Types of Cough - Classification, Their Symptoms, Causes & Remedies

Coughing is your body’s way of clearing an irritant from the lungs, airways and throat. It can protect you from pollen, dust, mucus and smoke. However, coughing also signals an illness or a serious health condition. As per reports by the National Library of Medicine, the prevalence of cough in India is between 2.4% and 5.6% in rural regions and 1.7% to 5.4% in urban areas.

There are different types of coughs, most of which go away on their own. If not, over-the-counter cough medicines and home remedies can relieve them. But, before that, knowing about the types of cough is vital.

Classifying Different Types of Cough

Different types of cough are described by:

• Experience or Behaviour: Why and when does your cough happen? Is it more severe during the night, during exercises or after meals?

• Related Effects: Do you experience other signs like urinary incontinence, sleeplessness and vomiting along with your cough?

• Characteristics: What are the different types of cough sounds, and how does your cough feel or sound? Is it wet, dry or hacking?

• Duration: How long have you been coughing? Do you experience a persistent cough that does not ward off even after three weeks of treatment?

• Grade: How bad is your cough? Is it debilitating, persistent or annoying?

Most of the time, an obstruction in the airway triggers the cough reflex. If you swallow something that blocks your airway, seek instant medical attention. Now let’s identify the different types of coughs, their causes, different ways to treat types of cough and when to consult a doctor.

Wet Cough

Speaking of the types of cough sounds, a wet cough sounds wet as it brings up a lot of mucus. It is also called productive cough, which can be acute and last for less than three weeks. It can even be chronic, lasting for several months, and its main signs are:

• Asthma
• Cold or flu
• COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia

Wet coughs generally heal on their own, but consult a doctor if it lasts for more than three weeks and is accompanied by conditions like:

• High fever
• Coughing up yellow-green, thick mucus
• Minor chest pain
• Wheezing or shortness of breath

The best treatment for a wet cough is drinking lots of water, which helps the mucus come out and even eases the signs of a cold. Chest rubs, pain relievers and cough drops are some of the most effective remedies for a wet cough. You may require antibiotics if the wet cough is due to a bacterial infection.

Dry Cough

In the back of the throat, a dry cough feels like a tickle and can result in bouts of long and hacking coughing sessions. It does not carry mucus and is caused by inflammation in the respiratory system. A dry cough can last for several weeks after a cold or flu. Symptoms of dry cough include:

• Allergies
• Cold or flu
• Croup
• Asthma
• Laryngitis
• GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Irritants like smoke, dust or air pollution
• Sore throat
• Medicines like ACE inhibitors
• Sinusitis
• Tonsillitis

Drinking sufficient water, cough drops, and cough syrup is an effective treatment for dry cough.

Paroxysmal Cough

Paroxysmal cough is uncontrolled, violent, and can also be painful and exhausting. You may find it difficult to breathe and may also vomit. Whooping cough or pertussis is a leading cause of it. Other causes of paroxysmal cough include:

• COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Asthma
• Tuberculosis
• Choking
• Pneumonia

Paroxysmal cough is contagious, but diagnosing it early is difficult because its symptoms are the same as a cold. Consult a doctor if the symptoms of a cough, especially a whopping cough, get worse even after two weeks of treatment. The best treatment for paroxysmal cough is antibiotics. Other effective remedies include:

• Reducing irritants in your surroundings, like smoke or dust
• Using a cool mist vapouriser to loosen mucus
• Eating frequent meals in small amounts to reduce the risk of vomiting
• Having lots of water and other fluids to stay hydrated

Croup Cough

This viral infection causes swelling and irritation in the upper airway, making breathing very difficult. Croup cough has distinct barking types of cough sounds that can lead to squeaky breathing and a raspy voice. It is more prevalent in children below five years of age and also contagious for up to three days after the signs of this cough begin.

Croup cough can be scary for both children and their parents, but the condition heals on its own within a week. Severe cases of croup cough may require a nebuliser or prescribe steroid treatment. 

Best remedies for croup cough include:

• Getting your child to a steam-filled bathroom for at least 10 minutes
• Placing a cool mist humidifier in your baby’s bedroom
• Taking your kid outside so they get fresh and cool air
• Making sure that your child gets lots of fluids and proper rest too.
• Treating your child’s fever with Tylenol or acetaminophen

Choking

You may cough incessantly if your airways are partially blocked and your body tries to eliminate the object that blocks your airways. Likewise, if you eat something really large or something that irritates your throat, you may cough. It becomes important to consult a doctor if your coughing persists after a choking episode. If you are choking seriously, you will not make any sound while coughing.

Chronic Cough

If your cough lasts more than eight weeks, it signals an underlying medical condition and requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. Potential causes of chronic or long-term cough include:

• Smoking
• Allergies
• Untreated respiratory virus or infection that lasts longer than normal
• Oral or throat cancer
• Exposure to irritants like dust or mould at work or home
• Swallowing disorders due to conditions like dementia
• Pneumonia and other lung diseases

Conclusion

So, these are the different types of cough with their specific characteristics. Certain coughs are scary and can trigger choking. In most cases, coughs clear on their own, although long-term coughs in unwell seniors and children warrant immediate treatment. Consult your doctor immediately if you have a painful cough with a bad sound.