Home remedies for dry and wet cough – how to relieve a tiring cough
Autumn and winter weather means a high risk of lower and upper respiratory tract infections, a weakened immune system leading to colds, flu, or even bronchitis or pneumonia. One of the most characteristic symptoms of such infections is the emerging intractable dry or wet cough.
Usually such a condition requires a visit to the doctor, who will correctly diagnose the disease and select appropriate pharmaceuticals for its treatment. However, in addition to them, it is worthwhile at the same time to use natural, home remedies for cough and cold, which our Mothers and Grandmothers already knew.
In a nutshell:
- A cough is a symptom accompanying respiratory diseases, supporting the clearing of the respiratory tract of secretions, divided into acute, chronic and subacute.
- If the cough lasts for more than 3 weeks or is accompanied by a fever of more than 38 degrees, it is imperative to seek medical attention.
- There are two basic types of this condition, and due to the presence or absence of secretions, we distinguish between dry cough or wet cough.
- Both types of cough have a varied background, often a bacterial or viral infection, flu or cold, as well as allergic reactions and compulsive smoking.
- Cough can be dealt with using natural, home methods, herbal treatments using, for example, thyme, lime or garlic, inhalations using essential oils also work well.
Contents
What do we mean by the term cough?
Before we get into a detailed presentation of proven home remedies for dealing with seasonal respiratory infections, it is worthwhile to know first what a cough is and how to distinguish between its most common varieties.
Specialists define cough as the most common symptom in diseases affecting our respiratory system. A coughing fit, although extremely bothersome and often persistent, promotes the process of cleansing the lungs, bronchi and airways of the secretions lingering in them.
A cough arises in two ways, it is a reflex reaction resulting from the irritation of cough receptors located in the bronchi by the secretion, this information is transmitted to the cough center in the brain and we start coughing. Coughing can also be forced, when, for example, we want to remove secretions from the airways on our own .
Specialists distinguish three basic types of cough:
- chronic cough, which can last more than 8 weeks;
- Acute cough, usually lasting less than 3 weeks;
- subacute cough, its duration is 3 to 8 weeks.
In what situations do you need to turn to a doctor with a cough?
The use of home methods of coping with cough can alleviate its most troublesome symptoms, but in many cases such action may not be enough and the help of a doctor will be necessary. It is absolutely necessary to go to him when:
- the fever is higher than 38 degrees Celsius;
- the cough lasts longer than 3 weeks;
- blood appears in the discharge;
- the cough is accompanied by shortness of breath and breathing problems;
- chest pain is felt during coughing.
What are the differences between dry cough and wet cough?
There are also other criteria for dividing cough, used by experts in the field. They distinguish two of its varieties, related to the presence of expectorated, lingering secretions or the lack of them, and in this case we can deal with:
Dry cough
Extremely tiresome persistent dry cough almost completely interferes with normal daily functioning, and its course is divided into the aforementioned acute or chronic. It can appear suddenly, often without any previous symptoms, and the most characteristic symptoms of dry cough include:
- dryness in the throat;
- irritation and scratching in the throat;
- a choking sensation in the throat;
- absence of respiratory secretions;
- emerging vomiting reflexes;
- difficult-to-control coughing fits;
- problems falling asleep if the cough occurs at night.
Wet cough
Called productive cough, associated with the presence of secretions in the respiratory tract. The cough reflex causes it to be expectorated, and its other characteristic symptoms, which cannot be ignored, are:
- expectoration of viscous and thick secretions, which may be yellow, green or white in color;
- the presence of blood in the discharge;
- a subfebrile state or fever;
- nasal obstruction;
- redness of the throat;
- headache.
A bright white color of the discharge usually indicates a viral cause of the cough, while yellow or green may indicate that the developing infection and inflammation are bacterial in origin.
What are the causes of dry cough and wet cough?
For those who complain of the varieties of cough presented, it is also useful to know what causes them. This will help avoid such health problems in the future, and the most common causes responsible for such a condition are:
Dry cough:
- viral infections;
- irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract;
- allergic reactions, such as to dust, dander and pollen;
- gastric reflux;
- heart failure;
- prolonged stress and nervous tension;
- taking certain medications;
- cold or flu;
- asthma;
- cigarette smoking or passive inhalation of tobacco smoke…;
- e-cigarettes, whose chemical composition is not fully known.
Wet cough:
- bacterial respiratory infections;
- cold or flu;
- sinusitis;
- bronchitis and pneumonia;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- pertussis;
- asthma;
- gastroesophageal reflux;
- cystic fibrosis;
- fungal infection of the respiratory tract;
- heart failure with associated pulmonary edema.
Which home remedies for cough and cold are worth recommending?
As the above examples make clear, a cough, regardless of its type, can cause serious problems. It is necessary to immediately start to counteract it, bring about the relief of the cough and get rid of its symptoms naturally. Therefore, it is worth learning about home remedies for cough, also differentiated according to its variety, with which you can support the ongoing drug treatment.
The best home remedies for dry cough
There are many natural methods for dry cough, repeatedly proven ways that have nothing to complain about. In relieving its symptoms, the use of herbal infusions and other plants with proven therapeutic effects works first of all, and the most commonly used are:
- thyme, which has a strong bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effect;
- linden, soothing all the irritation that accompanies a cough attack;
- coltsfoot, which quickly moistens dry airways;
- onion syrup, to which it is worth adding honey and lemon juice to improve taste and effectiveness;
- sage, with antiseptic action, disinfecting the mouth;
- chamomile, with antibacterial and shielding properties;
- garlic, acting as a natural antibiotic.
Many of these plants can be used to make homemade syrups or teas, with the addition of essential oils that effectively help the body fight coughs. They are suitable for many treatments, such as inhalations with just these oils, such as eucalyptus or pine, to decongest the throat and nose.
Effective home remedies for wet cough
The basis for counteracting the effects of this variety of cough is the use of remedies that thin the secretion, making it easier to expectorate. This is helped, among other things, by consuming plenty of liquids, especially infusions of the aforementioned herbs or milk with honey.
Equally effective turn out to be inhalations with the addition of essential oils, soothing a choking cough, acting as an expectorant and helping to get rid of excess mucus.
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-coughs
- https://www.healthline.com/health/wet-cough
- https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-wet-cough
- https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-cough-at-night
- https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-cough
