A cough that is characterized by a lack of mucus is known as dry cough. There are many causes, symptoms and treatments of dry cough. In this story we will discuss dry cough symptoms.
When you have irritation or inflammation in the throat or lungs, the body responds by coughing. There are two types of cough - dry cough and congested cough. The causes and treatment of both these types of cough are different. A dry cough is characterized by a high-pitched cough where the airways become restricted and there is an absence of mucus. Dry cough itself is a symptom of some disease ranging from mild to serious.
A chronic bout of coughing can be very embarrassing and awkward if you are in an important meeting. If you're in a situation where you will be talking for a prolonged period of time, it is a good idea to have a glass of water by your side. Sip this water whenever you take a break from talking as this will help to moisten your throat and reduce irritation.
Symptoms of Dry Cough
Dry coughing symptoms are hard to miss. You will feel an unbearable ticklish sensation in your throat and there will not be any phlegm. You can also suffer from intense hacking bouts of coughing, which might result in fatigue and redness in the face. You might also show symptoms of rapid and shallow breathing with great difficulty in talking.
Other Symptoms that Occur with Dry Cough
Dry cough is often accompanied by some other symptoms which differs according to the underlying disease that it is caused due to. Some other symptoms that might accompany dry cough are as follows:
Chest pain
Fever
Difficulty in breathing
Sore throat
Heartburn
Hoarse voice
Nasal congestion
Sour taste in mouth
Wheezing
Nausea
Swollen neck lymph nodes
Dry Cough Causes
Dry cough may be caused due to various reasons. It can be something as mild as an allergy or common cold or something potentially life-threatening. Some causes of dry cough are as follows:
Common cold
Laryngitis
Upper respiratory tract infection
Asthma
Pneumonia
Side effect of smoking
Tuberculosis
Pericarditis
Heartburn
Pleurisy
Sinus problems and post natal drip
Acute bronchitis
Emphysema
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Whooping cough
Croup
There are many reasons for having a dry cough. These can vary from allergies, viral infections, flu, asthma and exposure to certain chemicals or foreign matter. People who smoke excessively are also prone to having dry cough.
Dry Cough Treatment
Here are some dry cough treatment that you can try.
Combine a steaming glass of milk with a tablespoon of honey. Drink this slowly before going to bed to prevent coughing at night. The warm milk will also soothe you and can help you fall asleep if you suffer from insomnia.
The steam from a warm shower can also helps to hydrate irritated throat passages, reducing the urge to cough. Let the shower in the bathroom run open and keep the door closed for at least ten minutes. After ten minutes enter the bathroom and breathe in the warm steam. This can be quite effective for reducing symptoms of dry cough.
Keep a packet of throat lozenges or candy with you and pop it into your mouth whenever you feel the urge to cough. This will provide you with immediate, albeit temporary relief from coughing. You can also have a small piece of ginger when you have the urge to cough.
Another great remedy for relieving dry cough symptoms is to add 3 to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Adjust the amount of apple cider vinegar you add in the water to get the taste to your liking. Sip this mixture slowly. You can keep a glass of this mixture besides you and just take a sip when you have the urge to cough.
A very good remedy to get rid of dry cough symptoms is to have a hot cup of black tea into which a teaspoon of lemon juice and honey is added. The honey helps to soothe an irritated throat and tea is very therapeutic.
You can also add three cloves of minced garlic to milk and drink this concoction to cure chronic dry cough. Throat infection also causes dry cough and to get rid of it you should try having a glass of milk into which 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed turmeric is added.
You can also take over-the-counter cough suppressant to get quick relief from dry cough.
The best way to prevent dry cough is to avoid sitting in a stuffy room. Dry cough symptoms tend to get worse when you stay in poorly ventilated rooms for long periods of time. To increase the humidity levels, purchase a humidifier and ensure that you open the doors and windows of the rooms that you work in. This will not only prevent dry cough, but will also reduce the risk of your developing respiratory tract infection.