WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE: DRY COUGH AND WET COUGH

DR LOW CHIN YONG OF FIRST CARE FAMILY CLINIC & SURGERY CLUES US IN

• A dry cough doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus. It’s most likely caused by viruses, infection, pollutants in the air, and asthma. It could also be brought on by medications such as angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. • A wet cough can also be caused by viruses and bacteria, smoking, lung infections and other conditions which can cause phlegm. It is also known as a productive cough. “In my practice, the remedy is to use an expectorant (a syrup or other medication), which helps to liquefy the phlegm,” says Dr Low.