Coughing is a symptom that all of us have experienced, a defense mechanism the body uses to expel phlegm from the lungs and keep the throat and airways clear. Among the most common causes of coughs are the common cold, flu, and respiratory infections, conditions that, if not treated well, can trigger a persistent cough.
The cough can be acute or chronic; the first begins suddenly due to a viral condition and lasts at least three weeks. The second can be due to different situations and lasts more than three weeks; it is persistent. Treating the cough correctly is very important to prevent it from becoming a continuous symptom that affects our throat, chest, and mood. This FastlyHealarticle will explain everything about a persistent cough: causes and remedies.
Table of Contents
What does a persistent cough look like
A cough is considered persistent when it becomes chronic; it has lasted more than three weeks and does not respond effectively to the treatment used. Usually, this type of cough becomes irritating and hurts the throat due to the persistence of the episodes. A persistent cough can be dry or productive; the latter is recognized by coughing up phlegm, mucus, or sputum.
Persistent coughs are more common in winter, when temperatures drop, or in spring when viral illnesses are rampant. This type of cough may be accompanied by a series of additional symptoms that are very useful in determining the cause of the discomfort. Whenever a cough is considered persistent, it is necessary to see a doctor for an effective diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of persistent cough
Poorly cured disease
When the flu or common cold is not adequately treated, or treatment is stopped because symptoms improve, bacteria or microorganisms that were not eliminated can remain in the airways and continue to reproduce, causing persistent cough, phlegm, and irritation in the throat. It is essential in these cases to resume treatment again and take an expectorant or antitussive syrup to help the body fight the condition correctly.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of a persistent cough. The smoke that enters the lungs irritates the respiratory tract and hinders the correct oxygenation of the body. When a person smokes many cigarettes a day or has practiced this habit for many years, it is widespread that they begin to develop a chronic cough. A smoker’s cough usually occurs around the age of 40. It is a predictor of possible problems that may develop in the future that also cause coughs, such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. People who are constantly exposed to tobacco smoke can also be affected by a persistent cough. In the following article, we explain the substitutes for tobacco to stop smoking.
Respiratory infections
Among the infectious diseases of the respiratory system, bronchitis and pneumonia are the ones that most cause a persistent cough. These conditions usually generate a many FEMA production that causes the person to experience coughing for much longer since the body is forced to expel all the mucus and thus release all the bacteria that may have remained in the respiratory tract.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition that makes the airways narrow and swell, which makes sounds occur during breathing, Similar to beeps which are known by the name wheezing. Shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a persistent cough are also asthma symptoms. An asthmatic person can have an attack due to dust, pollen, animal hair, and poorly treated diseases. If you suffer from this disease, you can try to fight it with these natural remedies for asthma.
Allergy
Many people with a persistent cough believe that the discomfort is due to complications in the lungs or airways. However, among the most common causes of chronic cough are allergies, which are often accompanied by rhinitis and are caused chiefly by pollen and dust mites. A very allergic person can develop allergic bronchitis.
Postnasal drip
Another cause of a persistent cough is postnasal mucus drip from the nose into the throat, which is very common in people with a deviated septum or sinusitis. Treating the nasal condition is necessary to stop experiencing persistent coughing episodes throughout life.
Gastroesophageal reflux
It is one of the slightest thought causes and one of the most frequent. It is a picture where heartburn, reflux, and persistent cough stand out, which are very difficult to diagnose. This condition occurs when juices from the stomach pass into the esophagus, and the acidic substance can stimulate nerve receptors that cause coughing. Likewise, if the juices reach the pharynx and go down into the bronchi, they also cause persistent coughing. In the following FastlyHealarticle, you can discover everything about gastroesophageal reflux: causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Remedies for a persistent cough
Vaporizer
Vaporizers are excellent remedies for persistent coughs because they stimulate moisture in the dry throat and airways, helping to relieve discomfort and reduce coughing. If you don’t have a vaporizer at home, you can get the same effect by taking a hot shower and breathing in the steam or visiting a sauna.
Inhalations
They are the best remedy to treat a persistent cough because they allow the respiratory tract to directly receive all the properties of the natural ingredients that you decide to use. Many medicinal plants offer to decongest the bronchi and lungs, squid the cough, and relieve irritation in the throat and other respiratory routes.
However, for persistent coughs, we advise you to inhale eucalyptus, mint, and ginger, ingredients that exert a powerful astringent effect on the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus is an expectorant and bronchodilator plant that will help the body expel all accumulated phlegm.
- How to prepare the inhalations: heat a liter of water to a boil over high heat and add a handful of eucalyptus leaves, mint leaves, and a piece of ginger root. Let cook for 10 minutes, and then lower the heat to low. Bring your face close to the pot. Cover your head with a towel and, very carefully, begin to breathe in the steam that the cooking gives off for 15 minutes. Thyme or red onion inhalations are also very effective for persistent coughs. Ideally, take at least two inhalations a day.
Thyme infusion
Thyme is one of the best plants to treat respiratory infections such as chronic bronchitis naturally. Its main benefits include its expectorant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antibiotic, and astringent action, which will undoubtedly help heal respiratory system conditions. And to calm episodes of persistent coughing while clearing the airways and stimulating the expulsion of phlegm.
- How to prepare a thyme infusion: heat two cups of water to a boil and add two handfuls of fresh thyme leaves. Let cook for 15 minutes, and then let it rest for 6 minutes. Strain the preparation, serve in a cup and if you wish, add a little honey and lemon. Take two cups of thyme infusion a day, noticing the results.
Saltwater gargle
Mix two tablespoons of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle until you finish using all the mixture. In addition to offering relief from throat irritation, the warm salt water will help reduce attacks of persistent coughing.
Eat raw garlic on an empty stomach.
Garlic is one of the best natural antibiotics and expectorants, therefore an excellent remedy for a persistent cough. The best way to obtain the health benefits of garlic is by chewing a raw garlic clove on an empty stomach since, in this presentation, the garlic preserves its composition and properties intact while the stomach is empty to absorb its benefits better. . In the following FastlyHealarticle, you will discover all the properties and uses of eating raw garlic on an empty stomach.
Tips to improve a persistent cough
- The hot infusions help reduce throat irritation and reduce coughing spells.
- Avoid smoking or being exposed to tobacco smoke.
- Chewing ginger candy can help cough up your airways.
- The remedies for cough onion are very effective.
- Eating spicy foods offers an astringent effect on the respiratory tract.
- If you have a respiratory infection and your cough does not respond to treatment, see your doctor immediately.
- Keeping the house clean and avoiding curtains, blankets, and rugs help reduce persistent dust allergy coughs.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.