There are several different types of coughs. Each has distinct characteristics that we can use to help identify its cause.
Home treatments may be used for an uncomplicated cough, but you will need to know when to see a healthcare provider. Noting any other other symptoms you may have will be important to help them find a diagnosis.
In this article, you’ll learn about the types of coughs you may experience and how to treat them with over-the-counter medications—and when it may be time to go to the doctor.
Verywell / JR Bee
What Cough Symptoms Tell You
A cough may be described as being dry (non-productive) or wet (productive). With a wet cough, you produce mucus and/or sputum. Even the way a cough sounds can give us a pretty good clue as to what is going on.
Accompanying Symptoms of a Cough
To further establish the cause of a cough, healthcare providers look at not only the cough but the accompanying symptoms as well. Together, they paint a clearer portrait of the illness. It is the totality of symptoms that will suggest to healthcare providers which tests are needed to confirm the cause and direct treatment. Examples include:
When meeting with a healthcare provider, be sure to list all the symptoms you are experiencing, no matter how minor and vague they may seem.
Choosing the Right Cough Medication
Whentreating an uncomplicated cough, we often head to the pharmacy for an over-the-counter remedy. There are two categories of cough medications you might choose, called expectorants and suppressants. They work in different ways. Here are the reasons why you might take each one:
If you have a productive cough, it is best not to take medications that suppress it. Coughing is the body’s normal reaction to any foreign object in the lungs, including dust and mucus.
If you havechest congestion, coughing will help clear the lungs, allowing you to heal more quickly. Suppressing it can lead to a worsening of symptoms and the development of pneumonia.
Other Ways to Help Treat a Cough
Ahumidifieris a great way to help relieve coughing and break up congestion. This is especially helpful when children have croup. Alternately, you can take a steamy shower or bath for a similar, though shorter-term, effect. While humidifiers are handy to have around, be sure to clean them regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and mildew.
Here are other simple ways to treat a cough:
When to See a Healthcare Provider About a Cough
Most uncomplicated coughs due to cold or flu can be treated at home. There are times, however, when a persistent or severe cough warrants a visit to your healthcare provider. Generally speaking, you should see a healthcare provider if:
Go to the emergency room immediately if you are coughing up pink, frothy mucus or your child is choking or having trouble breathing or swallowing.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Croup. Reviewed on September 17, 2019.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.COPD.Centers for Disease Control.Tuberculosis (TB). Reviewed on March 17, 2016.Jarosz M, Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease: the role of diet. Prz Gastroenterol. 2014;9(5):297-301. doi: 10.5114/pg.2014.46166Additional ReadingDe Blasio, F.; Virchow, J.; Polverino, M.; et al. “Cough management: a practical approach.”BioMed Central.2011; 7:7.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Croup. Reviewed on September 17, 2019.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.COPD.Centers for Disease Control.Tuberculosis (TB). Reviewed on March 17, 2016.Jarosz M, Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease: the role of diet. Prz Gastroenterol. 2014;9(5):297-301. doi: 10.5114/pg.2014.46166Additional ReadingDe Blasio, F.; Virchow, J.; Polverino, M.; et al. “Cough management: a practical approach.”BioMed Central.2011; 7:7.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Croup. Reviewed on September 17, 2019.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.COPD.Centers for Disease Control.Tuberculosis (TB). Reviewed on March 17, 2016.Jarosz M, Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease: the role of diet. Prz Gastroenterol. 2014;9(5):297-301. doi: 10.5114/pg.2014.46166
Cleveland Clinic.Croup. Reviewed on September 17, 2019.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.COPD.
Centers for Disease Control.Tuberculosis (TB). Reviewed on March 17, 2016.
Jarosz M, Taraszewska A.Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease: the role of diet. Prz Gastroenterol. 2014;9(5):297-301. doi: 10.5114/pg.2014.46166
De Blasio, F.; Virchow, J.; Polverino, M.; et al. “Cough management: a practical approach.”BioMed Central.2011; 7:7.
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