Cough
A chronic cough is not a disease, but rather a symptom of another illness. In addition to viral and bacterial infections, cough can also be caused by other factors. There is an issue when there is an obstruction in the airway or any disturbance in the respiratory tract.
Causes
- Dry Mouth
- Flu
- Allergies
- Infections
- Lung Cancer
- Asthma
- Hay fever
- Allergies
Diagnosis and Treatment
In most cases, when a cough is caused by a cold or flu, a doctor will recommend rest, fluid intake, and letting it run its course. Coughs of this nature usually resolve within 1–2 weeks. When a viral infection causes a cough that lasts more than a couple of weeks, you should seek medical attention. Coughs caused by viral infections are best treated by letting the immune system deal with them – they tend to go away on their own. When a doctor treats a cough, they will focus on the cause; if the cough is caused by an ACE inhibitor, it may be discontinued. People with coughs often take codeine, dextromethorphan, and other cough suppressants. It is unclear, however, how much cough medicines can reduce symptoms.
Home Remedies:
An over-the-counter (OTC) product sold at pharmacies isn’t as effective as a honey and lemon remedy made at home. In general, treatments aim to make the patient feel a little bit better, but do not reduce the duration of the cough. Honey coats the throat, which leads to less irritation and coughing. As a demulcent, honey soothes the throat. Medicines for coughing, such as those that reduce fever and stuffy nose, may help relieve associated symptoms. A cough medicine, however, does not seem to be very effective in reducing coughing.
