Coughing, whether it's accompanied by moisture or is dry, whether it brings up mucus or is nonproductive, and regardless of whether it's a raucous barking sound or a gentle one, is universally an unpleasant sensation. However, one might wonder what causes coughing and the benefits it serves to our bodies, especially when it manifests as a symptom during a cold or flu episode.
Why Do We Cough?
Coughing is the body's natural response, triggered by the stimulation of cough or irritant receptors located throughout the respiratory tract. When these receptors are activated by various irritants, such as dust, allergens, or the presence of excess mucus, they send signals to the cough center in the brain.
This signal acts as an alert that prompts the brain to initiate a response, which is what causes coughing. To execute this cough, the brain instructs specific respiratory muscles to contract rapidly. The result is a burst of air expelled from the lungs, which vibrates the airways, loosening any mucus adhering to the membranes.
When someone experiences what causes coughing fits—a sudden and often repeated series of coughs—it can be due to persistent irritation or blockage that the body is trying to clear from the airway.
As for what causes constant coughing, it could stem from ongoing exposure to irritants, chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, or even reflux. This type of coughing serves a purpose—it's an effort to expel the irritant or clear the buildup of mucus.
Though it's possible to suppress or consciously initiate a cough, involuntary coughing—a reflex action—can occur without the individual's intention, demonstrating the reflexive power of this protective mechanism.
Symptoms of a Cough
Productive or “Wet” Coughs vs. Unproductive or “Dry” Coughs
When you’re healthy, the cilia in your airways move mucus toward your throat to either be coughed up or swallowed. But when you have chest congestion, mucus can build up in your airways and lungs, so your body has to cough to get rid of it.
You may have heard the term “productive cough” or “wet cough.” A cough is productive (or wet) when you’re able to bring up mucus. The speed of the air traveling through the airways and the thickness of the mucus determine how effective your coughing is.
If there is too much blockage in the airway and picking up speed is prevented, a cough is unproductive. This is more commonly known as a “dry cough.” This is when you’re unable to bring up any mucus. In some cases, an unproductive cough is a result of irritated airways that haven’t produced excess mucus, and it may be what causes coughing fits as the body persistently tries to clear these irritations.
Remedies for a Cough
Coughing at Night
When you’ve got a cough that keeps you up at night, chances are you don’t spend those sleepless hours ruminating on the wonders of your immune system. But your cough is actually pretty amazing: it’s your body’s way of expelling mucus, microbes, and other foreign particles from your respiratory tract. However, understanding what causes coughing does little to alleviate the annoyance when you're seeking rest. While your doctor may have to determine if the source of your cough requires treatment—a cold usually resolves itself, while a sinus infection may call for antibiotics—there’s plenty you can do in the meantime to quiet your cough and get back to bed:
- Chances are that the hacking cough that’s keeping you from getting some shut-eye isn’t your only symptom; cough and congestion usually go hand-in-hand. Staying hydrated helps thin your mucus, making it easier to expel during waking hours. With less mucus lurking at the back of your throat, the likelihood of a nighttime cough decreases, which may help answer the concern about what causes constant coughing, particularly at night.
- A dry environment can be a major obstacle to nighttime cough relief. That’s because dry air aggravates your airways, which inevitably leads to more coughing. Forced-air heating and cooling systems can contribute to a dry environment, as can the cold winter months. To combat the situation, run a humidifier while you sleep. Adding humidity back into the air helps soothe your respiratory tract with every breath you take, making you less likely to cough. Employing a humidifier during daylight hours is equally beneficial, given that breathing in warm, moist air can help loosen congestion, allowing you to clear more mucus before hitting the pillow and potentially reducing what causes coughing fits through the night.
- Let gravity help. A cough often worsens in the evening, but if you find that yours is at its absolute worst when you’re lying down, it might be time to let gravity help. Using three or four pillows to elevate your head and upper body can help you breathe more easily if you’re congested; it also curbs the effects of post-nasal drip. This is also a common relief strategy for those affected by acid reflux, another condition that can cause or exacerbate nighttime coughing. If your nighttime cough happens to be a product of acid reflux, keeping your head and shoulders propped up makes it harder for irritating stomach acid to rise up into your throat and trigger a cough.
- Try drinking a cup of tea with honey just before bedtime—warm beverages can help soothe and quiet a cough.
Coughs During the Day
You’ve slept through the night—now you have to treat the cough during the daytime. In this case, the first line of treatment is to thin the mucus the body is trying to expel—rather than trying to suppress coughing. Thinning the mucus that is trapped in your airways facilitates or increases mucus clearance.
There are simple things you can do to help thin your mucus; most solutions can be found around your house:
- Drink lots of fluids (water, tea, soup, etc.).
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer, or take a steamy shower.
How Mucinex DM Can Help Relieve Your Cough
While coughing helps clear the excess mucus in your airways, sometimes you need a break. Mucinex® DM combines both guaifenesin and dextromethorphan to give you fewer but more productive coughs and help relieve chest congestion by thinning and loosening mucus.
The medicine dextromethorphan carries risks of abuse. If you’re a parent, learn more about medication abuse and how to combat it. Always use it as directed.
When to See Your Doctor for a Cough
If your cough persists for more than one week, comes back, or occurs with a fever, rash, or persistent headache, stop the use of over-the-counter medicines and ask a doctor, as these could be signs of a serious illness.
