- What Do You Take For A Dry Hacking Cough
- What To Do For A Dry Hacking Cough At Night
- What Can You Do For Dry Hacking Cough
- What To Do For Dry Hacking Cough
- Dry Hacking Cough With Wheezing
A dry cough is a cough where no mucus or very little mucus is expectorated (coughed up). This is known as a non-productive cough. Most conditions that may cause a cough will present as a dry cough in the early stages. As the disease progresses, the productive nature of the cough will become evident.
Coughing is a result of airway irritation which triggers the cough reflex. Apart from expelling irritants from the airway, coughing also removes mucus which may accumulate as a result of hypersecretion from the lining of the airways. Irritation of the airway without excessive mucus production results in a dry cough.This does not mean that no mucus is present in the lung or airways in a dry cough but rather that the quantity of mucus is very little and may not be expectorated upon coughing.
Home remedies. You can drink warm fluids, inhale warm, moist air, and use cough drops. Add a spoonful of honey to hot tea, or choose a cough drop that has it. Never give honey to a child under a year old - it can make them very sick. Avoid triggers. If you have allergies or asthma, remove allergens from your home.
Depending on the cause, other respiratory symptoms may also be noticed like shortness of breath (dyspnea), a hoarse voice and/or abnormal breathing sounds.
Cause of a Dry Cough
As mentioned, most coughs may initially start off as a non-productive cough (dry cough) but can progress to a productive cough (wet cough) with time. Apart from certain infections, any irritation of the airway as result of allergies, air pollution, cigarette smoking and certain drugs may result in a dry cough.
Infectious Causes
Most upper respiratory tract infections may present with a dry cough as the mucus hypersecretion tends to affect the nasal passages and surrounding areas like the paranasal siuses. However, if the infection progresses lower down the respiratory tract or if the mucus drains into the lower airways, a productive cough may be noticed.
A lingering cough following a respiratory tract infection is one of the more common causes of a dry cough. This is a result of bronchial hyper-reactivity and is more prominent in asthmatics (reactive airway disease).
Of the various infections, laryngitis and tracheitis is more likely to present with a dry cough compared to the lower parts of the respiratory tract (bronchi and bronchioles) or lungs. While infectious pneumonia is most likely to present with a wet cough, interstitial pneumonia may result in a dry cough.
Croup (usually viral) and whooping cough (bacterial) are two other infectious causes of a dry cough although less frequently it may present as a productive cough as well, esecially if there is a secondary infection.
Necrotic tonsillitis, often as a result of GERD or chronic infections may also result in a chronic dry cough and patients typically report coughing up food particles that gets trapped within the ulcers and crevasses.
Non-Infectious Causes
Common causes of a non-infectious dry cough includes asthma, GERD and post nasal drip.
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Asthma usually presents with a dry cough, which is easily triggered by any allergen or irritant in the air due to a hyper-reactive airway. White to yellow mucus may at times be expectorated in asthmatics.
In GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) the rising gastric acid, especially after large meals and when sleeping, may irritate the throat (reflux pharyngitis) and trigger a dry cough. Aspiration in GERD however, may cause significant inflammation in the respiratory tract and could result in mucus production (wet cough).
Post-nasal drip is another common cause of a dry cough both in children and adults. However, excessive mucus draining into the respiratory tract and restrained coughing may result in a productive cough as mucus accumulates in the lower respiratory tract. In infectious causes like sinusitis, the lower respiratory tract may also get infected.
Environmental, Occupational and Lifestyle
Cold, dry conditions may cause dryness and irritation of the airways. This will often result in an acute dry cough. The cough usually resolves as a person becomes acclimatized to these conditions.
Air pollution is another common cause of a persistent dry cough and is usually associated with smog and industrial pollution. A greater chance of respiratory infections may exist in chronic exposure to pollutants and this will result in bouts of productive coughing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly chronic bronchitis, may occur over time and result in a persistent wet cough.
Long term cigarette smokers and those exposed to secondary cigarette smoke may also develop a chronic dry cough for the same reasons as those exposed to air pollution.
Occupational lung diseases is commonly caused by exposure to organic and non-organic dusts (like asbestos, silica, textile fibers), noxious gases (like chlorine, ammonia) and radiation.
What Do You Take For A Dry Hacking Cough
Interstitial Lung Disease
In interstitial lung disease, a number of causes may result in severe scarring of the lung tissue. This permanently impairs pulmonary function and a dry cough is a prominent clinical feature.
It may be caused by :
- Infections like pneumonia
- Occupational exposure to dusts, gases and radiation
- Air pollution
- Cancer treatment – radiation treatment and chemotherapy
Tumors
What To Do For A Dry Hacking Cough At Night
Lung cancer may present with a persistent dry cough initially but as the condition progresses a productive cough and hemoptysis (coughing up blood) may become evident. Tumors of the pharynx (throat cancer) and larynx (voice box/vocal cord cancer) may also cause a dry irritating cough.
Drugs
A dry cough is a commonly reported side effect with the chronic use of ACE inhibitors, a drug used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). Other drugs that may cause a cough includes certain antibiotics, anti-arrhythmia drugs, chemotherapeutic agents, certain medication for psychiatric disorders. The chronic use of some of these drugs may cause interstitial lung disease and thereby lead to a persistent dry cough.
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It starts as a tickle in your throat. Then you feel a cough coming on. You try to stop it, which always make it worse. Then, it starts. The dry, hacking, aggravating cough that startles your co-workers and keeps you up at night.
While coughing is good for your system, we all want to know how to get rid of dry cough fast. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications work well, but there are home remedies for dry cough that can be found in your own cupboard.
So, read on as we discuss the causes of dry cough and some home remedies that may help you feel like yourself again in no time.
Causes of Dry Cough
A dry cough is referred to as a non-productive cough because it does not create phlegm or sputum. It occurs when the brain perceives an irritant or blockage in your throat as a threat and triggers the body to remove it.
What Can You Do For Dry Hacking Cough
![What can you do for dry hacking cough What can you do for dry hacking cough](/uploads/1/2/5/0/125073277/628878167.jpg)
Several conditions can cause dry cough, from irritants in the air we breathe to chronic health issues.
- Cold or flu
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
- Post-nasal drip
- Cigarette smoke
- Environmental Pollutants
- Asthma
- Sinus infection
- Pneumonia
10 Ways to Get Rid of Dry Cough Fast
1. Ginger
Ginger can be used in various forms to help quiet a dry cough as it is believed to promote saliva production and break down mucus. If you can brave the strong taste, eat a fresh cut piece sprinkled with salt. You can also use ginger in a cup of tea with added honey or a basil leaf. Another option is using the juice from crushed ginger mixed with 10 tulsi leaves. You can add honey or sugar to taste. Use this three times a day.
2. Garlic
The antimicrobial properties in garlic cloves may help soothe your throat, alleviate the pain from coughing, and calm a cough. Garlic could also ease the itching sensation in the throat region during a dry cough. Try mixing a clove of crushed garlic with honey and a few drops of clove oil for fast relief. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594976)
3. Honey
As it coats the membranes in your throat, honey can suppress a dry cough. Mix honey in a glass of warm water and drink.
You can also eat a spoonful of honey at bedtime to ensure a restful night. It is best to use organic honey as some brands can contain added ingredients that may irritate a sore throat.
4. Tea
Plain black tea is a go-to for many to cure a cough and irritated throat. While the tea is hot, you can add a variety of some of the products mentioned such as drops of ginger and honey. Be sure to cover the tea as it steeps to contain the heat and the soothing ingredient oils in the steam.
5. Steam
Speaking of steam, inhaling steam is one of the most effective ways to suppress that nasty cough. Whether you stand in a hot shower or use a vaporizer, steam can help remove throat irritants and soothe the airways. You can also cover your head with a towel as you lean over a bowl of boiling water to breathe in the vapors.
6. Basil Leaf
What To Do For Dry Hacking Cough
To calm a cough by reducing the swelling of the throat glands, grind a basil leaf to produce juice. Add a pinch of salt before orally taking one teaspoon of the juice. Do this twice daily for one week.
7. Salt Gargle
Handed down from generation to generation, a salt and water solution is trusted by many to thin out the irritated membranes of the throat. Mix warm water with salt and gargle twice a day. Try not to swallow as it will cause more discomfort in the throat.
8. Turmeric
Many sufferers turn to turmeric, a popular spice in many Asian dishes, for cough relief. Curcurmin found within the powerful herb has shown antibacterial properties in research studies. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to hot salt water for use as a gargle, or combine with warm milk for a soothing drink.
Dry Hacking Cough With Wheezing
9. Onion
Known for bringing tears to your eyes, onions can also draw out irritants from your throat. Simply breathe in the strong aroma of a freshly cut onion. You can also drink a mixture of baked onion juice, tea, and honey once a day for relief. Another option is mixing ½ teaspoon of onion juice with one teaspoon of honey and drinking this twice a day.
10. Lemon
Fight back with the anti-inflammatory properties of lemon. Drink a mixture of two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey several times throughout the day. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
The itchy, scratching throat and nagging dry cough should clear within a few days of using these remedies.
If you choose to use an over-the-counter medication, Harvard University suggests to use a cough suppressant, not an expectorant one. Suppressants work as they sound, by suppressing the cough as they contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan.
In 2004, studies were conducted on the effectiveness of cough syrup ingredients, such as dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine. These primary components to battle coughs did not improve or suppress the cough any better or faster than the placebo syrup given to another group.
If your dry cough does not improve after one week or is accompanied by symptoms of fatigue, weight loss, leg swelling, and shortness of breath, you may want to seek professional medical advice. Coughing up blood during a dry cough requires an immediate visit to the emergency room.
Related:
Sources:
Hafizur, “How to Get Rid of a Dry Cough Fast,” Health That, January 23, 2017; http://www.healththat.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-dry-cough/, last accessed February 9, 2017.
Suresh, A., “Top 10 Home Remedies for Cough to Get Instant Relief,” The Health Site, December 22, 2015; http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/how-to-get-instant-relief-from-cough/, last accessed February 9, 2017.
“Home Remedies for Cough,” Top 10 Home Remedies; http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cough.html, last accessed February 9, 2017.
“7 Natural Cough Remedies for Persistent & Dry Cough”, Everyday Roots; http://everydayroots.com/cough-remedies, last accessed February 9, 2017.
Hafizur, “How to Get Rid of a Dry Cough Fast,” Health That, January 23, 2017; http://www.healththat.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-dry-cough/, last accessed February 9, 2017.
Suresh, A., “Top 10 Home Remedies for Cough to Get Instant Relief,” The Health Site, December 22, 2015; http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/how-to-get-instant-relief-from-cough/, last accessed February 9, 2017.
“Home Remedies for Cough,” Top 10 Home Remedies; http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cough.html, last accessed February 9, 2017.
“7 Natural Cough Remedies for Persistent & Dry Cough”, Everyday Roots; http://everydayroots.com/cough-remedies, last accessed February 9, 2017.