SYMPTOMS

What is a dry cough?

A dry cough refers to a cough with little or no phlegm. It is one of the common respiratory symptoms, often seen in respiratory diseases such as pharyngitis, acute bronchitis, bronchial tumors, and interstitial lung disease. It can also occur in diseases of other systems, such as mitral stenosis, postnasal drip syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux-related cough^[1].

TREATMENT

How to relieve dry cough?

• Pay attention to climate changes, keep warm, rest appropriately, and balance work with rest.
• Drink plenty of warm water, and maintain proper indoor temperature and humidity to reduce throat irritation.
• Follow a light diet with nutritious, easily digestible foods. Eat regularly and in moderation, opting for smaller, frequent meals instead of overeating. Avoid cold, overly sweet, greasy, spicy, or dry-heat-inducing foods.
• Quit smoking completely, especially for chronic dry cough.
• Avoid environments or strong odors that may trigger dry cough, such as kitchen fumes or paint smells. Refrain from living in newly renovated, poorly ventilated spaces. Reduce outdoor time during smog and wear a mask when going out.
• Consider taking cough suppressants like dextromethorphan oral solution, especially before bedtime, to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep. Follow the dosage instructions on the medication label.

If dry cough persists despite these measures, seek medical attention promptly to identify the underlying cause.

DIAGNOSIS

When should you seek medical attention for a dry cough?

You should seek immediate medical attention if any of the following conditions occur:

• Unexplained dry cough lasting 2 weeks or longer;
• Severe dry cough significantly affecting daily life;
• Changes in cough sound, such as hoarseness, crowing cough, or metallic cough;
• Dry cough accompanied by other symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, or even fainting;
• Symptoms worsen or become more frequent;
• Weak or faint dry cough in individuals with serious underlying conditions like emphysema, vocal cord paralysis, or extreme frailty.

POTENTIAL DISEASES

What are the possible causes of dry cough?

1. Acute cough: Typically lasts less than 3 weeks.

   • The most common cause is the common cold, followed by acute tracheobronchitis. Other respiratory infections are also common, such as acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, acute tonsillitis, acute pharyngitis, and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.
   • In addition, inhaling irritants like gases or dust can also trigger an acute dry cough.
   • Rare but serious conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, or pulmonary embolism may also present with acute dry cough.
   • Children should also be checked for possible foreign body inhalation.

2. Subacute cough: Lasts between 3 to 8 weeks.

   • Post-infectious cough is the most common cause, often following a cold, where the cough gradually transitions from productive to dry over time.
   • Repeated exposure to allergens or acute flare-ups of chronic respiratory conditions like chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma can also manifest as subacute dry cough.

3. Chronic cough: Persists for more than 8 weeks.

   • This condition often goes undiagnosed and untreated, so medical attention is essential. Possible causes include cough-variant asthma, upper airway cough syndrome, eosinophilic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis, drug-induced cough (especially from ACE inhibitors), and psychogenic cough.

Who is more prone to dry cough?

• People with respiratory diseases: Such as sinusitis, rhinitis, or tonsillitis, which can easily lead to dry cough.
• Those exposed to irritants: Inhalation of cold air, smoke, or dust can trigger the condition.
• Post-cold individuals: As time passes, phlegm decreases, often transitioning to dry cough.