Coughing is the body's way of removing
foreign material or mucus from the lungs and upper airway passages or
of reacting to an irritated airway. Coughs have distinctive traits you can
learn to recognize. A cough is only a symptom, not a disease, and often the
importance of your cough can be determined only when other symptoms are
evaluated.
A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus
(sputum). The mucus may have drained down the back of the throat from the nose
or sinuses or may have come up from the lungs. A productive cough generally
should not be suppressed—it clears mucus from the lungs. There are many causes
of a productive cough, such as:
- Viral illnesses. It is normal to have a productive cough when you
have a common cold. Coughing is often triggered by mucus that drains down
the back of the throat.
- Infections. An infection of the lungs or upper airway passages can
cause a cough. A productive cough may be a symptom of pneumonia,
bronchitis, sinusitis, or tuberculosis.
- Chronic lung disease. A productive cough could be a sign that a
disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
getting worse or that you have an infection.
- Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. This type of
coughing may be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
and may awaken you from sleep.
- Nasal discharge (postnasal drip) draining down the back of the
throat. This can cause a productive cough or the feeling that you
constantly need to clear your throat. Experts disagree about whether a
postnasal drip or the viral illness that caused it is responsible for the
cough.
- Smoking or other tobacco use. Productive coughs in a person who
smokes or uses other forms of tobacco is often a sign of lung damage or
irritation of the throat or esophagus.
A nonproductive cough is dry and does not
produce sputum. A dry, hacking cough may develop toward the end of a cold or
after exposure to an irritant, such as dust or smoke. There are many causes of
a nonproductive cough, such as:
- Viral illnesses. After a common cold, a dry cough may last several
weeks longer than other symptoms and often gets worse at night.
- Bronchospasm. A nonproductive cough, particularly at night, may mean
spasms in the bronchial tubes (bronchospasm) caused by irritation.
- Allergies. Frequent sneezing is also a common symptom of allergic
rhinitis.
- Medicines called ACE inhibitors that are used to control high
blood pressure. Examples of ACE inhibitors include captopril (Capoten),
enalapril maleate (Vasotec), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestoretic, or
Zestril).
- Exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals in the work environment.
- Asthma. A chronic dry cough may be a sign of mild asthma. Other
symptoms may include wheezing, shortness of breath, or a feeling of
tightness in the chest. For more information, see the topic Asthma in
Teens and Adults.
- Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object, such as food or a pill.
For more information, see the topic Swallowed or Inhaled Objects.
Remedies
for Cough
There are
numerous home treatments to cure a cough. Here is the list of most effective
home remedies.
1. Honey
Honey is one
of the most common natural remedies for cough. Honey can be used in several
ways to eliminate coughing. Honey works best when used with hot water and
lemon. Mix some honey and lemon juice in hot water and take at least 1-2
teaspoons of it after every one or two hours. Else, take 2 teaspoons of honey
every night after dinner, if you are suffering from night coughing. You can
also mix black pepper with a spoonful of honey, and take it twice a day to get
relief from excessive coughing. Honey is a natural antibiotic, which not only
kills the cough-causing bacteria, but also soothes the pain in the throat.
2. Ginger
Ginger is
one of the best home remedies for cough in adults. Slice fresh ginger and boil
it in some water. Drink this water at least 3-4 times a day to get quick relief
from bad coughing, sore throat, as well as congestion. Ginger is also one of
the best home remedies for asthma cough.
3. Lemon
Lemon is
another effective home remedy to treat cough. Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
in 1 tablespoon of honey, and heat it a little bit. Take this syrup several
times every day, until the cough subsides.
If you are
suffering from prolonged spells of cough, lemon tea is the best treatment for
you. For good results, add ginger to your lemon tea.
4.
Gargling
Gargling is
also one of the old remedies for cough. You just need to add 2-3 pinches of
salt in slightly hot water, and gargle with it. Gargling works great for sore
throat that usually occurs due to an infection. You can also use fresh spinach
juice with salt instead of water.
5.
Turmeric
Turmeric is
a very useful home remedy for severe cough, like a dry cough. It can be used in
a number of ways. You can make herbal tea by mixing 1 teaspoon of turmeric
powder along with a teaspoon of carom seeds. Then, boil it in some water until
just ½ cup of water is left. Drink it 2-3 times a day.
Turmeric can
also be used by roasting it a bit and then, grinding into a fine powder. Now,
add some honey and water to it. Drink it at least 2 times a day.
Another
alternative method is to add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in ½ cup of water
along with 1 teaspoon of pepper and 1 tablespoon of honey. Allow it to boil for
2-3 minutes. Drink this mixture every day for a relief in cough.
6. Garlic
Take 2-3
garlic cloves and boil it in 1 cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon of oregano to it.
Let it cool, and then, mix some honey. Garlic contains anti-microbial and
anti-bacterial compounds, which ease up breathing and cough.
7.
Peppercorn
Crush 3
peppercorns with a little bit of black cumin seeds. Add a pinch of salt to it.
Take this mixture in order to get relief from excess coughing and sore throat.
This is the best home remedy for cough in adults.
8. Carrot
Juice
Take out
juice of at least 4-5 carrots and dilute it by mixing some water. You can add
some honey for sweetening its taste. Drink it around 3-4 times per day till you
get relief from coughing.
9. Onion
Cutting
onions is a simple and one of the best home remedy for cough as inhaling the
vapours of onions helps to relieve coughing. You can also make onion syrup by
mixing ½ teaspoon of onion juice in 1 teaspoon of honey. Take this syrup about
2 times a day in order to get relief from coughing.
10.
Cayenne
Add ¼
teaspoon of cayenne pepper in ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of apple
cider vinegar, 1 tbsp of honey and 2 tbsp of water. Drink it at least 2-3 times
every day. Cayenne provides relief from chest pain, originated due to excessive
coughing.
11. Thyme
Tea
Make tea of
fresh thyme leaves in 1 cup of water by boiling it for about 10 minutes. Thyme
is a natural cough suppressant and also treats whooping cough, bronchitis and
other infections.
12. Clove
Oil
Mix 2-3
drops of clove oil with 1 crushed clove of garlic. Add ½ teaspoon of honey to
it. Clove oil helps in soothing the sore throats and gives relief in
congestion.
13.
Almonds
Make a paste
of 5-6 almonds, soaked overnight. Now, add a teaspoon of butter into it. Have
it in little quantities at least 3-4 times per day. Almonds are very nutritious
and effectively cures bad cough.
14. Grape
Juice
Grapes have
excellent expectorant properties, which helps in eliminating the blocked mucus
from the respiratory tracts. Mix 1 spoon of honey into grape juice and drink it
to get relief from non-stop coughing. Simply having grapes will also help a
lot.
15.
Chicken Soup
Chicken soup
is a good home remedy for cough and cold. It is very effective in healing up
the infection of cough and flu. The antioxidants present in the chicken and
vegetables works as a therapeutic remedy for cough and cold.
16.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds
are one of the most useful home remedies for mucus cough. It helps in soothing
the throat as well as the respiratory tract. Take 2-3 tablespoons of flaxseeds
and boil them in a cup of water until it reaches a thick consistency. After
boiling it, strain and mix some lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of honey in it.
Take 1 tbsp of this mixture regularly to get rid of bad coughing.
17. Hot
Milk
For mild
cough, you can have hot milk every night before going to bed. Just add a
teaspoon of honey into the milk and drink it daily.
18.
Raisins
Prepare a
sauce by boiling some raisins in water. Add some honey and preserve it. You
need to take 2 tbsp of it every day. Raisin sauce works as an expectorant,
thereby, giving relief from irritating cough symptoms.
19.
Mullein Tea
Mullein tea
is one of the best herbal remedies for cough. Steep some dried mullein herb in
a cup of water for about 10 minutes. Add honey to sweeten it and drink whenever
needed in order to get relief from cough and congestion. It is also an
excellent home remedy for cough and congestion.
20.
Vick’s Vaporub
Vick’s
vaporub is a good way to reduce chest congestion. Apply it on your neck and
chest and cover it properly. You will get a soothing relief from cough
symptoms.
21.
Over-the-counter Cough Syrups
A number of
over-the-counter expectorants are available in the market, such as Benadryl. It
helps in the release of excess mucus from the respiratory passages.
22.
Inhale Steam
Inhale steam
at least two-three times a day. Steam works best for loosening up the mucus as
well as its warmth soothes up the cold and flu while speeding up the recovery.
Steam is also good for treating croupy cough in children.
23. Have
Lots of Fluids
Drink plenty
of warm water, have soups or non-citrus fruit juices. This is a good croup cough
treatment.
24. Holy
Basil Leaves
Take out
juice of some holy basil leaves. Mix some honey in it. Give 1 teaspoon of this
mixture in order to give your infant relief from cough.
25.
Saffron
Take some
saffron strands and 1 betel leaf and makes its paste. Apply it on your infant’s
forehead and also on the soles of his/her feet.
26. Sugar
Candy and Pepper Powder
Mix 50 gm
pepper powder and 50 gm sugar candy (mishri). Add some pure ghee and prepare
small pellets. Consume these pellets 3-4 times each day.
27. Aloe
Vera Juice
Take a glass
of aloe vera juice and add 2 spoons of honey to it. Stir well and drink it.
This is an effective herbal remedy for dry cough.
Home
Remedies for Bronchitis Cough
Bronchitis
is a condition of chronic cough, which occurs due to the inflammation of the
air passages. Bronchitis results in excessive coughing of phlegm along with a
bad chest-pain. Some of the home remedies to treat bronchial cough are as
follows:
1. Hot Toddy
Steep a tea
bag in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Then, add 1 tsp of rum/whiskey, a pinch of
cinnamon and some honey to it. Sip it slowly. This remedy will reduce throat
ache while curing bronchitis cough.
2.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil
is an excellent natural cure for treating bronchial cough. Place few drops of
oregano oil under your tongue, once every day.
3. Orange
Juice
Orange juice
is rich in Vitamin C, which helps in strengthening your immunity. Drink plenty
of orange juice to alleviate bronchitis cough.
REMEMBER
To minimize
the risk of cough, one should follow the below given preventive measures.
- Avoid contact with people, who are
already suffering from cold or flu.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially
in the cold and flu season to kill the virus.
- Quit the smoking.
- Increase the intake of liquids and
fluids.
- Get your child protected against cough through DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccine.