Types of Cough

Types of Cough

Understanding the types of coughs

Coughing, also known as tussis, is a voluntary or involuntary action that clears the throat and breathing passage of foreign particles, bacteria, irritants, fluids, and mucus; it is a fast expulsion of air from the lungs.

There are several kinds of coughs, each with particular features that can assist your doctor in determining what underlying condition is causing it. A productive cough is one that produces phlegm or mucus and may indicate pneumonia, bronchitis, or the flu. The color of the mucus might indicate a more serious issue. A dry or nonproductive cough is one that does not generate mucus.

The most common form of cough is acute cough. It only lasts three weeks or less and will eventually subside on its own. This form of cough does not necessitate medical care. Coughs that continue for more than eight weeks might be an indication of a more serious or chronic lung illness.

Cough Types

While you may be coughing up a lot of mucus, the person next to you may be coughing up dry or tickly mucus. This is due to the fact that coughs can be described in a variety of ways:
Chesty cough
also known as productive or mucus cough, this form of cough discharges mucus from the upper airways.
Tickly cough
is also known as a non-productive cough because it does not create mucus. If something is irritating your throat, it could trigger the cough reflex.
Dry cough
a non-productive cough that is similar to tickly cough, albeit the causes can differ.
A persistent cough
is one that lasts for more than three weeks. The word refers to both productive and non-productive coughs.
Smoker's cough
is caused by long-term smoking and occurs as the lungs attempt to cleanse the respiratory system of pollutants.

Categorizing the various types of coughs

Coughing is an essential part of keeping your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may indicate the presence of an illness or problem. Some coughs can be dry. Others are productive. Mucus, also referred to as phlegm or sputum, is formed by a productive cough. There are numerous varieties of cough. Some cough names indicate how long they persist, while others describe how they feel or sound, and others are actually medical conditions.

Cough types may be related to how long they last

  • An acute cough appears suddenly and lasts two to three weeks
  • A subacute cough is one that persists after an infection for three to eight weeks.
  • Chronic cough is recurrent and lasts more than eight weeks. Long-lasting coughs are also known as persistent coughs.
  • A refractory cough is one that has not responded to treatment.

Coughs of many types may be associated with mucus

  • A productive cough, often known as a wet cough, is one that produces mucus or phlegm.
  • A non-productive cough, often known as a dry cough, does not produce mucus or phlegm.

Coughs that have distinct sounds and are associated with various disorders

  • Whooping. Pertussis, sometimes known as whooping cough, is an infection that causes whooping cough.
  • Barking. Croup can be identified by a cough that sounds like barking.
  • Wheezing. This form of cough is common when your airways are clogged. It can be caused by an infection, such as a cold, or a persistent illness, such as asthma.

Cough types based on when you cough

  • A daytime cough.
  • Coughing at night (nocturnal).
  • Vomiting with/coughing This is common among children. They cough so intensely that they gag and, occasionally, vomit.