How to Treat an Acute Cough
Get plenty of rest., Stay hydrated.As with any acute infection, your body loses water as it works to fight it off; therefore, it is key to drink plenty of fluids., Use over-the-counter medications as needed.Examples include Dextromethorphan and...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Get plenty of rest.
As with any illness, the more time you can give your body to rest, the faster you will likely recover from the infection.
Most acute coughs are caused by the common cold or the flu, and taking time to rest can enhance your immune function and your ability to fight off the bug.
If you cannot get time off work, see if you can cancel other commitments to give your body more rest.
Get extra sleep if this is at all possible in your schedule.
Sleep is one of the best ways to boost your immune function. -
Step 2: Stay hydrated.As with any acute infection
Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
It can also be helpful to use a humidifier — which vaporizes water into the air — to ease symptoms of your cough.
The steam from a hot shower can also help to clear your airways and to improve your cough., Note that using OTC cough medications is only useful if your cough is caused from an acute respiratory infection, such as the common cold or the flu.
Over the counter cold and cough remedies are generally not recommended for children under six years old, and their effectiveness in this age group has not proven to be effective. , Lozenges can be purchased at most grocery stores, or at your local drugstore or pharmacy. , The first thing to do if you have an acute cough is to determine whether you need to go into the Emergency Room, or whether it is okay to wait to see your family doctor.
Indications to go straight to the Emergency Room include:
Shortness of breath compromising your ability to breathe A fever indicating a possible infection Other underlying health issues that leave you immunocompromised (such as having HIV/AIDS or an organ transplant) , She may offer you:
Supplemental oxygen A bronchodilator, which is a medication that will relax the bronchi and bronchioles in your lungs Positive airway pressure, such as a CPAP or BiPAP machine In rare cases, ventilatory support , He will ask you questions like:
When did your cough begin? Have you had a cough like this before? Is your cough getting better or worse? Does it come in episodes, or is the cough constant? , Things she may ask about are:
Is it a productive cough? Is there blood in your cough? Is there a wheezy aspect to your cough? , Things to tell your doctor about include:
Chest pain — and whether this radiates anywhere else in your body Shortness of breath General fatigue Lightheadedness, dizziness, and/or fainting A fever , Let your doctor know if you have a history of:
Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or ongoing heart disease Ongoing respiratory disease prior to the onset of your cough Acid reflux (GERD) or symptoms of heartburn, indigestion or frequent sour tastes in your mouth Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), which can cause a cough due to post-nasal drip A condition that compromises your immune system (such as HIV/AIDS or an organ transplant) , The stethoscope can detect crackles in your lungs when there is fluid buildup (such as in cases of pulmonary oedema or pneumonia).
Your doctor will also look for other signs on physical exam, including:
An elevated "JVP" (jugular venous pressure, which assesses the amount of blood in your neck veins) — this can indicate whether there is fluid buildup such as in congestive heart failure and/or pulmonary oedema.
Signs of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) by assessing the circulation in your hands, and around your tongue and the inside of your cheeks (these areas show it more quickly if you are deprived of oxygen).
Other abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing or stridor (a harsh, vibrating sound) or decreased air movement. , A chest x-ray may show signs of an enlarged heart, such as in congestive heart failure.
It may also show fluid buildup in the lungs.
It will show pneumonia if you have it, and it can also detect lung cancer.
If the x-ray alone is inconclusive, your doctor may request that you proceed with a CT scan to look at your lungs in more detail.
However, in many cases, the x-ray alone is sufficient to make the diagnosis and to begin a treatment plan. , Some causes of an acute cough (such as heart-related causes, or a pulmonary embolism — a blood clot in the lung) can be ruled in or ruled out via an ECG.
This is a quick and easy test to obtain so, if your doctor suspects a heart-related cause or a pulmonary embolism as the reason for your acute cough, you will likely receive this investigation. , Your doctor may decide to do a computed tomographic (CT) scan of your chest, which can provide your doctor with more detailed images of your lungs than an x-ray.
This can be used to rule out serious afflictions.
A PE (pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lung that can lead to an acute cough) can be ruled out with a CT scan. , This can reveal if there is an infection present, and also what type of microbe is growing there so that the antibiotic treatment can be specifically targeted to the bacteria that has infected you (if it is indeed bacterial). , Spirometry is a type of lung function test.
It can be used to diagnose asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among other things.
A COPD "exacerbation" is a common cause of an acutely worsened cough, so this is something that your doctor may wish to consider in the diagnostic process.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD. , In more severe cases, you may need positive airway pressure (such as a CPAP machine or a BiPAP machine) or, rarely, ventilator support.
Bronchodilators such as albuterol are also used in the event of bronchospasm.
It is key to ensure that you are getting adequate oxygen delivery before proceeding with further treatment. , This is not true in all cases (it depends upon the risk level of your infection, and whether it is believed to be bacterial).
Your doctor can guide you as to whether antibiotic treatment is needed in your case.
Note that, in a viral infection (or an infection caused by any microorganism other than bacteria), antibiotics will be of no benefit. , An example of an IV blood thinner is Heparin.
An example of an oral blood thinner is Warfarin (Coumadin).
The purpose of blood thinning medications is to prevent any further formation of blood clots (or growth of the current blood clot), and to allow your body's natural mechanisms to dissolve the clot that is currently there.
Note, however, that if your pulmonary embolism is severe — leading to a severe cough and debilitating shortness of breath — you may need "clot busting" drugs to break the clot apart, or a surgical intervention to remove the clot. , You may need:
Diuretics Venodilators Blood pressure medications Medications to reduce your cardiovascular risk factors Treatment of the underlying cause of your heart failure , You may also need to begin oral steroids (such as Prednisone) for a short period of time, to get your cough and shortness of breath under control.
Systemic and inhaled steroids are also used in acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis.
If the cause of your COPD exacerbation is a respiratory tract infection, you may also need antibiotics. , A more rare cause is:
Cardiac tamponade, which is when blood pools around your heart leading to compression of the heart, fluid build-up in the lungs, and a resulting wet and productive cough accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath.
The treatment for a cardiac tamponade is "pericardiocentesis" (a needle inserted into your chest cavity to remove the blood that has pooled around your heart).
In the event that the cough is due to acid reflux, H2 blockers or PPI's may be helpful to relieve symptoms, and also lifestyle changes (avoiding spicy and acidic foods, elevating head of bed for sleep).
If the cough is due to allergic rhinitis, nasal corticosteroids may prove helpful as well as oral antihistamines. -
Step 3: your body loses water as it works to fight it off; therefore
-
Step 4: it is key to drink plenty of fluids.
-
Step 5: Use over-the-counter medications as needed.Examples include Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin.These can be purchased over-the-counter at your local drugstore or pharmacy.
-
Step 6: Try lozenges.Sucking on lozenges can help to alleviate a cough — particularly a cough that is dry and tickling in nature.
-
Step 7: Seek emergency medical help if your cough is severe.
-
Step 8: Ensure that your vital signs are stabilized.If it is an emergency situation
-
Step 9: and you are in distress because of your cough (which may be compromising your ability to breathe)
-
Step 10: the doctor will work to stabilize you before proceeding with further treatment.
-
Step 11: Tell your doctor about how the cough began.Once you are stable enough to answer questions and to engage in conversation with your doctor
-
Step 12: he will want to elicit the history of your cough.
-
Step 13: Describe the characteristics of your cough.Your doctor will also inquire into the characteristics of your cough.
-
Step 14: Watch for any other signs and symptoms.It is key to discuss any other symptoms that you have noticed alongside your cough.
-
Step 15: Share your medical health history.Finally
-
Step 16: as your doctor works to diagnose the cause of your cough
-
Step 17: it is key that he is aware of your medical history and any other health conditions that you may have.
-
Step 18: Ask your doctor for a physical exam.In addition to evaluating your vital signs (and assessing whether or not you could benefit from immediate help such as supplemental oxygen)
-
Step 19: your doctor will also listen to your chest with a stethoscope.
-
Step 20: Receive a chest x-ray.A chest x-ray is another highly beneficial investigative tool when it comes to determining the cause of your acute cough.
-
Step 21: Have an ECG (electrocardiogram)
-
Step 22: if needed.
-
Step 23: Talk your doctor about a CT scan.
-
Step 24: Get a sputum sample taken.Given that the most common cause of an acute cough is an infection
-
Step 25: your doctor may collect a sample of your sputum for analysis in the lab.
-
Step 26: Opt for spirometry.
-
Step 27: Receive breathing support as needed.If your cough is causing respiratory distress (significant trouble breathing)
-
Step 28: you may need oxygen supplementation.
-
Step 29: Take antibiotics if you have an infection.If you have an infection
-
Step 30: such as acute bronchitis or pneumonia
-
Step 31: you may benefit from antibiotics.
-
Step 32: Ask your doctor for blood thinners if you have a blood clot in your lung (a pulmonary embolism).If you are diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism as the source of your acute cough
-
Step 33: you will be given blood thinners — at first intravenously
-
Step 34: and then orally — for treatment.
-
Step 35: Take medications to treat heart failure
-
Step 36: if you have it.If decompensated heart failure is the cause of your acute cough (as it can lead to a sudden buildup of fluid in the lungs
-
Step 37: called pulmonary oedema
-
Step 38: which causes a wet and productive cough)
-
Step 39: your doctor will treat this accordingly.
-
Step 40: Increase your dose of inhaled medications if you have a COPD exacerbation.If you have a COPD exacerbation
-
Step 41: you will likely need increased amounts of inhaled bronchodilator medication (such as Ventolin) and inhaled corticosteroids (such as Flovent).
-
Step 42: Treat other causes of an acute cough based on the underlying cause.Clearly
-
Step 43: the treatment plan for an acute cough depends entirely on the underlying cause of the cough.
Detailed Guide
As with any illness, the more time you can give your body to rest, the faster you will likely recover from the infection.
Most acute coughs are caused by the common cold or the flu, and taking time to rest can enhance your immune function and your ability to fight off the bug.
If you cannot get time off work, see if you can cancel other commitments to give your body more rest.
Get extra sleep if this is at all possible in your schedule.
Sleep is one of the best ways to boost your immune function.
Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
It can also be helpful to use a humidifier — which vaporizes water into the air — to ease symptoms of your cough.
The steam from a hot shower can also help to clear your airways and to improve your cough., Note that using OTC cough medications is only useful if your cough is caused from an acute respiratory infection, such as the common cold or the flu.
Over the counter cold and cough remedies are generally not recommended for children under six years old, and their effectiveness in this age group has not proven to be effective. , Lozenges can be purchased at most grocery stores, or at your local drugstore or pharmacy. , The first thing to do if you have an acute cough is to determine whether you need to go into the Emergency Room, or whether it is okay to wait to see your family doctor.
Indications to go straight to the Emergency Room include:
Shortness of breath compromising your ability to breathe A fever indicating a possible infection Other underlying health issues that leave you immunocompromised (such as having HIV/AIDS or an organ transplant) , She may offer you:
Supplemental oxygen A bronchodilator, which is a medication that will relax the bronchi and bronchioles in your lungs Positive airway pressure, such as a CPAP or BiPAP machine In rare cases, ventilatory support , He will ask you questions like:
When did your cough begin? Have you had a cough like this before? Is your cough getting better or worse? Does it come in episodes, or is the cough constant? , Things she may ask about are:
Is it a productive cough? Is there blood in your cough? Is there a wheezy aspect to your cough? , Things to tell your doctor about include:
Chest pain — and whether this radiates anywhere else in your body Shortness of breath General fatigue Lightheadedness, dizziness, and/or fainting A fever , Let your doctor know if you have a history of:
Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or ongoing heart disease Ongoing respiratory disease prior to the onset of your cough Acid reflux (GERD) or symptoms of heartburn, indigestion or frequent sour tastes in your mouth Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), which can cause a cough due to post-nasal drip A condition that compromises your immune system (such as HIV/AIDS or an organ transplant) , The stethoscope can detect crackles in your lungs when there is fluid buildup (such as in cases of pulmonary oedema or pneumonia).
Your doctor will also look for other signs on physical exam, including:
An elevated "JVP" (jugular venous pressure, which assesses the amount of blood in your neck veins) — this can indicate whether there is fluid buildup such as in congestive heart failure and/or pulmonary oedema.
Signs of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) by assessing the circulation in your hands, and around your tongue and the inside of your cheeks (these areas show it more quickly if you are deprived of oxygen).
Other abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing or stridor (a harsh, vibrating sound) or decreased air movement. , A chest x-ray may show signs of an enlarged heart, such as in congestive heart failure.
It may also show fluid buildup in the lungs.
It will show pneumonia if you have it, and it can also detect lung cancer.
If the x-ray alone is inconclusive, your doctor may request that you proceed with a CT scan to look at your lungs in more detail.
However, in many cases, the x-ray alone is sufficient to make the diagnosis and to begin a treatment plan. , Some causes of an acute cough (such as heart-related causes, or a pulmonary embolism — a blood clot in the lung) can be ruled in or ruled out via an ECG.
This is a quick and easy test to obtain so, if your doctor suspects a heart-related cause or a pulmonary embolism as the reason for your acute cough, you will likely receive this investigation. , Your doctor may decide to do a computed tomographic (CT) scan of your chest, which can provide your doctor with more detailed images of your lungs than an x-ray.
This can be used to rule out serious afflictions.
A PE (pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lung that can lead to an acute cough) can be ruled out with a CT scan. , This can reveal if there is an infection present, and also what type of microbe is growing there so that the antibiotic treatment can be specifically targeted to the bacteria that has infected you (if it is indeed bacterial). , Spirometry is a type of lung function test.
It can be used to diagnose asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among other things.
A COPD "exacerbation" is a common cause of an acutely worsened cough, so this is something that your doctor may wish to consider in the diagnostic process.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD. , In more severe cases, you may need positive airway pressure (such as a CPAP machine or a BiPAP machine) or, rarely, ventilator support.
Bronchodilators such as albuterol are also used in the event of bronchospasm.
It is key to ensure that you are getting adequate oxygen delivery before proceeding with further treatment. , This is not true in all cases (it depends upon the risk level of your infection, and whether it is believed to be bacterial).
Your doctor can guide you as to whether antibiotic treatment is needed in your case.
Note that, in a viral infection (or an infection caused by any microorganism other than bacteria), antibiotics will be of no benefit. , An example of an IV blood thinner is Heparin.
An example of an oral blood thinner is Warfarin (Coumadin).
The purpose of blood thinning medications is to prevent any further formation of blood clots (or growth of the current blood clot), and to allow your body's natural mechanisms to dissolve the clot that is currently there.
Note, however, that if your pulmonary embolism is severe — leading to a severe cough and debilitating shortness of breath — you may need "clot busting" drugs to break the clot apart, or a surgical intervention to remove the clot. , You may need:
Diuretics Venodilators Blood pressure medications Medications to reduce your cardiovascular risk factors Treatment of the underlying cause of your heart failure , You may also need to begin oral steroids (such as Prednisone) for a short period of time, to get your cough and shortness of breath under control.
Systemic and inhaled steroids are also used in acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis.
If the cause of your COPD exacerbation is a respiratory tract infection, you may also need antibiotics. , A more rare cause is:
Cardiac tamponade, which is when blood pools around your heart leading to compression of the heart, fluid build-up in the lungs, and a resulting wet and productive cough accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath.
The treatment for a cardiac tamponade is "pericardiocentesis" (a needle inserted into your chest cavity to remove the blood that has pooled around your heart).
In the event that the cough is due to acid reflux, H2 blockers or PPI's may be helpful to relieve symptoms, and also lifestyle changes (avoiding spicy and acidic foods, elevating head of bed for sleep).
If the cough is due to allergic rhinitis, nasal corticosteroids may prove helpful as well as oral antihistamines.
About the Author
Megan Walker
Creates helpful guides on organization to inspire and educate readers.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: