A Simple Guide to Coughing

A Simple Guide to Coughing
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What is Coughing?
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Coughing is the reflex mechanism in which the body tries to get rid of excessive mucus and phlegm accumulated in the lining membranes of the respiratory tract.

The secretions from the lining of the respiratory tract trap and then flush out the viruses, bacteria and other particles like smoke, haze particles.

It prevents serious infections from entering the lungs and bronchial tubes.

What are the common causes of cough?
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Coughing is usually caused by the following:

Infections:
1.bacterial or viral infection of the nose and throat such as the common cold or influenza.(yellow or green phlegm)

2.anaerobic infections of the mouth,

3.Infection of the tonsils, nose and sinuses(postnasal drip)

4.Bacterial infection of the bronchial tubes and lungs(bronchiectasis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, or tracheitis).
This often comes with rusty or green mucus.

Dry mouth:
1.Insufficient drinking of water

2.medications especially ACE inhibitors(eg. enapril) can cause dry persistent coughs

Allergies:
1.Certain plants, pollens, chemicals, cosmetics can cause allergic reactions in the throat and bronchial causing cough. (white clear phlegm)

2.Asthma - narrowing of the bronchial tubes due to allergic and other causes usually results in white sticky clear productive phlegm

Smoking:
Cigarettes smokes contains 40 over chemicals which irritates the cells in the lining of the bronchial tubes causing a chronic cough

Stress:
Stress can cause cough due to dryness of mouth during stress or anxiety, causing the saliva to dry up and producing dry unproductive cough.
The cough in stress usually disappears during sleep.

Gastric problems or indigetions
1. Indigestion of food in the stomach can cause the undigested food in the stomach to produce gas in the stomach which goes upwards to the throat drying saliva which then become irritating phlegm in the throat.

2.gastroesophageal reflux of food can also cause the acid and undigested food to travel to the mouth and produce mucus secretions.

Systemic diseases:
1.Congestive heart failure

2.Lower respiratory tract infections

3.Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

4.Carcinoma lung.

What investigations are needed for cough?
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1.chest X-ray

2.sputum culture

3.pulmonary function tests

What is the treatment of Coughing?
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Medications
1.Approprate Antibiotics, antifungal for infections of throat and bonchial tubes

2.Antihistamines for allregic cough

3.Bronchodilators for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

4.cough mixtures - expectorants helps to expel out the phlegm
- suppresant suppress the cough -especially for dry cough and at night to stop the cough

5.Antacids and antiflatulent agents to get rid of gas in stomach and prevent reflux

6.Diuretics for treatment of congestive heart failure especially in the elderly

Healthy Lifestyle:
1.drinking several glasses of water a day prevents dryness of mouth

2.Avoid cold, acidic, spicy and oily food which irritates the throat

3.Proper oral hygience after eating: brushing of teeth and flossing.

4.Gargle mouth after every meal.

4.Avoid smoking

6.Avoid frequent usage of the voice and throat - do not talk too much

6.Treat underlying condition such as asthma, diabetes, liver, kidney and other conditions.

A Simple Guide to Halitosis

A Simple Guide to Halitosis(Bad Breath)
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What is Halitosis?
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Halitosis is the condition when a person suffers from chronic bad breath.

What are the causes of Halitosis?
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Halitosis is usually caused by the following:

Infections:
1.bacterial infection of the gums, dental cavities.(600 types of bacteria
present in mouth)

2.anaerobic infections of the mouth,

3.Infection of the tonsils, nose and sinuses(postnasal drip)

Gastric problems and indigestion:
1. Indigestion of food in the stomach can cause the undigested food in the stomach to emit an offensive smell through the mouth

2.gastroesophageal reflux of food can also cause the smell of acid and undigested food in the mouth

Certain food:
1.garlic and onions which has odious suphur compounds can give rise to foul smell from the mouth

2.fish

3.cheese

4.alcohol

Smoking:
Cigarettes smokes contains 40 over chemicals which cause bad mouth smell

Dry mouth:
1.Insufficient drinking of water

2.medications can cause dry mouth and produces a smell from the mouth

Systemic diseases:
1.liver failure.

2.Lower respiratory tract infections

3.Renal infections and renal failure.

4.Carcinoma.

5.Trimethylaminuria ("fish odor syndrome").

6.Diabetes mellitus.

What are the symptoms and signs of Halitosis?
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Persons who has Halitosis has the following
Symptoms:
1.Bad breath

2.Dry mouth

Signs:
1.discharge from nose or tonsils

2.furry tongue

How do you diagnose Halitosis?
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Diagnosis can usually be made by :
1.History of bad breath

2.lick the back of the wrist, let the saliva dry for a minute, and smell the dried saliva.

3.scrape the posterior back of the tongue with a plastic disposable spoon and smell the drying residue.

4. Halimeter: a portable sulfide monitor to test for levels of sulfur emissions (especially hydrogen sulfide) from the mouth.

5.BANA test: find the salivary levels of an enzyme which shows the presence of certain halitosis-related bacteria

5.ß-galactosidase test: the presence of this enzyme in the saliva indicates presence of bad breath

What is the treatment of Halitosis?
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1.Approprate Antibiotics, antifungal for infections of mouth

2.drinking several glasses of water a day prevents dryness of mouth

3.Eating a healthy breakfast helps clean the back of the tongue

4.Proper oral hygience after eating: brushing of teeth and flossing. Dentures should be removed at bedtime and soaked overnight in antibacterial solutions.

5.Avoid smoking

6.Gargle mouth after every meal.
Avoid the use of alcohol based mouth wahes.
Use instead oil based mouth washes.

7.Chewing sugarless gums helps to stimulate production of saliva and hence less bad breath

8.Treat underlying condition such as diabetes, liver, kidney and other conditions.

What is the prognosis of Halitosis?
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Prognosis is usually good with proper oral hygiene.

Recurrence is quite common.