What is cough? 

A natural reflex of the body’s way to remove irritants from your upper throat and lower lung airways is called cough. It helps your body to protect itself and heal. A cough is a spontaneous reflex, often to an irritation like inflammation from a cold or infection, or swelling in the esophagus or lungs. Coughst typically 1-2 weeks, but if it sticks around for more than two weeks or if you have trouble breathing along with it, then it is time to book a consult with the naturopathic doctors at Make Care Health.  Join the Confident Hormone Club to Conquer Your Cough Treatment!

A cough is when you suddenly and quickly push air out of your lungs, and it makes a distinct sound. It’s an action your body takes automatically, without you having to consciously decide to do it. While it’s often a sign of breathing problems, it actually has two important jobs:

Protection: It helps safeguard your breathing system from harmful things.

Cleaning: It clears away extra mucus or goo from your airways to keep them open and clear.

Key factors of cough

• Coughing is your body’s way of protecting your airway and lungs from irritants.
• Coughs can send air and particles shooting out of your throat and lungs at about 50 miles per hour.
• Sometimes, it’s normal to cough to clear your throat and get rid of germs, mucus, and dust.
• But if your cough doesn’t go away or if it brings other symptoms like shortness of breath, too much mucus, or bloody phlegm, it could be a sign of a serious health issue.

The Impact of Coughing on Your Health

Sometimes, it’s okay to cough a little bit. It’s like your body’s way of keeping your throat and airways safe. There are special nerves in your throat and airways that feel when something is bothering you, and they make you cough to get rid of it. This happens really quickly, and it’s pretty good at its job. 

Cough treatment

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Normally, your throat and lungs make a little bit of mucus to keep things moist and to protect against things that might bother you, such as the airborne germs you inhale. When you cough once in a while, it helps move this mucus around and gets rid of particulate matter that you’ve breathed in. It acts like your body’s cleanup crew and isn’t harmful or draining on your body.

The Impact of Coughing on Your Health

Sometimes, it’s okay to cough a little bit. It’s like your body’s way of keeping your throat and airways safe. There are special nerves in your throat and airways that feel when something is bothering you, and they make you cough to get rid of it. This happens really quickly, and it’s pretty good at its job.

Normally, your throat and lungs make a little bit of mucus to keep things moist and to protect against things that might bother you, like germs and stuff you breathe in. When you cough once in a while, it helps move this mucus around and gets rid of things that shouldn’t be there, like stuff you accidentally breathe in. It’s like your body’s cleanup crew, and it doesn’t hurt you.

The Whys and Hows of Cough

Nose and Throat Infections

When you get sick, the most common reason for coughing is infections in your nose and throat. These usually come with fevers, a sore throat, and a runny nose. They’re mostly caused by viruses, like the common cold, laryngitis, and the flu.

Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)

Some people have allergies that make them feel like they have a cold. They get a dry cough, sneeze a lot, and their nose runs. It’s not a real cold; it’s just allergies.

Breathing in Bad Stuff

Sometimes, if you breathe in certain fumes or things that are bad for you, it can make your throat and airway all irritated, and that can make you cough.

Serious Infections

There are more severe infections that can make you cough a lot and give you a fever. They can affect your airways (bronchitis) or go deeper into your lungs (pneumonia).

Blood Clot in Lungs (Pulmonary Embolism)

This is a really serious condition. It happens when a clot in your blood, usually from your legs, goes to your lungs. It makes you suddenly short of breath and sometimes gives you a dry cough.

Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)

This is when your lung sort of deflates. It can happen suddenly or because of an injury. You might feel sudden chest pain, cough without mucus, and have trouble breathing.

Heart Trouble

If your heart is weak or not healthy, it can make fluid build up in your lungs. This makes you cough and makes it hard to breathe.

Drippy Nose

Sometimes, you get a dry cough because mucus from your nose keeps dripping down the back of your throat. This can happen after you are sick or because of allergies.

Stomach Acid Trouble (GERD)

Your stomach has acid that helps digest food. Sometimes, this acid goes up into your throat and makes you have heartburn. It can also give you a dry cough when the acid goes up that far.

How to do a Mustard Poultice to relieve chest congestion: 

A mustard poultice is an old-fashioned remedy that helps with chest and lung congestion, coughs, bronchitis, or pneumonia. It’s like a quick fix for chest discomfort, and it’s good for treating infections. The poultice works by boosting blood flow, making you sweat, and generating warmth in the troubled area.

The best poultices are made from freshly ground black mustard seeds, but regular yellow mustard powder works too. Here’s how to make a mustard poultice:

• Mix 1/2 cup mustard powder with 1 cup flour.
• Add hot water to make a paste that’s easy to spread but not too watery.
• Spread the mixture on a piece of cotton or flannel that’s been soaked in hot water.
• Fold the cloth over the paste to make a sandwich.
• Place the moist side of the poultice on your chest or back while sitting or lying down comfortably.
• Keep it on for 20 to 30 minutes, but take it off if it feels uncomfortable.
• This might make you sweat and turn your chest a bit red.
• Drink plenty of liquids during the process.
• Afterward, take a warm or cool shower and rest or gently stretch for 30 minutes.