Discover the why’s and how’s of dry cough and smart moves to keep the winter blues away. Read on…
With the winter wind blowing in, cough and cold are probably just at your doorstep. Unlike normal cough, dry cough does not involve phlegm or in a more common language, snot. It is often characterised by little tickling sensations in the throat, inducing a cough.
Common triggers of dry cough
Though the causes of dry cough differ from person to person, the most common triggers of dry cough are listed below.
Exposure to allergic agents: On exposure to allergic agents like smoke (also cigarette smoke) and dust, silica, pollen grains and chemical agents, susceptible individuals may develop dry cough.
Respiratory diseases: People suffering from asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract disorders may develop dry cough as a symptom of the particular disorder.
Severe conditions: Sometimes, dry cough is just a result of some severe illness such as respiratory tract infections and pneumonia, or even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Others: Obstructions in the lung pathways, common cold, viral infections (more common in infants), whooping cough and many other factors are also known to cause dry cough.
Combat dry cough the easy way
Since the triggers of dry cough are many, diagnosis of correct treatment for this condition varies depending on the nature of the illness. However, more common forms of dry cough are easy to treat. Listed below are a few simple home-based treatments that significantly reduce the symptoms of cold cough.
Warm water: Gargling with warm water is probably the first line of defense against cold and cough, for many, and for a good reason. Warm water soothes down irritated inner linings of the throat. Adding a pinch of salt and turmeric to the water has added benefits. It discourages the growth of bacteria in the throat, speeding up the recovery process.
Turmeric: Turmeric is a natural antiseptic, which is why it is recommended as a treatment in all bacterial and viral infections. Add a pinch of turmeric powder to a spoonful of honey, and drink this twice a day.
Ginger: Ginger is an excellent home remedy for all kinds of cold and cough. Just adding a few drops to your tea, or sucking on cough drops can bring a big change in your condition. Ginger juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey also has many benefits. It coats the inner lining of the throat, reducing the tickling sensation and thereby the cough.
Onion and honey: Onion acts as a decongestant and soothes your airways. Chop one onion, extract the juice and mix it with one teaspoon of honey. Leave it for about five hours and this mixture turns into an effective cough syrup, which can be taken twice a day.
BDST: 1559 HRS, JAN 24, 2015
