Content Supervision
KOMAI TSUBASA
KOMAI TSUBASA
KOMAI TSUBASA
KOMAI TSUBASA
Physician / Board-Certified Internist (Japanese Society of Internal Medicine) / Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist (Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics) / ECG Certification Level 1
I have worked diligently as a young physician on the front lines of cardiovascular emergency medicine. While I feel an “immense sense of fulfillment” when patients brought in by ambulance successfully return to their normal lives, I have also witnessed many cases of “the ultimate consequences of lifestyle diseases” that could not be saved. I aspire to be a family doctor whom patients can consult as casually as they would a friend, with the goal of helping people before it’s too late. I am also involved in medical education to improve health literacy among the Japanese public.
What are the symptoms of a cough?
When humans breathe, the air inhaled through the nose and mouth reaches the lungs, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged, and then the air is exhaled again in the opposite direction through the same passage. This air passage is collectively called the respiratory tract. Coughing is a phenomenon that occurs in order to expel dust, germs, or secretions such as phlegm that have entered the respiratory tract.
最后更新：2026年3月。由CLINIC TEN SHIBUYA医疗团队监修。
Coughs are often caused by respiratory organs such as the lungs and bronchi, but they can also be caused by diseases of the heart, esophagus, etc.
When considering the cause of a cough, whether or not you are coughing up phlegm is important information. When you go to the doctor for a checkup, it is a good idea to tell them whether or not you are coughing up phlegm.
Things to keep in mind if you have a cough
If you have a cough, first try to prevent your throat from drying out. Specifically, we recommend gargling, wearing a mask, and taking a bath.
Masks not only keep your throat moist, but also help prevent viruses from spreading when you cough. If you have family members living with you, try to wear one as much as possible for that reason.
Bathing can moisten your throat with steam and provide some relief. However, if you have other symptoms, such as a fever or lack of energy, in addition to a cough, bathing can actually make you feel worse. If you are unsure whether bathing is okay for you, please consult your doctor.
Also, if you have a cough that produces phlegm, lack of water will make the phlegm more sticky and difficult to cough up. Therefore, try to drink more water than usual. However, be careful not to drink too much water, as you may vomit up the liquid you have drunk when you cough.
Also, active exercise or other physical activity can make you more likely to cough, so it is important to rest and not move around too much when you have a cough.
Possible causes of cough
Colds and influenza
The most common cause of coughs is the common cold. In winter, influenza is also common. In the case of colds or influenza, there is usually no need to take special cough medicine as long as you take appropriate measures. However, if your cough persists for a long time and does not go away, or if you have severe body pain, it may be due to another illness. In such cases, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Respiratory organ dysfunction
Although it is less common than colds and influenza, pneumonia is still relatively common. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are effective, so you should visit a hospital. If you have a prolonged cough, a fever that won’t go down, or anything else that seems a little different from a regular cold, it’s a good idea to visit a hospital.
Coughing can also occur with asthma, a bronchial disease. In the case of asthma, not only can you receive treatment when you have a cough and it’s painful, but you can also use medication to prevent it when you’re not experiencing any symptoms. Consult your doctor first to find out what kind of treatment you should receive.
Other causes
Diseases caused by organs not involved in breathing include gastroesophageal reflux disease and heart failure. If a cough is caused by one of these diseases, it may be difficult to diagnose based on the cough symptom alone. For example, heartburn accompanied by a cough can suggest gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you have any symptoms other than a cough, they can be clues to a diagnosis, so be sure to include them in your medical history.
Urgent illness accompanied by cough
If, in addition to the coughing symptom, your child’s voice sounds strange or they make strange noises such as wheezing when breathing, it is possible that there is a relatively large foreign object in their airway, such as a piece of food. In this case, if left untreated, there is a risk of choking, which is extremely dangerous. Do not hesitate to call an ambulance or go to the hospital immediately.
The following symptoms may also be signs of a life-threatening condition:
- Difficulty breathing, sudden difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
If you are in this situation, we recommend calling an ambulance or going to the hospital immediately.
summary
- Coughing occurs to expel foreign objects or secretions that have entered the airways.
- When you have a cough, it is important to moisten your throat by wearing a mask, gargling, bathing, etc. If you also have phlegm, staying hydrated will help loosen it./li>
- Coughs are often caused by colds or, in winter, the flu.
- If you experience symptoms other than a cough, such as a strange voice, strange noises when breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, call an ambulance or go to the hospital immediately.
常见问题
在日本咳嗽了怎么办？
如果咳嗽持续1周以上、痰中带血或伴有呼吸困难，请前往诊所就诊。轻度咳嗽可在药店购买止咳药。
在日本药店能买到止咳药吗？
可以。在日本的药妆店可以无需处方购买多种止咳药（咳止め）。向药剂师描述您的症状，可以获得合适的药物推荐。
咳嗽什么时候需要去医院？
持续2周以上的咳嗽、伴有38°C以上发热、痰中带血、呼吸困难或胸痛时，请务必就医。在日本的内科诊所可以进行胸部X光检查。
