Cough is a sudden, forceful hacking sound to release air and clear irritation in throat or airway. Coughing is a common natural reflex action of clearing throat of mucus or foreign particle and microbes which causes irritation in throat by means of fluid or phlegm.

Cough reflex takes follows three phase: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis & a violent release of air from lungs along with distinctive sound.

There are 2 types of cough:

1. Wet cough : when the respiratory system produces excess of mucus to flush out pathogen or airways and lungs is known as wet cough.

Wet cough may be well marked at night while lying down because the more change in position can cause more mucus to shift to back of throat.

2. Dry cough : when the airways are inflamed or irritated & cough will be lowered and expulsion of mucus will be less or no expulsion of mucus is known as dry cough.

Dry cough can be seen during day and night and can become bothersome which can disturb sleep, wide awake and tired next day.

Symtoms :

Symptoms of wet cough includes:

• Wheezing & Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Rattling ,bubbling, or popping sounds called crackle
• Snore like sound
• Tinged phlegm

Symotoms of dry cough includes:

• Dryness
• Tickling in chest
• Tightness in chest

Acute cough lasts for less than 3 weeks and chronic cough lasts for more than 8 weeks. Drinking plenty of water gives relief from cough because liquid helps in thinning mucus in throat and the warm drinks are soothing.

Does homeopathy have medicines for cough?

Homeopathy has many excellent and effective medicines which can cure the root cause of cough as homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances having no side effects.

The homeopathic mode of treatment can cure cough by enhancing patient’s immunity by making patients less susceptible to infections, allergens and other environmental factors .

Duration of homeopathic treatment for cough:

Mostly in the duration if 6 to 8 weeks patient response to homeopathic Treatment .

 The total duration of the homeopathic Treatment can vary from 4 months to 2 years depending upon the response of the immune system of patient.

Causes:

Viruses, common cold, flu and irritants (such as smoke, dust, foreign particles) are the most common cause of cough.

Common cause of acute cough includes:

• Flu
• Cold
• Acute bronchitis
• Sinusitis
• Pneumonia
• Whooping cough
• Common cause of chronic cough includes:
• Chronic bronchitis
• Asthma
• Allergies
• COPD
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Smoking
• Postnasal drip

The risk factors of acute rhinitis are as follow :

• Weak immune system
• Smoking
• Exposure to virus

Conventional treatments are:

• Decongestants
• Cough suppressants
• Methanol cough drops
• Antihistamines

Homeopathic medicines for cough are:

• Aconite
• Antimonium tartaricum
• Bryonia
• Drosera
• Phosphorus