Few have escaped it, the winter cough has proved (or is proving) stubborn for many of us. In the United States, 30 million people (or more than one in ten) consult a doctor for this reason each year, reports a study by the National Library of Medicine.
Although coughing can be unpleasant, you should keep in mind that it is a natural defense reflex to expel mucus or irritating agents from the respiratory tract. To combat this symptom, ABC News asked its health correspondent and emergency physician Dr. Called Darian Sutton. He gives you a series of tips that will get you back on your feet.
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1. Why doesn’t it stop?
You thought you were over your cold or flu and yet you continue to cough. Will you suffer from this cough for the rest of your life? Dr. Sutton popularizes: “We have little pockets of air in our lungs. They help exchange oxygen with our blood so we can get the air we need, but with seasonal colds you have a build-up of mucus that irritates your cough receptors.” In other words, your airway doesn’t know that you’ve gotten rid of other symptoms of the disease. So it is normal that their recovery takes time.
Dr. Sutton lists several factors that can cause mucus build-up: “Viral illnesses, but also gastric reflux, allergies, asthma, etc. So the goal is to determine the cause. The doctor’s expertise becomes useful from this first step.
2. Where does the tunnel end?
The duration of the cough varies depending on the type of infection you have, and Dr. Based on Sutton’s observations, these are mostly viral illnesses. If you have the virus, symptoms last about three weeks. It is during this period that the cough will be most intense.
After eight weeks, the cough is classified as chronic and requires a more in-depth evaluation by doctors. “You will have medical imaging tests and exams”Dr. Sutton explains.
3. How to get rid of it?
If you want to try to combat your cough first, start by going to your kitchen. Simple but terribly effective, grandma’s recipes are the first solution. This is how soups and broths can become allies of choice in your battle for healing. Dr. A mixture of warm water, honey, tea and eucalyptus oil can help clear your airways, says Sutton. “It can be anti-inflammatory.”He adds.
Be careful though, honey should be banned for children under one year of age. Bacteria that cause infant botulism can be found there, making honey unsafe for infants. When coughing occurs in young people, caution is advised. It is recommended to consult a pediatrician who will be able to find answers suitable for the child.
4. When to seek advice?
If this last advice seems like a last resort, remember that the most effective solution is to consult a doctor to treat you as quickly as possible. Generally speaking, Dr. Sutton recommends going after three weeks of coughing. In addition to better targeting your ailments, a consultation with a professional will allow you to find a treatment that suits your needs. Over-the-counter medications often help relieve some symptoms, but it’s important to consider the scenario where “You may need additional interventions.”
