A dry cough can be a pesky symptom that’s hard to shake. Whether it’s due to a cold, allergies, or an underlying health condition, a persistent dry cough can be disruptive and uncomfortable. But numerous home remedies for your dry cough can help soothe your throat and provide much-needed relief. Here’s a comprehensive guide to some effective home remedies for a dry cough.
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What triggers a dry cough?
A dry cough can be triggered by a variety of factors, ranging from common illnesses to environmental conditions. Here are some of the key triggers:
- Common Cold or Flu: A dry cough is often a symptom of viral illnesses such as the common cold or flu.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions to dust, pollen, or certain foods can cause a dry cough.
- Asthma: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases often manifest symptoms including a persistent dry cough.
- Environmental Factors: A dry atmosphere, air pollution, and sudden temperature changes can also trigger a dry cough.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Gastroesophageal reflux, where stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, can lead to a chronic dry cough.
- Post-Nasal Drip: This condition, where excess mucus drips down the back of your throat, can cause a dry cough.
- Irritants: Exposure to cigarette smoke or other environmental irritants can lead to a chronic dry cough.
In rare cases, a persistent dry cough can also be a symptom of more serious conditions like pneumonia or even lung cancer. Therefore, if your dry cough persists for a long time or is accompanied by other severe symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention.
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Best Home Remedies For Dry Cough
Here are some of the best home remedies for dry cough that you can try to get some relief.
1. Honey
Honey is widely recognized for its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties, which can help soothe sore throats and relieve dry coughs. You can take it alone or mix it with hot water or tea. Not only does it taste great, but research also suggests that honey may be as effective as over-the-counter cough medicines.
2. Turmeric and Ginger
Turmeric and ginger are two potent herbs known for their medicinal benefits. Both have anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe irritated airways, making them excellent home remedies for a dry cough. You can add them to your food, or tea, or even consume them raw.
3. Steam inhalation
Similar to warm or hot liquids, steam from hot water can aid in hydrating the parched and irritable tissues in your throat and nasal passages. It can also lessen coughing and help as home remedies for dry cough.
Water can be heated on the stove, in a kettle, or in a microwave. After that, transfer the water to a bowl. For two to three minutes, cover your head with a towel and slowly breathe in the warm, humid air.
Inhaling the steam while bathing is another option when taking a hot shower. Close the bathroom door, turn on a hot shower, and let the steam build if you want the steam but don’t need the shower. Inhale deeply from the damp air.
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4. Marshmallow Root and Peppermint
Marshmallow root has been used for centuries as home remedies for dry cough and sore throat, while peppermint can soothe the throat and act as a decongestant. These herbs can be consumed as teas or lozenges.
5. Hydration
Staying hydrated is crucial when dealing with a dry cough. Drinking plenty of fluids can keep your throat moist and reduce the irritation that leads to coughing. Hot beverages like tea or broth can be particularly soothing.
6. Turmeric
Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, may have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, it is helpful as home remedies for dry cough. When curcumin is taken with black pepper, it is better absorbed into the bloodstream. One teaspoon of turmeric and one-eighth teaspoon of black pepper can be added to a drink, like orange juice. It can also be prepared as a heated tea.
For millennia, Ayurvedic medicine has utilised turmeric to treat asthma, bronchitis, and upper respiratory ailments.
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7. Saltwater Gargle
A simple saltwater gargle can provide quick relief for a sore, scratchy throat, which often accompanies a dry cough. Just mix a half teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and gargle the solution for a few seconds before spitting it out.
8. Diet
Although you may believe that eating merely aggravates your stomach or gastrointestinal tract, certain foods may also be the cause of a dry cough. Food allergies may cause symptoms such as coughing. If a particular food causes you to cough up dry mucus, try avoiding that food for a bit to see if that helps.
A dry cough might also result from acid reflux. Meals high in fat and acidic meals (like tomatoes) are often the cause of acid reflux. Dry coughs and other symptoms of acid reflux can also be made worse by chocolate, coffee, and spicy foods.
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When to see a doctor?
The above-listed home remedies for dry coughs might not always work for a chronic, hard-to-treat cough. If the cough is not treated for an extended period, it could indicate the onset of a more serious chronic illness or worsen existing conditions including heart disease, lung cancer, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). You must see a physician to determine the cause of your dry cough to receive the right diagnosis and course of therapy.
Typically, a more significant problem arises when two or more of the symptoms listed below are present.
- Elevated (prolonged) fever
- Breathlessness
- Spitting blood
- Decrease in appetite
- Bodily weakness and exhaustion
- Chest pain not related to coughing
- Sweats at night
Serious coughing, for example, is a common sign of IPF, although it usually comes with additional symptoms, such as shortness of breath. Therefore, it is always advisable to visit the doctor and have a thorough examination if you try home remedies for dry cough and they don’t help.
Conclusion
Dry cough can have many causes and it can last long. However, several effective home remedies for dry cough can provide you with some comfort.
Remember, these remedies can provide temporary relief, but it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional if your dry cough persists or is accompanied by other severe symptoms. Stay healthy!
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Disclaimer: The content of this article is compiled information from generic and public sources. It is in no way a substitute, suggestion, or advice for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. Beato App does not claim responsibility for this information.
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