Coughing has many causes, therefore every choice of remedy is preceded by a detailed questioning (anamnesis) of the patient. The following questions are important: Why does the patient coughWhen does the patient cough, triggers, what improves and what aggravates the symptomsType of cough and accompanying circumstances.
Dry cough
In case of dry cough in connection with a rapidly beginning flu-like (feverish) infection, one first thinks of aconitum and belladonna. Cold infection after exposure to cold east wind, short and dry cough, whistling noises when inhaling, hot and dry skin, face red when lying down, pale when touching down. The symptoms worsen at night (around midnight) and in the cold.
Sudden onset, skin red and sweaty, large pupils, wants to stay warm despite sweating, throbbing pulse (especially on the neck), strong thirst. The pharyngeal mucosa is bright red, cough stimulus starting from the throat, dry, crampy. The tremors of coughing, for example, increase headaches.
Belladonna is generally sensitive to shocks. Speaking a lot makes the cough worse. All symptoms are worsened in the cold and at night. The infection does not start very stormy but develops slowly. Here the dry cough causes stabbing pains in the chest, these are aggravated by deep breathing, the coughing irritation gets worse when staying in warm rooms.
Dry cough, which then migrates to bronchi
Initially dry cough, later the infection moves from the nasopharynx to the bronchi, then also cough with small amounts of sputum Dry mucous membranes in the nasopharynx, tormenting, dry, barking irritable cough, later little sputum. Feeling of shattering. Bryonia is also thought of in the case of chronic bronchitis of older people associated with chesty cough. The symptoms get worse at night, when lying down and in cold air.
Crampy and chesty cough
Dry cough, coughing attacks in quick succession, making it difficult to take a breath, shortness of breath, red head. Possibly also nausea, stabbing pain in the chest, the patient tries to relieve it by counter-pressure. The coughing attacks become worse at night, also by speaking a lot and in a warm room.
They become better outside in the cool and fresh air. In general, the patients seem depressed. Cramp cough with a feeling of suffocation, coarse rattle in the bronchi, cough but hardly productive, mucus very viscous.
Tendency to vomit when coughing, exhausted and exhausted. Hoarseness to the point of loss of voice. The cough becomes worse by movement and drinking cold drinks.
