Cough

You may be coughing up much mucus, while the person beside you has a dry or tickling cough. It is far from a contest as we explore the various kinds of cough:

• Productive cough - this form is also known as a wet or mucus cough, because it drives the mucus out of the upper respiratory tract. Those battling these forms of cough often remark that it is 'sticky', and those around them can hear the stuck, gurgling quality to it.
• Tickling cough - this cough does not bring up any mucus and is categorized as a non-productive cough. Something irritates your throat, stimulating the cough reflex, and this usually only lasts for the single cough or episode before dissipating.
• Dry cough - another non-productive cough, comparable to a tickling cough, although the cause may differ. These also do not have mucous and the membranes are often irritated as a result, but those battling these coughs often make use of a syrup or something to soothe the irritated tissue.
• Persistent (chronic) cough - a cough which lasts more than three weeks. The term may be applied to any productive and non-productive kinds of cough.
• Smoker's cough - this is the result of prolonged smoking and occurs because the lungs try to drive out the toxic buildup in the respiratory tract. The long-term inflammation of the lung tissue as a result of inhaling smoke and the added chemicals causes the body to form scar tissue. This irritation then makes the body believe something is trapped in the airway and as a result, initiates the cough reflex.

Answer these three questions to find out >> which type of cough you have

Is the cough productive, in which case we tend to "rattle" all day long. For that we thank the overwhelming amount of mucus in the respiratory tract that is now so thick that it cannot be easily expectorated So, we keep on coughing until we tire of it...
This productive or "wet" cough is typical during a cold as the body produces mucous to trap invading pathogens. The cold could very well go away after a few days, but don't worry, you do not have to suffer with this cough for days! Solution: A.Vogel Bronchosan®

A.Vogel Bronchosan® - Natural Cough Remedy

• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a natural cough expectorant (helps mucus expulsion) to help relieve coughs and chest complaints, such as catarrhs and bronchitis. The European Medicines Agency acknowledges the ability of ivy leaf, Bronchosan's main medicinal ingredient, to dilate the bronchi or the airways.
• No potential for dependency
• No side effects
• Sugar-, gluten- and lactose-free

More about A.Vogel Bronchosan®

The children have been tucked in and the dog has finished pawing at their bed to fluff it up. You finally lay your head down next to your partner and quicker than it took for your child to settle, you're struck by a single irritated cough and up goes the house. Some benign irritation to the throat has the children asking for you and the dark barking. This can't go on. Use A.Vogel Soothing Cough Syrup.

A.Vogel Soothing Cough Syrup

• Alcohol-free!
• Made from fresh wild Norway Spruce (great taste)
• Clinically proven
• Gluten- and lactose-free

Consult a doctor if coughing hurts or if you cough up blood or rust-coloured mucus. If the cough persists more than 3 weeks, this could also indicate something more than a short viral or bacterial infection.

Do not smoke and minimize exposure to second hand smoke from others or tertiary smoke that has seeped into fabrics such as in cars or furniture. Take in some daily extra oxygen by walking outside for instance, but avoid going near contaminated, smoky environments. Make sure to rest sufficiently; this improves resistance.

Coughing is a defense mechanism of the body, aimed at keeping the respiratory tract clean.
The walls of our respiratory tract, from the back of the throat to deep within the lungs, are full of nerve endings. When those are stimulated or irritated, sensory signals reach the cough centre of the brain and trigger a series of coordinated muscle actions which lead to coughing.
The cartilaginous structure (better known as the larynx) is temporarily closed off by the epiglottis, a piece of tissue that acts akin to a lid or cover on the open airway. This is followed almost simultaneously by the contraction of the diaphragm and chest muscles, causing increased pressure in the upper respiratory tract.
As soon as the epiglottis relaxes again, the larynx opens and depending on the individual respiratory capacity, about 1.5 litres of air are forcefully expelled from the lungs via the upper respiratory tract. This leads to the characteristic cough sound.
During this air expulsion, speeds of 150 km/h have been measured, whereby undesired material is pushed out of the upper respiratory tract. At the same time, three thousand miniscule droplets of saliva come free in a cloud that disperses, leaving some to hover in the air with the possibility of being inhaled by those nearby. This sentence alone reminds us why covering our mouths when we cough is so important to reduce contamination or infecting those around us.

• Avoid junk food (fried and refined) and put down that glass of milk if you're asthmatic as it can exacerbate the accumulation of mucus.
• Choose vitamin and mineral-rich foods, preferably organically grown. Vitamin C is especially important for bolstering the immune system (fruits, vegetables).
• Eat salads containing a little horseradish, watercress or garden cress.
• Enjoy an herbal tea of anise, pimpernel, thyme and goldenrod, sweetened with honey (if not diabetic).