Cough is the most common and frequent reason for going to health care centres, which is present in
about 8% of all consultations. Globally, it is reported that the annual prevalence of cough is approximately
10 to 33 %.
A cough is the most common symptom of many types of sickness and allergies, sometime cough signifies something a little more serious. It’s an important defensive reflex in which air is rapidly expelled from the lungs, which helps to protect the lungs. The purpose of cough is to clear the throat and air passage from mucus, smoke, and allergens like dust, mould, pollen, and other irritants.
Upper respiratory tract infections and acute bronchitis are the most common causes of acute cough, which together account for more than 60% of diagnosed cases.
Types of cough
There are different types of cough, which most commonly occur as dry cough, productive cough, paroxysmal cough, and croup cough.
Productive cough
Also known as
wet cough, which typically brings up mucus. Mostly wet cough is caused by cold or flu, with other accompanying symptoms such as a runny nose, postnasal drip, and fatigue.
Dry cough
It is also known as
non-productive cough. A dry cough irritates and it is usually associated with a tickly throat. The most common cause of dry cough is upper respiratory infections especially because of the virus of cold and flu. Allergies or throat irritants (smoke, pollen & dust particles, etc) can also cause dry cough).
Paroxysmal cough/Whooping Cough
Paroxysmal cough is having
frequent and violent coughing that produces a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like a "whoop" & makes it difficult in breathing for a person. It is commonly caused by
Bordetella pertussis bacterium that infects the respiratory tract.
Croup cough
A viral infection of the respiratory tract causes tracheal swelling which obstructs normal breathing. It produces
stridor (musical breathing) due to disrupted airflow. The patient also develops a
hoarse voice & a barking cough.
Homoeopathic Medicines for Cough
Homoeopathic way of treatment is a safe and effective treatment, to cure both acute and chronic illnesses.
Homoeopathic Medicines are prescribed according to the totality of symptoms (mental, physical & emotional) of the patient, not just by the name of the disease he has. Homoeopathy also offers a long-lasting to permanent cure and has resourceful medicines that can help to cure all types of cough. Homoeopathic medicines that are used to treat cough are:
Dryness of all mucous membranes is the main characteristic symptom of this remedy. The Bryonia patient is very irritable at the beginning of a common cold with nasal discharge that moves down to the chest. Tough mucus is produced in the larynx and trachea, and gets better only after much hawking and worse by least motion and in warm temperatures. Children are also sensitive to drought and catching a cold.
Dr. Hahnemann pointed out Drosera rotundifolia as the principal remedy for whooping cough, paroxysms that are accompanied by choking and vomiting. It is also indicated for a spasmodic, dry irritative cough aggravated by lying down and after midnight. Children are usually seen holding their chests during coughing spells. Drosera rotundifolia especially acts on respiratory organs, it helps to treat the deep hoarse voice.
This
remedy mildly stimulates the respiratory centre and is also used in hay fever with the cough.
The characteristic symptom of this remedy is a constant and violent cough with every breath. This is indicated in continued sneezing and coryza with wheezing cough. Feeling of constriction in the chest and tickling in the throat that causes cough. Cough aggravates in hot, humid, and in changing weather.
The best action of this remedy is on the respiratory tract; has cured many cases of cough with a great accumulation of mucus in the chest that causes rattling in the chest, especially in old people. It is also indicated in hacking cough with loss of voice and on coughing bursting pain feel in back. Cough often ends in a sneeze.
The characteristic symptom of this remedy is dry cough in the evening and at night, a patient wants to sit up in bed to take a breath easily and a productive cough with yellow or greenish expectoration, especially in the morning. It helps emit urine with the cough. Cough symptoms are worse in a warm room, in warm weather, and lying down, especially on the left side.
Best indicated for dry, teasing cough that prevents sleep. Tickling sensation in throat pit that causes cough. This remedy decreases the secretion of mucous membranes. Cough worse from pressure, talking and especially from cold air and at night.
The best action of this remedy is on respiratory organs especially croup cough that worse during inspiration and before midnight. It is effective for dryness of all air passage, and the absence of sputum that causes hoarse voice. Hoarseness, larynx dry and sensitive to touch.
This
remedy indicated dry, hacking cough worse from inspiration and at night. Loose cough in the morning. It helps to treat the tracheitis and dropping of mucus posteriorly.
