When germs, dust, and mucus get deposited into the throat, the body spontaneously reacts by making spontaneous sounds out of the throat. It gives some space to the throat and releases air. Coughing may or may not have big reasons behind it.

Mostly it is associated with minor reasons such as toxins deposits, choking sometimes, and swallowing food and liquids. but there are chances of coughing being severe. for eg., if coughing continues for more than 2 weeks, it is said to be tuberculosis (TB).

If you are coughing mucus then it’s okay but if you are coughing blood, you must see a doctor. And coughing mucus all the time and for a long time is also not a good sign. Coughing is a minor thing but it can ruin your entire day. So it’s better to keep it in check to avoid major diseases in the future.

And it’s not rocket science to cure your coughing. There are simpler remedies available for that and that too allopathic as well as homeopathic. Such as taking cough tablets, cough syrup, sipping hot water, having a concoction made up of ginger, honey, black pepper, and cinnamon, intake hot food, and honey before sleeping, usually tablets while sleeping, not sleeping directly under the fan.

There are many more… But here is one from the old books which is considered the most effective one and that is gargling. Gargle with lukewarm salt water is considered the most effective one to soothe the throat and gives it a cooling effect.

Why Do We Cough?

Coughing occurs when dust and mucus get deposited into the throat and don’t let us properly breathe. Then the throat makes some spontaneous sound to create some space in there and lets us breathe properly. And now there are 2 main kinds of coughing and these are dry cough and wet cough.

DRY COUGH:- In this, the cough feels like itching in the throat and often leads to difficulty in speaking.

WET COUGH:- In this, the mucus comes out of the throat.

Both kinds of coughs will feel different. So it will be quite easy to differentiate which cough we have. There are very rare chances of cough becoming a matter of discussion or transforming into an issue. But if the coughing goes more than a month, with no prior infection or disease then there might be some issues.

But generally, coughing occurs because the throat clears the pathway of breathing and excretes mucus that interrupts the breathing process. And even if a single medicine or remedy is not tried, our body will start to recover itself from coughing within weeks.

Let’s learn about the types of coughing and why they occur in deep. 

Types of Coughing and Reasons Behind

1. Itchy Cough:

Also known as tickly cough. This is a type of coughing in which itching is felt in the throat. It may happen because of cold, flu, or allergic reactions.

2. Nervous Cough:

It is not proper coughing. It starts when a person is feeling nervous or stressed. And doesn’t last for long. It will go away as soon as the person starts to feel good or when a person goes to sleep.

3. Chronic Cough:

Chronic cough is the kind that goes on and about for over 3 weeks. There can be a lot of reasons behind this persistent cough. For example, sinus, bronchitis, smoking, drinking alcohol, infection, medication side effects, asthma, air pollution, etc. And there can be some major issues also.

For eg., lung cancer, infections, or tuberculosis. And also the common symptoms that the beginner shows and that is coughing up blood, chest pain, and choking. In these cases, you must go and see a doctor as soon as possible because you won’t even realize when these beginner symptoms will grow up.

4. Whooping Cough: 

Also known as paroxysmal coughing, this is a very serious sort of coughing. This is so dangerous that even vaccines are given for this. This is a kind of communicable coughing that can be transmitted. The vaccination program includes the vaccination for this sort of coughing. Even babies can catch this and this coughing is deadly for them also. This sort of coughing can even lead a person to vomit. 

5. Choking:

It happens when a person is unable to breathe, it can occur when a person is coughing continuously or non-stop then, in this case they miss a heartbeat which can eventually lead to choking. In this case, a person should immediately seek medical help if found choking or having breathing difficulties.

6. Croup Cough: 

A kind of cough occurs in children below 5 years of age. In this, a child will feel a minor fever and a stuffy nose. Irritation in the throat can be felt by the child as the windpipe gets swollen.

In this situation, a child should stay happy as it allows them to heal quickly. The coughing can worsen at night. So it’s advisable to give a child a teaspoon of honey before putting it there on the bed. Give them a proper healthy diet, lukewarm water, and liquid intake more than solids. As it will easily pass through the urine.

7. Night Cough:

In this, the coughing gets worsen at night time. It may be because the acid travels back from the stomach to the esophagus. So this may cause nighttime coughing. The night cough doesn’t let an individual sleep. It may even lead to choking and other respiratory problems.

8. Dry Cough: 

A kind of cough that doesn’t release mucus. It may occur due to fever, cough, bronchitis, asthma, or acid reflux – particularly during nighttime. it generally causes itchiness or irritation in the throat.

9. Wet Cough: 

Also known as chesty cough, a wet cough is when mucus is released. This type of cough creates congestion in the lungs and also causes nasal congestion. Every time a person coughs, mucus is released. Wet cough may even lead to major diseases if not treated timely.

Such as asthma, and heart failure. Because a wet cough sometimes doesn’t even let a person breathe. Yes, so it gets that worse. The wet cough gets worst in the morning and is a little more peaceful at night as compared to mornings. A productive cough may occur due to the common cold, or flu. A runny nose doesn’t even let a person concentrate properly on their tasks. It sometimes causes headaches too.

Why Can’t I Stop Coughing 

Coughing starts when some dust particles and mucus get stored in the throat. So our throat starts to throw that dirt out of our mouth in the form of mucus to make some space for air. But then we catch some sort of cold or something that leads us to cough. In this, our body starts preparing itself to release the toxins out of the body.

There can be several reasons why we can’t stop coughing :

Let’s discuss those in detail :

1. Asthma: 

It is a condition in which airways get narrow and swell which leads to the production of excess mucus. In this, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing can be experienced.

Once coughing starts, it gets quite worse, and difficult to stop it. So it’s necessary to treat asthma in its early stages. Constant cough or chronic coughs is a sign of cough variant asthma.

2. Pneumonia: 

A person having pneumonia also faces coughing. A thick yellow, brown, and green-stained mucus comes out of the mouth and makes it quite difficult to breathe.

3. Smoking: 

Smoking leads to coughing. A cough starts to develop when a person smokes. Generally, the cough goes away on its own or with minor medications. A smoker’s cough can be very hazardous if not treated timely.

4. Infections: 

There are some viral infections and flu, which come in contact with the atmosphere. And when we inhale, those harmful pollutants come into our contact and can lead to coughing. bacterial infections lead to sore throats, due to upper respiratory tract infections.

5. Bronchitis: 

In this, the bronchial tubes get swollen and the main airways of the lungs get infected and catch the virus. Then it releases mucus and causes shortness of breath. Bronchitis can be acute bronchitis as well as chronic bronchitis.

6. Medication: 

Some medicines cause coughing such as omeprazole and leflunomide. So before taking it, kindly check it with a doctor. Some medications do trigger coughing and these belong to that category. There are chances of it causing a chronic cough.

7. Acid Reflux: 

This occurs when stomach acid goes into the food pipe which creates irritation in the heart, which is known as heartburn. And this can have a major impact on our bodies. And minor it can cause chronic coughs.

8. Allergies: 

Allergies can cause dry cough. When a person is allergic to dust or other allergens present in the atmosphere then there are very high chances of catching a cough.

9. Lung Infections: 

Usually, pneumonia causes inflammation in one or both lungs. The air sacs present in the lungs get filled with fluid which eventually causes cough. Lung disease also causes persistent cough.

10. Caffeine or Alcohol: 

Drinking coffee or alcohol can lead to throat dryness. Consumption of caffeine and drinks can lead to dehydration, which will eventually cause a lot of dry coughing.

11. Dehydration: 

It is also advised to drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated, otherwise, mucus will get deposited into the airways. And when we drink much water, then it clears that mucus out of the body.

12. Ill Heart: 

When the heart is not able to pump blood properly, it can lead to cardiovascular damage or heart failure, and can eventually become the main cause of chronic coughing or chronic inflammation.

13. Digestive Tract Issues: 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD, also known as chronic cough. An obese person is more prone to get this. In this, when stomach acid comes in contact with the throat, it causes irritation in the throat, which eventually leads to coughing.

How to Get Rid of Coughing: 

There are several solutions to get rid of coughing. But if your coughing is showing major symptoms then it won’t be able to get cured through basic remedies. In that case, you just need to go see a doctor. And if a person showing mild coughing and cough begins then it can be cured easily even at home, until or unless a person is showing severe main symptoms of coughing.

For instance, coughing blood, difficulty breathing, choking frequently, weight loss, consistent fever, a burning sensation in the heart, heavy mucus release, cough staying for more than 3 weeks, a yellow-green colored cough, etc can be the symptoms of coughing and how to treat it. Whereas, a runny or stuffy nose and cough coming with a minor fever can be common symptoms of minor coughing. When coughing is in its initial stages, it can be treated easily.

Some Treatment Options Are:

1. Fluid Intake: 

Speeding up fluid intake can not only help in getting rid of coughing but can also help to keep you away from several diseases that may occur in the near future due to dehydration. Sipping lukewarm water frequently can keep you hydrated and healthy.

2. Medications: 

There are cough medicines available to get rid of coughing in a very short time as compared to natural remedies. As allopathic medication clears respiratory tract infections quite faster but can leave side effects on the body.

3. Vapouriser:

It clears the air passages much faster. It can be applied over the forehead, nose, or chest overnight. Avoiding being in cold air during that time can help get cured quickly. Sweating from the vapouriser can lessen your persistent cough.

4. Cough Syrup: 

There are certain cough syrups and drops available which can help soothe your throat and gives relief from frequent throat clearing. Like, coffee, coils, and insulin. 

5. Honey: 

A teaspoon of honey before sleeping or when you can’t stop coughing can help you suppress your cough.

6. Gargle:

This is one of the oldest and most highly effective remedies for getting rid of coughing. A pinch of salt in warm water can give relief to your throat. It kills the germs. Gargles should be done before eating or after waking up, otherwise, it will lead to vomiting.

7. Concoctions:

There are certain concoctions made up of herbs. That helps in getting rid of coughing. For eg., giloy, or the heavenly elixir, of basil leaves, can be very beneficial.

8. Ayurvedic Supplements: 

Here come certain spices when combined can help a lot in quickly getting ting over coughing. For eg. turmeric, honey, ginger, cinnamon, mulethi, pipal, and peppermint. When made a paste out of it can work like magic for your throat.

9. Steam: 

Taking a steam bath or steam in a container with a teaspoon of vapouriser in it can clear the airways of the respiratory system and can help with respiratory tract infections making breathing difficulties easy.

10. Avoiding Caffeine: 

Avoiding caffeine intake can help in reducing coughing to a great extent.

11. Avoiding Oily Food: 

Staying away from oily food when you catch a cough can cure the cough in no time. So it’s always recommended to follow a healthy diet. So that it doesn’t get worse.

Conclusion: 

Summing up, we can’t consider cough as a disease but as a viral infection, that is communicable. And can be treated easily if given due care. Coughing occurs when dust and mucus get deposited in the throat and then remedies are done to get rid of coughing. But there are different sorts of coughing, requiring different treatments.

Coughing can occur due to major reasons such as smoking, drinking alcohol, caffeine intake, bacterial infection, allergies, medication side effects, dehydration, and coughing can also have serious reasons behind it. such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, and lung infection. If seen that coughing continues for more than 3 weeks, then a person must go see a doctor.

But there are remedies always available to get rid of coughing fast both telepathically and as was, Allopathy includes certain medications, cough drops, etc. which work faster than homeopathy. And homeopathy or home remedies include certain concoctions made up of giloy, basil leaves, turmeric, honey, ginger, cinnamon, etc. can soothe the throat in no time.

And there are many more remedies available which include a steam bath, salt water gargling, gargling caffeine and alcohol, and intaking fluids and healthy fluids that cancan curbing. So coughing occasionally is good as it clears the dust and germs out of the throat. And there is nothing to worry about it until it gets severe.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by soubhik92@gmail.com