The treatment
The treatment of the symptom cough depends on the underlying disease. If you have a cold, you can inhale hot steam with table salt to dissolve the mucus and make the cough less painful. In bacterial colds, an antibiotic can support the immune system in its fight against the pathogen.
A cough blocker, such as codeine, should only be taken at night, as productive cough is a protective mechanism and not a disease. In the case of chronic bronchitis or COPD, inhalations with medication also help. A pseudocrupp attack in small children can be interrupted by cold air in front of the window or the refrigerator.
Allergy sufferers often benefit from classic, over-the-counter antiallergics. Asthmatics usually have an emergency spray for severe attacks, which they can take themselves. For coughs caused by reflux, especially the sleeping position with raised upper body is helpful and some sufferers also receive medication to inhibit acid production.
For people with heart failure, the underlying disease must be stabilized. Various medications are available for this purpose. In the case of frequent nightly water retention in the lungs, draining medications can also be used.
If irritable cough is caused by medication such as ACE inhibitors, the medication should be changed. Codeine is a weak opioid that can block the coughing stimulus centrally in the brain and can also be used as an analgesic. Codeine is available only on prescription because it can be addictive.
The side effects are fatigue, constipation, nausea and vomiting. After taking codeine, the person is not fit to drive on the road. Codeine should only be used for irritable coughs, as productive coughing takes over an important cleaning function of the respiratory tract and should therefore not be blocked.
More information on this topic can be found here: The codeine. There are many different household remedies for coughs caused by colds. Camomile or ginger teas should have an anti-inflammatory effect and thus alleviate the coughing irritation.
Inhalation of steam with common salt or chamomile can dissolve the mucus in the respiratory tract and facilitate coughing. Various herbal oils can also be added to the water. Homemade onion juice is also said to help with coughs.
The room temperature should also be controlled and even dry air can irritate the airways. However, the most important household remedy is simply water. If you suffer from a cold, you should drink a lot to loosen the mucus. Household remedies for a cold?
