A cough can get really irritating! No matter your age or gender, constant coughing can really jar your body and mind. It disrupts you at work, play and school; it keeps you awake at night; it creates a brief period of ostracism and basically just wreaks havoc on your peace of mind. Unfortunately, we are all affected and afflicted by this very common ailment at various intervals, and let’s face it, there’s little you can do to not catch it the next time.
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While we hope that your cough is temporary and non-serious, cough can be a source of concern, and can be categorized as:
The reasons behind a cough are so many in number and intensity that I dare not start mentioning all of them here. Instead, here are the most common causes that can leave you coughing:
• Viral respiratory tract infection (RTI)
• Asthma
• Eosinophilic bronchitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Common cold
• Pneumonia
• Pertussis (Whooping cough/Croup/Diptheria)
• Tuberculosis
• Foreign body
• Dry mouth
• Swallowing difficulties
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (Drugs used for diabetes and high blood pressure)
• Lung tumors
• Pollution related pathogens
Overwhelmed? Confused? Well, for such a common ailment, it is easy to expect a number of known and unknown causes. As I said earlier, if you have a cough lasting for more than 8 weeks, it is a must to consult a doctor immediately as it can signal a serious underlying disease. I once read somewhere that if you can feelyour lungs… you have a problem!
Again, hoping your cough is non-serious, here are some very simple home remedies (in no specific order) anyone can try. They are easy to use and can be made from everyday kitchen and garden products. So, before you visit the pharmacy, try these no-side-effect tips. With any luck, you will be rid of that cough and back on your feet in no time. Most of these tricks work equally well for children, though it is best to consult your paediatrician before you try them on your child for the first time.
In case your cough is being caused by some allergen, try to remove it from your lifestyle. Cough can be triggered by things such as cigarette smoke (even for passive smokers), pollen, dust, mould, pet hair and the like. Try avoiding these substances during the time of year when you are most susceptible to catching a cough.
Warm milk, or for that matter, any warm liquid, helps in relieving a cough by hydrating the dry, raspy throat. It also reduces chest congestion and helps in the expulsion of sputum.
Strange as it may seem, powdered or crushed almonds, added to some orange or lemon juice, can be the perfect home remedy for cough. The taste of the mixture is very refreshing and soothing as almonds have natural relaxing properties.
Flax has natural properties to soothe sore throats. Use them by boiling them in water. Add a little honey or sugar for taste and sip the mixture to find that much needed relief.
Mix a little quantity of sesame oil in a tablespoon of honey. Your cough will never even see this sneaky little trick coming its way.
This pretty little fragrant herb has a natural summery aroma. If used as an infusion by boiling in water for some time, it will relieve even the toughest of coughs for at least a few hours. The vapor from the water will also soothe the aching throat muscles.
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