A cough is your body’s way of responding when something irritates your throat or airways. It is a natural reflex by which your body removes irritants from your upper (throat) and lower (lungs) airways. It can cause due to any irritant or allergen or medical condition.
Treating cough will depend on its cause. If you have an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe some type of antibiotic or antiviral medication, but most viral coughs do not require such medications. Liquids, lozenges, cough drops, vaporizers, and steamy showers may help to soothe a cough. The doctor may prescribe you medicines such as expectorants or suppressants or both depending on your condition.
Drink lots of water to ease throat dryness and/or irritation. Also, avoid smoking and exposing yourself to any allergen that might trigger your cough.
Few home remedies such as gargling with saltwater, consuming honey, garlic, marshmallow root, and peppermint have proven to be effective in relieving symptoms of cough.
Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms like chills, dehydration, high grade fever, malaise, productive cough that has foul-smelling, thick, green- or yellow-tinted phlegm along with the cough.
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