A Comprehensive Guide to Naturally Managing Chronic Coughs

Are you tired of dealing with that chronic cough that won't disappear? Chronic coughs can be super annoying and disruptive to your daily life. The good news is that plenty of natural remedies and holistic strategies can help you find some relief.

In this blog, we'll explore everything you need to know about chronic coughs, from what causes them to how to manage them naturally. Let's get started!

BM13 may help with acute, chronic whooping, barking, painful, productive, and dry cough. Best used for chest pain, irritating cough, and bronchial inflammation.

What is a chronic cough?

A chronic cough is a persistent cough that lasts for an extended period, typically eight weeks or longer. It's not the same as a cough that comes and goes with a cold or flu. Chronic coughs can be quite bothersome and may affect your daily life.

Causes

Several things can cause a chronic cough:

• Postnasal Drip: When your nose produces too much mucus, it can drip down the back of your throat, causing irritation and triggering coughing.
• Asthma: Asthma is when the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult and causing coughing, especially at night or early in the morning.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This is when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach), irritating it and causing coughing.
• Smoking: Smoking irritates the lungs and can lead to a chronic cough. Even secondhand smoke exposure can cause this.
• Chronic Bronchitis: This is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where the airways in your lungs become inflamed and produce excess mucus, leading to a persistent cough.
• Infections: Conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, or tuberculosis can cause a cough that lingers even after the infection has cleared.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to irritants in the air, such as pollution, dust, or chemical fumes, can lead to a chronic cough.
• Medications: Some medications, particularly ACE inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure, can cause a chronic cough as a side effect.
• Lung Conditions: Other lung conditions like interstitial lung disease or lung cancer can also lead to chronic coughing.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a chronic cough involves several steps to determine the underlying cause. Here's how it's typically done:

1. Medical History: Your doctor will ask you questions about your cough, including when it started, how often it occurs, if you have any other symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath, and if anything makes it better or worse.

2. Physical Examination: Your doctor will then perform a physical exam, listening to your lungs with a stethoscope and checking for signs of underlying conditions like asthma or lung infections.

3. Tests: Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may order tests to help diagnose the cause of your chronic cough. These tests may include:

1. • Chest X-ray: This imaging test can help detect lung abnormalities, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung cancer.
   • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): These tests measure how well your lungs function and can help diagnose conditions like asthma or COPD.
   • Allergy Testing: If your doctor suspects that allergies may be causing your cough, they may recommend allergy testing to identify specific allergens that could trigger your symptoms.
   • CT Scan: In some cases, a chest CT scan may be ordered to provide more detailed images of the lungs and airways, especially if the chest X-ray results are inconclusive.
   • Bronchoscopy: This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera into your airways to examine them directly. It can help diagnose conditions like lung cancer, infections, or foreign objects in the airways.
   • Esophageal pH Monitoring: If GERD is suspected of causing your cough, your doctor may recommend this test to measure the acid level in your esophagus over 24 hours.
   • Sputum Culture: If you cough and produce sputum (mucus), a sample may be collected and tested to identify any bacteria or fungi causing an infection.

Other symptoms

Alongside a chronic cough, other symptoms can depend on the underlying cause. Here are some common ones:

• Shortness of Breath: A chronic cough may accompany difficulty breathing or feeling breathless, especially during physical activity, mainly if the cause is related to lung conditions like asthma or COPD.
• Wheezing: This is a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when you breathe, often heard when exhaling. It can indicate narrowing airways, as seen in asthma or COPD.
• Chest Pain: Some people with a chronic cough may experience chest discomfort or pain ranging from mild to severe. This can be due to the strain of coughing or underlying conditions like pneumonia or pleurisy.
• Fatigue: Chronic coughing can be physically exhausting and may lead to feelings of tiredness or fatigue, especially if it disrupts your sleep at night.
• Fever: If your chronic cough is caused by an infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, you may develop a fever and other symptoms like chills and body aches.

BIO11 is best used for fever and the initial stages of inflammatory diseases.

• Sputum Production: Some people with a chronic cough may cough up mucus or phlegm, which can vary in color and consistency depending on the underlying cause. For example, bacterial infections may produce yellow or green sputum, while viral infections may produce clear or white sputum.
• Heartburn: If GERD is the cause of your chronic cough, you may experience symptoms of acid reflux, such as heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth, especially after eating or when lying down.
• Nasal Congestion: Conditions like postnasal drip, sinusitis, or allergies can cause chronic cough, nasal congestion, or a runny nose.
• Weight Loss: In some cases, a chronic cough accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty swallowing or loss of appetite may lead to unintentional weight loss, which can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as cancer.
• Hoarseness: Chronic coughing can irritate the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness or changes in voice quality.

BIO6 is best used for coughing, painful respiration, and chest pain due to inflammation and mucus in the lungs. Also. It may help with head cold with congestion in the throat and sinus cavities. 

Possible complications

Chronic coughs can sometimes lead to complications, such as:

• Exhaustion: Constant coughing can lead to fatigue and exhaustion, disrupting your daily activities and sleep patterns.
• Physical Strain: Chronic coughing can strain your chest muscles, leading to discomfort or pain in the chest or abdomen.
• Sleep Disturbance: Persistent coughing, especially at night, can disrupt sleep, leading to insomnia and daytime drowsiness.
• Social Impacts: Chronic coughing can be embarrassing or socially isolating, affecting relationships and activities.
• Worsening of Underlying Conditions: If left untreated, the underlying conditions causing the cough, such as asthma or GERD, can worsen over time, leading to more severe symptoms and complications.

Risk Factors

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing or worsening a chronic cough. These include:

• Smoking: Tobacco smoke irritates the lungs and airways, increasing the risk of developing a chronic cough.
• Occupational Exposures: Exposure to irritants or pollutants in the workplace, such as dust, chemicals, or fumes, can contribute to chronic coughs.
• Environmental Factors: Living in areas with high levels of air pollution or allergens can increase the risk of developing respiratory conditions that cause chronic coughs.
• Age: Older adults may be more susceptible to chronic coughs due to age-related changes in the respiratory system and a higher likelihood of underlying health conditions.
• Gender: Women tend to have a higher prevalence of chronic coughs than men, possibly due to differences in airway sensitivity and hormonal factors.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as asthma, allergies, GERD, or COPD, can increase the risk of developing a chronic cough.
• Medications: Some medications, particularly ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure, can cause a chronic cough as a side effect.
• Family History: A family history of respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies may increase the likelihood of developing a chronic cough.

Holistic management strategies

Managing chronic coughs often involves a holistic approach that addresses both the underlying cause of the cough and its symptoms.

Here are some holistic management strategies:

1. Identify and Treat Underlying Conditions: Work with your healthcare provider to identify any underlying conditions causing your chronic cough, such as asthma, GERD, or allergies. Effectively treating these conditions can help alleviate the cough.

2. Quit Smoking: If you smoke, quitting smoking can significantly improve your chronic cough and overall respiratory health. Seek support from healthcare professionals, smoking cessation programs, or support groups to quit successfully.

3. Avoid Environmental Triggers: Minimize exposure to environmental irritants such as smoke, dust, pollution, and allergens that can worsen your cough. Use air purifiers, avoid areas with poor air quality, and take steps to reduce indoor allergens like dust mites and pet dander.

4. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, and clear broths to help soothe your throat and thin mucus, making it easier to clear from your airways.

5. Humidify the Air: Use a humidifier to add moisture and prevent throat irritation and dry cough, especially during dry weather or in heated indoor environments.

6. Practice Good Vocal Hygiene: Avoid shouting or speaking loudly, as it can strain your vocal cords and worsen your cough. Instead, techniques such as swallowing or sipping water can reduce throat clearing.

7. Manage Stress: Stress can exacerbate chronic coughs. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or tai chi to reduce stress and promote overall well-being.

8. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support your immune system and overall health. Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux, such as spicy or acidic foods, if GERD contributes to your cough.

9. Elevate Your Head While Sleeping: Use extra pillows or a wedge pillow to elevate your head. This can help reduce nighttime coughing associated with conditions like GERD or postnasal drip.

10. Stay Active: Regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, improves lung function, strengthens respiratory muscles, and enhances overall health.

11. Seek Alternative Therapies: Consider complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, or homeopathic treatments under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. While research on their effectiveness for chronic coughs is limited, some individuals may find relief with these approaches.

12. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your cough frequency, severity, and any accompanying symptoms. This information can help you and your healthcare provider assess the effectiveness of treatments and make adjustments as needed.

By incorporating these holistic management strategies into your routine, you can better manage your chronic cough and improve your quality of life.

Natural remedies

Natural remedies can be an excellent way to get relief from chronic coughs. Here are some simple and effective natural remedies:

1. Honey: Honey has soothing properties that can help alleviate cough and throat irritation. You can take it alone or mix it with herbal tea or warm water.

2. Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help relieve cough symptoms. You can make ginger tea by steeping fresh ginger slices in hot water or add grated ginger to soups or stir-fries.

3. Steam Inhalation: Steam can help moisturize and soothe the airways, reducing coughing. Boil water in a pot, remove it from heat, and lean over it with a towel covering your head to trap the steam. Breathe in deeply for 5-10 minutes.

4. Warm Saltwater Gargle: Gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it out.

5. Peppermint: Peppermint contains menthol, which has a cooling effect and can help relieve throat irritation. You can drink peppermint tea or inhale peppermint oil vapor by adding a few drops to hot water.

6. Licorice Root: Licorice root has demulcent properties that can help coat the throat and reduce coughing. Drink licorice root tea or chew on a piece of licorice root.

7. Thyme: Thyme contains compounds with expectorant and antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial for cough relief. You can brew thyme tea by steeping fresh or dried thyme leaves in hot water.

8. Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil has decongestant and expectorant properties that can help clear the airways and reduce coughing. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water, inhale the steam, or use it in a diffuser.

9. Turmeric Milk: Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm milk and drink it before bedtime to help alleviate cough and promote restful sleep.

10. Marshmallow Root: Marshmallow root contains mucilage, which can help soothe and coat the throat, reducing coughing. Drink marshmallow root tea or take marshmallow root supplements as directed.

11. Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, and clear broths, to keep the throat moist and help thin mucus, making it easier to expel.

12. Rest and Relaxation: Getting adequate rest and reducing stress can support your immune system and help your body recover from a chronic cough more effectively.

13. Bestmade Natural Products BM13: BM13 is a natural supplement that may reduce chest tightness and bronchial inflammation, promoting easier breathing. It helps clear lung congestion, calm bronchitis cough, and promote natural healing. This non-drowsy formula allows you to continue your daily activities while effectively addressing your cough.

The bottom line

This is your comprehensive guide to addressing chronic coughs naturally! Remember, managing a chronic cough can take trial and error, so don't get discouraged if you don't find relief immediately.

Be patient with yourself, listen to your body, and don't hesitate to contact a healthcare professional if you need extra support. Here's to cough-free days ahead!