Home remedies for cough can be a useful solution for many people suffering from the problem of cough. There could be many reasons for triggering cough, like allergy, dust, infection, acid reflux, cold, etc. Cough could be both acute and chronic, if it lasts longer than 8 weeks it is chronic. It is a non-communicable condition however, another person can be affected by the droplets when an affected person sneezes or coughs around them.
If the condition is minor it is better to avoid antibiotics and try a few home remedies. But, if it looks serious, it is advised to seek medical assistance as early as possible.
In this blog, we will discuss some natural remedies to treat cough at home.
What is Cough?
Cough is a natural reflex that helps in keeping our airways clean. It is a sudden exclusion of air from the lungs through epiglottis. It is the body’s mechanism to keep the breathing passageway clean from irritants.
Cough can be dry or productive. In productive cough, mucus is produced which is called phlegm or sputum.
How Many Types of Cough Are There?
There are basically three types of cough – dry cough, productive cough, and whooping cough. Cough can get worse during bedtime due to several reasons like sleeping position, circadian rhythm, etc.
So, if you experience a severe cough at night compared to the daytime, it is advised to seek medical treatment from a healthcare provider.
Dry Cough
Another name for dry cough is a non-productive cough. It does not produce mucus or phlegm. There could be many possible reasons for dry cough including smoking, exposure to pollutants, cold, allergy, etc.
Symptoms of Dry Cough:
- A tickling sensation in the throat
- Feeling that something is stuck in the throat even after coughing
- The feeling of heaviness in the chest
- Soreness in the throat
Wet Cough
Wet cough is also called chest cough or productive cough. In wet cough mucus and phlegm blocks the passage of the windpipe in the throat. The common reasons for wet cough could be flu, chest infection, cold, etc. But, it generally happens when there is inflammation in the lungs which may be caused by other health reasons.
Symptoms of Wet Cough:
- Heavy chest
- Runny nose
- Salty taste of mucus
- Fatigue
- Nasal congestion
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough is also called Pertussis. It is a highly transmittable acute respiratory infection. It is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. In whooping cough the infected person makes a ‘whoop’ sound, which is why it is named so.
It is common among children and infants, but adults too, can get affected.
Symptoms of Whooping Cough:
- Violent and rapid cough
- Nasal discharge
- Lips and tongue turning blue
- Watery and sore eyes
NATURAL REMEDIES TO TREAT COUGH AT HOME
Here are some home remedies to treat cough naturally at home:
Ginger
Ginger has been traditionally used to cure throat infections. It has anti-inflammatory properties which helps in relieving pain. You can drink a cup of milk-ginger tea or if you are lactose intolerant you can try ginger-lemon tea.
Also, you can roast a piece of ginger and eat it raw with honey.
Hot Fluids
Hot fluids can help soothe a sore throat and get rid of a cough. Hot drinks can show immediate effects when experiencing runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, congestion in the chest, etc.
These fluids include soup, coffee, herbal tea, broth, etc., which can also help in easing problems like chills, fatigue, flu, and common cold symptoms.
Take Steam
Inhaling steam can actually help in fighting colds and throat infections. It helps in soothing the throat. A hot shower also helps. One can take steam to get relief from throat-related issues.
Also, you can add Vicks VapoRub balm or other products containing menthol in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam for a few minutes. It helps in relieving congestion, headache, cough, and other symptoms of cold.
Saltwater Gargle
Gargling with salt water can help in treating a sore throat. It can help in reducing inflammation and mucus production. Adding a tablespoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water and gargling with it for a few minutes can help with the cough.
It should be followed twice a day for effective results.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking an adequate amount of water can help in alleviating cough. It soothes the irritation in the throat caused due to cough. It is more beneficial in treating productive cough because it makes the mucus thin and loosens it which makes it easy to cough out.
Drinking enough water also helps in flushing out the irritants that cause cough. It keeps our body hydrated which is good for our overall health.
Honey-lemon Tea
Honey is a natural product which is beneficial to us in innumerable ways. It helps in reducing the mucus produced in the throat, chest, nose, etc., during a cough. Drinking a cup of warm lemon water with a teaspoon of honey once daily can help in soothing the throat during a cough.
However, it shouldn’t be given to children under the age of 1 year, because it can cause botulism, an uncommon form of food poisoning mostly affecting infants.
CONCLUSION
Cough can be acute or chronic. When you start experiencing a cough, you shouldn’t ignore it, rather use home remedies so the cough will get better instead of getting worse. You can use the remedies mentioned above in the blog to treat coughs naturally if you don’t like taking medicines.
If the cough lasts longer, you should see the doctor for medical advice.
