A cough is one of those annoying symptoms that can disrupt your sleep and keep you up for weeks without warning. But before you get all worked up, you should know that a cough is your lungs' way of getting rid of something they don't want. In a way, what vomiting is to your stomach, a cough is to your lungs, explains pulmonologist Panagis Galiatsatos. But not every cough is the same, and the differences between them can tell you a lot about what's going on in your body.
Dry cough or with secretions?
If you have a cough that tickles your throat and doesn't produce any secretions, you're dealing with a dry cough. This type of cough can be caused by a viral infection (like COVID or the flu), allergies, asthma, airborne irritants, or even gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Pulmonologist Jiyeon Seo explains that even new medications can cause a dry cough. Some medications can cause a temporary cough, while others can even affect your lungs in the long term. If you notice that your cough started after you started a new treatment, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor to assess the situation.
Timing is key to understanding a cough, according to Dr. Galiatsatos. When you visit a doctor, one of the first questions you'll hear is: "When did the cough start?"
Depending on the duration, the cough can be:
Acute – begins suddenly and lasts less than three weeks. Often caused by respiratory infections, allergies, or irritants in the air.
Subacute – lasts from three to eight weeks and can occur after a past infection.
Chronic – continues for more than eight weeks and is often associated with diseases such as COPD or gastric reflux.
What other symptoms do you have?
In addition to duration, accompanying symptoms can help to understand the cause of the cough.
Cough with stuffy nose, sore throat, and body aches – It could be a virus, flu, or COVID.
Cough with a burning sensation in the chest and a sour taste in the mouth – Often associated with gastric reflux (GERD).
A persistent cough that you can't get rid of for months - It may be an indication of a chronic problem such as asthma or COPD.
If your cough lasts longer than it should or interferes with your daily life, don't ignore it and consult a doctor. The slight difference in the type of cough can help you understand more quickly what's going on with your body!
