What are the types of Cough?

• Acute or Short Term Cough
• Dry Coughs
• Chesty Coughs (Wet Cough or Productive Cough)
• Persistent Cough

Acute or Short Term Cough:

A cough is called acute or short-term cough when the condition is caused by a viral infection and the cough only lasts for 2-3 weeks. This type of cough is usually caused by:

• Upper respiratory tract infections such as colds and flus
• Viral infections that affect the throat, windpipe, and lungs

What is a Dry Cough?

A dry cough is typically characterised by a dry, barky, loud hollow sound. This cough does not produce mucus or phlegm. This type of cough is worst at night or as soon as the head touches the pillow. The cough may be accompanied by a wheeze and chest tightness in some cases of asthma.

What are some causes of dry cough?

• Viral infections such as cold and flu
• Allergies including asthma
• Bacterial infections such as tonsilitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia
• Low immune system
• Chronic fatigue – burnt-out nervous system
• Smoking
• Gastritis or reflux
• Autoimmune inflammatory disease

What is Chesty Cough?

A chesty cough (wet cough) is a productive cough producing thick mucus or phlegm. The phlegm comes up from the bronchiole, lungs, or other airways. Sometimes, a post-nasal drip from a sinus infection can also lead to a wet cough.

This type of cough is worst in the morning and may have a bit of a wheeze sound.

What are the causes of chesty cough:

• Viral infections such as cold and flu
• Bacterial infections such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and pneumonia
• Laryngitis – an inflammation of the voice box (larynx) from infection or overuse of voice. Often seen in teachers and public speakers.
• Chronic bronchitis
• Bronchiectasis
• Gastritis or reflux
• Autoimmune inflammatory disease
• A weak immune system
• Allergies

What is Persistent Cough?

A persistent cough can last for more than 8 weeks and is also known as a “chronic cough”. Some people get a persistent dry cough.

Probable Causes of Persistent Cough (Chronic Cough):

• Allergies such as asthma
• Reflux (GERD) where stomach acid comes up into the oesophagus causing irritation in the lining, triggering a cough. This is often accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth and a red throat.
• Ongoing sinus infection causing post-nasal drip
• Habit cough, which is also known as somatic cough syndrome. This type of cough goes away during sleep and only starts when reminded of the cough.
• Serious respiratory health conditions like tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whooping cough (pertussis), bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, etc.
• Heart diseases
• Some medications such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors

How to treat coughs using natural medicine

At Morkare Natural Clinic, we work as a team providng a holistic approach. We believe in treating the whole body. We would work on the underlying cause, reduce inflammation and boost immunity in order to heal cough.

• Dietary management:

  We provide dietary plans for our patients if needed.

• Nutritional deficiencies and allergies:

  We test our patients for nutritional deficiencies and allergies and recommend supplements as needed.

• Managing infections:

  We help our patients manage any infections that may be contributing to the poor gut microbiome

• Boosting the immune system:

  We help our patients boost their immune system to fight off infection and promote healing. We have designed a special Immune Program(link) for that. 

• Improving gut microbiome:

  We help our patients improve their gut microbiome, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

• Food Intolerances and allergies:

  We test patient for allergies and intolerances and work on underlying causes of condition that could trigger a cough.

If you often cough, book in to see one of the Naturopaths, Nutritionists, or Homoeopaths who are best to discuss your health and create a tailored plan to address the underlying causes of the cough.