Dry cough, with phlegm or blood: what can be

Coughing is a natural reflex of the body to eliminate any lung irritation. The type of cough, amount and color of the secretion as well as the time the person is coughing determine whether the cough is of infectious origin such as a virus, or allergic as in the case of rhinitis.

Coughing is the result of the contraction of the chest muscles, increasing air pressure on the lung. The characteristic sound is produced due to the passage of air through the vocal cords. The air that comes out through the cough reflex, which is expelled at an average of 160 km / h, can bring secretion or not.

The main causes of dry, phlegm or bloody cough are:

Dry cough

1. Heart problems

One of the symptoms of heart disease is a dry and persistent cough, without any type of secretion involved. The cough can appear at any time and can get worse at night, when the person is lying down, for example.

Cardiac involvement is suspected when no medication can stop the cough, even those used in case of asthma or bronchitis. In such cases, the doctor may request an electrocardiogram to check the health of the heart and thus indicate the best treatment.

2. Allergy

Respiratory allergies usually cause a lot of coughing, which manifests itself especially in dirty, dusty places and during spring or autumn. In this case, the cough is dry and irritating, and may be present during the day and disturb you to sleep. Know other symptoms of respiratory allergy.

Treatment for allergic attacks is usually done using antihistamine drugs that help relieve allergy symptoms in a few days. In addition, it is important to identify the cause of the allergy to avoid getting in touch again. If the allergy is persistent, it is important to go to the general practitioner or allergist so that a more specific treatment can be established.

3. Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux can cause a dry cough, especially after eating spicy or acidic foods, in which case it is enough to control the reflux to stop the cough.

It is important to go to the gastroenterologist so that the best treatment option is recommended, with the use of gastric protectors being usually indicated to help control reflux symptoms and, consequently, reduce coughing attacks. See how food can help treat reflux.

4. Cigarette and environmental pollution

Cigarette smoke as well as environmental pollution can cause a dry, irritating and persistent cough. Just being close to a smoker and cigarette smoke can irritate the airways, causing discomfort in the throat. Drinking small sips of water several times a day can help, as well as avoiding dry and polluted environments.

For those who live in large urban centers, it can be useful to have plants that renew the air inside work and also inside the home, to improve air quality, and thus reduce the frequency of coughing.

Check out this article for some natural options for ending a dry cough.

Cough with phlegm

1. Flu or cold

Flu and cold are the most common causes of cough with phlegm and nasal congestion. Other symptoms that are usually present include malaise, tiredness, sneezing and watery eyes that usually cease in less than 10 days. Medications like Benegrip and Bisolvon help to relieve symptoms by reducing the frequency of coughing and sneezing. To prevent these diseases, you should get the flu vaccine every year, before winter arrives.

2. Bronchitis

Bronchitis can be characterized by the presence of a strong cough and a small amount of thick phlegm that can take more than 3 months to pass. Bronchitis is usually diagnosed in childhood, but it can occur at any stage of life.

Treatment for bronchitis should be indicated by the pulmonologist or general practitioner, and the use of bronchodilator drugs is usually indicated. However, inhaling eucalyptus can also help relieve symptoms and make the phlegm more fluid, facilitating its release from the body.

3. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is characterized by the presence of cough with phlegm and high fever, which usually arise after the flu. Other symptoms that may be present are chest pain and difficulty breathing. The person may feel that no matter how much he inhales, the air does not seem to reach the lungs. Treatment should be guided by the doctor and may include the use of antibiotics. Learn to identify the symptoms of pneumonia.

Coughing up blood

1. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis has the main sign of coughing with phlegm and small amounts of blood, in addition to intense night sweat and weight loss for no apparent reason. This cough lasts for more than 3 weeks and does not go away even with the intake of flu or cold remedies.

Treatment for tuberculosis is done with the use of antibiotics indicated by the doctor, such as Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Rifapentine, which should be used for approximately 6 months or according to medical advice.

2. Sinusitis

In the case of sinusitis, blood usually flows out of the nose, but if it slips down the throat and the person coughs, it may appear that the cough is bloody and that it is coming from the lung. In this case the amount of blood is not very large, being just small, very red droplets that can mix in the phlegm, for example.

3. People who use a probe

Bedridden or hospitalized people may have to use a tube to breathe or to feed, and, when passing through the airways, the tube may injure the throat, for example, and small drops of blood may come out when the person coughs. The blood is bright red and no specific treatment is needed because the injured tissue usually heals quickly.

How to cure cough

The acute cough lasts up to 3 weeks and, in general, passes with the ingestion of honey, syrups or antitussive drugs, such as Bisolvon, for example.

Some good home remedies for cough are honey syrup with lemon, ginger and consumption of foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange, pineapple and acerola, for example. But it is important for the individual to know that if the cough is productive with phlegm or blood, and accompanied by fever and sore throat, one should go to the doctor for a correct diagnosis and more targeted therapy. See the best cough syrups here.

Check out how to prepare homemade syrups, juices and cough teas in the following video:

When to go to the doctor

If you are present for more than 7 days and do not stop using home remedies and natural strategies, it is recommended to seek medical help. It is also important to go to the doctor if symptoms such as:

• Fever; Coughing up blood; General malaise; Lack of appetite; Difficulty breathing.

Initially, the general practitioner may try to identify the cause of the cough and order tests such as a chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, blood tests or any other procedure he deems necessary.