Why do we cough so much in the winter?

Why do we cough more in the winter, and when does a prolonged cough become a problem that needs to be diagnosed?

A doctor answers the questions and explains how to tailor the right treatment to the type of cough you have

Dr. Michael Packer

30/11/2021

Tuesday, 30 November 2021, 06:05 Updated: 06:52

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

• Share on general

• Comments

  Comments

3D simulation of the scattering of 'corona clouds' - a droplet and aerosol spray emitted from a cough inside an enclosed space (Meteorological Institute of Finland, Alto University, VTT and the University of Helsinki)

Every person, young or old, knows this: the annoying cough that attacks us (especially in winter, but really not only) and refuses to go.

Beyond the discomfort of the cough itself, it can impair quality of life and even cause various health complications.

When does a cough indicate another disease in the body that requires identification and treatment, and what can be done to alleviate or get rid of it?

Cough is a reflex mechanism designed to remove from the airways everything that should not be in them: tiny particles, secretions, phlegm, foreign bodies and more.

The operation is based on inhaling the air and exhaling it out of the body, at high pressure and at an impressive speed that can reach as much as 100 kilometers per hour.

The cough as a whole is more common in children and especially in the winter months, although adults may also experience it in any season.

More on Walla!

This is what happens when the corona virus enters the ear

To the full article

The main question is: what exactly might cause the process described here?

And the answer is that there are several possible reasons.

The "main suspect" for a cough is a cold, with or without the flu.

In these situations we suffer from over-secretion of runny nose or phlegm, a condition of nasal congestion, sore throat and of course also a cough, whether dry or wet (i.e., cough with phlegm).

All of these symptoms may go away on their own even without treatment, in case of a virus, however they can make it very difficult for the person suffering from the cough and its environment.

A cold will usually last a week, during which several days of aggravation are expected followed by some relaxation.

Common causes of cough

• Pneumonia - can be caused by a complication of a cold, bacteria or viruses that manage to reach the lungs and produce an inflammatory process there.

  In the case of pneumonia, the cough tends to be wet and accompanied by phlegm with a greenish-yellow tinge.

  In infants and toddlers the inflammation may be manifested by difficulty breathing, high fever and behavioral changes.

• Asthma - Asthma may be due to, among other things, coughs of all kinds, resulting from an inflammatory reaction that occurs in the airways to the pathogens.

  The cough here usually appears intermittently, with each occurrence lasting for an extended period of time.

  Breathing difficulties are often accompanied as well.

• Foreign bodies - Note that not every cough necessarily indicates a disease.

  Even a case where the food penetrates the trachea for one reason or another, and not the esophagus as happens in the normal state, will lead to a cough in an attempt to remove the foreign body.

When should a cough be treated?

In most cases the cough will go away on its own after a few hours or days, without you having to do anything.

The problem is that in many situations, it can adversely affect functioning throughout the day.

Coughs tend to increase at night, so there is a good chance that they will lead to sleep difficulties that cause a lack of sleep and cumulative fatigue.

Prolonged coughing can cause side effects, such as abdominal pain or urinary incontinence, diaphragmatic "hernia" (diaphragmatic hernia) and even damage to the vocal cords.

When to go to the doctor?

Identifying a cough is not a complex task today, but the challenge is to try to understand what is behind it and whether there is a comorbidity that requires treatment.

If the cough is accompanied by a high fever that does not go down or behavioral symptoms, such as a toddler refusing to eat or drink, it is advisable to approach a diagnosis, which includes a physical examination and examination of the symptoms (for example.

Better into the elbow.

A woman coughs and puts on a hand (Photo: ShutterStock)

In cases where there is a suspicion that it is pneumonia or a bacterium that is attacking the body, blood tests or a x-ray may be needed.

These diseases sometimes require tailored treatment, such as antibiotics.

Each new cough, which lasts for several days, requires clarification with a doctor in order to rule out other options before deciding on the course of treatment.

There are a variety of ways from inhaling saline, to giving a syrup that reduces the viscosity of mucus and expectorant.

The question of cough treatment also depends on the symptoms the person is experiencing, the severity of the problem, the cause of the cough and the like.

In most cases, it is recommended to rest, especially if it is accompanied by a cough and symptoms that make it difficult to function during the day or at night.

Since some of the conditions that cause coughing are contagious, it is best not to cough in the direction of other people: the cough can be directed downwards, coughing into the elbow joint or using a mask, which we all learned to recognize following the ongoing corona epidemic.

More on Walla!

• Is it dangerous to drink water from a glass that has stood all night?

• Why do we get blood from our noses when the weather outside is dry?

• Does B-Cure Laser Really Help With Knee Pain?

  It's the truth

There are now medications and preparations that can greatly alleviate the condition of those who suffer from cough.

Inhalation (injecting a medicine in the form of a gas through the mouth and nose) may alleviate situations in which there is an infection or disease of the airways.

In case of viral cough in children, for example, inhalation of sterile saline may facilitate.

In some cases, as mentioned, antibiotics may be needed.

You will also now find effective, over-the-counter medications, such as mocculite, that may reduce the viscosity levels of phlegm and sputum, thus helping people with respiratory disorders.

• health

• My health

• Doctor, what have I got

Tags

• cough

• Winter illnesses

• Cooling

• cold

• Pneumonia

• asthma