Cough

Description

A cough is a sudden, explosive expulsion of air from the lungs, usually brought on by the need to discharge something from the air passages. Productive coughing brings up mucus (referred to as sputum or phlegm) while a good unproductive, dried out cough doesn’t.

Symptoms

Different cough sounds might be signals of different, underlying difficulties. If your coughing persists, look for the assistance of an experienced health practitioner.

Examples of coughs consist of: Constant, severe coughing with thick mucus production, which may signal chronic bronchitis (respiratory disease often associated with smoking or passive smoke exposure).

A very dry cough with symptoms of fever and fatigue may signal an approaching severe bout of acute bronchitis. (Virus-like bronchitis usually has a persistent cough which disturbs sleep.)

Dry coughs that usually become worse throughout the night may signal a bronchospasm (temporary narrowing from the bronchi, the larger pipes of airways) that can be associated with asthma, infection, or allergic reactions.

Allergic coughs may occur with a runny nose and wheezing, or begin following eating certain foods or at different times of the year.

Coughing up blood is not a good sign (hemoptysis). If blood appears in the sputum it may be as a result of ruptured blood vessels in airways, lungs, nose, or the throat. It may be nothing serious but it is also possible it is a severe condition, therefore it is imperative to be evaluated by a doctor to be certain. Blood may appear as bright red, rusty-brown blotches, or pinkish. In the event you are experiencing blood in your phlegm, an X-ray of the chest may be recommended. If X-rays show irregularities, if you are over 40 and/or perhaps a smoker, and have coughed up blood before, you may need a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy is a process which allows direct viewing of the lung area by insertion of a soft, flexible pipe with a camera attached to the end. One-third of individuals undergoing this procedure are found to have no underlying health problems.

Coughing associated with changes in posture suggest lung abscess or even other severe diseases, while coughing related to eating might suggest serious swallowing or even trachea problems. Coughing because of exercise or cold temperatures may signal asthma.

In young children, coughing combined with inflammation of the respiratory tract, can cause the airways to narrow so much that it creates a hoarse metallic cough called the croup.

Continual short, moderate, dry coughs in the spring might signal hay-fever. Coughs or secretions associated with a dry, barking cough may signal an infection in the trachea, while pneumonia (lung inflammation secondary to infection) usually creates painful hacking and coughing with specks of blood in the phlegm.

Cancer of the lungs or respiratory tract might produce a small cough at first which will continually get worse with mucus that is blood-specked.

Phlegm (expectorated matter) produced by coughing can signal different things. White, yellow, green or even brown phlegm can imply that you have an infection. Blood in phlegm signifies the infection is getting worse and requires the immediate attention of a doctor. A gritty material in phlegm may signify a serious condition of the lungs called broncholithiasis, which is an inflammation or obstruction caused by calculi (stones, usually formed by mineral salts) within the bronchi.

Other Causes: Hacking and coughing may also be due to a simple illness such as an upper respiratory infection or common cold, or may signal a more severe illness. It can also be caused by environmental irritants (smoke, dirt, pollens), mucus dripping in the rear of the throat, be a sign of nervousness, or perhaps be a symptom of an underlying health disorder.

Be aware: Important questions your doctor might ask about your cough to help determine what it might signal include: How long has the cough occurred? Did it start suddenly? Has this changed recently? What factors make it worse? What time of day does it most frequently happen? Is your cough accompanied by the production of mucous? If so, exactly what color is the mucus? Have you been experiencing other pains or symptoms? Is your cough associated with work or even exercise? Treatment of your cough depends entirely on the underlying cause.

Caution: Coughing is an important signal from your body and should not be suppressed. Any long-standing or intransigent coughing should receive professional medical treatment. Although home treatment is safe and effective for minor short-term coughing or coughs associated with mild infections, if you experience anything beyond this, you must see a doctor.

Organic Cures

Aromatherapy: Inhale the steam of thyme, benzoin, eucalyptus, frankincense, myrrh, pepper mint, sandalwood, lavender, or juniper essential natural oils. Add a couple of drops of the essential oil of your choice to water, bring to a boil, and then simmer. Place your head over the pan of simmering water, covering your head with a towel and inhale for 10-20 minutes.

Diet: Eat whole-foods, especially plenty of raw vegetables and fruit. Also avoid mucus-producing foods, such as sugar, salty meals, dairy products, and starches. In cases of dry cough unrelated to other conditions, umeboshi plum paste can be very soothing.

You can also make a cough syrup with 8oz. of warm pineapple liquid and two tsp. of honey. The bromelain in the pineapple juice is activated by the honey. As a substitute, mix the juice of one lemon with two tbsps. of glycerine, and 12 tsp. of honey and stir prior to each use. Take 1 tsp. every 30 minutes, reducing as needed. (Don’t refrigerate.)

Another useful home remedy is to slice an onion over a deep dish and cover with honey, letting stand overnight. The next morning, strain the combination of juice and honey and take 1 tsp. 4-5 times throughout the day.

Herbs: Coltsfoot, horehound, and mullein are safe and effective for children and adults. Use as an infusion at least 3 times a day until your symptoms abate.

For a dry annoying cough, make use of an infusion of marshmallow leaves.

For coughing with mucous, make a tea with ginger powder, and a pinch of cinnamon added to a cup of drinking water. In addition, gargle a solution made from one pinch of sodium and two pinches of turmeric powder added to glass of water.

For chronic coughs, mix one part sesame seed products (black seed products if possible) with one part shatavari. Include ginger and raw sugars for taste and take one oz. daily.

Flower Essences: Crab Apple can be helpful if your coughing is due to an infection.

Homeopathy: For dry coughs: Belladonna, Aconite, Drosera, Bryonia, Phosphorus, Hyoscyamus, rumex, and spongia. These last 3 remedies should be taken alone, not in combination with other treatments.

For reducing coughs: Ipecac, Merc sol., Pulsatilla, Kali bich., as well as Kali carbohydrate are all helpful remedies.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, vapor baths, bathhouses, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for dealing with a wide range of problems and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physiotherapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. All of us suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Please seek the advice of your alternative health care practitioner before attempting these methods to make sure they are appropriate for you.

*Purified water is important for any hydrotherapy treatment. Treatments for purifying bath water include clear instructions and recommendations.

Liquid Therapy: Consume plenty of organic fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Warm pear juice with cinnamon, cardamon and cumin is a very helpful for coughs that aren’t serious in nature.

Nutritional Supplementation: Zinc lozenges, vitamin A, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin E, and folic acid are all useful for soothing and relieving coughing.

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite following the remedies listed above, seek the assistance of a qualified health professional. The following professional treatments have been shown to be useful for dealing with and relieving the signs and symptoms of coughing: Traditional Chinese medicine, Acupressure, Used Kinesiology, Bodywork, Chiropractic, Detoxification Therapy, Environmental Medicine, Guided Imagery, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Treatments, Neural Treatment, and Osteopathy. (See Glossary for descriptions of these Alternative Therapies.)