Cough Care

Cough usually is a process of expelling infection from the chest and normally becomes fine within 2 to 3 days. Persistent cough leads to disturbed sleep and pain in chest.

Simple home remedies are sufficient to treat cough. Sip 2-3 cups of ginger tea every day. Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. This can be done by brewing a small piece of ginger in 250 ml of water. Ginger brings relief to painful throats. It is a powerful antioxidant and increases immunity of the body thus healing body to fight infection faster.

Eating fruits rich in vitamin C boost the immunity of the body. Fruits like blueberry, strawberry, raspberries are rich in antioxidants. Many people believe that eating anything sour will worsen pain in throat and aggravate cough. This is just a myth.

Drink hot fluids. These bring relief to the throat. Drinking warm chamomile tea prepared freshly with little lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey should be taken at bed time. It clears the throat. The thickness of the honey calms the dryness in the throat and it is especially good for those who are having trouble in swallowing food or talking.

Expectorants present in thick chicken soup are equally helpful. Curries made from spices like garlic and pepper aid in natural expulsion of the mucus. Echinacea also boosts the immune system of the body.

It is available in the form of tincture and 12 drops can be taken during the day. Apart from being an immunity booster it decreases the intensity of cough and cold very soon.

Lozenges are a good way to keep the throat moist and to decrease irritation. Try using zinger lozenges. These are supposed to be sucked upon and not chewed. You may chew upon small pieces of Glycerriza glabra (mulethi). You may consume 5-6 lozenges every day.

Give up smoking and avoid being a passive smoker. Smoking increases throat irritation and aggravates cough.

Consult Doctor if

One must consult doctor if the cough is not improving even after 4 weeks. Also, if one has been suffering fever for more than 3 days despite the use of over-the-counter drugs or expulsion of mucus is accompanied by blood or shortness of breath is experienced; one must consult doctor immediately.