About 2 months I have been getting a dry cough in the morning (am). It's waking me up in my sleep. I need to now is there a problem.

Coughing is a natural reflex of the human body. This happens when there is some foreign object that is found in the throat that irritates the throat. The process of coughing is designed to expel the offending object or substance from the throat. Coughing may also occur when there is some object that gets lodged in the throat which needs to be expelled. A dry cough is one where the amount of phlegm or mucus is reduced. Normally, this fluid is used to coat the throat and capture foreign substances. A dry cough is one that indicates a reduction in throat lubrication.

There are many different home remedies for dry cough. One can gargle with salt water to help soothe the throat. This will also help to lubricate it and to expel some of the infectious material, if the individual is actually experiencing some infection. A dry cough may also occur without infection as it could be caused by simple irritation of the throat because of lack of lubrication. Honey can be consumed on its own or in various green and herbal teas to help cure the condition as well. Onion juice is also known to help as a remedy for this problem.

answered by S S

A dry cough basically does not contain any phlegm or mucus. When dust particles get breathed in or food particles get stuck in the air passages, it can result in a persistent dry cough. One of the main persistent dry cough causes is an infection in the upper respiratory tract. Bacterial and viral infections such as a common cold, croup (common viral infection in young children), whooping cough, tuberculosis, Empyema and bacterial pneumonia can all cause a persistent dry cough.

In other cases a persistent dry cough can also be common in people suffering from asthma, allergies, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, congestive heart failure or even simple airway obstruction by foreign particles. People who smoke regularly can also experience dry coughs and in many cases certain medications can also induce persistent coughing.

Some of the common symptoms of dry cough include hoarse voice, flu like symptoms, running nose and wheezing. Lesser common symptoms of dry cough could be fatigue, bad breath, appetite loss, diarrhea and joint pain. In very serious cases symptoms like breathlessness, pain while coughing, frequent urination, inability to speak, high fever and palpitations may also be experienced. It is important that these be reported to the doctor immediately to avoid further complications.

answered by G M

Many people are keen on knowing how to stop dry cough because the continuous coughing is known to also make ones voice hoarse as well as the throat sore and it may also hamper ones sleep. One of the home remedies for getting rid of dry cough is to ensure that one remains hydrated at all times by drinking plenty of fluids and fresh drinking water. One may even consume a cup of hot tea almost every hour to ensure hydration. On the other hand the consumption of sugar should be kept to the minimum. To stop a dry cough as well as strengthen their immune system one could also have plenty of vegetables and fruits such as carrots and lemons. Another one of the home remedies to stop dry cough is to have a paste of almonds that have been soaked in some honey at least thrice a day.

Similarly getting rid of a dry cough naturally is also possible by consuming some raw ginger or even ginger tea that one can sip throughout the day. Similarly drinking onion juice is also known to be effective to stop a dry cough. One of the most effective home remedies for getting rid of a dry cough is to have a teaspoon of ginger juice and honey. Besides these home remedies one could also speak to their doctor to treat their condition.

answered by A S

A dry cough can be quite a bothersome problem, caused by environmental irritants, infections and diseases. In order to administer the right treatment for dry cough, it is necessary to identify its exact cause. Fortunately, there are several different home remedies and environmental changes that can help you recover from a dry cough; most of them also prevent relapses. Given below are some of the most effective recommendations in the home treatment for dry cough:

• Place a cool mist humidifier or a vaporizer in your room, especially if you spend several hours indoors. This will keep the dry air from irritating your throat. Do make sure that you clean the filter regularly though.
• Suck on a piece of hard candy, preferably ginger candy, which will moisten your throat, preventing a dry cough
• Sip on some warm herbal tea or ginger tea regularly during the day. You could also add a dash of honey to the tea to soothe the throat.
• Drink a glass of spinach juice daily, till the cough gets better. You could also gargle with this juice.

In case home treatment for dry cough does not yield the desired results, you may want to try some over the counter medication. Although results may vary from one individual to the other, the best medicine for dry cough is one that has dextromethorphan as an active ingredient. However, there are a few side effects associated with these medicines and therefore, it is best to consult a doctor before using them.

answered by G R

When the air passage of the lungs is infected and inflamed then it secretes mucus. This mucus is thrown out by the act of coughing.

Coughing can be due to various reasons like inflammation of larynx, blockage or infection in bronchial tubes, smoking, congestion, bronchitis or asthma (shortness of breath or wheezing).

Consult a specialist to know the exact cause and treat the cause.

answered by S P