Tips on how to stop coughing

What is a cough?

A cough is a reflex that helps clear your airways of irritants. Nerves in the airways become stimulated by allergens, medical conditions, medications, and other irritants, resulting in a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs.

What causes coughing?

There are numerous causes for coughing. Common causes of cough include:

• Allergens:
• pollen
• dust
• animal dander
• mold.
• Irritants:
• smoking
• inhaling secondhand smoke
• pollution
• chemical fumes
• perfumes
• air fresheners.
• Medical conditions:
• common cold
• upper respiratory tract infection
• flu
• pneumonia
• whooping cough
• asthma
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• sinus infections
• postnasal drip
• acute bronchitis
• chronic bronchitis
• bronchiectasis
• emphysema
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• lung cancer
• heart failure.
• Medications:
• ACE inhibitors
• beta-blockers.

A dry cough is usually the result of

• cold and flu viruses
• allergies
• acid reflux
• ACE inhibitor medications
• irritants such as cigarette smoke.

A wet cough is often caused by cold or flu viruses, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A persistent, or chronic, cough is one that lasts more than 3 weeks and may be caused by

• heart disease
• asthma
• lung disease
• bronchitis
• whooping cough.

19 natural and home remedies to cure and soothe a cough

Once the cause of your cough is diagnosed and you have ruled out any serious underlying medical conditions that need to be treated, symptoms of cough often may be treated or cured with home remedies. Talk to your doctor before using any herbal remedies or natural supplements as some may interact with medications you take.

1. Stay hydrated: Drink lots of water to thin mucus.
2. Inhale steam: Take a hot shower, or boil water and pour into a bowl, face the bowl (stay at least 1 foot away), place a towel over the back of your head to form a tent, and inhale. Stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable. Note: do not do this if cough is due to asthma, as steam may make symptoms worse.
3. Use a humidifier to loosen mucus.
4. Cough drops or lozenges soothe an irritated throat (do not use in young children).
5. Saltwater gargle clears mucus from the throat.
6. Use an extra pillow to elevate your head at night.
7. Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
8. Avoid inhaled irritants such as dust, perfumes, or pollutants.
9. Use honey. It can be used alone in adults and children over 1 year of age and acts as a cough suppressant.
10. Ginger tea soothes throat inflammation.
11. Eucalyptus oil: Use it in a vaporizer or rub it on your chest to help break up mucus.
12. Mint: Often taken as tea, it helps loosen mucus in the lungs.
13. Menthol is commonly found in lozenges, and it can soothe a cough.
14. Licorice root acts as an expectorant.
15. Slippery elm coats and soothes the throat.
16. Apple cider vinegar (diluted or mixed with honey) helps thin mucus.
17. Turmeric may help ease digestive problems and can help if cough is caused by GERD.
18. Chicken soup may ease symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
19. Chocolate. Theobromide, an ingredient in chocolate, may actually suppress vagus nerve activity that causes coughing.

Source: MEDICINE NET

About STELLAPHARM

Stellapharm is one of leading generics pharmaceutical companies and strong producer of anti-viral drugs in Vietnam. The company established in Vietnam in 2000; and focuses on both prescription drugs and non-prescription especially in cardiovascular diseases, antiviral drugs, anti-diabetics drugs, etc. and our products are now used by millions of patients in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The company is globally recognized for its quality through our facilities have been audited and approved by stringent authority like EMA, PMDA, Taiwan GMP, local WHO and others.

Additional information for this article: Stellapharm J.V. Co., Ltd. – Branch 1
A: 40 Tu Do Avenue, Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Park, An Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
T: +84 274 376 7470 | F: +84 274 376 7469 | E: info@stellapharm.com | W: www.stellapharm.com