Types of Cough
Coughing starts when part of your breathing passage becomes inflamed or irritated by matter such as dust, smoke or mucus.
A cough is simply a reflex that tries to remove the irritant and to clear the airway.
Broadly speaking there are two main types of cough:
- Productive coughs which produce excess mucus or phlegm
- Unproductive coughs which produce no mucus or phlegm
Based on consumer perception, these two types can be further differentiated into mucus and chesty coughs (productive) & dry and tickly coughs (unproductive).
When to contact your GP:
If your cough lasts longer than three weeks after a viral infection or if it’s starting to get worse instead of better you should contact your GP. You should also contact your GP when you:
- Experience breathing difficulties
- Experience chest pain
- Cough up blood
- Have other symptoms that worry you (weight loss, swelling in the neck…)
BENYLIN® is not indicated in chronic coughs.