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What causes this cough?
- A post nasal drip: Mucus running down the back of your nose, and onto the back of your throat is quite common after a cold or flu. Sometimes the virus sensitises the throat so much that the dripping really irritates the throat and causes reflex coughing. This often occurs at night when you are lying in bed.
- Cold air: Breathing through the mouth when the throat is sensitive can cause coughing - especially when you are out in the icy winter air.
- Inflammation of the upper airways: Colds and flu cause sore throats and inflamed tonsils and upper respiratory tracts which can take some time to return to normal.
- Asthma: Asthmatics are generally more sensitive to the effects of colds and flu, which can set off asthma symptoms. This will mean that asthmatics need to start their “rescue action plan”.
The bad news is that this annoying cough - which is known by some as the 100 day cough - can last anywhere between three to eight weeks. In addition, antibiotics won’t work because the cough is generally a result of a recent viral infection. Sometimes the coughing fits can be so violent they cause hiccups or vomiting.
The good news is that you can treat the symptoms. Do this by:
- Drinking honey drinks to soothe the throat
- Sucking lozenges (demulcents) to stimulate saliva production that inturn coats the throat to help protect it
- Taking appropriate cough suppressants
- Keeping the air around you warm and reasonably dry. You can do this by wearing a scarf over your mouth and nose to help warm air up before it gets to your throat. Very dry air can make the cough worse, so try and breathe through your nose which helps moisten the air and reduce the irritation factor.
There is no formal cure for this cough but boosting your immune system, and sticking to a healthy lifestyle, can help prevent you from getting a cold which in turn leads to the cough.
In some cases, a cough can be the cause of other underlying problems like food allergies, medicine side-effects, an ear, nose or throat problem, or something more serious. If the cough gets worse or has not improved in a few weeks always consult your community pharmacist or GP.
Shop cough relief productscough PRODUCTS
Sudafed Sinus & Nasal PSE Decongestant 12 Tablets
Life Pharmacy Orewa
This Medicine is Pharmacist Only Medicine. To purchase a Pharmacist Only medicine, one of our Pharmacist's is required to contact you via phone or email to ensure it is the right product for you, ...
$25.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Livon Lypospheric Vitamin C Box Of 30
Life Pharmacy Orewa
How Is It Different From Other Oral Vitamin C? Most forms of oral Vitamin C (powders, capsules, tablets, liquids and even the Vitamin C from your food) are not efficiently processed and absorbed by...
$64.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Mucinex Chesty Cough Tablets 10's
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Mucinex is a widely-available over the counter product used to clear chest congestion and break up mucus in airways. It is available in multiple forms and strength levels, notably tablets and liqui...
$19.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Lemsip Cough Max For Mucus Lemon Flavour Sachet 10S
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist or you have side effects see your healthcare professional. Description Each sachet contains 1000mg of paracetamol 12.2mg of phenylep...
$20.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Dymista Nasal Spray 0.05Mg 17Ml
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Faster and more effective - starts working from 5 minutes Symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis and rhino-conjunctivitis in adults and children 12 years and older where use ...
$47.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Life Pharmacy Orewa
Always read the label. Use only as directed. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Description Vicks Vaporub is a medicinal ointment which relieves the symptoms of cold in adults and children above...
$17.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Demazin Cold & Flu PSE Day & Night 24 Tablets
Life Pharmacy Orewa
This Medicine is Pharmacist Only Medicine. To purchase a Pharmacist-Only medicine, one of our Pharmacists must contact you via phone or email to ensure it is the right product for you and to confir...
$23.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
Neilmed Sinus Rinse Kit With 60 Packets
Life Pharmacy Orewa
NeilMed® SINUS RINSE™ is an easy squeeze bottle system that allows you to deliver the saline solution with positive pressure to clean the nasal passages thoroughly, while maintaining your head in a...
$37.99 Earn 8 Living Reward Points
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