Cough ouch....

[Loosehead]

Ok can anyone explain what's happenning with a cough. I've been sitting here all week with a tickly cough, no matter how I resist I must cough. Past coughs have started with my throat starting to get sore and then I start to cough, this one I just get a tickly feeling and the coughing seems to slowly cause a sore throat over a few days. I've also noticed that the cough/cold is nearly over when I start coughing up green bits, presumably these are from the lungs. Any experts out there explain what's happenning?

[FP]

If you are coughing up green bits I would see a doctor as this could indicate an infection.  It may not be from your lungs, but could be from your throat.  Tickly coughs could also be a sign of hayfever.   See your doctor, you may need an antibiotic.

[morg_monster]

may i suggest if feasible go to a pharmacist first, this is exactly the kind of thing they are good at: they may be able to help and also tell you if you need to go to the doctor. I've just finished having a big old cough for 2 weeks, it wasn't really bothering me too much so i didn't bother going to the doctor and it has gone away on its own.

I know doctors are there to help and FP is totally right, it may be an infection, but if it won't delay you too much it might be worth going to a pharmacist first (depends on your surgery's appointments procedure though)

[FP]

I agree Morg Monster.  Pharmacists are really helpful and accessible!  I am fortunate is having a practice that will always give an appoinment on the day you ring (not always your own doctor). 

[Loosehead]

This always happens I know what to do a cold last about 4 days max for me, the green stuff is Phelgm. I was more interested in what causes the discomfort, I mean what is the virus actually doing to make me cough why does my throat get sore etc etc. I wasn't looking for medical advice.

[FP]

Whoops, sorry loosehead, your posting didn't make that very clear.

[Loosehead]

The first line seems reasonably clear, thanks for your thoughts anyway.

[artee]

Any excessive mucous or phlegm coming through the mucous membrane can cause a cough, which changes in style as the toxic matter works it's way out.
If there is no phlegm and it is a tickly cough it can be water that your system is needin, or there could be a little external damage to the mucous membrane.

[silly moo]

Coughing up green sputum is a classic sign of chest infection - go to see doc not pharmacist as you may need antibiotics, especially if over 2 weeks.

[flaming]

I suspect you get these throat and chest infections because of a post-nasal drip.  Unfortunately mucus slips down the back of the nose/throat join in a cold-ridden person and although it might be clear and watery  at first, like when you wipe a runny nose, by the time it has lodged in the dark recesses of the throat and perhaps in the airway, it starts getting thicker and ucky, leading to it being infected. 

Those colds have to be dried up.  The mucus has to be shifted from the throat.

First you need a anti-histamine to dry up the top tap.  Clarityn is a good one available over the counter but can make you drowsy so be sure to have a tablet at night.  Or get Neo-Clarityn on prescription - a non-drowsy making pill  (senseless I always think).

Also, boring though it is you ought to inhale steam from hot water in a bowl, 10 mins, a time, at least half an hour before you go out into colder air, for all the days you have the cold and the throat hurts.  You can arrange a towel over your nose and watch telly or something whilst you do it.  There are additives you can buy, Karvol, or Olbas Oil, which make the water smell nice and the penetrating fumes will help the nasal/sinus area.  Good luck!