Almost everyone has experienced a dry cough. This cough is characterized by itching in the throat and is not accompanied by phlegm. Well, dry cough can be overcome in various ways, either using natural ingredients or taking cough medicine.
Coughing is the body's natural response to clear the respiratory tract of mucus or foreign objects. In general, there are two types of cough, namely cough with phlegm and dry cough.
A dry cough is usually caused by the flu. However, other conditions can also trigger a dry cough, such as asthma, bronchitis, GERD, allergies, respiratory infections, and COVID-19.
A dry cough often gets worse at night, making it difficult for sufferers to sleep. In addition, a dry cough that is prolonged and severe can also cause dizziness, headaches, difficulty holding urination, vomiting, fainting, and even broken ribs.
In order not to interfere with daily activities or to cause complications, dry cough must be treated immediately, either naturally or by taking medicine for dry cough.
Signs of a Dry Cough
The signs of a dry cough can vary, depending on the cause. A dry cough that appears quickly or is acute is usually caused by an infection and is accompanied by the following signs:
- Fever
- Shivering
- Body feels sore
- Sore throat
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Headache
- Have a cold
Meanwhile, a dry cough that appears gradually over a long period of time or is chronic can be caused by certain conditions or diseases, such as exposure to chemicals or irritating substances, smoking habits, acid reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). .
If it is caused by a certain disease, the signs of a dry cough that appear depend on the condition causing it. For example, heartburn in people with GERD, or difficulty breathing and wheezing in people with asthma.
How to Overcome a Dry Cough
A dry cough can cause sore throat and discomfort, especially when speaking.
To overcome a dry cough, there are several ways you can do, either using natural ingredients or taking medicine for dry cough. Here are the ways:
1. Gargle with salt water
Salt water is believed to relieve inflammation and overcome a dry cough. You can mix teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
Gargle with the salt water for 30 seconds while tilting your head. After that, discard the salt water and don't swallow it.
2. Adding honey to the drink
If your throat hurts from a dry cough, honey can be one way to relieve it. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation in the throat. You can simply add honey to a cup of tea or warm lemon water.
3. Using a humidifier (humidifier)
The dry air in the room can also trigger a dry cough. Therefore, you can use humidifier to humidify the indoor air. This can make you feel more comfortable and help heal a dry cough.
4. Consuming warm food or drinks
Warm food or drink is the right choice to clear the throat, especially when you have a dry cough. Hot soup or tea can moisturize and reduce itching in the throat, as well as prevent dehydration.
5. Taking dry cough medicine
If some of the natural ways above are not effective for dealing with a dry cough, you can take over-the-counter cough medicines. Make sure you choose cough medicine according to the type of cough and have been registered with BPOM.
Dry cough medicines usually contain decongestants, dextromethorphan, or chlorpheniramine.
Decongestants aim to relieve nasal congestion that usually accompanies a dry cough. Dextromethorphan It works by suppressing the cough reflex so that the frequency of coughing is reduced. Meanwhile, chlorpheniramine In dry cough medicine it acts as an antihistamine.
Combination dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine It is known to be effective against sneezing, runny nose, and cough caused by the flu.
If you want to take medicine for a dry cough, make sure you choose one that is free of sugar and alcohol, and doesn't cause drowsiness so it doesn't interfere with your daily activities.
In addition to applying some of the methods above, you also need to consume more water or fluids during a dry cough. Fluids will help keep you from becoming dehydrated and keep your throat moist, thereby speeding up the recovery process.
If your dry cough does not go away for more than 3 weeks or gets worse until it causes shortness of breath or a high fever, immediately consult a doctor for further treatment and treatment. Likewise, if a dry cough is accompanied by chest pain, drastic weight loss, or swelling in the neck.