How Long Cough Normally Last?

Do you suffer cough that has lasted more than a week? It's very annoying, but it is actually normal. Many people consider cough is not serious disease, that they can actually recover less than five days. Perhaps that's why so many people choose to drinks antibiotics, when the cough does not go away.

In a telephone survey, the researchers asked 493 people about how many days normally acute cough or flu that trigger cough usually last. In addition, the researchers also looked at the existing medical literature to find out how long acute cough normally last. The survey showed cough should range between 7-9 days. Yet according to the literature, the average duration of cough illness can reach 18 days. Had a cough for 18 days does sound very long. No wonder so many patients go to the doctor sooner than that time. Doctors also sometimes can not resist antibiotics requests from patients, even for viral diseases.

Correlation between Cough and Heart Disease

Not a few of you who may have asked if there is a correlation between cough and heart disease? At first glance, it seems that these two conditions are totally different because cough associated with respiratory organs such as the throat and lungs, while the heart disease is because there is heart disorder.

But in fact, the heart and lungs are the organs that are interrelated. It is also similar between cough and heart disease. As described in Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, cough is sign of heart disease. Below is a quick explanation of the correlation between cough and heart disease.

Coughing basically is instinctive reflex action or mechanism of the body to expel a foreign object that can irritate the respiratory tract. In fact, the production of mucus (when coughing) is a protection mechanism that is used for the same purpose. However, harsh cough and persistent (chronic) can be caused by certain diseases and should be taken seriously.
Chronic cough is generally to be an indication of respiratory tract infections. But it may also linked to heart disease.

Prolonged Cough Could Be Signs of Cancer

People who have prolonged cough (or often called as whooping cough), must be aware because it could be a sign of lung cancer. The warning was stated in UK government's campaign to raise awareness of lung cancer. In a campaign that aired on TV, radio, print media and the internet, people who suffering from whooping cough for three weeks are advised to go to the doctor.

Based on the research, British people have the awareness that swelling and bleeding are signs of cancer. But there are a few people who aware that prolonged cough is also one of sign of cancer. Now people are reminded that whooping cough is also a warning that should be taken seriously.

Recent campaign about lung cancer is supported by comedy actor, Ricky Gervais, TV star, Linda Robson, and Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson.

How to Distinguish Common Flu and Serious Flu in Children

Children often experience sore throat, cough and high fever. Fever can be a symptom of various illnesses, including flu, laryngitis, or viral infection. Some bacterial infections, like strep throat or pneumonia, can also look like flu or cold. Flu was more of many kinds, from bird flu to swine flu.So a lot of parents are often difficult to distinguish the common cold and serious flu in their children. Although serious flu usually cause more serious symptoms that make someone feel worse than common cold, but it is not always easy to distinguish between both of flu.

To be able to distinguish the child has a common cold or serious flu, it is necessary to understand the symptoms guide. Here are some guidelines to distinguish the difference between common cold and more serious flu :