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Coughing is a reflex action that helps to keep the throat and airway clear. It is helpful in getting rid of substances, that irritate the breathing passage. It can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. This usually indicates the presence of a disease.
Causes
- Smoking
- Common cold, influenza and other viral infections (with yellow or white mucous)
- Drugs (such as ACE inhibitors or expectorants) cause persistent, dry, non-productive coughs
- Stress (if the cough disappears during sleep, then stress may be the cause)
- Allergies
- Aspiration
- Bacterial infection such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis or tracheitis
- Viral infection such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory infection
- Congestive heart failure
- Environmental pollution
- Gastroesophagul reflux
- Postnasal drip
- Asthma
- Lung cancer
Symptoms
- Dry Cough, Could be allergies, cold, possibly the flu, beginning of bronchitis.
- Wet, productive cough, Could be pneumonia, possibly bronchitis, may be the flu.
- Wet, non-productive cough, Possibly bronchitis, may be the flu, could be a cold.
- Painful cough, Could be pneumonia, may be bronchitis.
- Cough in a child and sounds like a seal bark, May be croup.
Natural Cures
- Add a pinch of grounded white pepper in one tea spoon of pure honey. Take this 2 to 3 times a day for about 4 to 5 days.
- Consume 1-2 gm each of black pepper, long pepper, and dry ginger, along with honey for 2-3 days.
- Increase the consumption of garlic also acts beneficial in treating cough.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of red pepper, ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 table spoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 table spoon of honey in 2 tablespoon of normal water to make a paste. Make a paste of these ingredients and have it once a day for treating cough problem.
- Gargling with warm spinach juice, is helpful in curing dry cough.
- Soak almonds overnight. In the morning, remove their brown cover and make a paste adding 20gm of butter and sugar to it. Have this twice a day in the morning as well as in the evening.
- Chew 4 basil leaves and black pepper, this acts as an instant relief and treats the cough quickly.
- Onions mixed with honey also provide relief. Extract onion juice and mix it with honey. Consume this mixture 2-3 times' day.
Treatments
- Simple cough mixtures contain ingredients known as demulcents, for example, glycerin, honey and syrup. They are used to coat the throat and relieve the irritation that causes coughing.
- Cough mixtures contain only small amount of the active ingredients. But, these work for some people, but should not be taken for more than two weeks.
- Cough suppressants, such as pholcodine, dextromethorphan, and antihistamines, act on the brain to hold back the cough reflex. These are used for dry coughs only.
- Expectorants, such as guaiphenesin, ammonium chloride, squill, sodium citrate and ipecacuanha may help chesty coughs. They bring phlegm up so that coughing is easier.
- Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, can be useful if you have congestion, as well as a cough. Cause a rise in blood pressure and heart rate, and makes one feel more alert and awake. Interact with some antidepressants and beta-blockers.
- Antibiotics are not used to treat coughs, as they are only effective in killing bacteria, and not viruses.
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