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Natural Remedies for Bronchial Cough
by Sam Malone
Coughing is essentially a spontaneous reaction of the bronchial tubes when they become inflamed and irritated. It is also the body’s natural way of expelling irritants (or allergens) that may have entered the respiratory tract. Coughing can also be brought on by viral or bacterial infections or as a result of inhalation of toxins.
Symptoms
Bronchial cough symptoms include expectorant cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or secretion of mucous. It is often accompanied with chest pain, fatigue, and fever. Bronchial cough can worsen if the person is already suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection.
In the initial stages, a bronchial cough will be dry and will irritate the throat. Eventually, there will be mucous buildup, resulting in a wet cough. A bronchial cough could last from two to three weeks, and in some cases, it can even extend beyond four weeks.
Other indications:
- A bronchial cough can be identified with a tight feeling in the chest, along with wheezing. This can worsen if the cough is a result of an asthmatic attack.
- Breathing deeply can become painful or difficult when you have a bronchial cough.
- If a bronchial cough occurs repeatedly, it could lead to pneumonia.
Treatment
The treatment for a bronchial cough is often done by administering antibiotics, which help resolve the condition in few weeks. If the person suffering from a bronchial cough is a smoker, then along with medication, the best way to heal is to quit smoking and allow the tar deposited in the lungs to clear. Antihistamines are also given to thicken the mucous secretions that are expelled due to coughing.
There are many
natural remedies for a bronchial cough that involve the use of herbs; however, none of these remedies have been tested or proven to work. Herbs such as caraway, eucalyptus, and thyme are believed to help clear congestion and calm coughing spasms. They can be prepared as teas or used for steam inhalation to clear the nasal passage. In traditional medicine, these herbs are believed to work like antihistamines and said to possess antimicrobial compounds that can aid in relaxing a bronchial cough. Ginger tea or coffee is also believed to ease a sore throat pain and help in the expulsion of mucous. Honey is said to be efficient in clearing bronchial cough and can be added to the ginger tea or taken simply with hot water. As mentioned above, none of these remedies have been tested scientifically; however, they are common.
For immediate relief, bronchodilators help relax the muscles around the air passage, making breathing easier. Humidifiers help effectively in clearing congestion. It is best to speak with a doctor and get proper medical attention if the cough persists or worsens.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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