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How To Identify Cough Correlation and Track Your Cough

The Hyfe Mind

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September 15, 2020
CoughPro is not a medical product. It is a wellness app intended only for users to obtain a better understanding of their cough. It is not intended to diagnose, monitor, or treat any illness.

We at Hyfe, Inc., are a company devoted to working on tools to better understand the importance of cough. It is Hyfe’s intention in the future to seek regulatory approval for medical products that analyze cough in order that they may be used to diagnose, monitor, and facilitate better treatment of respiratory illnesses.

a man wearing black is coughing on the street | Feature Imgage | How To Identify Cough Correlation and Track Your Cough

Tracking your cough helps you identify the correlation between your cough and factors that may influence it, such as time of day or environment. Learn more about cough correlation and how to track your cough.

Ultimate Guide to Cough Correlation and Tracking

Benefits of Cough Tracking and Identifying Cough Correlation

A woman in bed coughing

Before we get to the benefits, let's look at coughing as a symptom first. It's one of the main reasons for someone to visit a doctor. Yet, your doctor might only ask a question or two about your cough before moving on to other symptoms.

A cough is a significant symptom, but most people can't describe their cough, when it started, or how much they're coughing. Usually, a patient guesses at the answer. And as a result, your doctor might move on to measurable symptoms to make a diagnosis.

Unlike most symptoms, it's not easy to objectively measure a cough. Cough tracking helps quantify it.

If a cough is your only symptom, a diagnosis may take longer. Because there are no other clues to go on, you'll have to get a battery of tests or go through a lengthy elimination process.

For example, only coughing at night or after a meal could indicate acid reflux. Meaning you can skip some tests and go straight to tests that confirm this.

Once you have a diagnosis, cough correlation may show triggers, which can help you manage your condition better. Identifying cough correlation can also help you understand your illness better and empower you to be more proactive.

Most importantly, you can monitor your cough for any changes. In other words, you can see if treatment is working or if your condition is getting worse. Early intervention is crucial with many diseases, and the sooner you notice changes, the sooner you can seek help.

Acute Cough Correlation and Tracking

An acute cough lasts less than three weeks. It's mostly because of something simple like the common cold or allergies. However, tracking it can still be beneficial.

If you have a cold, you won't need to track an acute cough extensively. That is to say, noting duration, frequency, and type could give you valuable data.

For example, create a cough tracker in your journal starting on the day you first notice your cough. Note down the type of cough (wet or dry) for each day and add any symptoms you experience in addition to the cough. This way, if you do visit your doctor, you have concrete data to share.

It's useful for other acute coughs to add more detail, such as where you are when you cough or what you were doing when a coughing fit started. It can help pinpoint the cause of your cough.

It can take some time to build the habit of noting down cough information, and most people forget to do it consistently. Additionally, an acute cough doesn't last long enough to give statistically significant data if you only track one bout.

In some cases, like seasonal allergies, you might only see a cough correlation after tracking several bouts.

Chronic Cough Correlation and Tracking

Tracking chronic conditions are more detailed and disease-specific. The reason for monitoring your cough will shape how you track changes and what details you include.

Asthma, Allergies, or Undiagnosed Conditions

Three man coughing

Asthma and allergy triggers are different for everyone. For this reason, you want to identify anything that may set off a coughing fit to minimize exposure to it.

Here are some things to keep track of to help identify cough triggers:

  • What you were doing before a bout of coughing.
  • Where you are when you start coughing.
  • The time of day.
  • Keep a food and drinks journal.
  • Include information about any medication you take.
  • Note down any smells that stand out, such as perfume, flowers, or smoke.
  • Make a note of any animals you encounter.
  • Keep track of how much you sleep and the quality of sleep.

Also, write down how you feel two or three times throughout the day. Sometimes your emotional state may exacerbate coughing.

The list of things to track is quite extensive, and a symptom tracking template may help. You can start with only a few things then add more items as time goes on.

The data you collect can offer valuable insight, help manage your condition, and monitor changes.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Cough tracking is vital in managing COPD. Because this disease becomes progressively worse, early intervention may slow down deterioration and improve your outlook.

When tracking COPD, note down your energy levels and sleep details, and frequency and intensity.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

It's mostly your lifestyle and habits that worsen GERD symptoms. Identifying and changing these factors may alleviate some symptoms.

Here's what to keep tabs on:

  • Portion sizes
  • Food choices
  • Mealtimes
  • Weight
  • Caffeine and alcohol consumption
  • Smoking or vaping

It will also help to monitor your symptoms after any lifestyle changes. That way, you can see if the changes are working or if you'll need to explore other treatments.

Cough correlation and tracking your cough have many benefits. While it may seem overwhelming at first, taking notes is a great way to track your cough.

Did we miss anything? How do you track your cough? Let us know in the comment section!

Your Cough Matters

4.9
Based on our results in Google Play & App Store
  • Excellent, insightful
    By dust mite dan - Apr 7, 2023 - App Store
    This app is easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and has provided me with useful information about my cough and disease patterns that have improved my overall health!

    Try CoughPro for Free
  • Great app!
    by Imtfx0019 — Dec 6, 2022 - App Store
    Impressed with how well it detected my coughs, even very slight ones.
    Try CoughPro for Free
  • App is Great!
    by HBert Quach — Jan 22, 2023, - Google Play
    App is great at tracking cough when little ones are sick. I treat it as a early warning indicator before the cold gets back. Customer service is awesome, they actually respond to all my questions.
    Try CoughPro for Free
  • Great Experience
    by Christi Hammock — Mar 7, 2023, - Google Play

    I had an issue logging into the new app but I contacted the support team and they were awesome in helping me figure out the issue. It turned out to be a technical issue which they resolved very quickly and I was kept in the loop on the status from start to finish. This app is really helpful when talking to my doctor too..
    Try CoughPro for Free
  • Impressive app
    By KayakTina - Apr 7, 2023 - App Store
    "The app accurately is recording my coughs with excellent ways to review the results. I can add notes to help me identify patterns or have accurate information for my physicians. I’ve hoped for an app like this for years to help me accurately track the amount of coughing I’m doing"
    Try CoughPro for Free
  • Accurate count of coughs
    by Beardonna — Mar 8, 2023 - App Store

    Just installed the app. Very accurate measuring coughs so far! Cannot wait to see how much coughing I do while sleeping. I'll have a better picture to discuss with my physician at my next visit.

    Try CoughPro for Free

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