Various ways to treat cough with phlegm

There are various ways to treat cough with phlegm. You can do simple treatments at home or take cough medicine with phlegm, either over-the-counter or with a doctor's prescription.

Coughing up phlegm occurs when the body tries to expel phlegm or mucus from the respiratory tract. This cough accompanied by phlegm can be caused by the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, or asthma. In order for your health condition to recover quickly, you need to know the right way to treat cough with phlegm.

How to Relieve a Cough with phlegm

To relieve cough with phlegm, here are some things you can do:

• Drink warm water

  One of the easiest ways to treat cough with phlegm is to increase the consumption of warm water. When you drink warm water, the phlegm stuck in the back of the throat can become thinner, making it easier to expel.

• Hot shower

  In addition to consuming warm water, taking a warm bath is also one way to deal with coughing up phlegm. Hot steam can help clear the throat, loosen phlegm, and relieve stubborn coughs.

• Drink honey

  Drinking honey can also relieve cough with phlegm. Honey contains antibacterial ingredients and is believed to relieve itching in the throat.

• Use humidifier

  Use humidifier Or a humidifier can relieve coughing up phlegm, because when you breathe in moist air, the phlegm becomes thinner and easier to expel.

• Gargling salt water

  To remove the phlegm stuck in the back of the throat, you are advised to rinse your mouth with salt water. Salt water is believed to be able to thin phlegm, relieve sore throats, and kill germs lodged in the mouth.

Choice of cough medicine with phlegm

If these methods have been done but the cough with phlegm does not subside, you can take cough medicine with phlegm that is sold over-the-counter or with a doctor's prescription. Types of cough medicine commonly used to treat cough with phlegm are:

• Expectorant

  Expectorant cough medicines can make phlegm easier to expel when coughing. This type of drug is able to suppress the production of mucin, namely the protein contained in phlegm, so that the phlegm becomes more watery. Examples of the content of cough medicines that are included in the type of expectorant are: guaifenesin.

• Mucolytic

  Mucolytic cough medicine works to thin phlegm so that it is easier to expel when coughing. One of the contents of cough medicine which is a type of mucolytic drug is: bromhexine.

If the cough with phlegm that you are suffering from does not improve with treatment and self-medication at home, immediately consult a doctor for treatment. Especially if the cough with phlegm has lasted more than two weeks.