Cough remedy

• Asthma: This is one of the leading causes of chronic cough in children. In fact, there are several adults who suffer from asthma too. In such cases, in addition to the cough, symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath are also evident.

• Infections in the respiratory tract: At times, conditions like a cold, pneumonia, flu and other infections in the respiratory tract lead to a cough. At times, the cough lasts even after the underlying condition is cured. This is because the inflammation in the airways could last even after the infection has gone.

• Bronchiectasis: When a person suffers from a chronic lung condition, there is an abnormal widening in the bronchial tubes, which affects the ability to get rid of the mucus from the lungs. This condition is usually preceded by pneumonia and could be accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, discolored blood and sputum.

• Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Several people suffer from GERD, which leads to constant irritation in the throat, which could cause a chronic cough.

• Chronic bronchitis: In case there is a long standing inflammation in the major airways, it can lead to severe coughing with sputum, congestion, wheezing and breathlessness.

• Post nasal drip: An excess of mucus, known as post nasal drip can lead to inflammation and irritation, which triggers off cough reflex.

• Lung cancer: Though rare, in some cases, people could suffer from a severe, long term cough, because of lung cancer. This is a lot more common, with people who smoke.

Chronic Cough Treatment

There are several ways in which a chronic cough can be treated. Some of the most common treatment options recommended by medical health care providers are antihistamines and decongestants, inhaled corticosteroids and certain medication. However, there are several people who prefer to use chronic cough remedies. This is because people believe that some homemade cough remedies are as effective as medical treatment. Moreover, natural cough remedies have fewer side effects, as compared to traditional medical treatment.

• Gargling: Using a gargle with hot saltwater can help cleanse the throat and get rid of the mucus. Some of the most useful gargling solutions are made from lemon juice and warm water and vinegar, with a teaspoon of salt. Another gargle, which works as an effective antiseptic for the throat includes lukewarm water, mixed with turmeric powder and salt, to relieve the symptoms of cough. Ginger juice, or leaves of holy basil can be quite effective in suppressing a cough, when they are boiled in hot water. Using spinach juice as a gargle can also help relieve the symptoms of a cough.

• Herbs: Certain herbs such as eucalyptus leaves, mint leaves, should be added to a pot of boiling hot water and the vapors should be inhaled deeply, to cure the cough. One of the most effective herbal combinations includes lemon juice, grated ginger, lemon grass and basil.  

• Honey: Several people regard honey as a miracle cure for a persistent cough. A honey cough suppressant remedy can be prepared at home, by mixing some honey in warm water. To make this remedy more effective, a pinch of black pepper and some ginger juice should be added to the mixture. This honey cough suppressant remedy should be taken 2 or 3 times a day. Moreover, one of the most effective natural cough remedies for dry cough is made from a glass of grape juice, to which a teaspoon of honey has been added.

• Natural tea: Ginger tea has been used for centuries, as a cure for a chronic cough. Sipping on hot ginger tea at regular intervals during the day not only alleviates the symptoms of a chronic cough, but it also helps clear up the nasal passages.

Winter coughs can be really nasty, causing difficulty in breathing and even sleeping. Ask yourself a few questions, like: Have you got started new medications recently? Has the cough started lately or was it there since a long time? Does it increase in the day time or is it more at night?
You can also start with a few natural home remedies which are very effective in controlling coughs like,

• A terrific natural remedy which my mother commonly used is pepper. Dry roast a handful of seeds on pan. Once the seeds start popping immediately dump them into a pan of boiling water. Infuse the pepper tea for about five minutes and sip gently three times a day. Great to clear a stuffed nose as well as soothe a nasty cough. Really hot though! So watch out!
• The bark of the wild cherry tree is extremely effective in soothing a persistent cough. Brew it as a tea and sip two or three times a day.
• Prepare a steam inhalation with hot water a drop of eucalyptus oil added to it to relieve your irritated throat and lungs.
• You can try a mixture of 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp whisky and juice of half a lemon to ease your cough. Kind a spicy and weird but it does work.
  

Please remember if your cough persists for more than two weeks its time to get checked for allergies or a mild asthma reactions.