What to Do If Cough Does Not Go Away

A cough is a sudden and repetitive protective reflex of the body which occurs due to irritation or infections in the airways. Coughs are more common during the winter and in cases of colds and the flu, and usually last for a few days at most. However, sometimes, it seems that nothing we do stops them, which can be pretty irritating. A cough that goes on for a longer period may indicate larger problems and further irritate the throat and lungs, resulting in even bigger problems. This is why everyone is trying to treat it as soon as possible.

Coughs are usually triggered by colds, the flu, acute bronchitis, pneumonia or other respiratory conditions. They may also be a symptom of allergies, asthma or emphysema. The treatment of the problem depends on the cause. If the condition is chronic, a long-term treatment is required, while temporary cases are easier to resolve.

If the cough is a symptom of a cold, it probably doesn’t require medical assistance. However, ignoring the signs and symptoms of chronic coughs have serious consequences on your health.

Here are the cases of when you’ll need to visit a doctor:

• If the cough is accompanied by fever and excess mucus in the lungs;
• If you notice blood in the mucus;
• If the cough is accompanied by shortness of breath;
• If the cough doesn’t stop after a long period;
• If the cough suddenly changes.

All these cases are indications of a bigger problem and should be checked out by a doctor. Ignoring the symptom won’t help – it will only result in bigger problem that can seriously harm your health.

Sometimes, coughs are only a symptom of some kind of infection or irritation and can be easily relieved at home.

Here are a few tips and tricks on how to stop your coughs at home:

• Drink plenty of water and tea to stay hydrated – this will dislodge the mucus in your airways and soothe irritation. If you’re drinking tea, add some honey for even better results;
• If you can’t sleep because of the cough, sleep on a couple of pillows to elevate your head and ease the symptoms;
• Smoking is definitely out of the question if you’re suffering from a cough;
• Over-the-counter cough remedies can help, but you should consult on the exact dosage with your doctor, as many of them may have adverse side-effects.

Source: naturalsolutionsmag.com