COUGH |
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General Information
DEFINITION--This is a symptom, not a disease. A cough protects the lungs by raising sputum and irritating substances, but it can prove distracting to the athlete during exercise or sleep. A cough can decrease or prevent athletic participation. Coughs are of two types:
Non-productive cough (no sputum raised).
Productive cough (sputum raised with or without blood). Sputum may be clear, mucoid, purulent (looks like pus), bloody or streaked with blood.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMSCough IS the symptom.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS FOR NON-PRODUCTIVE COUGHS (NO SPUTUM RAISED):
Cigarette smoke and other pollutants.
Postnasal drip.
Asthma.
Viral infection.
Foreign body in the lung.
FOR PRODUCTIVE COUGHS (SPUTUM RAISED WITH OR WITHOUT
BLOOD):
Bacterial lung infection (sometimes viral).
Chronic bronchitis.
Bronchiectasis.
Tuberculosis.
Fungus infections (such as valley fever and histoplasmosis).
Lung abscess.
Lung cancer.
HOW TO PREVENT
Treat the underlying disease.
Don't smoke.
Avoid people with colds or flu if you can. Wash your hands frequently during epidemics of upper-respiratory illness.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and exam by a doctor.
Laboratory studies (See Glossary for all):
Culture of sputum.
Bronchoscopy.
Laryngoscopy.
X-rays of chest and sinuses.
SURGERYSometimes necessary if cough is caused by lung abscess or tumor.
NORMAL COURSE OF ILLNESS
The majority of coughs are related to influenza or the common cold, and they clear spontaneously in 7 to 21 days.
Outcome of more serious or underlying disease will depend entirely on which disorder is responsible and its extensiveness.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
A fainting spell a few seconds after a coughing spell.
Vomiting.
Urinary incontinence (particularly in women over 40 who have borne children).
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
MEDICAL TREATMENTNecessary only if underlying cause does not respond to home treatment, or if signs of infection are present.
HOME TREATMENTUse a cool-mist humidifier close to your bed when sleeping. Wash the humidifier often to prevent contamination with germs.
MEDICATIONTo relieve symptoms, you may use non-prescription drugs, such as throat lozenges or cough remedies containing dextromethorphan. Avoid cough remedies with codeine if you are planning to continue to exercise and compete.
ACTIVITYBed rest is not necessary, but avoid vigorous activity. Rest often.
DIETDrink extra fluids, including water, fruit juice, tea and carbonated drinks. Avoid milk because it thickens lung secretions in some persons.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
The following occurs during the illness:
Coughing episodes that last longer than intervals between coughing.
Cough that produces thick, yellow-green or gray sputum.
Cough that lasts longer than 10 days.
Difficult or labored breathing between coughing bouts.
Fever that lasts several days or rises to 101F (38.3C).
Shaking chills.
Chest pain or shortness of breath.
Earache or headache.
Skin rash.
Pain in the teeth or over the sinuses.
Unusual lethargy or unusual irritability.
Delirium.
Enlarged, tender glands in the neck.
Dusky blue or gray lips, skin or nails.
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