Cough-Types of Cough

Here are the most common different types of coughs and their related symptoms.

Dry Cough

This cough actually sounds dry—nothing comes up with the cough and these coughs are considered “unproductive.” This type of cough is usually the least severe, and it can occur randomly or persistently. It may disrupt sleep and it may lead to a headache or even a sore throat, but that’s likely due more to the cough itself than an underlying issue. These dry coughs are usually caused by some sort of irritation to the throat, such as smoke, allergens, or pollution. Dry coughs are also commonly associated with colds or the flu, but they can also be caused by allergies, acid reflux, and medications.

Wet Cough

A wet cough usually produces some sort of mucus as you cough. One should spit this mucus out, if possible, since swallowing it can lead to a stomach ache or vomiting. Wet coughs are usually caused by an infection of some sort, such as a cold or the flu, and they are body’s way of getting rid of the excess mucus that the infection created. Asthma can also be a cause of a wet cough, but if one is also experiencing congestion, a runny nose, a sore throat, or a fever, it’s pretty safe to say you simply have a cold or respiratory infection. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) typically results in a wet cough as well, and this can occur even when lungs are not especially irritated.

Croup

Kids get croup more often than adults, and it results in a barking sound during the cough. It’s caused by a viral infection and usually brings swelling and inflammation to the windpipe, which is the cause of the distinctive sound of a croup cough. Croup is usually accompanied by a raspy voice, trouble breathing, and sometimes a fever. Although croup can sound scary, it does not usually require a doctor’s visit, but if one is concerned that a child is struggling to breathe, contact a HCP pronto. Generally, the best course of action for croup is sitting in a steamy bathroom and doing other things to help relieve inflammation and open up the airways.

Uncontrollable Coughing

Fits of coughing are called paroxysmal coughing, and they are usually uncontrollable, violent, and painful. Whooping cough falls into this category, but asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, and pneumonia can also cause paroxysmal coughing. Whooping cough is the most serious of these different types of coughs, and it is characterized by deep, fast coughing that gets worse at night and that is followed by a deep inhale that often makes a “whoop” sound. Whooping cough can lead to oxygen deprivation as people have a hard time catching their breath from the uncontrollable coughing fits caused by it. Regardless of the cause of uncontrollable coughing , a doctor’s visit is an Essential part of overcoming this ailment and experiencing relief and healing from this type of cough.

Author

Paddy Kalish OD, JD and B.Arch