Inhalation, onion juice or honey instead? The list of home remedies for irritable cough is long. In this article, we will tell you which home remedies for irritable cough you can really rely on.
Table of contents
What Is A Chesty Cough?
Irritablecough causes you to suffer from non-stop coughing fits. It feels like there is no end to the scratching in your throat. In the case of a productive cough with mucus formation, coughing it up usually helps. It is different with a dry, irritating cough.
Basically, a cough is only called an irritable cough when it is dry. Irritable cough can be recognized by the loud cough and the lack of secretion of mucus. Accordingly, irritable cough is also referred to as an unproductive cough.
These Causes Are Responsible For Irritable Cough
Irritative cough is a typical symptom of irritable cough or the reaction to a foreign body in the airways.
Other causes of irritating cough:
- Tumors.
- Laryngitis.
- Inflammation of the trachea.
- Bronchitis.
- Inhalation of harmful substances (e.g. chemicals, pollutants, gases).
In addition to these causes, a dry cough can also be caused by irritation of the upper respiratory tract – nose, sinuses, throat. In addition, taking some medications can also cause a coughing fit. ACE inhibitors, which are actually used to treat high blood pressure, often cause an irritable cough.
In a few cases, an irritating cough may indicate a small pulmonary embolism.
Productive And Non-productive Cough: What Is The Difference?
Not all coughs are the same. There are two types: productive and non-productive cough. In this section you will learn how they differ.
Productive Cough
Productive cough occurs in most cases in the final phase of an influenza infection. This is a cough in which mucus from the bronchial tubes enters the oral cavity through coughing. Therefore, it is also called a phlegmy cough.
The productivity of coughing is expressed in the fact that coughing should remove mucus from the body. This not only makes breathing easier, but also transports viruses and bacteria out of the body.
Normally, the mucus in the throat is white or clear liquid. If you notice any discoloration, it may be a sign of another illness or infection. If the mucus is yellowish in color, pus may have formed in the bronchial tubes.
Unproductive Cough
As you already know, coughing is a natural protective function of your body to remove foreign bodies from the airways. However, an annoying cough can be triggered even without a foreign body.
Often a cold is responsible for this. A cold-related inflammation of the mucous membranes irritates the cough receptors, even though there is no mucus in the bronchial tubes that can be easily coughed up.
Thus, the coughing attacks feel particularly painful and exhausting. At night, the irritating cough is also very severe. The reason for this is that the mucous membranes are additionally irritated by the heating air and blocked nose.
This Is How A Chesty Cough Manifests Itself
Irritable cough is a dry, unproductive cough. It is triggered by cough receptors on the lung mucosa. In addition to foreign bodies in the respiratory tract, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is the most common cause of irritable cough.
Flu infections, bronchitis, and sore throats and pharyngitis are often accompanied by an irritating cough. Irritated cough often occurs before your body has the opportunity to cough up the mucus itself.
These Home Remedies For A Chesty Cough Really Help
Before you resort to medication, it makes sense to first try the natural variant. Many medications are known for their quick effect, but can also lead to side effects. One more reason to resort to home remedies for irritable cough.
Here you will find an overview of the best home remedies for irritable cough:
Inhale
Inhaling is a promising home remedy for irritable cough, as it relieves the irritation of the cough and additionally soothes the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract.
Inhalation with sage oil is particularly recommended. The sage oil soothes and relieves the annoying pain in the throat. To do this, take a handful of fresh sage, put it in a bowl and pour hot water over it.
After the water has cooled down a bit, you can inhale the soothing vapors deeply. It is best to put a towel over your head to prevent the steam from escaping.
Caution: If your child suffers from irritable cough and you want to use this home remedy against irritable cough, you should be careful not to use essential oils on children or babies. There is a danger of suffocation.
Onion Juice
Onion juice is considered a classic among home remedies for irritable cough. Onions have an antibacterial effect and can also be used to make an effective cough syrup.
This is how easy it is to make onion juice yourself:
- Peel the onion, cut it into small pieces and put them in a jar.
- Add some sugar or honey.
- Leave to infuse for several hours or overnight.
- Pour off the liquid – your cough syrup is ready.
Honey
Honey is considered a miracle cure for irritable cough. Among the home remedies for irritable cough, it is particularly popular because of its delicious taste. Due to its antibacterial effect, it promises quick relief from annoying coughs.
You can take the honey pure or refine your favorite tea with it. If you suffer from a cough during pregnancy and want to take honey, you should inform yourself thoroughly beforehand.
If Home Remedies For Irritable Cough No Longer Help: At This Point You Should See A Doctor
Your cough has been bothering you for a while now and you have already tried all the home remedies for a chesty cough? If you have a persistent cough, you should see a doctor to be on the safe side. Your cough can also be a sign of bronchitis.
If you have a cough in combination with these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately:
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- High fever.
- Coughing up blood
Sources
https://www.eurapon.de/themen/erkaeltung/produktiver-husten-was-ist-das
