Cough: Information for patients and carers

This advice is sourced from Dr Ros Taylor a senior palliative physician

What causes a cough in advanced illness?

There may be a treatable cause of a cough which is unrelated to someone's terminal illness. For example:

  • Chest infection
  • Allergy
  • Acid reflux
  • Underlying lung disease e.g. COPD or asthma
  • Swallowing food/liquid into the airways (aspiration)
What simple measures can patients and carers use to try and improve a cough?

Use simple measures first e.g. steam inhalations or taking honey 

A saline nebuliser can be helpful - ask your GP or pharmacist

If possible avoid lying on your back because this makes coughing ineffective

When does coughing require medical help?

If a cough is not responding to simple measures and disturbing sleep

Coughing up blood 

Signs of a chest infection - such as coughing up green sputum/ or have a high temperature

Becoming more breathless

If there is a cough right at the end of life please see this page which explains the normal changes in breathing that occur at this stage.

 

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Related Services

Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice
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Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice

T. 020 8967 5179

W. http://meadowhouse.lnwh.nhs.uk/our-services/community-team/

The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Team provides advice and visiting to palliative care patients in Ealing and Hounslow. The team are based at Meadow House Hospice.

The team will visit patients with progressive life limiting illness in their own homes. They provide specialist advice around pain and symptom control and support for patients, their families, and carers during the last stages of illness. They also support patients wishing to die at home through coordination with GPs and hospital teams.

The team is comprised of medical consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, a bereavement support officer and a patient and carer advocacy worker

The team can be contacted for referrals Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Between Monday to Friday 5.00pm and 8.30am, the Out of Hours Telephone Advice line 020 8102 5000 takes calls. Weekends and Bank Holidays 5.00pm to 9.00am.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.1 (DOCX)

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