Coughing  >> back to the newsletter overview

Coughing, first of all is a protective reflex if the gas exchange in the pulmonary alveoli is blocked – by secretion or phlegm produced in the lungs – or if there is any foreign matter in the airways – for example, after swallowing something the wrong way.

An inflamed bronchus will also cause a couching reflex, just like an acute bronchitis would frequently do. This mostly viral disease will often start with a painful and initially dry cough a few days after a cold; it will usually last for 4-7 days and be self-limiting. If the patient, however, notices green-yellow phlegm when coughing up in addition to symptoms such as a persisting fever for 7 days, the patient should see a physician to clarify a potential bacterial bronchitis that needs further treatment.

Acute coughing

Medicine differentiates between acute and chronic cough. The most frequent causes of acute cough are infections (see above) or the acute worsening (exacerbation) of an existing lung disease (e.g. asthma, allergies). In rare cases, acute cough can be an indicator for other, partly life-threatening diseases.

Chronic coughing

The major cause of chronic cough (>8 weeks) is smoking, followed by chronic bronchitis (COPD), but many other diseases, e.g. gastroesophageal reflux or cardiac insufficiency as well as medication, e.g. ACE inhibitors or beta blockers, or environmental influences can be responsible for the symptoms, too. In cases of chronic cough, one should therefore always see a doctor to get a diagnosis and start an appropriate therapy.

What can we do for you?

If you are suffering from acute or chronic cough with or without phlegm or any additional symptoms as described before, we can run further tests and diagnostics and start a therapy. To do so, we can check general internal examination parameters as well as the functions of the lungs, e.g. by spirometry, which can be done quickly, by body plethysmography and by spiroergometry, that will yield lots of relevant data to help find a diagnosis.

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