Acute Cough vs Chronic Cough
Acute Cough vs Chronic Cough: Understanding the Key Differences and Treatments
Coughing that lasts is an Acute cough vs Chronic cough that comes and goes. Coughing is a normal reflex that helps get rid of mucus, irritants, or foreign objects in the throat and airways. But if a cough lasts longer than you thought it would, it can become more than just a bother. It’s important to know the difference between an acute cough and a chronic cough so you can get the right treatment and feel better. We’ll talk about the differences, causes, symptoms, and treatment options for both types of cough in this blog post. We’ll also talk about Ayurvedic remedies as a way to heal the whole person.
What is Acute Cough?
A cough that is acute usually doesn’t last long and goes away on its own in a few weeks. Viral infections like the common cold or the flu are the most common causes of this kind of cough, but irritants like smoke or pollution can also make it happen.
Causes of Acute Cough:
- Viral infections: The flu and the common cold are the most common causes.
- Allergies: Allergies that happen only at certain times of the year can make you cough for a short time.
- Environmental factors: Being around pollutants, smoke, or dry air.
- Bacterial infections: Not as common, but it can happen, especially with pneumonia.
Symptoms of Acute Cough:
- Short duration (usually less than three weeks)
- A sore throat or runny nose often comes with it.
- Can be dry or wet (productive)
- Usually goes away on its own or with mild treatment
How Long Does Acute Cough Last?
Depending on what caused it, an acute cough can last anywhere from a few days to three weeks. If the cough lasts longer than three weeks, it could be chronic.
What is Chronic Cough?
A chronic cough, on the other hand, lasts longer than 8 weeks and may be a sign of a health problem that needs medical attention. Acute coughs usually go away on their own, but chronic coughs can last a long time and get worse if not treated.
Causes of Chronic Cough
- Postnasal drip: A lot of the time, this is because of sinus problems or allergies, which make mucus drip down the back of the throat.
- Asthma: A lot of people cough, especially at night.
- Chronic bronchitis: Inflammation that doesn’t go away in the airways.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Acid reflux can make the throat feel bad and make you cough.
- Lifestyle factors: Chronic coughing is made worse by smoking and being around secondhand smoke.
- Infections: Bacterial infections like tuberculosis or viral infections that don’t go away on their own.
Check out our pages on related digestive disorders for more information.
Symptoms of Chronic Cough:
- A cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks
- It could be dry or have mucus in it.
- linked to wheezing, shortness of breath, or tightness in the chest
- It usually gets worse at night or in the morning.