COUGH- A COMMON PROBLEM

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Cough is a very common problem which we all suffer at times. Changes in weather conditions, eating comparatively cold food items or desserts may lead to formation of cough.

A cough is not always a medical problem, although coughing can at times indicate the presence of some health condition or infection. Coughing is not really a condition in itself, but is simply a natural reflex to keep the throat and airways clear. When caused by some condition, then coughing is simply one of the many possible symptoms of that condition.

A cough is not usually a threatening condition and will resolve naturally, but it can be troublesome, particularly when coughing at night keeps you up and prevents you from recuperating. This can lead to fatigue, irritability and exhaustion, serving to further weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illness. While natural cough remedies may be extremely useful and can greatly help facilitate and hasten healing it should be kept in mind that even the best cough medicine will do no good if you do not take other measures to protect your throat and respiratory system. Likewise, some amount of caution needs to be exercised in terms of your diet as well.
CAUSES OF COUGH

A cough can develop in the chest due to change in weather or seasonal changes. The real cause of this disorder, however, is clogging of the bronchial tubes with waste matter. This is due to wrong feeding habits. The reason for higher incidence of cough during winter than in other seasons is that an average person usually eats more of catarrh-forming foods such as white bread, meat, sugar, porridge, puddings, and pies during the colder months of the year. Being over clothed with heavy undergarments and other garments during this period also prevents proper aeration of the skin.

SYMPTOMS OF COUGH

Cough may occur with other symptoms including:
•     Coughing up clear, yellow, light brown, or green mucus
•     Flu-like symptoms(fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, aches and pains)
•     Hoarse voice
•     Nausea
•     Runny nose (nasal congestion)
•     Sore throat
•     Swollen neck lymph nodes
•     Vomiting
•     Wheezing

TREATING COUGH

Cough can be treated with natural and homemade remedies. Natural items help in recovering from cough in a better way.

1.     Blend 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of honey and add a pinch of cayenne pepper. The honey coats your throat, soothing irritated tissues, while the lemon reduces inflammation and delivers a dose of infection-fighting vitamin C. The cayenne boosts circulation in the area, hastening the healing process. Instead of cayenne, add a little freshly grated onion. Onions contain irritating compounds that trigger the cough reflex and bring up phlegm.

2.     Another onion remedy is to peel and chop 6 medium onions and put them with 4 tablespoons of honey into a bowl set over a pan of boiling water (or double boiler). Cover and simmer for 2 hours. Strain the mixture and take 1 tablespoon every 2 or 3 hours.

3.     Quit smoking and do not use other forms of tobacco, especially while you have a cough.

4.     Prevent dehydration. Fluids may help thin secretions and soothe an irritated throat. Dry, hacking coughs respond to honey in hot water, tea, or lemon juice.

This article has been written and posted by a health advisor working at bookmydoctor.com, who also provides free of cost consultancy to patients and advise on various topics like causes of cough by visiting the site, you can read articles on symptoms of cough and treatment of cough and for more information click the Hyperlink.

Article By: book_mydoctor

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