When Normal Cough Isn't Normal.

Some years back, my kid brother use to have this extreme cough problem, while it is normal for everyone to cough, his own cough was to the extreme and really scary. At the time, my family could not afford any complicated medical case so my Mum kept on trying out different herbs and over-the-counter medications which would subside the cough for some time but then come back even harder after some weeks.

I didn't like the fact that my brother had to go through this type of pain on a regular basis but my parents could barely manage to feed us and pay our fees, so we just had to manage the condition for the time. I was always scared whenever I had to leave him alone since I was the closest to him and I was the one who understood the appropriate herb to use to subside the cough when it begins.

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When I started working, I was able to gather some funds and the first thing I could think about was how to get my brother to seek a medical expert, we went to see a doctor for the very first time for his condition and after a series of test were conducted, the doctor placed him on an immediate drip, prescribed certain drugs to us which he had to take from time to time and from the moment he started the treatment, there came a remarkable relief with his body, the cough subsided so much and for the first time in a long time, I watched him sleep like a baby.

While it may be normal for humans to cough, there are certain coughs that give a warning signal, creating the need for medical attention, and the delay in seeking medical attention could lead to some health complications.

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How do I get to know when a cough isn't normal?

Anyone could catch a cold and begin to cough as a result, but it is important to identify when this cough is going out of the ordinary. Here are some of the warning signals to watch out for;

• Sore throat and frequent throat clearing.

• It may feel as if there is a liquid moving down at the back of the throat.

• Shortness of breath which is one that my baby brother experienced (scared me to a fault).

• He also brought out sputum from time to time while coughing.

• Heartburn.

• The feel of a sour taste in the mouth.

• Coughing of blood is also one of the symptoms that could be noticed on very rare occasions. 1

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There are lots of reasons why people become victims of chronic cough, let's explore quickly what some of these reasons could be:

An Asmathic patient usually has its upper airways sensitive to any form of cold air, irritants, and even exercises,cough-variant asthma however is a particular type of asthma that permits cough in patients. 2

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an airway disease that people get as a result of smoking, the people who have this disease are also known to be victims of chronic cough.

Medications that are taken to help patients have lowered blood pressure are also known to cause chronic cough and an example of such medication is the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).

A large percentage of those who have been diagnosed with heart disease usually have chronic cough as an accomplice

People who have lung cancer, are also victims of chronic cough but their own coughs usually have blood alongside their sputum.

When excessive mucus is produced in the body, it is known as Bonchiolitis, which makes the airway get larger than its usual size and certainly gives room for a severe case of cough.

It is important to pay close attention to your body and your health and the moment you realize that the cough you are experiencing comes with one of the following: High temperature, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, then you need to know that it is time to see a doctor as soon as you can. 3

What you may likely experience at the hospital.

Your doctor will begin by asking certain questions related to lifestyle, past medical history, and when the symptoms were noticed.
A sample of the patient's spetum would be taken for examination and the identification of the presence of any cancerous cell, the lungs would also be examined for any sign of irritation or disease.

After a series of tests may have been carried out, the patient may be placed under instant administration of medical drips, injections, and medications. If the case is a severe one that required surgery, the patient would also be advised accordingly. Thankfully, my brother's case did not require any form of surgery.
Apart from the administered medications, patients are always advised towards certain changes in lifestyle.

• Patients may be advised to avoid certain food.
• Desist from the habit of lying down immediately after eating.
• Certain drugs should be avoided.

After my brother's condition subsided, that was when I figured out the other home remedy options that were available, if we had probably worked with any of these remedies, then we would have probably gotten a headway.
Hot soup, ginger tea, lemon juice, honey, and then hot tea with lemon, but these are just natural home remedies that may not provide a desired permanent solution, if symptoms persist, it is wise to head over to seek medical help instantly.

References.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321597#diagnosis

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/stubborn-cough

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-cough/symptoms-causes/syc-20351575

https://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_cough/article.htm

Hi, I am Tobi a writer, a speaker, relationship blogger, lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. Want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my podcast channel Here and listen to any episode for free, do not forget to subscribe and share with friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from members of the community, do well to keep them coming.