Mechanism of Cough
Causes of Chronic Cough
Most common causes in nonsmoker are
Post nasal discharge syndrome (PNDS) or upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), Asthma, GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease.
Other causes
- Tuberculosis, Foreign body of nose or bronchus, Pertussis, some medications like ACE inhibitors and b-blockers for high blood pressure,
- Other less common causes are bronchogenic carcinoma, congestive cardiac failure, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and psychogenic.
- “Chronic cough in smokers is most commonly because of allergy, post nasal discharge, GERD, bronchitis and cancer.”
Conditions Causing Cough
Asthma second common cause of chronic cough, it is leading cause in children. Usually it is associated with shortness of breath or wheezing but sometimes asthmatic patients may only have cough. It is aggravated by cold air, strong fumes and exertion.
GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux) Acid from stomach flow back to esophagus. Patient may have heart burn/sour taste/regurgitation of food material but there may be clinically silent GERD.
It is treated by life styleand food habit changes read more GER H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) also given for 3 months along with cough medicines.
Lung cancer or bronchogenic carcinoma is rare cause but in a smoker when nature of cough changes suddenly with blood in mucus, it should raise suspicion to rule out the cancer.
Though it does not replace proper diagnosis and medical management but it helps as supportive treatment in faster recovery and reduces sleepless nights , Proper Rest , Take balanced diet with plenty of vitamin and minerals to boost defense mechanism , Vitamin c and zinc supplements.
- Keep hydration adequate.
- Hot soups like tomato soup, chicken soup works wonder in thinning of secretions.
- Black pepper, basil leaves, cloves and ginger boil with water and drink at night time; it’s soothing and helps in mucus coming out.
- Honey is age old miraculous natural cure from cough.
- One pinch of turmeric with 1 cup warm milk helps in easy expulsion of mucus.
- Researches show ginger, garlic and onion has medicinal properties and helps in cold and cough.
- Gargles with warm saline (salt in warm water)
- Saline irrigation or nasal wash (1/4 teaspoonful of salt in lukewarm water)
- Humidification.
- Steam inhalation.
- Avoid smoking; active and passive.
- Avoid alcohol as it increases swelling of mucus membrane.
- Avoid dust, pollen, pets, deodorants, chemical irritants.
- Do deep breathing exercises.
- Get flu vaccine before season starts, it works.
