How to get rid of cough with phlegm?
In summer we blame the air conditioners, in winter the cold outside and the seasons of transition, well – the sharp transition between day and night temperatures. Either way, today more than ever we are alert and sensitive to the sound of cough and it is important that we know its origins in depth. Our fear today of a cough with phlegm is in the transmission of viruses but it is certainly a nuisance in itself to those who suffer from it and may be a symptom indicative of a health problem not diagnosable by an untrained professional. In the following lines we will focus on the phenomenon of phlegm cough and try to understand where in general it came to us and how it can be overcome and supported in natural ways as well.
Ways to treat cough with phlegm
The title of the phlegm cough is definitely bothersome and disturbing, so of course you should try to avoid it as much as possible and an explanation of common ways of coping you can find below. But if you are still experiencing a persistent phlegm cough at the moment, you should know that you can find various types of relief medications on the shelf, as well as many folk remedies that we will present in the following lines.
Preventative treatment for cough with phlegm
The best way to treat cough, as with many other diseases, is preventative treatment. In addition to maintaining hygiene in the winter to reduce the chance of infection, and to avoid smoking and environmental pollutants, it is advisable to maintain a proper diet to maintain a strong immune system. For example, orange vegetables and green leaves contribute to the reservoir of vitamin A which shortens the time of illness. Pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, wheat germ and whole rice, are rich in zinc which strengthens the function of the immune system. Also, many fruits like kiwi and citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C which is an antioxidant. There are many other plants in nature such as European Elderberry, ginseng and andrographis which are known for their supplemental properties in cases of seasonal stresses and normal congestion, as well as supporting the immune system. The herbs can be found in RENEW, which combines them together – minerals and herbs, to help the immune system.
Remedies for cough with phlegm
In general, cough treatment can be divided into four types:
Drugs that treat the causes of the disease itself, such as antiviral drugs or antibiotics. (3) (5)
Drugs that treat phlegm, such as steroid therapy that reduces congestion or antihistamines. (4)
Medications that relieve cough, such as inhalations with a local anesthetic.
Expectorants that encourage the removal of mucus or reduce its viscosity. (6)
The pharmacy will offer you a wide variety of different doses and syrups against phlegm and cough that are indeed safe and effective (7). It is important to remember that these drugs usually relieve the symptom but do not solve the infection, so it is worth focusing on preventing the cough and strengthening the immune system. (2)
Medications for treating cough with phlegm
Folk medicine for cough with phlegm
The wisdom of grandmothers can also help in the case of cough relief and you should definitely try to use natural ingredients, some of which are found in every home or grocery store.
- What do you drink? Drinking a lot soothes the cough and helps in returning fluids to the body. You should focus on drinking water or a warm drink and we have a variety of recommended infusions: European Elderberry, basil, oregano, thyme, or a combination of mandarin peel, ginger root and crushed cardamom.
- What are you eating? You should follow a healthy diet to strengthen the body and especially consume dehydrating foods like onions, kohlrabi, pearl barley, sprouts and green apples. You should also eat foods that strengthen the immune system like orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes, fruits that contain vitamin C,
green leaves like celery and legumes that are high in vitamin B. On the other hand, it is also important to avoid certain foods that encourage phlegm such as bananas, mangoes, dairy products and citrus fruits. - What to do? Rest and let the body get stronger and focus on getting rid of the invaders.
You can put in a burner or in a warm and relaxing bath quality essential oils that help the respiratory system such as Rabinsara, Lavender, Eucalyptus or thyme. For the more serious among you it is also possible to do a massage in the chest area with a drop of one of these oils on a carrier oil. Of course in the case of a child it is very important to adjust the oil to the age. - What do you take? If you still need a teaspoon of “supplement” to help the cough, you can make a variety of homemade syrups based on honey which might relieve the itching and give a temporary coating layer. Honey can be added to one of the ingredients with strengthening properties such as garlic, onion, ginger, licorice or thyme.
In many cases, the cough will go away on its own after a few days to two weeks, especially if it is a cough caused by a minor stress. The cough on its own is not dangerous, but certainly interferes with the lifestyle and quality of sleep, may transmit the viruses to family members and other people, and in general the cough is unpleasant. In addition, there are chronic infectious diseases which, left untreated, or treated incorrectly, can certainly lead to complications, so if a persistent cough is not relieved, the patient should seek medical attention even if there are no other symptoms.
A cough caused by a minor invader will pass after the immune system overcomes it, usually within a few days to two weeks, so strengthening the immune system is key. Acute cough can last up to three weeks especially when it is a symptom of chronic or common pneumonia. If it lasts more than eight weeks, it is a chronic cough that requires a comprehensive examination and an orderly medical diagnosis. (1)
There are a variety of medical causes for cough with phlegm, and most of us will experience the disturbing phlegm cough phenomenon as part of the symptoms of diseases that appear in the transition season and winter when exposed to more viruses. At the same time, the question always arises as to how ten children in an entire class are sick, but not all of them, and how there is one from the office who has not taken a day off for five years. The explanation for this is simple and of course stems from the level of maintaining personal hygiene and certainly the strength of the immune system. The stronger our immune system is the faster it overcomes viruses that enter our system, sometimes even without symptoms developing.
Sometimes the causes of a cough-causing illness are those that require antibiotics and the cough will go away along with the illness. But in most cases, the cough is a symptom of a viral disease that will go away on its own and the body’s immune system must be allowed to overcome the virus, so it is worth supporting the immune system. To treat a cough there are many over-the-counter medications and folk remedies that aim to relieve the cough with phlegm as well as supplements to support the immune system.
