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  1. myUpchar
  2. Disease
  3. Cough
  4. How to Treat Coughing Naturally: Tips and Remedies

Cough is a sudden involuntary activity that usually happens repeatedly. This activity is a protective reaction, which removes any obstruction present in the breathing tube or throat. This obstruction can be caused by any external or liquid substance and any irritating substances. When coughing occurs, first the breath is drawn inward from the mouth and then comes out with a jerk. A loud sound is also heard in this process.

Usually coughing is caused by bacteria, virus, smoke or medicines. However, it can also be caused by a serious disease, for which treatment may be necessary. Although a cough gets cured on its own or by taking some measures, in some cases it may also be necessary to go to the doctor, because not getting cured for a long time can be a sign of a serious problem. In this article, it is told whether coughing is dangerous, what to do if you have a cough, what to do in dry cough, what to do in case of cough with mucus, what to do if you have a lot of cough and when you should go to the doctor for cough.

(Read more - Head cold)

  1. Can Cough Be Dangerous?
  2. What To Do If You Have A Cough?
  3. When To Go To The Doctor For A Cough?
  4. Summary

Can Cough Be Dangerous?

Cough is a common problem that can happen due to any reason. Cough caused by any common cause usually gets cured on its own. Some home remedies can also be done for coughs. However, coughing is also caused by many serious problems. If a cough does not get cured in a few days, then it can be a sign of danger. Constant coughing is not only a tiring problem but it can also cause other problems, such as excessive sweating, headache, fracture of ribs or dizziness etc. There are some problems or diseases whose initial symptom is cough, such as-

Smoking also causes coughing and increases the risk of many diseases.

(Read more - Types of cough)

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What To Do If You Have A Cough?

Although coughing is cured by taking small measures, the problems caused by it are very troublesome. Following are the first aid for cough which will help you get rid of cough quickly -

  • Due to some upper respiratory tract infection, a liquid secretion starts leaking at the back of the throat, due to which cough starts. Drinking liquid or water keeps your throat moist, so that this secretion does not rub in the throat and you do not cough. 
  • Cough increases at night, because mucus starts accumulating at the back of your throat, which causes cough. For this, keep a pillow under your head while sleeping so that your head remains elevated and mucus does not accumulate in the throat.
  • Inhaling steam is helpful for coughing. For this, either you can take a bath with hot water or put hot water in a vessel and inhale the steam coming out of it through your nose. Be cautious while using the steam technique and avoid using it if you have asthma as it can worsen your symptoms. 
  • Gargling with salt water will provide relief to your throat and will also remove the mucus present in it. For this, heat a glass of water slightly and add a little salt to it. Now gargle with this water for some time. Remember that you do not swallow this water, throw it out. 
  • For cough, mint drops available in medical stores can also be taken. This will numb the back of your throat and you will not cough. 
  • You can also use a “humidifier” to make the air of your house moist. 
  • If you smoke, it can increase your cough further. Do not smoke cigarettes at all when you have a cough and if someone is smoking, do not go near them. 
  • Drinking tea mixed with a little honey also provides relief from coughing.
  • Stay away from anything that can cause cough, such as dust, perfume etc. 
  • Ginger tea or honey provides relief from coughing. Children above 1 year and adults can be given raw honey. Do not give honey to newborns, it can harm them.

(Read more -Chronic cough)

Treatment For Dry Cough

Dry cough is one in which mucus is not formed in the throat. This type of cough can be a little difficult to cure and it is also more troublesome. The following remedies can be done for dry cough -

  • For dry cough, you can gargle with warm water so that your throat remains moist. 
  • For this, sweet cough tablets available at medical stores can also be taken so that your throat gets relief. 
  • Ginger is considered very good for coughing and many respiratory problems. For this you can take ginger tea. 
  • Inhaling steam moistens the throat and gives relief in cough. For this you can take steam of hot water. 
  • Drinking hot liquids also provides relief in dry cough.
  • Cough medicines available at medical stores can also be used for coughs.
  • Using honey provides relief in dry cough. Keep in mind that do not give honey to children younger than 1 year. It can also be used in any drinking hot liquid. 
  • Many cough syrups are also available for dry cough at medical stores, you can also use them. 
  • Turmeric is also used for dry cough. Taking turmeric with milk ghee provides relief from cough. 
  • If cough is due to allergy or infection, then antibiotic antihistamine medicines can also be taken. However, consult your doctor before taking any medicine. 
  • If possible, keep your head raised upwards while sleeping. For this, keep a pillow under your head. 

(Read more - Home remedies for cough)

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Treatment For Mucus Cough

Cough with mucus is mostly caused by a virus and in this, mucus starts accumulating in your throat. You can do the following remedies for this cough -

  • To remove the mucus present in the throat, you can take a bath with hot water or put hot water in a vessel and take steam from it. For this technique, put hot water in a vessel and inhale the steam coming out of it through your nose or mouth. Be careful while using this technique.
  • You can use a humidifier to make the air of your house moist. This technique is more useful at night. 
  • Drink an adequate amount of water daily so that mucus can come out. 
  • Eating one spoon of honey before sleeping provides relief in coughing with mucus. Do not feed honey to children younger than 1 year. 
  • Do not eat dairy products, meat or fried food, it causes more mucus. 
  • Taking vitamin C cures viral infection quickly. Eat either an orange or drink orange juice a day. This will provide relief from cough caused by viral infection.
  • Consume warm liquids to expel mucus. 
  • For coughing with mucus, you can also use cough drops available at medical stores.
  • Stay away from the fragrance of any such thing that can cause cough, such as paint, perfume or smoke etc.
  • Drinking ginger tea is beneficial for coughing with mucus. It also reduces the swelling in the throat and keeps the throat moist. 

(Read more - Home remedies for whooping cough)

What To Do If You Are Coughing A Lot?

Home remedies and first aid usually cure the cough, but if it does not cure, then you need to go to the doctor because it can be a sign of a serious problem. If the cough is going on for a very long time, then even the doctor may not be able to treat it. However, by following the doctor's advice properly, you can get relief from coughing. If you have a lot of cough, you can do some remedies, like drink enough water, drink ginger tea, gargle by adding a little salt to water, eat honey or drink tea by adding honey and take cough drops as per the doctor's advice.

(Read more -Acupressure Points to Relieve Cough Pain)

When To Go To The Doctor For A Cough?

Cough usually does not require a visit to the doctor, but do not ignore the following conditions and consult your doctor if -

  • Coughing up blood
  • Coughing up blood is accompanied by high fever
  • Coughing up is increasing
  • Breathing up
  • Coughing up green or yellow mucus
  • Swelling or lumps in the throat area
  • Body pain
  • Breathing up
  • Weight loss
  • Feeling cold
  • Having trouble swallowing food.
  • Coughing a lot.
  • There is a lack of water in the body
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Voice has changed
  • Feeling unwell
  • More mucus is being produced
  • Chest pain
  • There is a very foul smell coming from the mucus
  • There is noise while breathing
  • Fever is not getting cured
  • You sweat a lot while sleeping
  • You are feeling weak
  • You have or had the flu or any other infection. 

(Read more -Home remedies for cough in babies)

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Summary

A chronic cough that persists may be caused by many factors, such as infection, allergies, asthma, smoking, or a side effect of certain medications. Treatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is caused by an infection, antibiotics or antiviral medications may help. For coughs related to allergies or asthma, antihistamines or inhalers may be used. For dry coughs, cough syrups, gargling with warm salt water, and consuming ginger or honey may be soothing. If the cough is accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, contact a doctor immediately, as these may be signs of serious conditions. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and avoiding dust or allergens, may also help.

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