How to Treat a Cough

If you’re suffering from a cough, you’ve probably wondered what you can do to treat it. Whether it’s home remedies or medication, you’ll find tips and advice below. To make your health care decisions easier, consider the following guidelines. First, know the causes and symptoms of cough. If you’re not sure, call your healthcare provider for advice. A fever over 101.5 Fahrenheit is considered severe. Phlegm, a yellow or green fluid, may be present.

Symptoms

Cough symptoms are common and vary according to the cause. Some coughs are caused by viral infections, while others are due to bacterial or fungal infections. However, any cough that does not settle within two weeks should be checked out by your GP. This is especially important if you experience any of the red flag cough symptoms listed below. In addition to the above remedies, you may also try taking paracetamol or ibuprofen. Hopefully, your cough will settle and go away on its own.

A cough is a normal response to certain substances that irritate the respiratory tract. It occurs when cells in the air passages become irritated and trigger a chain reaction that pushes air out under pressure. The process can be voluntary or involuntary and can be acute or chronic. Acute coughs typically clear up within three weeks, while chronic coughs are present for more than eight weeks. The duration of the cough depends on the type and cause of the cough.

Causes

Coughing is a reflex response to protect the airways in the lungs. However, if coughing persists for more than three weeks, you should seek medical attention. There are several reasons for cough, so knowing which one you have will help you determine which treatment is most effective. Read on to learn the most common causes of cough. There are two types of cough, acute and chronic. In both cases, you should seek medical attention right away if the cough persists for more than three weeks.

If you have chronic cough, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics or a combination of medications. You should avoid tobacco smoke, dusty or smoky environments, and use your asthma medications as directed. However, you should avoid over-the-counter cough medicines, as these contain codeine and may have other unwanted side effects. For this reason, you should consult a doctor before using any type of medication. While nonprescription cough medications may alleviate your cough, it can be harmful for your health.

Treatment

If you suffer from a chronic cough, then you need to choose the right Treatment for cough. There are several types of cough remedies, and each of them has their own unique properties. One type of cough remedy includes the use of herbs. In Chinese medicine, herbs include Scutellaria baicalensis, ginseng, and periostracum cicada. Other forms of herbal medicine include the use of licorice and earthworm.

The first thing to consider when considering a treatment is the severity of your cough. If your cough is a symptom of a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be needed. Antibiotics can treat fungal, bacterial, or mycobacterial infections. If you have a weakened immune system, you might need to seek hospital treatment. In either case, your treatment will aim to treat the underlying condition, such as GERD. It might involve different therapy approaches and may not completely eliminate the cough. If you are a smoker, it is important to consult a doctor before stopping your smoking or drinking alcohol. If you do have GERD, your doctor may prescribe a new type of medicine for you to take.

Home remedies

Honey is an inexpensive natural remedy for coughing. Simply taking a spoonful of it with hot water every hour can ease the discomfort. Honey may also reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep. In a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, honey was found to reduce nocturnal coughing in children aged two to 18 years. But, Russell warns, you should never give honey to infants because of the risk of botulism.

Ginger is also an effective remedy. Steep grated ginger in a cup of hot water and add a teaspoon of honey. Ginger is especially effective when combined with honey. It is also beneficial for the throat lining. A ginger drink can also help soothe and reduce coughing fits. Drink eight to ten glasses of water each day to help relieve the symptoms of a cough. Just make sure that you drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.