Those who have experienced it know that a chronic cough is not a laughing matter. When one develops a chronic cough, which is a cough that lasts for an extended period of time, they may constantly live in a state of discomfort. Some people may think they have a chronic cough after a week or two, but for a cough to be considered chronic is must be present for a minimum of three to four weeks. Those with this condition may not understand why it is happening to them.
What actually causes a cough is the irritation of the nerves that people have located in their airways. When one coughs, the air that is pushed out is supposed to clear any obstructions in the airway. Those who are chronically coughing have to take necessary steps in order to find relief. There are several different remedies available that can help with treating a chronic cough.
One of the most used treatments for chronic cough is medication. There are several different types of medications on the market that promise those who take them to reduce their chronic cough. Depending on what the doctor believes is the cause of the cough is what determines what type of medication will be used.
Allergy Medication
Those who have suffered for allergies for a long time, or those who have just developed allergies, may turn to allergy medicine in order to find relief for their chronic cough. The allergy medicine is effective only if the chronic cough is due to allergies that one is suffering from. Many people have noticed relief after taking an allergy medicine. Not only did their chronic cough diminish, but they no longer experienced itchiness in their throat or any trouble breathing.
Antibiotics
When the doctor believes that there is an over growth of bacteria in the throat and airways, he may prescribe an antibiotic to help relieve the patient of their chronic cough. The antibiotics are prescribed in hopes that they will destroy all the germs that are present. The individual will usually be prescribed to the antibiotics for a minimum of five days. A condition that is commonly linked with bacteria and a cough is bronchitis. If within five days the cough is still present, the patient is instructed to return to their doctors office so additional testing can be conducted. The doctor will then determine what the next step should be.
Lifestyle Changes
There may be some things that can be altered in one’s lifestyle in order to rid their cough. Not all chronic coughing can be cured by just medication. If a person is living an unhealthy lifestyle their cough may become worse over time. Some irritants, such as smoking, play a huge role in one’s health and how often they develop a cough. Another factor in a cough is whether or not an individual consumes a large amount of caffeine. Cutting back on caffeine and smoking can greatly reduce the chronic cough in those who have it.
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