Coughing is an unexpected expulsion of air from the lungs via the epiglottis, the little trapdoor that covers the passageway to the windpipe.
Though a cough is often painless, it can distract or irritate others. And not just only that, the effort of coughing can also leave you feeling fatigued and achy.
If you occasionally cough, it is very typical and nothing to worry about, but a cough that lasts for some weeks or more or the one that brings out bloody or discoloured mucus may be an indication of a medical condition.
The way a cough sounds and feels can help with recognizing the cause, in addition to the potential treatments.
There are lots of ways to categorise coughs. And to determine what is causing them and the best treatment that’ll be effective, the simplest way is to pay attention to how they sound and affect the body.
In this piece, we’ve identified the different types of coughs, the causative agents, and how to treat them naturally. Sit back and relax and continue reading to get the juicy information.
The types
1. Dry cough
Typically, dry coughs are signs of respiratory illnesses like flu and cold. They are developed when there’s little or no mucus in the throat. A tickling sensation may be felt in the throat, making the person stop coughing.
Dry coughs go away on their own in most cases. However, if the cough becomes chronic, people can look out for other causes (e.g., asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and lung cancer).
Treatment
You can ease the tickling sensation by drinking water if you have a dry cough. Another way to treat it is to take ginger and lemon tea, as they both have anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce irritation in the throat and lungs.
2. Wet cough
At times, people describe a wet cough as a chesty cough. Well, this cough happens when a person coughs up phlegm or mucus. They are typically due to a common cold, a chest infection, or the flu.
Treatment
Natural honey is one of the fundamental ways of treating a wet cough. To use, take 1.5 teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bed. It helps to reduce the cough and encourages sound sleep even in children.
3. Whooping cough
Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is caused by bacterial infection. It is highly contagious. Newborns and those that haven’t had a vaccination may develop this sickness.
Also, people with weak immune systems, including babies, may struggle to fight the infection or have trouble breathing.
Treatment
Ginger is an effective remedy to halt the recurrence of whooping cough. It also has antibacterial immune-boosting properties that fight the infection and encourages quick recovery. Take a tablespoon of extracted ginger juice and mix it with raw honey. For each day, take it two times.
4. Choking
If a person has a partially blocked airway, and the body tries to get rid of the object, it may result in a cough. Also, if you eat something large or something that irritates your throat, you may start coughing.
Speaking with a doctor if your coughing persists after a choking incident is advisable.
Treatment
If you’re alone and choking, call emergency services immediately! Although you cannot help yourself effectively, you can still perform abdominal thrusts to remove the item. To do it, place a fist slightly above your navel, then grasp your fist with your other hand and bend over a hard surface (e.g., a chair). Finally, shove your fist inward and upward.
