Coughing Fits

What many people do not realize when they say something like they are suffering from cough is that coughing is not a disease but a symptom. It is a reaction of the body to the lungs getting affected and thus, irritated. The body by this mechanism manages to keep the throat clear.

While generally a cough is just a reflex action to clean one's airway, there are instances when constant coughing can be a symptom of a more serious disease. While severe fits can be extremely irritating, it is important to know that expelling the mucus from one's body is a way of healing it.

On the other hand fits of coughing that are dry do not successfully expel mucus or heal the body but are generally a result of irritation.

Uncontrollable bouts of coughing can be categorized into three categories which are discussed in detail in the section below. This will help you understand what your cough is symptomatic of.

An acute cough generally occurs suddenly and stays for a period of three to four weeks. This can be caused by a variety of reasons like common cold and respiratory tract infections including the flu or pneumonia. Sinusitis and allergies can also cause acute fits, especially if you are taking a post nasal drip in case of an allergy.

Usually acute coughing bouts need no treatment but you can take over-the-counter medication, like anti-histamines and decongestants. If you go to a medical professional, then you may be asked to take an antibiotic.

Bouts that last for more than three weeks are categorized under sub-acute coughs.If you have been suffering from a cold or a viral infection, then there is a possibility that you will suffer from a cough for several weeks after you recover from the cold. Bronchitis generally results in these fits and one does not normally need medication to treat the same.

You can take a combination of a decongestant and an antihistamine to treat it, if you feel that the healing period is taking too long.

If you have had recurring fits for more than eight weeks then you are suffering from something that most doctors classify as chronic cough. Most doctors while treating a chronic cough do not try to alleviate the symptom but treat the root cause of the coughing.

Chronic fits of coughing are generally a result of diseases and conditions like asthma, emphysema resultant from smoking, bronchitis (chronic), and also due to intake of medications like ACE inhibitors and Beta-blockers which are generally prescribed as treatment for migraine. The most common cause of chronic cough is post-nasal drip from acute sinusitis.

Heart failure, lung cancer are the more serious conditions that can result in chronic coughing. In case of lung cancer, along with severe coughing, the patient may spit up blood and experience difficulty in breathing. If you have severe bouts of coughing at night or have fits of coughing after eating, it could be resultant of acid reflux disease or GERD.

If you have been having fits of coughing in the morning and you are a smoker then that is probably the reason behind the incessant coughing and the only remedy for it is to quit smoking. If you do stop smoking and are still having these fits, then go back to the one pack a day routine.

While you may ridicule the remedy, the fact is that sudden withdrawal may be causing the coughing. The fits will continue for a while till your body readjusts itself to the change of not smoking. Stopping incessant coughing can be of extreme importance as it can make you feel drained out and tired.

So if the treatment mentioned here does not work or you are not a smoker, there are remedies that you can try at home so that you get some relief from the constant and incessant coughing.

• Using a humidifier is generally a great way of obtaining relief from constant coughing. If you do not have a humidifier, you can use a steamy shower or a bath.

• Drinking water helps expelling mucus from one's lungs. Try and have as much warm liquid as you can, like soup or warm water with lemon.
• If you are coughing up phlegm while having these fits, then it may be a good idea to take an expectorant but if the bouts are primarily dry, then take an over-the-counter cough suppressant.

• A good recipe for a cough suppressant can be prepared at home with a combination of honey and lemon juice.

Mixing one tablespoon of lemon juice with half a tablespoon of honey and taking this mixture once every hour will help in soothing your throat.

Another cough suppressant that works well is drinking a glass of grape juice to which one tablespoon of honey has been added, everyday.

• A good remedy is to grind almonds that have been soaked overnight, with sugar and butter and eat a tablespoon of the same every morning for five days.

• Opening up your nasal passage is one way to obtain relief from coughing bouts. Usage of saline drops for the same can be a good solution.

These are just some of the remedies you can use to relieve yourself from coughing bouts that are making your life miserable. If after taking these remedies, you are still not at ease, it is imperative that you consult a doctor who can diagnose your condition and prescribe proper medication and design a treatment plan.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.