Are you tired of sleepless coughing nights? Are you also dealing with a stubborn cough that is still not subsiding with the cough syrups? You might be not taking the right syrup depending on the nature of your cough. You are not alone! Millions of people get coughs each year, and choosing the correct cough syrup can be a difficult task for a normal human being.
But do not be afraid! Let us know about this bottle of relief in depth. But before we delve deeper into cough syrups, let us understand what cough syrup is in a nutshell.
What is a cough syrup?
What we know about cough syrups is that they are a liquid drug that treats coughs, congestion, chest pain, and sore throats. It is a medicine that soothes the throat, loosens mucus or phlegm, and alleviates congestion. It includes active ingredients that work in different ways to treat various types of coughs.
What are the types of Cough Syrup?
There are various types of cough syrup available over the counter, at the chemist's, but it is highly important to know the nature of cough and the syrup which suits best for your cough.
Cough suppressants Or Antitussive:
This type of cough syrup works directly on the cough reflex center in your brain.
It is a cough suppressant.
It contains Dextromethorphan and codeine
They are best for dry, hacking coughs
Best for coughs that do not contain mucus
Prescription required for purchasing codein
Cough expectorants
Used to thin the phlegm (mucus) in your throat.
Guaifenesin is used as a cough expectorant.
Best suited for productive cough
Antihistamines and decongestants.
These are used to treat postnasal drip, which can cause coughing.
Antihistamines include chlorpheniramine and clemastine (for allergies)
One example of a decongestant is pseudoephedrine (for nasal congestion)
What are the Types of Cough:
We cough to keep our airways free. It's a rapid ejection of air that helps remove mucus, dust, and other irritants from our airways. When cells in our air passage become irritated by fluids, mucus, or any material, a cough reflex is initiated which forces air out of the lungs under high pressure to clear the particles or substances that are irritating there, it can be a voluntary or involuntary action of our body.
If the cough lasts for less than 3 weeks it is considered an acute cough whereas when it lasts for more than 3 weeks that is 8 weeks in adults and 4 weeks in children then it is termed as chronic.
Coughs, on the other hand, can vary in nature, and understanding these differences is essential for selecting the best treatment.
There are generally two types of cough:
Dry cough (irritating and unproductive):
This cough generates no mucus or phlegm.
It's usually caused by inflamed or irritated throat tissues from a cold, allergies, or postnasal drip.
Wet Cough (Productive and Chesty):
This type of cough helps to clear mucus from your airways.
It is commonly related to chest colds, bronchitis, and sinusitis.
Categories Other than Dry and Wet Cough
There are more to add in varieties of coughs other than dry and wet coughs. Let us get an overview of other types of coughs:
Allergic Cough:
They are often caused by allergens such as pollen or dust.
This type of cough is frequently accompanied by itchy eyes, a runny nose, and wheezing.
Chronic Cough:
This type of cough often lasts longer than eight weeks
It needs a medical assessment to determine the underlying reason.
Chesty cough:
It is also known as wet cough or phlegmy cough. This type of cough makes an individual chest feel heavy and brings up mucus or phlegm in the cough, which also addresses this cough as a productive cough.
They are generally caused by viruses like the cold and flu that give an individual a sore throat. Since we cough less while we are sleeping it is worse in the morning as the mucus is produced by the cells overnight, which leads to excess coughing when we wake up. Chesty coughing can also be caused if an individual is suffering from asthma, heart failure, or chronic bronchitis.
Tickly cough:
It irritates the throat and is the most common form of cough, this type of cough is the most annoying form of cough. They are non-productive and produce little phlegm or at times no phlegm is produced.
Occasionally, one may experience a post-nasal drip, which is the result of irritated nasal tissue creating an excessive amount of mucus that runs down into the throat. These nasal drips trigger the cough reflex.
The common causes of these tickly coughs are flu, cold, hay fever, or allergic rhinitis. Taking antihistamines and decongestants can trigger the nasal drip.
Nervous Cough:
They are the non-productive cough which alleviates when th eperson is feeling anxious or stressed and generally disappears when the person sleeps. This type of cough is not caused by any physical irritants or the need to expel anything is not there.
Basically these types of coughs are managed when the anxiety and stress of an individual is taken care of and also other reasons behind the cough needs to be figured out unless the doctor diagnoses it as a nervous cough.
Night cough:
If an individual is coughing constantly at night while trying to sleep or coughs only at night then it is important to consult a doctor regarding this symptom.
This type of cough can either be due to cold and flu where the mucus enters the wrong path of the airway or it can also be due to acid reflux. When a person lies down at night the acidic content of the stomach travels back to the esophagus, i.e., the food pipe, and coughing triggers. Asthma also coughing triggers during exercise and at night.
Persistent Cough:
A chronic cough that lasts more than a span of 8 weeks. Allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, eosinophilia, bronchitis, smoking, infections, and any medicine side effects are the reasons behind this persistent cough. Although there are some rare ailments like lung cancer, chest lymphomas, emphysema, sarcoidosis, and any fungal infections caught like coccidiomcoysis, histoplasmosis, and tuberculosis.
In any case, if your cough lasts longer than 3 weeks and you see any symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or blood in your cough you should visit the doctor immediately. Accidentally, if you have any long term conditions like asthma or COPD these symptoms may worsen, so it is advisable to visit a doctor on an immediate basis.
Croup Cough:
These type of cough are common in children under 5 years of age and is caused by viruses that are responsible for the common cold resulting in the swelling of the airways. Initially, the symptoms are fever and stuffy nose. The cough is hoarse or barking as the larynx and trachea swell and irritate, there is less room for the air to move to the lungs, and the child coughs. If the airways continue to swell the child starts wheezing and faces difficulty in breathing. The symptoms worsen at night.
It is treated mostly at home and the symptoms subside. Steam inhalation, more liquid is given, and medicines such as acetaminophen are given to relieve the fever. It is always advisable to not self-medicate, rather seeing a doctor is relevant.
Whooping Cough:
It is a serious respiratory infection causing violent coughing fits, it is also known as pertussis. Whooping cough vaccines are given in the vaccination programs, but it may spread to non-vaccinated people, including babies.
In babies, a whooping cough sound occurs when a baby gasps to breathe after a coughing fit as the baby may not cough or make a whooping sound but may gag and gasp.
Choking:
If an individual experiences choking or coughing, they should immediately consult a doctor as it can be life-threatening due to the presence of a foreign particle in the body.
Now let us understand how cough syrups Work.
Understanding How Cough Syrups Works:
Cough syrups function by focusing on different aspects of the coughing desire. Most coughs do not require treatment if they are caused by to cold or flu, i.e. influenza, as it subside gradually on their own.
Antitussives (Cough Suppressants): These contain substances such as dextromethorphan, which calms the cough reflex and is great for dry coughs.
Expectorants are syrups containing substances such as guaifenesin that thin mucus and make it easier to evacuate by coughing.
Combination Cough Syrups: These have a dual purpose since they are both antitussive and expectorant.
Decongestants: help reduce the swelling in the blood vessels present in your nose.
Antihistamines: help prevent allergic symptoms like congestion and sneezing.
Difference Between An Expectorant, Suppressant, And Decongestant?
How they stop coughing is the basic difference. They come in varieties. These remedies are known as cough and cold remedies, and we say it this because some of the products are only cough remedies called as “tussins” but may control cold symptoms too at times.
The cough suppressant tricks your brain so that it does not need to cough, it works in the brain stem to stop the cough reflex. But the icky cough remains in your lungs.
On the contrary, expectorant increases the moisture in your mucus which make it easier to come out through coughing. The expectorant consequently loosens up your cough, making it easier to come up through coughing. This medication works for wet coughs and thins the thick-sticky cough, so you cough for less time and get rid of it sooner.
Decongestants are the oral pseudeophedrine and the active ingredient in this works by constricting blood vessels which shrinks the swollen membrane and allows the air to pass through the nose. The tissues dry out, lessening the nasal drip, but it is effective only in a short run cause they may possess some side effects. It may hinder sleep and raise your blood pressure, if an individual is suffering from high bp or any heart disease they should consult the doctor before taking the medicine.
What are the Characteristics of an Effective Cough Syrup?
A cough syrup's effectiveness is dependent upon several factors, such as the type and severity of the cough, personal preferences, and medical background.
Cough syrups can help, but it's important to compare the advantages and disadvantages at the same time. Consulting with a doctor who can provide specific guidance on which syrup is best suited.
Which Cough Medicine You Should Take?
A decongestant and an older antihistamine are the best choices for an everyday cough from the common cold, they include brompheniramine, diphenhydramine, and chlorpheniramine. You probably won't be harmed by a product if you believe it is doing its job, but you might be paying for a placebo effect rather than a tested cure. So if you are suffering from cough that is not being cured, visit a doctor asap and let him know all your symptoms.
Side Effects Of Cough Syrups:
Dizziness
Blurred Vision
Drowsiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Trouble sleeping
Any serious allergic reaction is rare to these syrups, even if you face any side effects like seizures, shaking or tremors, trouble urinating, rashes, itching/ swelling, trouble breathing, or changes in heartbeats kindly vist your doctor ASAP.
Disclaimer: Before taking any cough syrup kindly get a prescription.
FAQs:
Q. Which syrup is best for removing coughs?
It is always best to consult a doctor before taking any cough syrup.It is necessary to know the nature and type of cough before medicating oneself.
Q. Is cough syrup safe for kids?
Yes, they are safe for kids above the age of 4, if infants consult your doctor.
Q. What are the several other reasons for nasal drips?
Sinusitis, exposure to air pollution, hay fever allergic rhinitis, etc are several other reasons for nasal drip.
Q. How do you consider the dose for cough syrup?
The dosage depends on the age, weight, medical condition, and response to the treatment.
Q. What precautions to take before taking the syrup?
Before taking the medicine tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any medicine.
Q. What causes cough?
There are a lot of things that cause cough. Some common reasons are:
Common cold
Flu
Pneumonia
Q. Should I consult a doctor before taking the OTC medicine?
Yes, talk to your doctor before taking the medicine.
Q. When should we see the doctor?
If your cough lasts for more than 2 weeks
Q. How long does the effect last?
It generally lasts for 5-6 hrs.