Acute and chronic cough: Causes and treatment
Cough is mainly a reflex of the body to get rid of throat irritants in the air passage. Cough can be caused due to infections or viral fevers, but can also be one of the symptoms of diseases related to the heart, lung, stomach and the nervous system. Cough symptoms are seen irrespective of age, but the intensity of it can be the one differentiation, for you or the physician to figure the seriousness of it. There are basically two types of cough – acute and chronic. Read along to find out more about them and their differences, causes and possible treatments. Acute cough: It is a common cough due to seasonal allergies or hay fever. Causes : It occurs along with other symptoms like cold, fever, shortness of breath and lasts for less than three weeks. It can be the initial signs of flu, tuberculosis, pneumonia or any other respiratory illnesses. Treatment : These cough symptoms can be treated easily, with either home remedies or allergy medications. But a visit to a doctor is advisable as it will help you diagnose if there are any other deeper issues. Chronic cough: It is a more serious condition where the need for medical attention is a must.