What causes coughing?

Coughing is a reflex that helps clear your throat and airways of mucus, foreign particles, irritants, and infections. Some common causes of coughing include:

•   Viral infections, such as colds, flu, or COVID-19
•   Allergies, asthma, or chronic lung conditions
•   Smoking or exposure to smoke, dust, or chemicals
•   Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or postnasal drip
•   Certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors
•   Serious conditions, such as lung cancer, heart failure, or tuberculosis

How long could a cough last?

The duration of a cough depends on its cause and severity. A cough is considered acute if it lasts less than three weeks, sub-acute if it lasts between three and eight weeks, and chronic if it lasts longer than eight weeks. Most coughs resolve on their own within a few weeks, but some may require attention from your pH4Life health consultant.

How can I prevent a cough?

Some measures to prevent a cough or reduce its frequency and severity include:

• Washing your hands frequently and practising good hygiene to avoid infections
• Getting vaccinated against preventable diseases such as influenza and pertussis
• Avoiding contact with people who are sick or have a cough
• Quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke
• Avoiding or limiting exposure to allergens and irritants
• Managing chronic conditions that may cause coughing, such as asthma, GERD, or allergies
• Following your consultant’s advice and taking your medications as prescribed

How will I know if I have TB, and not just a cough

If you cough up phlegm that is discoloured, thick, bloody, foul-smelling, or persistent, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. These may be signs of a serious underlying condition that requires attention from your pH4Life health consultant and treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious and contagious infection caused by bacteria that mainly affect the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the bones, brain, and spine. TB can spread when a person with the infection coughs, sneezes, or sings, and releases droplets with the bacteria into the air. Another person can then breathe in the droplets and get infected.

The symptoms of TB can vary depending on the part of the body that is infected and the stage of the infection. TB can be either latent or active. Latent TB means that the bacteria are present in the body but not causing any symptoms or damage. Active TB means that the bacteria are multiplying and causing illness.

People with latent TB do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others. However, they may develop active TB in the future if their immune system becomes weak or compromised. Therefore, people with latent TB should get treatment to prevent active TB.

People with active TB usually feel sick and have symptoms that may include:

• A bad cough that lasts for more than 2 weeks
• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Is particularly severe or is getting worse

If TB affects other parts of the body besides the lungs, it may cause additional symptoms depending on the affected organ. For example, TB in the bones may cause bone pain or swelling, TB in the brain may cause headaches or seizures, and TB in the spine may cause back pain or paralysis.

If you have any of these symptoms, especially if you have been exposed to someone with TB or have a weak immune system, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. TB can be diagnosed with a skin test, a blood test, a chest X-ray, or a sputum test. TB can be treated with antibiotics, but it requires a long course of treatment (usually 6 to 9 months) and close monitoring.

TB is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can be prevented by avoiding contact with people who have active TB, getting tested and treated for latent TB if you are at risk, and getting vaccinated with BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) if you live in an area where TB is common.

Can coughing cause other health problems?

Coughing is a natural and useful reflex that helps clear the throat and airways of mucus, irritants, or infections. However, coughing can also cause some health problems, especially if it is persistent, severe, or forceful. Some of the possible complications of coughing are:

• Cough syncope: This is a condition where a person faints or loses consciousness after a bout of coughing. It happens because the coughing lowers the blood pressure and reduces the blood flow to the brain. Cough syncope can be dangerous if it occurs while driving, standing, or performing other activities that require alertness. It can also cause injuries from falling or hitting the head.
• Insomnia: This is a condition where a person has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Coughing can interfere with sleep quality and quantity, leading to fatigue, irritability, mood changes, and impaired concentration and memory. Insomnia can also worsen the underlying cause of the cough, such as asthma or GERD, by increasing inflammation and stress hormones.
• Cough-induced vomiting: This is a condition where a person vomits after coughing. It happens because the coughing stimulates the gag reflex and the abdominal muscles, which increase the pressure in the stomach and push its contents upward. Cough-induced vomiting can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, tooth erosion, and aspiration pneumonia (infection of the lungs from inhaling vomit).
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage: This is a condition where a blood vessel in the white part of the eye (the conjunctiva) breaks and causes bleeding under the surface. It happens because the coughing increases the pressure in the blood vessels of the head and neck. Subconjunctival hemorrhage usually does not cause pain or vision problems, but it can make the eye look red and alarming. It usually heals on its own within one to two weeks.
• Rib fractures: This is a condition where one or more ribs crack or break due to trauma or stress. It happens because the coughing puts strain on the chest wall and the intercostal muscles (the muscles between the ribs). Rib fractures can cause pain, difficulty breathing, bruising, and infection. They usually heal within six weeks with rest and pain relief.
• Hernias: This is a condition where an organ or tissue bulges through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. It happens because the coughing increases the pressure in the abdomen and pushes the organ or tissue out of its normal position. Hernias can occur in different parts of the body, such as the groin (inguinal hernia), the navel (umbilical hernia), or the scar from a previous surgery (incisional hernia). Hernias can cause pain, swelling, obstruction, or strangulation (cutting off blood supply) of the affected organ or tissue.

If you have any of these complications from coughing, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. You should also consult with your pH4Life health consultant if you have a cough that lasts longer than three weeks, produces blood or foul-smelling sputum, causes chest pain or shortness of breath, or is accompanied by fever, weight loss, or night sweats. These may be signs of a serious underlying condition that requires attention from your pH4Life health consultant.

Could Colic be related to respiratory problems?

Colic is a term that has different meanings depending on the context. In general, colic refers to severe pain in a hollow organ, such as the intestines, gallbladder, or kidneys, caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting.

In babies, colic is defined as persistent, unexplained crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for more than three weeks, in an otherwise healthy and well-fed baby . Colic usually starts around age 2 weeks and may last until age 3 or 4 months. The cause of colic in babies is unknown, but it may be related to immature digestive system, food allergies or intolerances, overfeeding or underfeeding, or family stress.

Colic does not have anything to do with coughing or inflammation of the respiratory tract. However, some babies with colic may also have reflux, which is when stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus and cause spitting up, vomiting, or coughing . Reflux is not the same as colic and may require different treatment. If your baby has colic and also coughs frequently or has trouble breathing, you should consult your doctor to rule out any other conditions.