How to calm dry, oily, irritating cough in children and at night: here are all the solutions!
How to calm a cough? There are several methods to calm a cough, and a lot depends on its type, whether it is a dry, oily or irritating cough. Calming coughs in children, then, requires special attention.
Cough - this annoying disorder that tends to become even more annoying at night, when it risks compromising sleep - is actually nothing more than a defense mechanism of our body, which tries to expel all those irritating agents that are found. in the airways. It is therefore not correct to speak of cough as a pathology: it is simply a symptom that can originate from different causes.
Let's find out together how to calm coughs - oily, dry or irritating - with both pharmacological and natural remedies, but first let's deal with the causes that cause it and its different categories.
How to calm a cough starting from the causes that cause it and from the different types
The causes that can be at the origin of the cough are different. Cough can be caused by the inhalation of irritating substances (from smog to cigarette smoke), by bacterial or viral infections, by allergies of different nature, or by lung diseases .
Identifying the cause of our cough is very important to understand how to calm it in the most effective way. If it is a simple viral infection, for example, it will be enough to fight the symptom. If, on the other hand, it is an allergy, it will be necessary to resort to antihistamines or other specific drugs. In case of more serious pathologies, it will be important to consult your doctor to find the most suitable therapy that resolves the origin of the problem.
There are different types of cough. The main ones, which we will discuss below, are the fatty one (characterized by the presence of phlegm) and the dry one, in which there is no phlegm. The remedies, also in this case, will be different.
How to calm a fat cough
So let's try to understand together how to calm the fat cough. Being characterized by phlegm, this cough - in order to be calmed - requires the use of substances that allow the mucus to thin, in order to eliminate it more easily. You should therefore resort to drugs with mucolytic, mucolegorative and expectorant action. These medicines are taken orally: these are mostly simple syrups.
To calm a fat cough, some natural remedies can also be very useful. You can choose to take orally - perhaps in the form of an infusion or herbal tea - of licorice, known for its anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Equally functional can be fennel, also a natural expectorant, always to be taken in the form of an infusion, in powder or in essential oil.
Another essential oil widely used to calm fat cough is that of eucalyptus, a real natural balm, to be used to make fumigations, as well as anise essential oil.
How to calm a dry cough
Dry cough is so defined because it manifests itself with a dry noise, accompanied by slight pain or discomfort in the chest, caused by the "absence of phlegm. It usually originates from an" inflammation of the bronchi due to either viruses and bacteria, or smoke , dust and smog.
To calm the dry cough, therefore, you will need so-called "antitussive" drugs, which serve to quell the cough, blocking its reflex. Your doctor will certainly be able to advise you on the most suitable medications, which generally contain active ingredients such as codeine or butamirate, which can block the nerve center for coughing. Again, these are drugs to be taken orally.
Among the natural remedies to calm dry cough, however, we find ivy extracts, with known antitussive properties and often used in the same drugs; the marshmallow, a plant with an emollient action that will give immediate relief to your throat; linden, also anti-irritant and emollient; the classic honey, which is an excellent grandmother's remedy for your sore throat; ginger, to be consumed raw or in the form of an infusion. Find out in our video how to quickly prepare ginger juice:
How to calm a cough
Irritating cough is nothing more than a type of continuous cough, characterized by strokes that are repeated for many minutes in a row and several times throughout the day. It is usually linked to winter cooling, when one is more exposed to the action of viruses and bacteria, but it can also be an indication of more complex pathologies (from pleurisy to pertussis) or allergies.
The irritating cough can be both dry and oily, based on the absence or presence of phlegm. Also in this case, you will want to contact your doctor to understand its origin and find the most suitable treatment.
After clarifying the origin of your cough, you can try to placate it in different ways, in addition to a possible drug treatment.First of all remember to drink a lot: it is important to be able to thin any mucus and to fight inflammation! Infusions and herbal teas are fine, to be accompanied if possible with the classic fumigations.
Among the most suitable substances to calm the irritating cough we remember the aforementioned ginger and honey, but mallow will also be fine, protective and anti-inflammatory, capable of protecting your mucous membranes by creating a barrier on your mucilage. Finally, menthol may also prove useful: in fact, its calming and refreshing action is known, ideal for calming coughs.
How to calm a cough at night
At night, coughing can be particularly annoying, so much so that it prevents us and those around us from falling asleep. Here are some tips on how to calm a cough at night.
First of all, pay attention to the position in which you lie down: to calm the cough, always choose a reclined position, in which the torso is supported by pillows, so as to avoid that the mucus - ingested during sleep while you are lying down - may further irritate your throat. Also avoid sleeping under the air conditioning or near a fan, it will only make the situation worse!
If you have a dry cough, it can be a good idea to take a nice warm bath or shower before going to bed to absorb steam and moisture, which will help you not aggravate your cough during the night.
Remember to take care of the cleanliness of the room and above all to change the bed linen at least once a week: if the cough is caused by allergies, the lack of hygiene and dust will only increase it!
Always try to breathe through your nose, rather than your mouth, and keep a glass of water on your bedside table in case of need, as well as a balsamic candy. Finally, before going to bed, it is recommended to take a spoonful of honey. or to drink an infusion (ginger and licorice are recommended), or to gargle with salt water.
How to calm coughs in children
What to do if your children have a cough? First of all, try to better understand the symptoms: if it is an occasional cough not accompanied by fever or cold, it will be good not to immediately resort to drugs and syrups, because of the side effects. Trust in natural remedies and then, if the cough persists, your doctor will advise you on the best therapy.
Get a humidifier and put it in your baby's room - it will give him relief! Make him drink a lot, preferably warm liquids. Remember to ventilate the rooms and try to make him sleep with his head slightly raised, to leave the airways free.
Nasal washes may be useful with the aid of a pear or an aerosol with physiological or, again, fumigations with water and bicarbonate. A good cup of hot milk and honey before going to bed, then, will be unbeatable, as taught by the our grandmothers!
To learn more about cough and ways to calm it, you can consult the website of the Humanitas clinic.
