What Is Wet Cough?
Coughing is caused by irritation is the respiratory system. The respiratory system gets irritated by a number of external factors – pollution, dust, allergies, harmful smokes, contaminated air, etc. These irritants enter the respiratory system through the airways and instantly garner the attention of the brain. The brain convulses into action, sending out signals to fight the irritants from harming the lungs. Coughing is an instant monitory reflex instigated by the brain as a defense mechanism to eliminate harmful irritants from the airways. These irritants can cause illness, viral infections, irritation to the lungs and other severe health issues if left untreated. When you cough, the muscles of the body contract to burst out air, mucus, emissions, and other harmful discharges through the airways. This helps the sick person to inhale and exhale at a balanced pace. Coughing tends to get worse during the night time when you’re trying sleep because the mucus and discharge get collected in the throat. This further amplifies the urge to cough and burst out the mucus through the mouth. There are two types of cough – dry cough and a wet cough. The dry cough does not involve any mucus or phlegm whereas wet cough is accompanied by phlegm which can be a cause of irritation to the sick person. While suffering from a wet cough, the patient produces more phlegm.
What Causes Wet Cough?
A wet cough is often caused by external irritants and viruses – environmental factors, viral infection, contact with other patient’s phlegm, bacteria, etc. A cold and flu-causing bacteria usually instigates the process of coughing reflex. Wet cough is one of the main symptoms of cold, flu, viral infections and respiratory problems. It is a defence mechanism to eliminate the phlegm and discharge accumulated in the lungs and chest. Wet cough is acute, treatable and can be easily diagnosed in a person. If accompanied as a symptom of cold or flu, wet cough can be resolved in a matter of days with regular medication and care. However, sometimes wet cough can be a symptom of a much larger and severe infection or disease. Below are some severe and known causes of wet cough:
1. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that develops in the respiratory system (i.e, lungs and nasal canals) from the accumulation of dreadful bacteria and viruses. Pneumonia can be both and chronic, ranging between the levels of mild infection to deadly and life-threatening.
2. Asthma
Most people suffering from asthma also have to deal with a both dry and wet cough. Wet coughing occurs most likely due to the onset of mucus and phlegm in the nasal ways. However, in the majority of the asthma cases, dry cough is the most common symptom.
3. Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis occurs in the early stage of childhood. Most doctors scan the baby at birth for any symptoms of cystic fibrosis. It is considered a genetic disorder and happens to many children at birth. Cystic Fibrosis happens when there are excess production and secretion of mucus or phlegm in the nasal cavity, lungs, organs and other parts of the body. It is recommended that every parent should their baby at birth for Cystic Fibrosis.
4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used usually to describe a number of lung-related diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and refractory asthma (also known as irreversible asthma). There are 4 stages of COPD – the first stage is also called the mild stage, the second stage is called the moderate stage, the third stage is called the severe emphysema and the fourth stage is called the end-stage or very severe. In the last stage, the oxygen levels are really low.
5. Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis is a form of inflammation in the lungs and bronchial tubes. The bronchial tubes are the nasal airways that carry the oxygen to the lungs. Acute bronchitis occurs for a short term and is usually caused by bacteria and virus. It is treatable. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a much severe and prolonged condition. Most people who suffer from chronic bronchitis are smokers or labourers working in a heavy smoke/pollution producing industry.
How To Treat Wet Cough At Home?
1. Lemon
What You Will Need
- Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
- Water or tea – 1 cup
What To Do
Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to a hot cup of water and drink it. You can also squeeze a lemon on top of your tea every morning before breakfast. The hot water and citrus will soothe your sore throat and remove the accumulated mucus in the nasal cavity.
How Often To Do
You can do this every morning.
Why This Works
Lemon has heavy doses of vitamin C which helps in easing cold, cough and fever. It also has antioxidants and antiseptic properties.
2. Honey
What You Will Need
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Black pepper – 1 teaspoon (optional)
What To Do
It can be added to your tea, milk and oatmeal in the morning. You can also mix a tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of black pepper. This will calm your sore throat, reduce the inflammation in the nasal cavity and loosen the mucus.
How Often To Do
You can do this every day – preferably in the mornings.
Why This Works
Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that loosen and remove the accumulated phlegm in the nasal cavity.
3. Black Pepper
What You Will Need
- Black pepper – 1 teaspoon
What To Do
One way to consume black pepper is by mixing it with honey. Another way to do it is by adding it as a flavoring on top of hard or semi boiled eggs. You can also heat the black pepper on the stove and inhale the fumes rising from it.
How Often To Do
You can do this once every day until the nasal cavity clears.
Why This Works
Inhaling the black pepper fumes or consuming it helps cleaning nasal blockages. Nasal blockages are caused by the accumulation of mucus in the nasal cavity. The black pepper loosens and exterminates the phlegm from the nasal passages.
4. Ginger Tea
What You Will Need
- Ginger – 4 tiny pieces
- Water – 1 cup
What To Do
First, you will have to peel the ginger. Cut the ginger in small pieces and add it to a pot of hot boiling water. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the water has absorbed the essence of ginger. Now filter the tea in a mug and add a tablespoon of honey to it.
How Often To Do
You can do this every day in the morning before breakfast.
Why This Works
The combination of ginger and honey can help in curing wet cough, cold and fever. The hot ginger and honey tea will instantly warm the insides of your throat and the soothe the inflammation caused by continuous coughing.
5. Basil Leaf
What You Will Need
- Basil – 2 leaves
What To Do
You can crush a basil leaf and add it to your teas or pastas. Or you can directly chew a basil leaf for effective results. Basil leaves can be combined with ginger and honey.
How Often To Do
You can do this every day by adding basil to your recipes.
Why This Works
Basil leaf or basil extract has antiseptic properties and antimicrobial which can treat both wet cough and dry cough. The basil will loosen the discharge and mucus present in the throat and nasal cavity. It will also clear the airways for the person to breath easily. It also cures congestion.
6. Jaggery
What You Will Need
- Jaggery – 1 piece
What To Do
Combine crushed jaggery with black pepper and ginger to make an infusion tea for the sore throat.
How Often To Do
You can do this every day in the morning.
Why This Works
Jaggery has a similar effect on the throat as honey. It will loosen the mucus present in the nasal passages and soothe the inflammation caused by coughing. It will also remove the harmful bacteria from the mouth.
7. Cloves
What You Will Need
- Cloves – 4
What To Do
You can heat the cloves and inhale the fumes for clearing the nasal cavity. You mix crushed cloves with honey and black pepper to relieve the sore throat. You can also add two to three buds of cloves to a boiling pot of water along with honey and ginger. Drink the tea early in the morning before having breakfast to gain complete relief.
How Often To Do
You can do this once every day.
Why This Works
Cloves help in removing the bacteria from the mouth, melt the accumulated mucus inside the nasal cavity and relief the inflammation caused from a sore throat.
[Read More: 20 Benefits and Uses of Clove Oil]
8. Onion Pulp
What You Will Need
- Onions – ¼
What To Do
Onion pulp or onion mixed with raw organic honey can help in relieving a sore throat. Consume the mixture two times a day – early morning and night for effective results.
How Often To Do
You can do this once every day to see effective results.
Why This Works
It will repair the inflammation caused by continuous coughing. It will clear the nasal cavity and loosen the mucus.
9. Cinnamon
What You Will Need
- Cinnamon – 1 tablespoon
What To Do
You can add a teaspoon of cinnamon and honey to a boiling pot of water for instant relief from a sore throat.
How Often To Do
You can do this once every day in the mornings – preferably before breakfast.
Why This Works
Cinnamon has been used for ages to cure a sore throat and cold. The antiseptic properties present in cinnamon help in relieving the inflammation, loosen the mucus and reduce the coughing.
10. Salt Water
What You Will Need
- Salt – 2 tablespoons (Preferably, rock salt)
What To Do
All you have to do is add 2-3 tablespoons of sea salt or rock salt to hot water. After that hold the solution of sea salt inside your mouth for a few minutes before gargling. Repeat this twice a day for effective results.
How Often To Do
You can do this twice a day – morning before breakfast and at night before bedtime.
Why This Works
One of the best ways to cure a sore throat and wet cough is by gargling salt water. The sea salt has soothing and calming properties which relax the throat and loosen the phlegm present in the nasal passages.
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