic fitness was worse in regular smokers compared to non-smokers" and "smokers had a higher body mass index than non-smokers." So it's hardly great news, you'll agree. Here, Men's Health is here to help serve fact from fiction, reality from myth and science from speculation. Here's your complete guide to smoker's cough, the causes, the symptoms and actionable professional advice. Deeps breaths, n0w. What Is Smoker's Cough?'Smoker's cough' is a phlegmy, raspy cough that's caused by the body attempting to eject and clear out chemicals that have entered the airways and lungs through months and years of tobacco use. Typically, smoker's cough is more common in men and women who regularly smoke or have recently given up smoking (here's a handy, four-step guide to quit for good) in the name of better health. How smoker's cough impacts the individual is very much case-by-case, but, generally, it tends to be worse in the morning and gradually lessens as the day progresses. However, as long as the individual keeps smoking, the smoker's cough, predictably, will continue to worsen until the quitting process begins. "Along the airways, we have tiny hair-like structures known as cilia that catch and push out any toxins before they reach the lungs. But if you smoke, these cilia have to work harder to remove these toxins, because the chemicals in tobacco can slow and impair cilia function," explains Dr Diana Gall GMC. "Once it reaches the lungs it causes inflammation which triggers coughing in an attempt to clear the throat and airways to get rid of the toxins. This particular cough is caused by smoking but not all smokers will experience a cough."  Smoker's Cough SymptomsDepending on which stage an individual is at with smoker's cough, symptoms can vary. From coughing up brown mucus, to making harsh sounds during a coughing fit or ejecting phlegm in the morning, smoker's cough symptoms are nothing if not varied. Early Smoker's Cough SymptomsDuring the early stakes of smoker's cough, the cough is often dry and harsh. As the cough progresses and the individual decides to continue smoking, the cough progresses into producing phlegm that's blood-tinged, a yellow-green colour, white or entirely colourless. Those aren't the only smoker's cough symptoms, though. Other symptoms to look out for include:
Coronavirus Symptoms and Smoker's Cough Symptoms: Similarities and DifferenceUnless you've been living under a rock, you'll know all-too-well about the very real issue of the coronavirus. According to the World Health Organisation, "Coronavirus can be caught through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes". Unfortunately, one of the most common and sure symptoms of the Coronavirus is a "new, continuous cough". As a result, thousands of smokers around the world are expressing concern about their symptoms and the relative similarities to that of Covid-19. It's now more important to familiarise yourself with the coronavirus symptoms in order to avoid confusion and, potentially, wasting emergency service time. "It's not surprising that people are concerned that their smoker's cough may in fact be coronavirus, but if you've had this cough for a long time and you're a long term smoker it's more likely to be a smoker's cough," explains Dr. Gall. "Only if it's a new cough and you have a fever should you be concerned that it may be coronavirus." The primary symptoms of coronavirus are:
 solidcoloursGetty Images How to Get Rid of Smoker's CoughGetting sick of coughing up phlegm, feeling awful in the mornings and getting questionable looks from loved ones? It's time to tackle smoker's cough head-on with Dr. Gall's tips. "The most effective treatment is of course to stop smoking altogether. When you stop smoking you may experience more coughing than usual for several weeks as the cilia recover but within a year of quitting you will notice a huge improvement in your symptoms," explains Dr Gall . "If you're a long-term smoker, give your body time to heal, this increase in coughing is your body's way of trying to get rid of the build-up of phlegm. Drinking water and staying hydrated can help to loosen the mucus and speed up recovery. In the meantime, if you're still struggling to quit, you can try and ease the symptoms slightly by taking lozenges or gargling with salt water to soothe a sore throat, drinking water regularly, and exercising daily. " Home Remedies for Smoker's CoughBesides chugging water on an hourly basis and doing your 'very best' to quit, are there any at-home hacks you can deploy to relieve the symptoms of smoker's cough? The answer is yes and no. "You can do all of the above at home on a daily basis to try and relieve the severity of your cough. If you're a regular coffee or alcohol drinker, you may want to give these up or certainly reduce your intake as this can make you really dehydrated which doesn't help with phlegm production," says Dr. Gall "Also, try elevating your head slightly when you sleep at night to prevent mucus building up which will cause irritation, this will also help you to breathe easier during the night."  DjelicSGetty Images When to See a Doctor About Smoker's Cough"You should always be concerned and see a doctor if you have any type of cough that lasts more than three weeks as this is a common sign of lung cancer. If you're having other symptoms such as headaches, weight loss that isn't intentional, or chest pain, this is something to be concerned about and again should be checked by your doctor," says Dr. Gall. "I would be increasingly concerned if you were coughing up blood or had pain in the ribs or chest and I would advise immediate medical attention if you're experiencing these symptoms." Can I Exercise With Smoker's Cough?If you're finding yourself wheezing through your twice-weekly 10K or struggling to catch your breath in the weights room, Dr. Gall shares a few tips on how to manage it. "Ensure that you're fully hydrated while you exercise as this will help to loosen any congestion and mucus so it's easier to cough up. You may feel more exerted when you exercise due to the reduced lung capacity when you smoke, however, exercise will definitely help to clear your airways and improve symptoms associated with a smoker's cough." Sign up to the Men's Health newsletter and kickstart your home body plan. Make positive steps to become fitter, healthier and mentally strong with all the best workouts, nutrition and health advice delivered to your inbox. We've got you covered. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from "phlegm in nose,yellow mucus" - Google News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
Comments
Post a Comment