HOW TO HELP DRY COUGH

Cough is reflex action which helps to clear airway of any irritants and mucus. There are 2 types of cough dry cough and  wet cough.

• A wet or productive cough is that where mucus or phlegm is produced.
• A dry or non-productive cough doesn’t produce mucus or phlegm

By forceful expulsion of air throat can become irritated and dry which may leads to development of  sore throat. With unproductive or dry cough individual mainly cough up air and it is vigorous , lasts longer than 3 weeks will put strain on lungs or chest muscles

Many individuals feel tightness in chest with dry cough  and feel like a weight is put on chest. With sudden and unexplained chest pain may be a sign of heart attack and will need immediate medical care.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRY COUGHS ?

Many health conditions can contribute in development of dry cough that may includes :

• Bronchitis
• GRED(Gastro esophageal reflux disease)
• Allergies, asthma , exposure to irritants and chemicals etc
• Certain medications such as medication of High B.P
• Croup
• Pneumonia
• Postnasal drip
• Whooping cough
• Smoking
• Vocal cord dysfunction

CAN DRY COUGH BE SYMPTOM OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS ?

In some rare cases chronic dry cough can be a symptom of severe or life -threatening health conditions like :

• Lung cancer
• Cystic fibrosis
• Sleep apnea
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Heat failure
• Pulmonary embolism
• Tuberculosis

HOME REMEDIES TO HELP MANAGE DRY COUGH :

• Intake of spoonful of Honey : Honey have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties that helps to soothes the sore throat and provide relief from dry cough . So take spoonful of honey at least 2-3 times a day to stop coughing
• Drink plenty of Liquid : Drink hot tea, water , green tea helps to soothes the irritated airway and provide hydration to body
• Use of Humidifier : The dry air tends to aggravate the dry cough in individuals. Humidifier can be used to put moisture into air to provide relief from the dry cough and also soothes sore throat, nasal passage
• Aromatherapy with eucalyptus : The essential oil of Eucalyptus helps to ease dry cough as it work as decongestant. Inhaling steam of eucalyptus oil mixed water can provide maximum relief
• Saltwater Gargling : Doing gargles with saltwater helps to soothes sore throat and lessens the urge to cough
• Licorice Root : Licorice roots have antioxidant and inflammatory properties. Consuming tea made of licorice rot helps to soothe the throat and provide relief from dry cough.
• Turmeric: It contain curcumin which has anyi-microbial, anti-inflammatory properties. Consume warm milk with a pinch of turmeric helps to provide relief from dry cough and other respiratory diseases.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRY COUGH :

Some measures to take to lower the chances of developing Dry cough :

• Maintain good hygiene and wash hands more often to prevent respiratory illnesses
• Quite smoking and also avoid second hand smoking to lower the chances of dry cough
• Avoids allergens and irritants such as molds, chemicals and fragrances that can trigger dry cough

AYURVED APPROACH :

In Ayurved it can be coorelated to Vataja kasa is on among the five types of cough explained in  ancient texts as the cough is dry in nature with absence of phlegm.  Due to consumption of excessive cold, dry and predominantly astringent in taste food, starvation for longer duration , suppressing natural urges, excessive physical activities etc causes vitiation of Vata dosha . The aggravated vata casuse moves towards upper body channels  and lodged into chest and throat leading to development of Disease.

PATHYA AHAR (WHOLESOME DIET) ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA :

• Wheat, rice that is harvested within 60 days
• Meat of animals and birds living in marshy regions
• Hot water
• Tender radish
• Use of sesame oil
• Milk, curd, sugarcane juice and items prepared using jaggery

HERBS :

• Lavanga
• Vasa
• Snuthi
• Pippli
• Karkatashrngi
• Bharangi

PANCHAKARMA

• Nasya
• Snigdha swedan
• Vaman
• Virechan
• Dhumapana

CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE MEDICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRY COUGH

1. Anu Tailam

Anu tailam is herbal and ayurvedic oil used for the nasal instillation for curing the various diseases.  It is administrated through the nasal passage to lubricate, protect and calm the mind. It includes – Sesame oil, Bael tree root, Solanum root, Cinnamon stem bark, Holostemma tuber, cardamom fruit, etc. It mainly balances the Kapha dosha and is beneficial in diseases of head, brain, face, nose, and eyes. Its use is generally recommended in chronic headache, problem of migraine, sinusitis, improves the voice, and vocal cords. Anu tailam gives effective results to asthma patients.

Recommended Dosage– Put 2-3 drops of Anu tailam in each nostril.

2. Broncho care syrup:

Broncho care is ayurvedic syrup containing ingredients such as Vasa patra (Adhatoda vasica), Kantkari (Solanum surattense), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), etc. It is mainly used in chronic cough, bronchitis, whooping cough, common cold, etc.

Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day.

3. Cough Go Tablets:

These herbal tablets are beneficial in cough, cold, bronchitis, & other respiratory disorders. Cough Go Tablets are ayurvedic formulation containing Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Kali mirch (Piper nigrum), etc. All these ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, & expectorant properties.

Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

4. Kantha Sudharak Vati:

The ingredients used for the preparation of the Kantha sudharak vati are Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Lavang (Syzygium aromaticum), Javitri (Myristica fragrans), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi).This is prepared from soothing and expectorant herbs thus relief all throat problems. It gives very effective results in chronic laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma.

Recommended Dosage– Take 2 tablets thrice a day.

5. Swas Kas Chintamani Ras:

Swas Kas Chintamani Ras is an Ayurvedic medicine in tablet form, used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. This medicine should be used under medical supervision. This medicine is most commonly used in north Indian Ayurvedic practice. These tablets are pure Ayurvedic preparatipon  which contains pure herbal ingredients like swarna bhasma, shuddha parad, shuddha gandhak, suwaranmakshik bhasma,  loha bhasma, yashtimadhu, kantakari, etc. It is used in the treatment of cough, cold, bronchitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic bronchitis.

Recommended dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.