Coughing helps to expel respiratory secretions and other foreign materials from the body’s air passages. Cough is a natural reflex. Treatment approaches depend on the cause of the cough. Cough is mainly classified into two types: productive and non-productive. A productive cough helps with the expulsion of sputum from the respiratory tract, while a non-productive cough does not produce sputum.
Demulcents and expectorants are the first choice and most commonly used treatments for cough. Pharyngeal demulcents include lozenges, honey, cough drops, linctuses containing syrup, glycerin, and licorice. These soothe the throat and provide relief from symptoms of dry cough.
Expectorants increase secretion from the bronchi and reduce the viscosity of cough, aiding in its expulsion. Guaifenesin, Vasaka, and Tolu balsam are known to increase bronchial secretions.
Steam inhalation has a significant benefit in cleaning the airways.
Upper and lower tract infections are treated only with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider. Pulmonary tuberculosis coughs are treated with anti-tubercular agents. Asthmatic coughs are treated with corticosteroids, inhaled beta-2 agonists, and ipratropium, depending on the condition and severity, and can be used as single drugs or in combination.
The most common cough is post-viral infection cough. After the infection, the cough may last long term, and there is no specific treatment; it usually subsides by itself.
Allergic or perennial rhinitis is treated with nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines.
Gastroesophageal reflux-induced cough can be controlled by non-pharmacological methods, such as bed head elevation, having a light dinner, diet modification, proton pump inhibitors, and mosapride.
Anti-hypertensive drugs like ACE inhibitors are known to induce dry cough. Once a cough is noticed, consult a physician and consider changing the drug.
Mucolytics break down the network of sputum and expel it from the body, mainly used in the case of mucous plugs. A potent mucolytic is Vasaka.
Antitussives are drugs that act on the CNS cough centers and are commonly used for non-productive dry cough.
Cough is normal, but prolonged coughing can lead to many health issues, so cough should be treated with proper medicines.
