Natural and Medical Cough Medicine

There are various kinds of cough medicine with phlegm that you can get, both from natural ingredients and those from a doctor's prescription. What are the medicines to relieve cough with phlegm? Check out the following explanation.

Coughing is the body's natural mechanism for clearing the respiratory tract. Coughing up phlegm occurs when coughing is accompanied by mucus or mucus discharge. There are many factors that can cause a cough with phlegm, ranging from viral or bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract, exposure to pollution, cigarette smoke, to more serious medical disorders, such as asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Therefore, you must immediately overcome the cough with phlegm so that the condition does not get worse.

Natural phlegm cough medicine

Here are some natural cough medicine with phlegm that can be used to relieve the condition you are experiencing, namely:

• Water

  One of the easiest and most effective natural cough medicines for phlegm is water. When drinking water, the phlegm in the respiratory tract will become thinner, making it easier to expel. In addition, water also plays a role in maintaining fluid needs to prevent dehydration and prevent irritation in the respiratory tract by maintaining moisture. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.

• Pineapple

  Content bromelain in pineapple efficacious to overcome coughs, including coughs with phlegm. A study even shows substances bromelain that contained in pineapple is able to suppress coughs and reduce the accumulation of phlegm in the throat. In addition, these substances are thought to be able to relieve inflammation and overcome sinusitis caused by allergies. However, there is still not enough clinical evidence to justify these allegations. If you want to take pineapple supplements that contain bromelain, it is advisable to consult a doctor first because this substance can affect the work of other drugs, such as antibiotics.

• Honey

  Honey is one of the most effective natural cough medicines for phlegm. Honey works by thinning phlegm. In addition, honey has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can reduce irritation of the respiratory tract, thereby relieving cough symptoms. Several studies have shown that consuming honey mixed with warm water can effectively relieve dry cough and cough with phlegm in children. However, honey cannot be given to children under the age of 1 year because it can pose a risk of poisoning.

• Mint leaves

  Another natural ingredient that might help as a natural cough remedy for phlegm is mint leaves. The menthol content in mint leaves can help break down mucus in the throat. In addition, menthol also acts as a sore throat reliever. To get the benefits of mint leaves, you can use the leaves as an ingredient for making tea or as a steam bath. For the purposes of a steam bath, you can use mint leaf oil. Drop 3-4 mint leaf oil into 150 ml of hot water. The steam that appears is then inhaled to relieve a blocked throat with phlegm.

• Salt water

  Another natural cough remedy that you can use is salt water. Gargling with salt water is believed to be able to remove phlegm in the throat and reduce irritation. How to make it is quite simple, you only need to mix or teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of warm water. However, this method is not recommended for children under the age of 6 years, because they may not be able to rinse properly.

Medicine for cough with phlegm from the medical side

If natural remedies are not able to relieve cough with phlegm, you can switch to using medical drugs that have been prescribed by a doctor. The following are medical drugs that can be used to relieve cough with phlegm:

• Mucolytic and expectorant

  Mucolytic and expectorant class of drugs are cough medicine with phlegm that work by diluting thick phlegm in the respiratory tract. This class of drugs makes phlegm easier to expel so that it makes the respiratory tract feel more relieved.

• Antihistamines

  Antihistamine group of cough phlegm drugs works by blocking the action of histamine in the body. Histamine usually occurs when an allergic reaction causes the tissues in the nose to swell and release excess mucus. However, this drug can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and headache. Antihistamines will be given if the cough is caused by an allergic reaction.

• Antibiotics

  This medicine is only effective if the cough with phlegm is caused by a bacterial infection. The sign is that if you cough up phlegm, you will produce green or yellowish phlegm. Coughing up phlegm with clear mucus caused by a viral infection or allergy is not effective when treated with antibiotics. To determine the right type of antibiotic, it must be with the consideration and recommendation of a doctor.

Natural cough medicine with phlegm as well as over-the-counter medical medicines can help relieve the cough you are experiencing. However, you should be alert if the cough does not go away for more than three weeks, feels pain in the chest, or has difficulty breathing. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms. The doctor will provide the right treatment according to the condition of the cough experienced.