What Is a Productive Cough?
When people cough they may have what is called a dry cough, or they might have a productive cough. A dry cough usually doesn’t “produce” anything. There is no mucus or phlegm that comes up when the person coughs. When a person has a productive cough, they will cough into their throat and usually mouth, some form of phlegm or mucus. There are a number of reasons why people may have a productive cough. It can be the throat’s way of clearing mucus dripping down into it from the sinus passages when a cold is present. Coughing helps clear this process and can actually produce better breathing space. Alternately, when the airway is blocked with phlegm, as is the case with bronchitis, or if the lungs have fluid in them, when pneumonia occurs, the body responds by trying to cough this substance up. Other times when people have conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or when they smoke, they’ll have productive coughs too. However, it’s also important to note when mucus might ind
Productive coughs produce phlegm or mucus (sputum). This fluid comes up either from the lungs, or from the back of the throat as a result of postnasal drainage. A productive cough clears mucus from the lungs; therefore, it usually should not be suppressed. Productive coughs may be present at the time of a viral illness or infection. In addition, a productive cough could be a sign that a disease (i.e., COPD) or condition (i.e., postnasal drip syndrome) is worsening or causing more damage. What is a nonproductive cough? Unlike a productive cough, a nonproductive cough does not produce sputum. Viruses as well as exposure to irritants can bring about this dry, hacking cough. A chronic nonproductive cough may serve as a sign for certain conditions, such as asthma or bronchospasm. Medications (ACE inhibitors) and reduced exposure to irritants can be used to lessen nonproductive coughs. How to treat a cough? Due to the fact that a cough is only a symptom and not a disease, the significance of
