Controlling the cough

Expectorants and mucolytics are usually given to productive cough in the belief that help liquefy and loosen phlegm, making it easier to expel it from the body. Unfortunately, there is little evidence that these drugs work. The only exception to this rule is guaifenesin which the u.s. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it may help in some cases.

"There is a big market out there for something called ' expectorants. ' It's supposed to loosen the cough so that spit out the mucus from your Airways. There are different requirements for different commercially available including potassium iodide and hypertonic saline guaifenesin. In my opinion, is likely to lose your time, money and effort on any of these preparations. With the exception of guaifenesin, which may have some effect slip in very high doses, I have never found these products to work, "said Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld's Hospital of New York-Memorial Sloan-Kettehng Cancer Center in" the best treatment. "

When not to cough up the phlegm or mucus, it is called dry or "unproductive". This can be caused by ingestion of cold food or drinks that stimulates the nerves in the roof and the back of the mouth. A persistent dry cough can also be a symptom of a cancer, a disease of the heart, breathing passages irritation from chemicals, dust and cigarette or inflammation of the vocal cords.

The best treatment for this particular cough depends on what is causing it. Once the underlying condition is treated, the cough disappear. However, it may be appropriate to take cough medicine at this time, as a dry cough can be irritating and harmful in the long term.

"A cough hard or force may be irritating to the respiratory lining, just like cigarette smoke can be irritating. The Act of coughing causes the air passages to contract. When this happens repeatedly, it leads to inflamed membranes and helps perpetuate the cough. Coughing is similar to scratch an itch on the skin: If exaggerated, it may do more harm than good, "according to Dr. David e. Larson, Chief Editor of" Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. "

Faced with this problem, which medicine should you take? If the root of the problem is simple throat irritation, take the honey, hard candy, or medicated lozenges for throat. Look for products that contain menthol or camphor. Their vapours have an effect on the throat analgesic or anesthetic.

"Some cough lozenges contain soothing substances like honey, licorice or Glycerin can act on the surface of the throat. Can also contain pleasant smell and taste of substances such as Peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, cinnamon, cloves and aniseed. The main effect of these preparations is that their smell or taste can help you feel better. They can increase the production of saliva that is relaxing and helps wash the surface of the inflamed throat. Do not take cough medicines that contain the same ingredients in liquid form, since they are swallowed directly in the stomach and have only a fraction of a second to work locally on my throat, "said Andrew Chetley" Problem drugs. "

If this doesn't work, you may need an Antitussive or cough suppressant. These drugs Act on the part of the brain that controls the cough reflex. Three drugs have been approved by the FDA for this purpose: diphenhydramine codeine and dextromethorphan. What you can expect from these medicines? Find out in the third part of this series.

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