Cough Types and Causes

KOMPAS.com - Coughing is a common disease that we experience daily. To overcome this, we used to buy ordinary medicines at a pharmacy or supermarket. In fact, different types of cough, also different ways of treatment. Or at least, the type of cough medicine that must be purchased. If the cough does not go away, we should immediately go to the doctor for a more appropriate given the drug.

To give you more to recognize the type of cough you experience, recognize the difference of the sound generated.

Whooping cough.

A cough that often ends with a voice like want to vomit when we take a breath. Cough is caused by bacteria such as pertussis, which can be transmitted through the spark discharge from the nose or mouth of infected people, who can come out because of sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

Congested cough (croup).

Cough with harsh breath sounds, like there is mucus in the chest. The voice that arises is the result of swelling around the vocal cords (larynx) and windpipe. Usually caused by a virus.

Hacking cough.

Cough with a loud voice and make the stomach join pain, usually worse at night. Could be due to common colds, bronchiolitis, or asthma.

Productive cough / cough wet.

Coughing is often accompanied by ripples or mucus, which is usually caused by infection or asthma.

Cough bronchiolitis.

Followed by a loud cough that sounds like whistling while breathing. Coughing like this are usually caused by a viral infection that occurs in the small airways in the lungs called bronchioles. Other causes are asthma.

ASTHMA : FACTS, CAUSES, TREATMENT & PREVENTION

The prevalence of asthma worldwide is around 200 million with a mortality of around 0.2 million per year according to a consensus statement developed under the World Health Organisation – Government of India Collaborative Programme (2004-2005). Though the prevalence is more in the developed countries, the developing countries have a higher total burden of the disease due to differences in population. In India, the estimated burden of asthma is believed to be more than 15 million.

Facts about Asthma
The most common chronic disease among children, it currently affects 235 million people.
Symptoms may occur several times in a day or week in affected individuals.
Failure to recognise and avoid triggers that lead to a tightened airway can be life threatening and may result in an asthma attack, respiratory distress and even death.
Through appropriate treatment the number of asthma related deaths can be reduced.
The strongest risk factors for developing asthma are exposure to indoor allergens such as house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture; pollution and pet dander; outdoor allergens such as pollens and moulds; tobacco smoke and chemical irritants in the workplace.
Asthma triggers can include cold air, extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and physical exercise.

Alternative treatments for Asthma
Asthma sufferers may lessen their need for chemical treatments prescription medications (steroids) and inhalers through lifestyle and dietary changes and nutritional supplements.
Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, indoor and outdoor pollution, and common allergens such as dust.
Avoid food additives and processed foods. The diet should emphasise whole, organic foods as much as possible. Avoid artificial food additives, flavourings, and sweeteners; fried foods; and pork.
Avoid nitrates/nitrites and sulphites. Many asthma patients are sensitive to these substances and should avoid foods containing such additives. This may include deli meats and cheeses, hot dogs, bacon, wine and beer.
Include a balance of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and stretching or yoga in your workout routine. Try to avoid exercising in cold, dry air, and always warm up with at least 10 minutes of lower-intensity exercise.
Supplement with Omega-3s. Fish oil and flaxseed oil, both excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, may help decrease inflammation.
Get plenty of antioxidants through diet or supplements. They decrease free radical activity, which tends to stimulate inflammation.

Asthma: The symptoms, causes and treatment

Asthma is a common but nagging chronic disease where your airways to your lungs become inflamed therefore obstructing your ability to breath properly. The symptoms of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath may act up at a certain time of the year or doing a certain activity and then go away for a while in most asthma patients. People with serious or continuous symptoms may get treatment such as an inhaler with special medication that is inhaled into the lungs during an asthma attack. The best way, however, to treat asthma is to avoid allergens or heavy exercise for long periods of time. These things (and others) trigger asthma attacks in most patients.


Asthma Attack: What is it?


A asthma attack is when symptoms worsen suddenly causing the body to struggle from the lack of oxygen. This would be a time where a patient should use their inhaler. You can tell when a person is having a asthma attack when they are completely out of breath and don’t seem to be able to catch it and their skin may turn a shade of blue due to lack of oxygen. If the patient is not able to recover or does not have their inhaler, they should be rushed to emergency!

Kids Asthma Causes

Many factors can lead to asthma in children; for example: environmental triggers, genes and asthma history of the family, diet, infections, allergies and hormonal changes. 

Here is a brief overview of these factors:

1. Asthma runs in families. If somebody in the family has asthma, the child is likely to get it too. Hay fever and eczema have also been linked to asthma.


2. Children with smoking mothers or those exposed to cigarette smoke are likely to develop asthma.


3. Asthma can occur at any age. Exposure to certain trigger substances like pollens, smoke, dust, animal hair, fungus and dust mites can cause asthma attacks. Flu and cold are also highly responsible for asthma attacks.


4. Strong smells, chemical fumes, household sprays, paints and perfumes are likely to trigger an attack.


5. Exercise and play, emotional reactions like laughing can serve as triggers.


6. Environment plays a big role. Sudden changes in temperature are responsible for asthma in kids.


7. Food colorings, additives, medications can also be potentially dangerous.


8. There is an ongoing speculation that obesity too might lead to asthma. Pollution and exertion or exercise can also reinforce the cause behind asthma. Care must be taken to protect asthmatic kids from these factors.