A cough is a reflex that helps clear your aviation routes of irritants. Nerves in the aviation routes become animated by allergens, medical conditions, and different irritating substances, bringing about an intense removal of air from the lungs.
Types of cough:
1.Productive cough or dry cough:
Productive cough in smokers is a sign of lung damage. However, sometimes productive cough is a good sign because it removes mucus and other harmful material from airways of a person.
2.Non-productive cough or Wet cough:
A non-productive cough is dry and produces no mucus. It is caused due to cold weather. Some other causes of dry cough are exposure to irritants, dust, and smoke.
3.Croup cough:
It is common type of infection in children. It causes inflammation in the upper part of the air passageways in the throat. The children may not have a fever in this illness but this illness causes barking cough. The illness is more common in the winter season.
4.Paroxysmal cough:
Paroxysmal is a frequent and violent type of cough. It produces difficulty for a person to take a breath easily. It is the intense stage of an occasional cough.
Causes of cough:
There are different causes of cough. Some are given below,
Allergens:
1. Pollen
2. Dust
3. Animal dander
4. Mold(a type of ■■■■■■)
Irritants:
1. Smoking(active and passive smoking)
2. Pollutants
3. Perfumes and air fresheners
Medical conditions:
1. Common cold
2. Flu
3. Pneumonia
4. Asthma
5. Acute and chronic bronchitis
6. Emphysema
7. Lung cancer
8. Heart failure
Natural remedies to cure cough:
1.Eucalyptus oil
It is an essential oil in the field of medicine. It is used to treat various diseases such as cold cough and asthma. People usually rub it on their chest to cure cough.
Eucalyptus oil cannot just quiet a cough; it can likewise assist you with getting the mucus out of your chest. Breathing in fume made with the fundamental oil can relax mucus so when you do cough, it’s removed. Utilizing a rub containing eucalyptus oil will deliver a similar impact.
2.Bromelain:
Bromelain is an enzyme that is found in the stem and fruit of the pineapple. It removes the mucus from air passageways and the chest cavity. Eating one slice of pineapple and drinking the pineapple juice reduces the swelling and inflammation of air passageways caused by cough. It can also reduce the inflammation of the nasal sinus.
3.Licorice root:
It is the root of the licorice plant and it is one of the oldest herbal remedies of the world.
Using powder of licorice root mixed up with freshwater provides relaxation to trachea and bronchi and open airways to cure cough. It acts as an expectorant, a medicine that loosens the mucus of air passage ways to treat cough.
4.Peppermint:
Peppermint leaves are notable for their mending properties. The menthol in peppermint mitigates the throat and goes about as a decongestant, assisting with separating mucus.
You can use peppermint by drinking peppermint tea or by breathing in peppermint fumes from a steam shower. To make a steam shower, add 3 or 4 drops of peppermint oil for every 5 ounces of boiling water. Wrap a towel around your head and take full breaths straightforwardly over the water.
5.Thyme:
Thyme is used to cure respiratory problems. If we mix the essence of thyme with ivy and used this mixture then this will cure cough and also cure acute bronchitis. The leaves of thyme contain a compound called flavonoid. Flavonoid provides relaxation to muscles of the throat which is included in coughing and flavonoid also reduces the inflammation of the throat.
We can make the tea of thyme leaves which is helpful to cure cough. To make tea, mix two teaspoons of powdered thyme leaves in boiling water. Cover the lid for ten minutes and strain.
6.Apple cider vinegar:
It contains acetic acid which is an antimicrobial. Acetic acid kills the pathogens that cause the infection which further causes cough. It also reduces the inflammation of airways. Apple cider vinegar has a powerful smell and if you rub it on your throat then it loosens the mucus and you breathe easier.
7.Slippery elm:
It contains mucilage. Mucilage is a substance that converts into a smooth gel when water is added to it. It covers and soothes the mouth, throat, and intestine. It has antioxidants that protect inflammatory bowel conditions and in this way, it cures the cough.
Overuse of slippery elm cause allergy and skin irritation.
8.Masala chai tea:
Masala chai tea is very famous in Pakistan and India.
Masala chai tea contains different ingredients such as cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Cloves act as expectorant and cinnamon reduce inflammation of airways. Masala chai tea also contains different antioxidants.
9.Capsaicin:
It is found in chili peppers. It is mostly found in cayenne chili pepper and cure chronic coughing. If we take the capsaicin powder directly then it will reduce the sensitivity of the throat and decrease the cough symptoms. It may be taken as a capsule or used to make tea.
Capsaicin powder with apple cider vinegar provides relaxation from throat pain and reduces inflammation of air passageways.
Capsaicin-based treatment is not suitable for children.
10.Humidifier:
Dry air can cause a dry cough. Humidifier moisturizes the air which provides relief from dry cough. If you run a humidifier in your bedroom at night then it.
11.Onion:
Onion contains compounds of the sulphur. Compounds of the sulphur fight the mucus and help in the excretion of mucus from airways. Onion is the most powerful natural antibiotic. It can fight with both bacterial and viral infections and reduce the symptoms of sore throat.
12.Garlic:
Roasted clove of crushed garlic with honey reduces the cough. You can fry crushed garlic in ghee and add it to your food. It provides relaxation from cough.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Is constant coughing is normal?
Cough is not a sign of illness. An episodic cough is normal and it helps in clearing the irritants and secretions from your lungs and prevents infection.
However, if a cough lasts for weeks then maybe it is the result of some medical problem. Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of chronic cough. The most common cause of chronic cough is tobacco. Fortunately, chronic cough can be treated when we know about the underlying problem.
2. What are the methods to stop coughing?
- Drink plenty of water.
- Drink hot water with honey.
- Take some cough drops and OTC.
- Use steam shower.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom.
3. What are the methods to soothe a dry cough?
The use of honey, soup, broth and tea can soothe a dry cough. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties while the soup, broth and tea provide relief from sore and scratchy throat.
4. How can you know that your cough is viral or bacterial?
If the color of mucus in cough is white, then your cough is viral and if the color of mucus is green or yellow then your cough is bacterial.
5. What is the fastest way to cure a cough?
Use of ginger is the fastest way to cure a cough because ginger has anti-inflammatory propertiers.