Dry cough, or non-husk productive cough is quite widespread and such a disease can become a companion for the human being at any period of life. A dry cough in contrast to a wet cough does not produce mucus also referred to as sputum in the lungs.
It may be described as a chronic and invasive form of discomfort that may affect general activities and sleep. If one understands the causes of dry cough as well as the natural remedies that can be administered back at home they as well as the best medications for it will always help to ease the symptoms.
Causes of Dry Cough
Dry cough can be occasioned by several factors which include; external stimulants and pre-existing diseases. Here are some common causes:
- Viral Infections: Such illnesses include the cold and flu that are recurrent in nature and affect a large population of people. It is common for an individual to have a cough definitely if the rest of the symptoms have cleared.
- Allergies: Some of the factors include breath in allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander and mold which in one way or the other affect the respiratory tract hence causing a dry cough.
- Asthma: Asthma is a long-term disease that makes the airways swollen and constraints air from flowing in and out of the lungs with ease.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD involves the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus thus, causing the throat to become irritated and the development of a dry cough most especially at night.
- Environmental Irritants: smoking, pollution, bad smells, and chemicals affect the throat and lungs leading to the production of a dry cough.
- Medications: Some drugs which cause persistent dry cough as one of the side effects include ACE inhibitors, those used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
- Chronic Bronchitis: Thus, there is likely to be a persistent dry cough as chronic bronchitis is one of the types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Postnasal Drip: This condition is generally manifested when there is a lot of secretions from the nasal passages pouring into the throat thus causing some irritation and a dry cough.
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The Only Natural Treatments with Which You Can Cure Dry Cough
Of course, there are conventional drugs available to counter a dry cough; however, there are natural remedies that one can take to help ease the process.
- Honey: This is true because honey contains properties that can suppress cough while having an element that kills bacteria. Consuming one tablespoon of honey with warm water or in tea will help to ease the itching in the throat and may help to subdue coughing.
- Ginger: Ginger is locally anti-inflammatory and antiviral. Ginger can also be effective with a dry cough; one can take ginger tea or ginger with honey.
- Steam Inhalation: Taking in steam can help in opening the airways; it also helps in loosening the mucus and giving relief to a sore throat. To boost the efficiency of the mixture, one can present some eucalyptus or peppermint essential oils.
- Saltwater Gargle: IPLA gargling with warm salt water helps decrease throat inflammation to lower the level of irritation. It was confirmed through the study that the extract from the plant is effective in treating cough that is as a result of throat inflammation.
- Turmeric: It has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect as well as reduces the levels of cholesterol. Warm water mixed with a pinch of turmeric and consumed with milk will help ease the effects of a dry cough.
- Hydration: It is important to drink a lot of fluids to keep the throat moist, having a throat that is vexing due to excessive mucus production. Though, water intake, herbal teas, and clear soups are helpful for a patient.
- Humidifier: Switching on a humidifier in the living space can help to moist the air hence avoiding dryness of the throat that causes irritation.
- Marshmallow Root: Berea root has mucilage that creates a coating effect in the throat to lessen inflammation. Marshmallow root tea can be used to treat a dry cough; this can be good to inhale when the throat is sore.
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Medicines used in the Treatment of Dry Cough
Over the counter and prescription medication is another method of treating a dry cough if home remedies are not sufficient.
- Cough Suppressants: Antitussives including dextromethorphan block the cough impulse in the medulla of the brain. It is especially useful for suppressing coughs intermittently during the night and does not allow one to have a peaceful sleep.
- Antihistamines: If the dry cough is due to allergies then the patient can take anti-histones such as loratadine and cetirizine that will control allergic reactions and dry cough.
- Decongestants: Postnasal drip due to germs also initiate a dry cough, and thus taking decongestants such as pseudoephedrine can alleviate this situation due to the constriction of nasal tissues and less production of mucus.
- Inhalers: Bronchodilators or corticosteroids in inhalers can always be used for asthma-related coughs as these have the ability to open up the airways and minimize inflammation.
- Acid Reducers: If GERD is the cause of the cough, medications that decrease stomach acid such as omeprazole or ranitidine are useful in avoiding the irritation of the esophagus by the stomach acid.
- Cough Drops: Artificially sweetened cough drops in particular contain small amounts of menthol – this makes coughing less frequent and the throat mucus membrane feels cool.
- Throat Sprays: These throat sprays which contain local anesthetic agents will numb the throat and offer more or less relief to the irritation and coughing.
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You Should see a Doctor When
While most dry coughs are benign and resolve on their own, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience:
- Duration of cough more than three weeks.
- Severe or worsening symptoms
- Shortness of breath or labor to breathe.
High fever
Coughing up blood: These are some of the symptoms that could be a sign of another disease that needs a doctor’s attention and treatment.
Here is 14 signs liver damage.
Conclusion
Coughing is in most cases normal, especially when one is sick, but a dry cough can also be discomforting and an interruption to the normal activities of persons around the affected time.
This article shows that there are two broad categories of remedies for eradicating a dry cough; the natural remedies that involve honey, ginger and the chemical ones that involve over the counter medication.
Nevertheless, if symptoms are in progressive, or intensifying, it is advisable to consult a doctor and get the right treatment. One can find relief and move to recover when the cause of the incident is treated and the affected part is effectively catered for.
To read more about dry coughs and to get more detailed tips on how to deal with it, it is advised to turn to such reliable sources as the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, Healthline or others.
