How to treat a dry cough?
Having a dry cough can be uncomfortable and disruptive, but luckily there are a number of over-the-counter medications that can offer some relief.
Cough suppressants
Cough suppressants repress your cough by blocking the cough reflex. This is beneficial if your cough keeps you up at night and relieves pain.
Menthol and eucalyptus lozenges have an effective cooling action that calms inflamed tissue and eases cough reflexes.
Home remedies
- A humidifier adds moisture to dry air that can aggravate the throat. It also eases breathing and loosens mucus.
- Soup, tea, or other nutritious warm liquids instantly soothes scratchy, sore throats.
- Drink water to keep you hydrated, which aids the healing process.
- Remove or avoid any triggers that exacerbate the cough.
How to treat a wet cough
For wet coughs, it is best to completely expel any mucus that the body is producing. There are two methods for wet cough treatment, namely medically or naturally.
Cough expectorants
Cough syrup expectorants are better for wet coughs than suppressants as they loosen and thin mucus in the airways, so that it can be coughed up.
Nasal sprays
Sprays treat congestion in the nose and sinuses by constricting blood vessels and restricting blood flow to the swollen tissue to reduce swelling. This helps ease breathing. A saline spray breaks down the mucus and lowers secretion from the nose.
Home remedies
- Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation, breaks up mucus, and soothes sore throats.
- Dehumidifiers take moisture out of the air and clear up mucus secretions. But it is important that the humidity is not below 35% otherwise the air becomes dry, and it can trigger other symptoms.
- Steam inhalation soothes irritated tissues, loosens mucus, and eases coughing. Adding a drop of mint can enhance the benefits.
- Gargling salt water helps to reduce phlegm and mucus in the back of the throat which can lessen the need to cough. Add a half teaspoon of salt to 8 oz of warm and dissolve. Gargle a few times allowing the salt water to sit at the back of the throat before spitting out. Do not swallow.
Importance of detecting what type of cough you have
The best defense is a strong immune system that is obtained through a healthy diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and adequate vitamin and mineral intake. But we are exposed to varying air pollutants, stress, allergies, and illnesses that attack the body when it's weak.
So, it is an important piece of health knowledge to be able to identify potential cough ailments so you can treat yourself and your family at home with the right methods. Applying the best treatment as soon as possible is also a preventative measure against a cough developing into a chronic condition.
However, if your cough persists after a couple of weeks and seems to be getting worse, not better, it is recommended to see a doctor. They may prescribe antihistamines, an asthma inhaler, or antibiotics depending on the nature and severity of the symptoms and if any comorbidities exist.