Cough medicine should be consumed according to the type of cough suffered. In general, cough consists of two types, namely cough with phlegm and dry cough. In order for your cough to subside immediately, it's a good idea to recognize a phlegm and dry cough medicine that is safe for daily consumption.
Coughing is the body's effort to expel mucus and foreign matter from the lungs or respiratory tract. Coughing can also be a symptom of certain conditions. For this reason, the proper use of cough medicine needs to be adjusted to the cause.
Understanding the Symptoms and Benefits of Cough Medicine
Generally a mild cough will go away on its own without special treatment in about three weeks. You just have enough rest, drink water, or drink warm lime juice mixed with honey. A new cough medicine is needed if the cough you experience feels very annoying.
For proper consumption of cough medicine, identify the type of cough you are experiencing:
Cough with phlegm
This type of cough is a cough that is accompanied by phlegm or phlegm. Phlegm can come from the nose or from the lungs. Phlegm cough is usually caused by several factors, including:
- Viral and bacterial infections.
- Lung diseases, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Nasal mucus that goes down the throat (postnasal drip).
- Frequent smoking.
Drugs used to treat cough with phlegm are known as expectorant and mucolytic cough medicines, one of which is guaifenesin and bromhexine. This drug has the effect of thinning the phlegm which clogs the respiratory tract. Consuming phlegm cough medicine plus drinking lots of water will make it easier for phlegm to come out when coughing so that breathing can be more relieved.
Dry cough
Dry cough is a cough that is not accompanied by phlegm. This condition usually occurs for several reasons, for example:
- Flu.
- Exposure to irritants, such as chemicals, smoke, or dust.
- Stomach acid disease.
- Narrowing of the airways, such as asthma.
- Blockage of the respiratory tract.
- Side effects of ACE inhibitors for controlling hypertension.
Drugs used to treat dry cough are called antitussive cough medicines, one of which is dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and ammonium chloride. This drug works by dispelling cough stimuli so that the frequency is reduced. While diphenhydramine cough medicine and ammonium chloride, works by reducing irritation and thinning mucus in the throat. This medicine helps you to rest at night because it causes drowsiness.
Dry cough medicine should not be used for phlegm cough conditions, and vice versa. The purpose of coughing up phlegm is to help remove mucus and germs from the airways, if you use a dry cough medicine for cough with phlegm, the phlegm and germs in the respiratory tract will be more difficult to remove so that the cough will be harder to heal.
For coughs caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not necessary because a cough caused by a viral infection can generally improve on its own. Inappropriate use of antibiotics raises the risk of causing germ immunity or causing side effects and allergic reactions. Because it is important for you to get an examination from a doctor before taking cough medicine.
Be aware of the side effects of cough medicine
Cough medicine can indeed help relieve cough if the use is right, but there are some side effects that may occur, including drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, which can be caused by dry cough medicines that contains antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine. In addition, you will also experience similar side effects when taking a dry cough medicine containing dextromethorphan.
As for cough with phlegm, you can also feel some side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, to allergic reactions. But these side effects are very rare.
A complete description of the side effects of cough medicine can be found easily because it is listed on the medicine packaging. Therefore, it is important to read the instructions for using cough medicines carefully before taking them.
If after taking phlegm or dry cough medicine your condition does not improve, immediately consult a doctor. Especially if the cough is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, weight loss, prolonged fever, or a lot of night sweats. Your doctor will determine the cause of the cough you are experiencing and provide the right cough medicine.
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