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Bad Cough Remedies
What's the best remedy for a bad cough?
(23 Dec 2009)
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Coughs and colds are in the air and with the frequency with which they strike most of us are reluctant to turn to pharmaceutical products for help, and rightly so. In most cases the problem is caused as a result of a viral infection as a reaction to irritants, or due to weather changes, and possibly bacterial infections. Viral infections can not be treated with antibiotics as the infection can only resolve naturally and treatment is instead meant to relieve the symptoms.
In the case of irritants and allergens too the only solution would be to eliminate exposure and soothe the symptoms. Antibiotics only help when dealing with a bacterial infection, and when used indiscriminately or inappropriately can lead to bacterial resistance and other side effects.
Here are some tips and remedies to help you treat that cough at home:
Self – care
- Avoid exposure to any possible irritant or allergen like smoke and dust as no matter what the cause this will surely aggravate the condition further.
- Try not to hover around in the kitchen when there’s any cooking happening as certain aromas can trigger painful coughing spasms.
- Avoid drinking any cold or chilled drinks, whether water or juices.
- Avoid consuming any sour foods and citric fruits as they can cause further aggravation to your throat.
- Avoid consuming any spicy foods as they can cause severe irritation to the throat and only worsen the cough.
- Avoid smoking as there is nothing worse for your cough, and home remedies will not be of much use if you continue to smoke.
- Try not to strain your throat with any activity whether singing, talking or screaming and shouting. Do not whisper either, as this in fact puts more stress on the vocal chords.
Natural Treatment:
- Make it a point to do a warm salt water gargle each morning and try and repeat this twice or thrice in the day. This will help considerably.
- Most traditional remedies employ honey as an important ingredient. Simply add a dash of brandy to a spoon of honey or some ginger juice to the honey and consume this at least thrice a day.
- Herbal teas are also believed to help significantly and you can sip on them through the course of the day. Teas made from ginger, chamomile and dandelion are believed to be helpful.
Keep in mind however that simply following medications and natural remedies will not help if you do not follow the appropriate lifestyle changes.
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answered by S D on 23 Dec 2009, 6:13:28
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