Chronic Cough

Causes of Chronic Cough

Chronic cough can have various causes, including respiratory infections, allergies, irritants, smoking, underlying lung conditions, and certain medications.

Common causes of chronic cough include:

• Postnasal Drip: Extra mucus dripping down the back of your throat.
• Asthma: Coughing triggered by cold air, chemicals, or fragrances.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid irritating the esophagus.
• Infections: Lingering cough after pneumonia, flu, or other infections.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Symptoms of Chronic Cough

Symptoms may include

• A persistent cough that lasts for weeks or months
• Coughing up phlegm
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Disturbed sleep
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Postnasal drip
• Frequent throat clearing and sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
• In rare cases, coughing up blood

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. A thorough medical history and physical exam can provide important clues about a chronic cough. Your doctor may also order tests to look for the cause of your chronic cough.

However, many doctors opt to start treatment for one of the common causes of chronic cough rather than ordering expensive tests. If the treatment doesn't work, however, you may undergo testing for less common causes.

1. Imaging Tests
   • X-rays: Although a routine chest X-ray won't reveal the most common reasons for a cough — postnasal drip, acid reflux or asthma — it may be used to check for lung cancer, pneumonia and other lung diseases. An X-ray of your sinuses may reveal evidence of a sinus infection.
   • Computerized tomography (CT) scans: CT scans also may be used to check your lungs for conditions that may produce chronic cough or your sinus cavities for pockets of infection.
   • Rhinoscopy: Using a fiberoptic scope (rhinoscope), your doctor can view your nasal passageways, sinuses and upper airway.
2. Children

   A chest X-ray and spirometry, at a minimum, are typically ordered to find the cause of a chronic cough in children.

Complications

Having a persistent cough can be exhausting. Coughing can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Sleep Disruption
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
• Fractured ribs
• Passing out (syncope)

Homeopathy and Chronic Cough

1. Aconitum
   • These children wake from sleep with a dry, hoarse, croupy cough, which tends to be worse at night and after midnight. They are apt to develop a cold or cough during dry cold weather.
   • Dry cough, they will have a dry mouth and shortness of breath.
   • They are usually very thirsty, The cough is worse from being cold, drinking cold water, from tobacco smoke, lying on either side, and at night, especially after midnight.
   • These children are often restless and anxious.
2. Antimonium tart
   • A loud rattling cough with an inability to expectorate mucus is characteristic of this medicine.
   • Sometimes precipitated after being angered or annoyed, the respiratory difficulties cause these children to feel drowsy, weak, and feeble.
   • Their symptoms are usually worse at 4 a.m.
3. Belladonna
   • When cough symptoms appear suddenly and the child has a dry cough with laryngitis, consider this remedy.
   • These children are restless, drowsy, and have wild dreams. Their symptoms are worse at night.
4. Bryonia
   • When a common cold starts with a nasal discharge and then moves down into the chest, Bryonia is often given, especially when the cough is dry and worse by motion or breathing in.
   • It is painful to move and to inspire, so these children tend to hold their chest as they breathe in order to limit the motion of the chest.
   • The cough is also aggravated by warm rooms and during or after eating. These children tend to be sensitive to drafts and are always catching cold.
5. Drosera
   • Bouts of continuous, dry, barking coughing are characteristic of children who need this remedy.
   • They may experience a spasmodic tickling cough that is accompanied by choking, cold sweats, and vomiting.
   • Their cough is aggravated by lying down and after midnight, especially at 2 a.m.
   • The cough is irritated by talking, eating, or drinking cold fluids.
   • These children are usually seen holding onto the chest for support during the coughing spells.
6. Hepar Sulphur
   • This remedy is good for a barking, croupy cough, especially when it is exacerbated by exposure to cold.
   • The cough may also be excited by dryness or dust in the larynx, eating or drinking cold things, deep inspiration, or a draft.
   • There may be much coughing up of mucus or rattling of the chest without the ability to cough the mucus out.
7. Ipecac
   • When children have a hacking cough with a tendency to retch or vomit, this remedy should be considered.
   • These children have blood-strained mucus, constriction of the chest, and a tickling in the throat, causing a cough.
   • They tend to cough with every breath and experience excessive salivation.
   • The cough is worse in hot, humid weather or in changing weather.
   • They may also have sneezing and hoarseness. This remedy is a common medicine for infants with a cough and vomiting.
8. Kali bic
   • Known to frequently cough up stringy, ropy, yellow mucus, these children are worse after eating, drinking, uncovering, cold weather, and at 3 a.m.
   • They experience some relief from expectorating the stringy mucus, warmth, warm weather, and lying down in a warm bed.
   • They have a sensation of a hair in the back of the throat that irritates the cough.
9. Phosphorus
   • These children have a dry hard cough, sometimes with a persistent tickle felt behind the sternum.
   • The cough is aggravated by lying down, especially on the left side, and they are wakened at night and need to sit up to cough.
   • They are also aggravated by talking, moving, going from a warm room to cold air, or from strong odors.
   • To decrease pain from coughing, they usually hold their chest.
10. Pulsatilla
    • This remedy is related to some characteristic cough symptoms, but it is more commonly prescribed based on a child’s General Characteristics.
    • The cough symptoms are aggravated in a warm room or warm weather, by lying down to sleep, and at night. Walking in the cool air provides some relief.
11. Spongia
    • This remedy is one of the primary medicines for a dry, barking, croupy cough.
    • The air passages are dry, the sputum is absent, and the voice is hoarse.

Benefits of Homeopathic Treatment

1. Individualized Care: Homeopathy recognizes that each person is unique. A homeopath will assess your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to prescribe a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
2. Gentle and Natural: Homeopathic remedies are derived from natural substances and are known for their minimal side effects. They work in harmony with the body, promoting self-healing and overall well-being.
3. Holistic Approach: Homeopathy takes into account not only the physical symptoms but also the emotional and mental aspects of an individual. It aims to restore balance at all levels, providing comprehensive care.
4. Long-Term Relief: By addressing the underlying causes of chronic cough, homeopathy strives to achieve long-term relief and improved respiratory health.

Consulting a Homeopath

If you are seeking homeopathic treatment for chronic cough, it is essential to consult with a qualified and experienced homeopath. At Sanjivani Homeopathy Clinic, our team of skilled homeopaths will conduct a thorough evaluation, considering your symptoms, medical history, and individual characteristics to develop a personalized treatment plan.