What is Dry Cough and Wet Cough?: An Introduction
The cough reflex is the reflex through which the body seeks to expel the entering irritant from the respiratory system. Coughing clears the passage of breathing and assists in easy inhalation and exhalation. The cough is a defensive reflex and occurs in three stages. First, it involves inhalation of air followed by forced exhalation. During this stage, the glottis closes. Then, at the terminal stage, the glottis opens and sets for the free expulsion of air from the lung cavity. Coughing is a noise that is characteristic and can be symptomatic of infection or disorder in the respiratory tract, allergy, asthma, and other health conditions. Besides, people cough due to pollution, smoking, and some medication. It is either dry cough or wet cough, with both having varied characteristics and what causes each.
Characteristics of Dry Cough and Wet Cough
If the characteristics of dry cough and wet cough are known, it would be easier to understand the difference.
Dry Cough:
Dry cough, also referred to as non-productive cough, occurs as a result of irritation but does not produce any type of phlegm. It causes a tickling in the respiratory tract often. Chronic dry cough often produces breathing difficulty as well as disrupts the sleep schedule.
Causes of Dry cough:
One of the primary causes of a dry cough is asthma. This results in inflammation in the respiratory passage and is usually a chronic cough. It will definitely pose much hassle while breathing. The cough disappears with application of drugs like budesonide and fluticasone.
Allergies also fall in the category of common dry cough causes. Several things could react differently with each person to cause allergic reactions. Wheezing and breathlessness accompany this type of cough, which can be relieved with antihistamines and other over-the-counter drugs for allergy.
Sometimes, viral infections like COVID-19 and bacterial infections like Tuberculosis often cause dry cough instead of producing phlegm. Other frequent causes of dry cough are heart diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and others.
The rarer causes of a dry cough include lung cancer, abrupt lung collapse, cigarette smoking, and environmental irritants such as dust, soot, and more.
Wet Cough:
A wet cough occurs in response to an irritant or infection, resulting in the production of mucus or phlegm. It is, therefore, referred to as a productive cough as it shows that one has produced more than the normal amount of mucus by the body. This normally causes slight discomfort within the chest or throat due to the presence of mucus stuck in those parts. It worsens if the mucus is thickened. Once this mucus has gotten stuck at the posterior part of the throat when one is lying down, coughing intensifies.
Causes of Wet Cough:
The most frequent reason for a wet cough is the flu, which is triggered by a viral infection. Other respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, whooping cough, and bronchitis, also result in increased mucus production, leading to a wet cough. Viral infections like adenovirus that affect the upper respiratory tract also cause wet cough.
Next pulmonary conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), pulmonary edema & cystic fibrosis also cause mucus production.
In most cases, infections are the main cause of a wet cough, unlike a dry cough, and addressing the infection improves the cough. Cough medication, bronchodilator and steam inhalation work best for treating a wet cough.
Differences Between Dry Cough and Wet Cough
|
S.No |
Category | Dry Cough |
Wet Cough |
| 1 |
Symptoms and Characteristics |
A dry cough doesn’t generate any phlegm or mucus. When linked to asthma or allergies, it frequently leads to symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. | A wet cough leads to increased mucus production in the body, resulting in the expulsion of phlegm during the coughing reflex. If linked to the flu, it is accompanied by symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing. |
|
2 |
Primary Cause |
The main trigger for a dry cough is inflammation in the respiratory tract caused by asthma or an allergic reaction to environmental irritants. | The main cause of a wet cough is viral influenza or other infections of the respiratory system, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, resulting from microorganisms. |
| 3 |
Other causes |
Occasionally, heart failure, GERD, and medications such as ACE inhibitors can also contribute to a dry cough. | COPD, pulmonary edema, and, on rare occasions, asthma can also result in a wet cough. |
| 4 |
Other name |
It is also referred to as a dry cough. | COPD, pulmonary edema, and, on rare occasions, asthma can also result in a wet cough. |
| 5 |
Duration |
A wet cough can persist for 2 to 8 weeks, depending on whether it is acute or chronic. | Dry coughs are frequently persistent and can continue for a month until the irritant is eliminated from the respiratory system. |
Summary
In summary, this article highlights the differences between dry and wet coughs. It also outlines their characteristics and the factors that contribute to their development. Though there are some stark differences between them in terms of mucus production, both dry cough and wet cough can result in discomfort and adversely affect a person’s lifestyle. A person requires medication to relieve the symptoms of both dry and wet coughs.
