Are you suffering from a cough? It’s best to know about some medicines available to get instant relief from it. You’ll find various over-the-counter (OTC) cough drugs on the market. But how to choose the best one that can give you instant relief and doesn’t leave side effects. Your cough type, symptoms, and health will help determine which cough medicine (or combination of medications) will work for you.
You may need to consult with a doctor if you’ve been coughing for several days or if your cough is severe to determine whether you need an alternative medication. Also, consult with your doctor before taking any medicines.
Causes of A Cough
A cough that lasts more than a few days may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. To keep the airways clean of fluids and foreign objects, the body’s natural defence mechanism forces the mucus to go out, known as cough.
Common Causes of A Cough:
- Common cold: A common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). However, you don’t need to worry about it. A common cold usually goes away on its own in seven to ten days for most people.
- Viral upper respiratory tract infection: Mouth and nose infections are most commonly caused by a virus entering the body. Touching, sneezing, or coughing are the most typical ways to spread it.
- Flu: Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that enters the body through the nose or mouth. “Stomach flu” viruses, which induce diarrhea and vomiting, are distinct from influenza, which causes flu-like symptoms.
- Bronchitis: When your bronchial tubes become inflamed, they become ineffective in transporting air to and from your lungs. This condition is known as bronchitis. It is common for people with bronchitis to produce mucus that is thick and brownish. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes can be either acute or chronic in nature.
Some Cough Medicines Available
Only a few drugs are fast-acting in treating cough and cold symptoms, which is why doctors commonly prescribe them. The following are the best cough syrups available in the market:
- Expectorants
To make coughing easier, expectorants help to thin mucus. When you have thick congestion and can’t get rid of it on your own, these drugs can help you.
Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, can be exacerbated by mucus buildup in the lungs. Expectorants, like cough medicine, may treat the infection by clearing away mucus.
- Suppressants
Cough suppressants are designed to reduce and suppress coughing. You should only take them at night if you have difficulties sleeping, and you should avoid them during the day.
- Decongestants
Using decongestants can help reduce post nasal drip and dry out your nasal tissues, contributing to a better quality of life and less discomfort.
- Antihistamines
A runny nose and postnasal drip might be alleviated with the use of antihistamines if allergies trigger your cough.
- Combination of Medicines
Cough suppressants, expectorants, and other active substances are included in combination medicines. A combination of medications is usually used to treat numerous symptoms at once – they can contain antihistamines, opioids, and decongestants.
Takeaway!
When someone has a cold, coughing is a common symptom. Our body shows reflexive action as a natural way of safeguarding our airways and taking out the irritating substance. In many cases, coughs go away on their own. But if the cough persists for a couple of days, you should consult with a doctor. Your doctor will examine you and prescribe you several medications. Above are some of the common cough medications that doctors generally advise. Based on your symptoms, your doctor will prescribe you medications.
In case you feel the medication doesn’t work for you, you should consult again with the doctor. Your doctor may change the treatment and advise you on new medications. Ask your doctor if the drug has any side effects.
Using medications for a long time can lead to drug dependency and adversely affect your body. This is why it is best to go with homeopathic cough syrups.
Homeopathic cough syrups are effective and don’t make you dependent on them. Also, these medications don’t have side effects, making them an ideal option to get rid of cough. But before choosing the best cough syrup, you should compare and know about them. Also, you should consult with your doctor before using them to be on the safer side.
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