What is a niggling cough?

A chronic cough (also called nagging or nonstop cough) is one that lasts for three weeks or longer. 1. While a nagging cough can be uncomfortable and distressing—especially if it keeps you up at night—most of the time these coughs are not serious.

What is considered a nagging cough?

A cough is considered chronic if it lasts longer than 8 weeks. A short-term, or acute cough, lasts less than 3 weeks. It's most commonly caused by viral respiratory infections, asthma and seasonal allergies, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis flare-ups.

Why do I have a nagging dry cough?

A dry or unproductive cough doesn't produce mucus. A tickling sensation in the throat can make you have a dry cough. Dry coughs can come on after a cold or flu or if you have COVID-19. Other conditions like GERD, heart failure and lung cancer can cause chronic dry coughs.

What are the different types of cough sounds?

Firstly, the cough descriptors were grouped into those traditionally implying cough with mucus (moist, productive, rattling and loose), cough without mucus (dry, barking, hoarse) and cough with wheeze (wheezy).

What does a pneumonia cough sound like?

It might sound deeper or louder than other coughs and may or may not produce either green, yellow, or bloody mucus. Whether you suspect your cough is due to pneumonia or not, if you are experiencing a severe cough, you should talk to a healthcare provider to figure out the best treatment for you.

That Nagging Cough

What is a bronchitis cough like?

The main symptom of bronchitis is a hacking cough. It is likely that your cough will bring up thick yellow-grey mucus (phlegm), although this does not always happen. Other symptoms of bronchitis are similar to those of other infections, such as the common cold or sinusitis, and may include: sore throat.

When should I be concerned about a cough?

You should see a doctor if your cough brings up yellowish-green phlegm or blood. A cough that doesn't produce mucus is called a dry or nonproductive cough. Acute cough is the least serious type of cough. It only lasts for three weeks or less and will most likely clear up on its own.

How do I know if my cough is serious?

Call your doctor if your cough (or your child's cough) doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it also involves any one of these: Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm. Wheezing. Experiencing a fever.

What does cardiac cough sound like?

What does a congestive heart failure cough sound like? A cough due to congestive heart fluid often sounds “wet.” Healthcare professionals describe a wet cough as one that produces rales, or crackles, when they listen to it with a stethoscope. Crackles sound like rattling or popping.

Why won't my tickly cough go away?

Most tickly coughs don't require medical attention and will usually clear up on their own within three to four weeks. However, take care and seek the help of a pharmacist or your GP if your cough persists for longer than this or gets worse, as asthma, heartburn or heart failure can be indicated by a tickly cough.

How do you stop a tickly cough?

Using a humidifier to moisturise the air and liquefy your thickened mucus. Get rid of allergens. Your cough might be due to allergies, so before you go to bed, dust your bedroom, use air filters and don't open your windows during hay fever season. Sleep on an incline to defy gravity.

How do you treat a nagging cough?

What if I cough but no other symptoms?

Even a cough by itself with no other symptoms should be checked out by a physician if it lasts longer than a week. It could still be nothing serious, but this is a good point at which it makes sense to see a physician for peace of mind.

What are the 4 types of cough?

The four main types of coughs are: wet, dry, paroxysmal and croup. Most coughs do go away on their own. Home remedies and over-the-counter cough medicines can help relieve symptoms.

How long should a cough last before seeing a doctor?

When is it time to see a doctor or nurse? A wet cough that lasts more than three weeks requires medical attention because it could indicate pneumonia or bronchitis. A dry cough doesn't produce any mucus. Some of the most common chronic coughs, defined as lasting more than four weeks, fall into this category.

Why do I keep getting a tickle in my throat?

If your itchy throat is not accompanied by a cough, it may be due to strep throat, laryngitis, dehydration, or (rarely) throat cancer. If you have a cough, you could have a tickle in your throat due to acid reflux, ACE inhibitors, infection, allergies, COVID-19, asthma, or irritants in the environment.

When is a cough a chest infection?

The main symptoms of a chest infection can include: a persistent cough. coughing up yellow or green phlegm (thick mucus), or coughing up blood. breathlessness or rapid and shallow breathing.

Does spitting out phlegm help you get better?

Coughing is one way the body gets rid of infection, but when it comes to spitting and swallowing phlegm, neither method will likely help a person recover quicker.

What is walking pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is a less serious form of the lung infection pneumonia. It's often caused by bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumoniae, but other bacteria or viruses can also cause it. Most kids with this type of pneumonia (nuh-MOH-nyuh) don't feel sick enough to stay home — hence, the name "walking" pneumonia.

What does a COPD cough sound like?

According to one 2021 study, crackling sounds are common in COPD. There are two distinct types of crackling sounds detectable in the lungs: coarse and fine. Coarse crackles are more typical of COPD and present as prolonged, low pitched sounds. Fine crackles are more high pitched.

Which cough syrup is best for bronchitis?

Cough suppressants: If you have a persistent cough from the body trying to clear mucus from the airways, cough medicine may help. Triaminic and Vicks 44 Cough and Cold are two OTC options. Both contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan.