What to do if a cold causes a cough
Colds are common diseases in daily life, and cough is one of the most common symptoms of colds. Among the hot topics on the Internet recently, discussions about colds and coughs remain high, especially how to effectively relieve coughs caused by colds. This article will combine the hot content of the past 10 days to provide you with structured solutions.
1. Causes of colds and coughs
Coughs caused by colds are usually caused by viruses invading the upper respiratory tract, causing inflammation of the throat and trachea. Coughing is a self-protective mechanism of the body designed to clear foreign matter and secretions from the respiratory tract. The following are common causes of colds and coughs:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| viral infection | Cold viruses (such as rhinovirus and coronavirus) infect the respiratory tract and cause inflammation |
| increased mucus secretion | Inflammatory stimulation leads to increased mucus secretion in the respiratory tract, triggering a cough reflex |
| Throat irritation | Viruses or inflammation directly irritate the throat, causing dry cough |
2. Types of colds and coughs
Depending on the characteristics and duration of the cough, cold coughs can be divided into the following types:
| Type | Features | duration |
|---|---|---|
| dry cough | No phlegm or a small amount of mucus, itchy or sore throat | Usually lasts 3-5 days |
| Wet cough | With more mucus or phlegm, which may be white or yellow | Lasts 1-2 weeks |
| night cough | Aggravated at night, affecting sleep | May be consistent with the duration of a cold |
3. Methods to relieve cold and cough
Coughs caused by colds can be relieved from the following aspects:
1. Home Care
| method | Specific operations |
|---|---|
| drink more water | Warm water or honey water can relieve dry throat and thin mucus |
| maintain humidity | Use a humidifier or steam inhalation to relieve dry respiratory tracts |
| rest | Adequate rest helps the body recover |
2. Medication
If your cough seriously affects your life, you may consider the following medications:
| drug type | function | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| cough medicine | Inhibit cough reflex, suitable for dry cough | Not suitable for long-term use |
| expectorant | Helps drain mucus, suitable for wet coughs | Need to drink more water |
| anti-allergy medicine | Relieve itchy throat or cough caused by allergies | May cause drowsiness |
3. Dietary therapy recommendations
Among the hot topics in the past 10 days, many netizens have shared dietary treatments for relieving coughs:
| food | Efficacy | How to eat |
|---|---|---|
| honey | Soothes throat and relieves cough, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory | Eat directly or soak in water |
| pear | Clear away heat and moisturize the lungs, relieve dry cough | Stew or juice pears |
| ginger tea | Warm up the body and relieve cold and cough | Ginger slices soaked in water |
4. When Do You Need Medical Treatment?
Most colds and coughs will resolve on their own in about a week, but it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly if:
| Symptoms | Possible reasons |
|---|---|
| Cough that lasts more than 2 weeks | May develop a chronic cough or other illness |
| Coughing up blood or thick yellow phlegm | Possible bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment |
| difficulty breathing or chest pain | Possible pneumonia or other serious illness |
5. Suggestions for preventing colds and coughs
Prevention is better than cure. The following are effective ways to prevent colds and coughs mentioned in recent hot topics:
| Suggestions | Specific measures |
|---|---|
| Enhance immunity | Balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep |
| Pay attention to hygiene | Wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with people with colds |
| Get vaccinated | Flu vaccine may reduce risk of colds |
Although coughs caused by colds are common, symptoms can be effectively relieved with proper care and treatment. If the cough persists or worsens, please seek medical treatment promptly to avoid delaying the condition.
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