Causes of Cough with phlegm and dry cough, and how to treat it

Phlegm coughing occurs when the body produces more phlegm or mucus in the respiratory tract. While dry cough is a cough that does not produce phlegm. Both cough with phlegm and dry cough can be caused by various factors, so the way to overcome them must be adjusted to the cause. Coughing is the body's reaction to foreign objects that enter the respiratory system. Apart from responding to the entry of foreign objects into the respiratory tract, coughing can also be a symptom of certain diseases. When dust, pollution, or allergens (allergens) enter the respiratory system, the brain will send signals through the spinal cord to the muscles in the chest and stomach. When these muscles contract, air gushes through the respiratory system to push out foreign matter. This is called a cough. In cough with phlegm, cough also aims to encourage mucus from the respiratory system so that you can breathe more easily. Whereas in a dry cough, where phlegm is not widely produced or even there is no phlegm at all, the urge to cough is generally due to itching in the throat.

Causes of Cough with phlegm

A common cause of cough with phlegm is an infection by a virus or bacteria. When the respiratory tract is infected, for example during a cold, the body will produce more mucus. Its function is to trap and expel the organisms that cause infection. Coughing aims to remove the mucus. Therefore, people who experience coughing up phlegm are advised to remove phlegm, not swallow it. Swallowing it will actually slow healing. There are several conditions that can cause phlegm cough symptoms, including:

• Pneumonia

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. The cough that appears initially does not have phlegm, but after a few days will become a cough with phlegm that can be mixed with blood.

• Bronchitis

Bronchitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the bronchial wall, the channel under the throat that connects to the lungs. The function of the bronchi is to carry air to and from the lungs. People suffering from bronchitis often produce thick, colored phlegm.

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that causes difficulty breathing, due to long-term exposure to irritants. Irritant can be in the form of air pollution, cigarette smoke, or chemical smoke. One of the symptoms is a cough accompanied by phlegm and shortness of breath.

• Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that also often causes sufferers to experience coughing with shortness of breath. Coughing in asthma usually occurs when asthma symptoms recur, and more often occur at night.

• Post nasal drip

This condition is characterized by phlegm in the upper airways, such as the nose and sinus cavities that go down the throat, causing respiratory distress that can be coughing up phlegm. Post nasal drip can be caused by several things, ranging from irritation of the upper respiratory tract, infections, allergies, congenital abnormalities in the nose, to the side effects of drugs such as hormonal birth control and high blood pressure medications.

How to Overcome Cough with phlegm

How to cope with phlegm cough depends on the cause of coughing. If coughing up phlegm is caused by a virus, such as in the flu, you can just drink lots of water and rest. But if the cause is bacteria, treatment is needed using antibiotics according to the doctor's prescription. If coughing up phlegm is felt to be disturbing, several types of mucolytic or expectorant drugs such as bromhexine HCl and guaifenesin can be used to overcome them. Bromhexine HCl and guaifenesin work by thinning phlegm, making it easier to remove from the respiratory tract. For the drug to work effectively, the consumption of the drug must be carried out routinely and in accordance with the dosage stated on the package. Phlegm cough medicine is not recommended for children under two years of age, before consulting a pediatrician. Phlegm cough medicine from mucolytic group is classified as safe to use. However, if consumed in excessive amounts or not according to the recommended dosage, it can cause side effects such as discomfort in the digestive tract, dizziness, and headaches. Check with your doctor if the cough lasts more than a week despite taking medication, or if the cough is mixed with blood, sputum is green or yellow, shortness of breath accompanied by wheezing, cold sweating at night, and high fever. It is also advisable to consult a doctor immediately if coughing occurs in children aged less than two years, accompanied by high fever.

Causes of Dry Cough and How to Treat it

Dry cough can be caused by several factors, including:

• Allergy

When the body reacts to allergens (allergens) that enter the respiratory tract, coughing occurs to expel the substance. Other symptoms of cough due to allergies are itching, sneezing, and runny nose.

• Gastric acid

Gastric acid disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid rises to the esophagus or esophagus. This raised stomach acid then irritates the esophagus and triggers the cough reflex.

• Asthma

Asthma can trigger cough with phlegm, but more often cause dry cough. This is because the respiratory tract swells and narrows making breathing difficult.

• Virus infection

When infected with the flu virus, you will usually experience a cough with phlegm. But after a cold has recovered, you may experience a dry cough due to an airway infection that becomes sensitive after a virus.

Dry stone often lasts a long time. However, a persistent cough can actually increase irritation in the airways. Dry cough is generally getting worse at night so that it disrupts the quality of sleep. For that, you need to drink warm water to calm and moisturize your throat. If it is increasingly disturbing, you can take medicine for dry cough containing diphenhydramine HCI and ammonium chloride. Diphenhydramine belongs to the group of antihistamines, which is used to reduce allergic reactions, including dry cough. While ammonium chloride acts as an expectorant to help remove cough-triggering substances from the respiratory tract. When taking drugs containing diphenhydramine, avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in dangerous activities. This is because diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness. Take medications according to instructions on the packaging or doctor's advice, and avoid taking drugs in the long run. Contact your doctor if the cough does not improve after seven days, or if the cough is accompanied by fever, skin rash, or headache.