Dry cough is sputum-less, hoarse cough which causes inflammation and tenderness of the throat and usually has little or no phlegm. Dry cough is usually a persistent condition and can be quite painful. What causes a dry cough? Dry cough is caused by illnesses like asthma, sinus, flu, heart disease and even lung cancer. Irritation to the lung or the trachea can also be the cause of dry cough. Sometimes exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke or dust can also trigger a dry hacking cough. Even an acute case of gastro-esophageal reflux can cause a dry cough.
Dry cough symptoms include dry and rasping hacks. Dry cough can be treated sufficiently well with home remedies. You can even get rid of dry cough with home remedies. You can get rid of dry cough fast and naturally with home treatment. With home remedies, you can get rid of dry cough that happens at night or during pregnancy along with other symptoms of dry throat and/or sore throat.
Having a paste of soaked almonds and honey twice to thrice a day will help. Turmeric paste with carom seeds soaked in a glass of water is an antiseptic cure for dry cough. Onion juice is a very effective cough syrup. Ginger is the cure for all kinds of coughs. You can have ginger juice with honey in a teaspoon. You can add ginger to hot water and lemon or add it to a concoction of different herbs and spices and sip it throughout the day.
Aniseed, pepper, cloves and oranges are beneficial for cough and can be used in different forms and mixtures to help relieve cough. Grapes combined with honey are an effective home remedy for dry cough. A few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar is known to reduce the urge to cough as it also cures inflammation and dry heaves. Chewing on betel leaves along with basil leaves and ginger is also know to help soothe dry cough attacks. Green tea with honey and lemon is very beneficial for dry cough. You can grind raisins into a paste with sugar and heat it to the consistency of a sauce. You can eat spoonfuls of this sauce every day to ease the dry cough.
For dry cough and dry cough attacks, it is important to keep the atmosphere hydrated. You can take a hot or warm shower which will provide relief to the dry hacks. If you live in a dry area, you should also keep a humidifier in the room you sleep in to provide some relief. In order to relieve unexpected spasms, always keep some hard candy with you and suck on one if you feel a spasm coming on. Peppermint candies really work as a flavor. Throat lozenges work very well too. Vitamin C tablets can do the dual role of a hard candy as well as aid the introduction of vitamin C into the body. Gargling with salt water at least three times a day can be quite beneficial for spasms of dry cough
Eating a balanced diet is also very important. Lots of fruits, fiber rich food and whole grains will generally improve the state of your body and immune system. If you regularly smoke, it would be a good idea to give it up to prevent recurrent attacks of dry cough. If your dry cough does not recede with the home remedies, it might be a good time to see a doctor as it could be a sign of something serious. If you have a dry cough, you should avoid fried, oily foods, rich dairy products and exposure to the cold elements.
answered by G M