Cough by definition is a reflex that may happen suddenly and most of the time repetitively that helps us clear the breathing passage from secretions, irritant substances like smoke, foreign particles and microbes. Everybody does cough and it may be voluntary, like when you feel the need to clear your throat, or involuntary when an outside factor like smoke triggers it. Persistent cough is an indication of a disease. Since cough is produced in our breathing passage the most common cause is respiratory tract infection.The viruses or bacteria present in our respiratory tract produce cough, helping in this way for the disease to be spread around.
Cough can be caused by choking, smoking, polluted air, asthma, chronic bronchitis and even the gastro esophageal reflux disease. There are also certain types of medication that trigger cough like the ACE inhibitors-group of drugs that treat hypertension. If cough is caused by smoking the treatment is simple quit smoking; or if it is caused by a medication this can be discontinued and have another one prescribed. Most of the time cough suppressants like codeine are prescribed but it gives relief for a short time. Cough caused by asthma or chronic bronchitis need different treatment option since inflammation of the airway is present and mucus is present.
How about home remedies for cough? There are many home remedies for cough using natural ingredients, that relief the symptoms but a cold sill runs its course up 7 to 10 days. Drink a lot of tea with honey, will help smooth your throat and relief cough. Make always a good size cup of tea and do not forget to add a slice of lemon and a teaspoon of honey. Do this a few times a day and will see good results. Coughing during night is very disturbing, so try a teaspoon of honey or a teaspoon of peanut butter it works for me! It works also for night time a teaspoon of corn syrup
Coughing caused by asthma or bronchitis can be relieved very simple: take a shower as hot as you can stand it, breathing in the steam has an anti-inflammatory effect and will loosen up the mucus in your chest. Your cough will give you a break for at least 2 hours.
If you experience dry cough do this: soak almonds in a cup of water, take the skin off, make a paste with butter and sugar. This will help to loosen up the mucus. Home remedies for cough are helpful but remember when fighting a cold make sure you get enough rest, drink plenty of water. As grandma says soup is good when you have a cold, so drink a lot of soups. Avoid dairy products, fast food, and soda. Dairy products especially milk is not good for the cough; since milk has about the same fluid thickness as the mucus may cause difficulty swallowing. However drinking milk when having a cold does not increase the mucus production. You have a cold; you cough why you need cough suppressant syrup? Drink tea or warm water with lemon and honey the best way to sooth your throat.