Cough Medicine, Need or Not

Not a few people who rush to consume various cough medicines to relieve cough conditions. In fact, coughing can generally resolve on its own within three weeks without special medication. Coughing is not really a disease, but rather the body's natural response to clear the respiratory tract from phlegm and cause irritants, such as smoke or dust, or causes of infections such as viruses or bacteria. In very rare cases, coughing can be an early symptom of a more serious condition.

Recognize the types of cough

Cough handling is generally adjusted to the type and causes that accompany it. If categorized from the length of time, there are two types of cough, namely:

• Short-term cough (acute)

An acute cough lasts less than three weeks and is usually caused by a cold or infection, such as sinusitis or pneumonia. Short-term coughs caused by viral infections with symptoms that are not severe, generally do not require special treatment.

• Long-term cough (chronic)

Chronic cough lasts approximately eight weeks. This type of cough that occurs continuously is generally caused by smoking, asthma, long-term respiratory infections, such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) or stomach acid disease. In addition, a long-term cough can also be caused by bronchiectasis, which is a condition when the bronchial tubes in the lungs are damaged, thickened or dilated.

While in terms of productivity, cough is divided into two, namely dry cough and phlegm cough. Dry cough is a cough that is caused by an infection in the upper respiratory tract, such as a cold or influenza. While cough with phlegm is a cough condition caused by secretions and mucus in the lower respiratory tract, namely the throat and lungs. Cough can sometimes be felt even worse at certain times, such as morning or cough at night.

Is Cough Medicine Needed?

Although actually coughing can go away by itself within three weeks, but that does not mean the use of cough medicine is not recommended. You can take cough medicine depending on the condition. Usually a condition that requires medication is when a cough is caused by bacteria. If you experience it, then the doctor will likely give antibiotics that must be finished. The doctor can also prescribe expectorant cough syrup to facilitate the expectoration of phlegm, as well as antitussive drugs to suppress coughing. In addition, you can also take over-the-counter medicines if your coughing condition interferes with sleep and daily activities. Of course before taking over-the-counter medicines, there are a few things you need to pay attention to, such as seeing instructions for use and dosage of the drug. If after 5 to 7 days of use there is no improvement, then immediately see a doctor. However, you should consult with your doctor before taking cough medicine, to suit your cough condition.

Overcome Cough with Natural Ways

In addition to medication, there are some natural cough treatments that you can do yourself at home, namely:

• Drink enough water

Respiratory infections, such as flu, can cause irritation of the throat and the formation of phlegm that causes coughing. Drinking enough water can help thin the phlegm and keep the throat moist.

• Eat warm drinks with lemon added

Consumption of a mixture of warm water, honey and lemon, to make the throat more comfortable. Honey and lemon are relatively safe given to children as a cough treatment. However, honey can only be given to children over the age of one year.

• Take a warm shower

Steam coming out of warm water can help relieve coughing and snot removal, including coughing that comes from allergies.

• Avoid the cause of irritation

Coughing can be caused by certain ingredients inhaled from the air, such as cigarette smoke or perfume spray. Keep away from these ingredients to avoid coughing.

In addition, get plenty of rest at home to quickly recover from coughing. If the cough does not go away, immediately consult a doctor, especially if the cough becomes worse and does not decrease for more than 2 weeks, or there is blood coming out with cough, which is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss abnormally .