Especially in the wet and cold season, we are often plagued by excruciating coughs that are stubbornly stuck. Coughing can be harmless, but it can also be serious. Often we don't really know what exactly to give our throat - sometimes we have a dry throat, then again a cough with expectoration. This guide will give you background information on coughing and tips on how to fight it.
Cough - a sensible protective reflex
Even if we find a cough annoying at first, the cough is a meaningful reflex from the body to protect us. Foreign bodies, dust or pathogens can get into the respiratory tract and become dangerous. The cough is there to clear the airways from them. The underlying cause is therefore also instrumental in treating cough.
| # | Preview | Products | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Stilaxx cough suppressant 200 ml for dry cough -...* |
| To the shop * |
| 2 |  | Doppelherz Throat Spray with Sea Buckthorn –...* |
| To the shop * |
| 3 |  | Cough and runny nose: Herb and Root, Volume 3 * |
| To the shop * |
The cough is triggered when the cough sensors, the so-called receptors, react to something. Then a signal is sent to the brain indicating the Cough reflex triggers. The cough is triggered by the breathing muscles and the diaphragm.
When we cough, we expel an extremely strong stream of air. To create this, our Muskeln heavily used. In other words: coughing is hard work. No wonder that we are very weak when we have a cold or flu after coughing. People who are already sick or debilitated have even bigger problems coughing. Spasmodic coughing can therefore lead to nausea and in extreme cases to unconsciousness in small children and weakened people.
The different types of cough and their diagnoses
In order to correctly diagnose your cough, it is important that the following questions are clarified in advance:
- Are you smoking?
- Are you at risk of infection at work?
- Do you have a pet
- Do you have any previous illnesses?
- Do you have sputum when you cough and if so, what does it look like?
- When does the cough occur?
Dry cough with little phlegm
Dry cough can occur at the beginning of a cold, as a side effect of medication, or in asthma. Less often it can be due to a lung tissue disease such as pulmonary fibrosis . indicate
Expectoration
In small quantities, sputum is a normal process in the context of bronchial cleansing, as long as no additional discomfort occurs. Once the sputum is noticeably discolored, you should still see a doctor for the correct diagnosis.
Yellow or green sputum
This sputum is a possible indication that you have caught a bacterial infection. A cough of green sputum no fever or having a fever is very indicative of it. This cough must be clarified by the doctor. Most likely, he will prescribe you an antibiotic.
Whitish or slimy-glassy expectoration, especially in the morning
This sputum suggests a chronic condition such as bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis.
Liquid to frothy-white sputum
Usually occurs with one Pulmonary edema up, ie the lungs are overhydrated.
Bloody sputum
Even if traces of blood when coughing can simply come from the oral cavity or esophagus, you should always see a doctor after a bloody sputum. It is possible that there is pneumonia, but also lung cancer. (Attention: As soon as something like this occurs, a visit to the doctor is inevitable!)
When should you see a doctor if you have a cough?
As a rule, a cough in adults will resolve itself after a few days. Should still the following Symptoms In addition, it makes sense to consult a doctor:
- You get very sick and chills
- There is pain when coughing
- The cough has been going on for a week and won't go away
- You get a fever over 38,5 degrees
- You notice bloody, green, or yellowish sputum when you cough
- Shortness of breath occurs
- You notice noises when you breathe (e.g. whistling)
- If you have an immune deficiency
- If you have chronic lung or heart disease, clarify your cough early
Remedies for coughs from the pharmacy
Before you resort to a cough remedy, it is best to know what type of cough you have. If the cough is productive, an expectorant cough suppressant is usually used. If you are more prone to a dry cough, a cough suppressant drug is better. If you want to go to the pharmacy, you can ask about the following active ingredients:
Cough relieving agents are among other:
- Acetylcysteine
- ambroxol
- Bromhexine
- guaifenesin
- Herbal remedies: e.g. with thyme, ivy, primrose (these are the ingredients of Bronchipret for example)
Cough suppressants are among other:
- dextromethorphan
- Pentoxyverine
- benproperin
- Dropropizine
- Herbal remedies: e.g. ribwort, Iceland moss, mallow
Home remedies for coughs
Even today rejoice Grandmother's insider tips great popularity. Even if the exact effect not always scientifically proven is, those affected usually just feel better. Steam inhalations, heat applications and other herbal applications are often used as home remedies for coughs, especially for coughs:
- Onion or radish juice: Onion syrup with rock candy is one of the classics among home remedies for coughs and is particularly intended to relieve dry, irritating coughs. To do this, simply put equal parts of chopped onion and rock sugar in a sieve and place over a glass. A syrup is formed after about an hour. Optionally, a black radish can also be hollowed out and made into syrup with rock candy.
- Steam inhalation with saline solution: This application is also recommended by doctors. If you don't have an inhaler at hand, simply fill a large bowl with steaming hot water. Chamomile or essential oils can also have a calming effect on the airways and bronchi. Caution: coughing Babies and infants must not inhale essential oils, as the substances can cause shortness of breath.
- Hot potato wraps: The soothing warmth and the simplicity of this home remedy for dry coughs are still often used today. To do this, boil two to three potatoes, put a towel and mash with a fork. The towel is now folded up so that the potatoes cannot fall out and placed warm on the chest. Always make sure that the temperature is comfortable and bearable and that burns cannot occur.
- To drink tea: We already know that sufficient fluid intake is very essential when coughing. Nevertheless, sage tea, coltsfoot and mallow, as well as ginger, eucalyptus and thyme are said to have a very calming and expectorant effect on the airways.
- Hot milk with honey: If you like milk and honey, you can't go wrong with this drink. Not only does it taste good, it is also said to relieve dry, irritating coughs and sore throats. To do this, simply put a good spoonful of honey in a cup of milk and heat it up. Alternatively, honey can also be added to the tea. A strong cough with phlegm should not be treated with milk, as milk and honey can also make the mucous membranes "slimy". Caution: Under no circumstances should a "cough baby" receive honey until it is 12 months old, as it can contain bacteria that are life-threatening for babies.
Cough suppressant or cough reliever?
A cold usually begins with a dry cough. This is dry and usually only lasts a few days. This is followed by a slimy cough, because the secretion production in the airways is now increasing. To the Self-cleaning mechanism of the airways To relieve the burden, it is important to support the coughing up of the secretions. What do I take now in the different phases?
In the first days of a cold does it make sense to have one Cough suppressants gain weight. This ensures more peaceful sleep and breaks from coughing. During this time, the mucous membranes can also regenerate without being stressed. Cough suppressants are usually used in the evening before going to bed.
Unfortunately, the initial dry cough is quickly replaced by a slimy cough. The natural defense reaction increases the Secretion production. The self-cleaning mechanism is used very heavily. To help remove the mucus, a Cough remover recommended. Because coughing up at best tagsüber should happen, it is recommended to take the cough remover throughout the day.
Cough suppressants and cough removers should never be taken at the same time. If you develop a dry cough at night despite taking a cough suppressant, your doctor may advise you to take a cough suppressant right before bed. However, it is very important that there is a long time lag between taking the cough suppressant and the cough suppressant.
What to do with a dry cough?
Dry cough usually occurs in adults and children in the first few days as part of a cold. The dry cough at night in particular is perceived as very exhausting. The mucous membranes infected with the cold virus are irritated and inflamed. The urge to cough is triggered by the neural signal to the brain. Only when the inflammation subsides does dry cough go away. Your dry cough does not go away even after you drink enough and even tried some home remedies? Milk and honey in particular are natural cough syrups for dry coughs. However, if this is so stubborn and does not go away after four weeks, you should consult a doctor to rule out chronic diseases.
Dry, tickly cough in particular must be combated with alternative remedies. Antibiotics usually do not help if you have an urge to cough. A dry cough medication such as a cough suppressant or tried and tested remedies from the kitchen can help. You can find these under the heading, "Cough home remedies".
Long-term cough
When a cough longer than four weeks continues, doctors speak of long-term cough or chronic cough. In this case, you should see a doctor to clarify the cause. For example, repetitive respiratory infections can lead to a long-term cough.
If your cough has lasted for three months, it is called a chronic cough. A smoker's cough, asthma, allergies or even serious illnesses can cause the cough not to stop. As I said, a visit to a doctor is urgently necessary.
Cough baby
Because infants are very susceptible to colds babies develop a cough up to eight times a year on average. In addition, there are teething troubles such as scarlet fever, whooping cough and measles. Against this Teething problems you can vaccinate the youngest. In order to prevent a dangerous course of the disease, it is therefore urgently recommended that children be treated at an early age vaccinate allow. Not without reason, because the whooping cough is one of the most common causes of sudden child death. The sudden pauses in breathing are very difficult to control, especially at night.
Cough under a cold is very common in babies because that Immune system of the newborn has yet to develop. Therefore, bacterial infections and pathogens are not uncommon. Since the Pathogens lying on the secretions in the throat, the baby simply coughs them out.
You should definitely see a doctor if your baby's coughing doesn't improve after two days. Regardless of your baby's age, you should never medication without consultation Administer with the pediatrician. Essential oils are also taboo in babies.
Tips to solve coughs in children
- As a parent, take care that the child enough fluid takes. For the mucus solution and the moistening of the airways, fluid intake is important in order to get rid of a cold cough quickly. The best options for this are water and sugar-free, warm herbal teas.
- Keep your child warm! Frolicking in the snow may be tempting, but it is rather unproductive when you cough. Warm feet and a well-packed body are now a prerequisite.
- Get some rest. To be able to fight the pathogens, a child needs a lot of strength. It takes this through sleep and rest. The child should get enough sleep at night. Quiet activities are also the order of the day. There is nothing wrong with a short walk in the fresh air.
- Special cough syrup Children: If your child cannot cough up stubborn mucus, you are welcome to use a children's cough syrup. The cough syrup for children is alcohol-free, sugar-free and usually has a delicious taste. These loosen the mucus, make it easier to cough up and also strengthen the bronchial protection.
- Humidify the room air and ventilate regularly the nursery. Dry air is counterproductive for irritated mucous membranes. To keep the mucous membranes from drying out, you can put a vessel with water on the heater or hang up the fresh laundry in the nursery. You should ventilate the children's room for a few minutes a day. Make sure that your child is not sitting in a draft.
- Inhale vapors. The tried and tested method can work wonders to loosen the mucus in the airways. For older children, you can take a bowl of hot water and place a towel over the child's head. Optionally, an essential oil can be used. Never leave the child unsupervised with hot water. Special inhalers from the pharmacy are more suitable for children. Ask your doctor for a prescription for an inhalation device from a pharmacy.
- Go to the with your little protégé Doctorif the cough does not go away after a few days or if you have a fever in addition to the symptoms. Coughs in infants should generally be clarified by a doctor.
A quick summary of the cough
Dry cough, strong cough with phlegm, dry cough at night, a cough without a cold - it all sounds pretty complicated. If you have a cold, you only have to remember that a dry, tickly cough occurs in the first few days. This is usually followed by a "slimy cough". This mucus has to be coughed up so that the Infektion can disappear. You can Cough suppressants or use self-made cough syrup in the first few days to relieve dry coughs and sore throats. If the cough then appears with sputum, you can do one Cough remover to help you cough up the secretion.
The first point of contact for a more serious cough is always your family doctor. If necessary, he or she will refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or a specialist in pulmonology (pulmonology).
Please note that this text cannot give you a 100% diagnosis of your personal complaints. It is absolutely necessary that you see a doctor if you have a severe cough, fever, shortness of breath, bloody sputum or other unpleasant side effects.
Advertising / reference links (*): The references marked with an asterisk (*) are so-called commission links. The page modernbalance.net* participates in partner programs - more information on this in Imprint. If you click on such a reference link and shop via this link, we will receive a commission from your purchase. However, the price does not change for you.
Experiences and customer ratings (**) Disclaimer: The reviews and experiences with the products can vary from person to person and are not universally valid. It is recommended that you see a doctor for a medical diagnosis.
Please note: It is possible to change product specifications, prices, delivery times and costs in the meantime. Therefore, in principle, all information in this regard is provided without guarantee.
| # | Preview | Products | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Stilaxx cough suppressant 200 ml for dry cough -...* |
| To the shop * |
| 2 | | Doppelherz Throat Spray with Sea Buckthorn –...* |
| To the shop * |
| 3 | | Cough and runny nose: Herb and Root, Volume 3 * |
| To the shop * |