What would you do when you have an incessant cough and cold? With the onset of monsoons, many of us get sick because of weakened immunity levels. This is caused due to the damp air which is more conducive to the spread of Bacteria and Viruses. We would have coughed multiple times due to several reasons. It helps to clear phlegm from the respiratory system. It can be a result of infections, common cold, pollution, dust particles, and other diseases.

Coughing is a reflex action that can help clear the airway filled with germs, mucus, and other foreign substances or any inhaled particles. We should remember that the reason for coughing in children differs from that in adults. So, the approach of treating it can differ for adults and children.

Most coughs are not severe and can be cured with a natural cough relief syrup that is kept in every household. Let’s look at the different types of coughs and their herbal remedies more in detail. 

Different types of coughs and the herbal remedies used to treat it.

What is Cough?

Coughs are quite a common health concern today. Throat inflammation is a reaction of the body that causes coughing. It is not necessary to seek medical treatment for coughs that get resolved within a few days. Although coughing is usually not painful, it can cause fatigue because of the effort involved.

Occasional coughing is normal as it causes no major irritation or uneasiness. The presence of a persistent cough or bloody phlegm or shortness of breath, however, may indicate something more serious. 

Types Of Cough

The cough can be either wet or dry depending on whether it comes up with mucus or phlegm. The dry cough is usually caused by a variety of factors including inflammation, irritation, or dry respiratory issues. Wet Cough on the other hand produces mucus or phlegm which is extremely low and heavy.

Different types of coughs are identified depending on their character and duration-

Acute Cough: It is the least serious type of cough which lasts for less than three weeks and most of the time it clears up on its own. If you need a natural remedy, think about  Qaadu Respro Ayurvedic Cough syrup with herbal ingredients which is the best natural remedy among other cough syrups.

Chronic or Persistent Cough: This can be a sign of more serious or chronic lung disease. It persists for longer than 3 weeks.

Whooping Cough: Now, this could be a serious problem because it can also cause asthma attacks, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. It is threatening as it releases large amounts of oxygen from the lungs. Treatment must be started immediately if a person is diagnosed with one.

Burning Cough: When there is a burning sensation in the throat along with a cough, we can call it a Burning Cough. The symptoms could be heartburn and acid reflux.

Medicines like antacids that help reduce acid in our stomach can help in controlling the acid produced by the stomach and calm the burning feeling in the chest, stomach, and throat

Severe Cough: A Severe cough is something that calls for urgent medical attention. The symptoms of severe cough include pale skin due to lack of oxygen, high fever for a couple of days, and coughing for more than two or three weeks.

It is advisable that when the cough is discomforting and persistent one should ask for medical attention otherwise for mild illness one can use an ayurvedic cough syrup with proper caution for both dry and wet cough.

Some of the major reasons behind cough

These are common causes of cough which can be temporary or permanent signifying a prolonged illness.

1. Asthma: A common cause of coughing in young children and adults, Asthma increases mucus and narrows the airway.

 2. Viruses and Bacteria: Infections of the nose and throat are the most common causes of coughing-related illness. This is also called respiratory tract infection. It may last from a few days to a week. 

3. Allergies: Coughs can also be caused by allergic reactions to substances from outside. It is a common allergic condition associated with dry cough, sneezing, and runny nose.

4. Smoking: One of the common causes of coughing is Smoking. The cough commences as a dry one and produces phlegm. It’s often known as a smoker’s cough.

5. Pulmonary Disease: This makes the lung produce excess mucus in the lungs which a cough does not always clear.

6. Medications: Some medications also induce chronic cough, although this is generally a rare cause of chronic cough. 

7. GastroEsophageal reflux(Gerd): Gerd occurs when stomach acid flows backward from the stomach into the pharynx and larynx. 

What is the best way to treat a cough?

The treatment of cough depends on its cause. Sometimes, it takes only 3 to 4 weeks to resolve on its own. And it is not always necessary to consult with a doctor unless it is chronic and persistent. The following remedies can be started right at the onset of coughing symptoms in order to stop coughing attacks at home that are not very serious.

Drink Fluids for Hydration and to Boost Your Immune System

Drinking fluids of all kinds, especially warm ones like hot water, chicken soup, and tea, is an effective home remedy for a cough. Fluids help your immune system fight off the source of the infection or virus that is causing your cough, as well as soothe the sore throat that is common with a cough.

Gargling may help relieve your cough faster.

Do you have some table salt at home? Add some warm water and gargle with it. Simple water gargling reduces the severity of upper respiratory tract infections (aka the common cold) and even prevents infections from occurring in the first place. And it’s an age-old remedy passed down from our forefathers: gargling with warm salt water has always shown to give relief from cold symptoms and reduces the duration of symptoms like a cough.

To alleviate congestion, use a humidifier or take a steamy shower.

If you’ve ever noticed your cough or congestion ease up while taking a hot bath or shower, you understand the importance of humidity in relieving cold symptoms. You can make this simple cough remedy at home by taking a steamy shower or using a cool mist humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, and cool-mist humidifiers may help relieve coughing and congestion caused by a cold.

Get cough relief with an Onion

Many people start shedding tears as soon as they start chopping an onion. While there is no scientific evidence to support it, some people swear that the strong vapor an onion emits when cut helps relieve coughing. Cut an onion into quarters before going to bed and place it on a plate on your bedside table or at the foot of the bed. Although using onions sounds like an old wives’ tale, we could give it a shot.

Use a throat-soothing herbal cough medicine.

To treat wet and dry coughs and to strengthen the respiratory system, an herbal blend of cough syrup heals respiratory tract infections and soothes bronchial asthma. It is a mucolytic expectorant that relieves congestion in the chest and clears out the lungs. It thins mucus buildup in the nose and throat, making it easier to cough it up.

Medical care

Further medical treatment will be required if the cough is accompanied by additional symptoms like fever, drowsiness, chest pain, blood cough, headache, or breathing difficulty. But, as we know that the cough is expected to resolve without intervention, keeping an ayurvedic cough syrup handy can do wonders to prevent the coughs. 

Here are some tips for preventing coughs

Some of the most basic and effective methods to prevent cough from transferring from person to person or object to person are as follows-

1. To maintain a strong immunity system, consume multivitamin supplements 

2, Practice good hand hygiene

3. Avoid exposure to dust

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

5. Keep the mouth covered while coughing

6. Practice social distancing

7. Ensure that you do allergy testing and make any necessary dietary changes if needed

8. Quit smoking

Conclusion:

It may surprise you, but coughing is good for you. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is your body’s way of clearing its airways. Coughs, however, can keep you up all night, make you miserable, and they may seem to last forever.

In most cases, coughs resolve on their own, but when persistent, the right treatment is necessary. Keeping your immune system as strong as possible by practicing good hygiene, taking some herbal remedies, drinking warm fluids, and following your doctor’s advice is the best way to overcome this illness. If you need a natural remedy, try out the Qaadu Respro Ayurvedic Cough Syrup.

During this monsoon season, make sure you follow some of these remedies for a healthy immune system.

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