Cold and cough are not very serious health conditions but may be an indication of other illnesses. A person may experience a cough may be due to chest congestion or throat infection or allergies or tuberculosis, or even gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). An acute cough develops suddenly and lasts for short durations, while a chronic cough lasts for more than 3 to 8 weeks. A chronic cough that does not have any obvious cause and lasts for several weeks is a cause of concern.
A chronic cough can cause a considerable amount of discomfort and be a hindrance to your work and home routine. A chronic cough can strain the muscles of your chest and leave your throat feeling raw and painful. There are chronic cough remedies which aim at eliminating the cause of cough. Cough due to cold can be cured through simple home remedies, while serious infections of the throat or lungs may require antibiotic medication. Mild throat infections may be treated by gargling with warm salt water.
Causes of a chronic cough
Cough occurs when dust, virus, bacteria, food particles or pollen irritate the nerve endings present in the airways between throat and lungs. The body tries to clear the blockage by coughing. Before moving on to chronic cough remedies, it pays to take a look at the various causes of a chronic cough. Common causes of a chronic cough are as follows:
Other causes of a chronic cough that are less common include the following:
Top 10 home remedies for a chronic cough
Identifying the cause of a chronic cough is primary to decide on chronic cough remedies. A mild bout of a cough may settle with simple home remedies. Natural remedies for a chronic cough are free of side effects and sometimes more effective than over-the-counter medication. Natural remedies for chronic cough help soothe the throat and relax the chest muscles. When a chronic cough is caused due to bacterial or viral infections, antibiotic or antibacterial treatment may be required.
Here is a look at some of the home remedies for a chronic cough:
If a cough is caused due to dust or pollen or other airborne allergens, avoiding going to place which will expose yourself to them. This will help prevent a chronic cough.
Chronic cough remedies depend on the root cause of a cough. Some causes can be addressed through simple home remedies, while others may require intensive medical treatment. In some cases, chronic cough may be an indication of other serious illnesses like lung cancer, tuberculosis or throat cancer. In such cases, chronic cough remedies are aimed at eliminating the cancerous growth or chest infection, which reduces the intensity of coughing.