Homeopathy treatment for Cough

A cough, also known as tussis, is a voluntary or involuntary act that clears the throat and breathing passage of foreign particles, microbes, irritants, fluids, and mucus; it is a rapid expulsion of air from the lungs.

In general, Coughing is the sudden expulsion of air from the lungs through the epiglottis, the little trapdoor that covers the entrance to your windpipe.

Acute cough, which is defined as duration < 21 days is usually related to respiratory infection, aspiration, or inhalation of respiratory irritants. Additionally, Subacute cough (present for 3-8 weeks) is often related to persistent inflammation from a tracheobronchitis episodes.

Chronic cough (especially, > 8 week in duration) can be caused by many pulmonary and cardiac disease). Chronic cough is estimated to occur in up to 40% of the population.

Traditionally, a dichotomy has separated the upper also lower airways, with the upper airway being the domain of the otolaryngologist and the lower airway being the domain of the pulmonologist.

Lastly, Recent research that shows a high proportion of patients with asthma and coexisting allergic rhinitis has paved the way for the “one airway” theory, besides this, in which a continuum of inflammation that involves the entire airway can be thought of as the underlying mechanism for disorders that start from the nose and mouth and extend to the most distal aspects of the lungs.

Infections:

Acute – e.g. Laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia. Whooping cough.
Chronic – e.g. Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, chronic laryngitis, bronchiectasis, lung abscess.

Mechanical irritation:

Inhalation of dust (specifically in pneumoconiosis), irritant gases, chemical fumes or pungent smells, Tobacco smoking.
Foreign body in larynx or bronchi.
Post-nasal drip in chronic sinusitis.
Gastro-esophageal reflux.
Compression of air passages – (i) Extramural – Aortic aneurysm, pulmonary neoplasm, mediastinal masses, enlarged LA in mitral stenosis. (ii) Intramural – Bronchogenic carcinoma or adenoma, foreign bodies, bronchospasm (asthma), granulomatous endobronchial disease.
Pressure or tension on air passages – Pulmonary Oedema, interstitial fibrosis, atelectasis, pericardial effusion, pneumothorax.

Reflex – From reflex irritation of vagus:

Wax in external ear or otitis media.
Distention of stomach or rarely of colon.
Sub diaphragmatic abscess or liver abscess.

Thermal stimulus:

Inhalation of cold air especially in asthmatics and those with intercurrent infection.

Habit cough:

When a patient has suffered from some prolonged illness in which cough has been a prominent feature, the cough may at times persist as a habit long after the cause has ceased to operate.

Psychogenic cough:

May be a form of obsessional neurosis or coordinated tic.

Iatrogenic:

ACE inhibitors, steroid aerosols

Dry or unproductive: Upper respiratory tract infection, early stage of pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchogenic carcinoma, smoker’s cough, interstitial fibrosis, bronchial asthma, tropical eosinophilia, pulmonary infarction, etc., Psychogenic or habitual cough.

Wet or productive:

Paroxysmal: Bronchial asthma, cardiac failure, whooping cough.

With wheezing: Bronchial asthma, tropical eosinophilia, chronic bronchitis.

Barking: Harsh, loud, ‘seal-like’ cough, paroxysmal or occasional, in hysteria (functional) disturbing to the hearer, but perhaps not to the patient himself or herself.

Nocturnal in asthma, pulmonary Oedema, post-nasal drip in chronic sinusitis, reflux esophagitis.

Bovine :(Brassy or gander, or leopard’s growl) – due to laryngeal paralysis from involvement of recurrent laryngeal nerve e.g. in aortic aneurysm.

Staccato: In whooping cough there is paroxysmal cough ending in a whoop.

Croupy: Harsh, hoarse cough in laryngeal infection.

Hacking: Short, dry, irritable cough frequently repeated in congestive conditions of pharynx, upper air passages, and smoker’s cough.

Suppressed and painful: In pleurisy cough is suppressed because chest pain is aggravated by coughing (and deep breathing).

Toneless, whispering, aphonic cough: In destructive lesions of vocal cords, e.g., tuberculous ulcer or neoplasm.

Spluttering in trachea: Esophageal fistula.Cough

related to exertion: In early LV failure and mitral stenosis. Cough

related to meals: Suggests hiatal hernia, tracheoesophageal fistula, or esophageal diverticula.

Early morning cough with expectoration in bronchiectasis and pulmonary TB.

Nocturnal cough: LV failure, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, aspiration, post-nasal drip, GERD, esophageal obstruction, ACE inhibitors.

Recent worsening in case of chronic cough is a common presenting symptom of bronchial carcinoma.

A runny or stuffy nose
A feeling of liquid running down the back of your throat (in other words, postnasal drip)
Frequent throat clearing and sore throat
Hoarseness
Wheezing also shortness of breath
Either Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
Occasionally, coughing up blood
Symptoms of nasopharyngeal disease should be assessed, including postnasal drip, sneezing, also rhinorrhea.
Lastly, GERD may be suggested by heartburn, hoarseness, and frequent eructation.

For managing a cough, a soothing and immune-boosting diet can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing. Here’s a point-wise breakdown:

Warm Fluids: Drink warm water, herbal teas (ginger, chamomile), or broths to soothe the throat and keep mucus thin.
Honey: A natural cough suppressant, honey helps coat the throat and ease irritation.
Ginger: Contains anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in soothing a cough and reducing inflammation.
Vitamin C-rich Foods: Citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers boost the immune system and fight infection.
Garlic: Known for its antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties, garlic can help reduce cough severity.
Pineapple: Contains bromelain, an enzyme that may help reduce mucus and coughing.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent throat dryness and ease coughing.

Avoid irritants like dairy, caffeine, and spicy foods that may worsen symptoms. Consult a healthcare provider for persistent coughs.

Avoid desserts, soft drinks, fruit juices and all kinds of nectar. Due to sugar in food Increases the risk of inflammation and infection in the body. Make people who are sick with a cold Symptoms do not improve or it may be more severe during the cough, so you should temporarily avoid sweet foods.
Honey tea, honey may relieve coughs.
Ginger may ease a dry or asthmatic type, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Fluids Staying hydrated is vital for those with a cough or cold.
Steam- A wet cough, which is one that produces mucus or phlegm, may improve with steam.
Salt-water gargle- This simple remedy is one of the most effective for treating a sore throat.
Bromelain- Bromelain is an enzyme that comes from pineapples. It is most plentiful in the core of the fruit. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and may also have mucolytic properties, which means that it can break down mucus and remove it from the body.
Probiotics do not directly relieve it, but they may boost the immune system by balancing the bacteria in the gut.

Homeopathic Medicines

The homeopathic remedies (medicines) given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each homeopathic remedy may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications also taken into account for selecting a remedy, potency and repetition of dose by Homeopathic doctor.

So, here we describe homeopathic medicine only for reference and education purpose. Do not take medicines without consulting registered homeopathic doctor (BHMS or M.D. Homeopath).

Medicines:

Drosera Rotund folia

Drosera Rotundifolia is a very effective homeopathic remedy for a cough that is dry.
For using Drosera, a dry, irritative (irritant) coughing is the chief indicator.
Coughing comes in attacks that follow each other rapidly.
A marked fatigue attends the coughing episodes.
Other accompanying symptoms include tickling in the larynx, scraping sensation (like in a sore throat) and fetid breath with the coughing.
Vomiting with coughing may also arise.
Coughing usually worsens after talking or laughing.
Drosera is also a well indicated for a cough that begins on lying down.

Antimonium Tart

Antimonium Tar works very well in cases of rattling cough.
The patient has a loose, rattling cough and the lungs feel full of mucus.
Coughing remains constant throughout the day and night.
The patient faces excessive difficulty in raising the phlegm.
Along with this, difficulty in breathing (most marked at night time) is present.
Difficulty in breathing makes a person sit up from a prone position (in which it is worse).
Chest pain on coughing also arises in some of the cases.
A cough that worsens after each meal is yet another characteristic feature pointing towards the use of Antimonium Tart.

Conium Maculatum

Conium Maculatum is useful for a nocturnal coughing.
The patient has a coughing at night on lying down.
They are restless at night and tend to sit up many times due to coughing spells.
A tickling sensation in the throat pit may be prominently present.
A few individuals may complain of an unusually dry spot in the larynx.
In some cases, a headache on coughing may arise.

Ipecac

Ipecac is a suitable medicine for a coughing with difficult expectoration.
The patient has a loose rattling coughing with marked difficulty in expectoration.
A constricted feeling in the chest and shortness of breath may arise.
Suffocative spells may accompany the cough.
Nausea and vomiting with a coughing are also present in a majority of the cases.

Spongia Tosta

Spongia Tosta is a medicine that is highly useful when there is a coughing with extreme dryness of all the air passages.
coughing is an exclusively dry, barking, hacking type.
Chills may attend the cough.
Warm drinks may offer a little relief.
Along with this, shortness of breath and labored respiration may also be present.

Corallium Rubrum

Corallium Rubrum is for coughing that results from PND (post nasal dripping).
coughing appears in quick, short attacks that follow each other in quick succession.
Along with the cough, excessive hawking is also present.
Extreme exhaustion is felt along with the coughing.
A vital symptom that attends the above symptoms are extremely sensitive air passages to air (inhaled air feels cold).

Millifolium

Millifolium is of immense help in a coughing with bloody sputa or in any lung disease with accompanying cough.
In addition, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing and oppression of chest appear.
Hemoptysis is after injury or following violent exertion also indicates the use of Millifolium.

Natrum Mur

For a coughing with white sputa expectoration, Natrum Muris a beneficial medicine.
The sputa may be salty to taste.
Other attending symptoms are a coughing with the flowing of tears from the eyes, a headache of bursting nature, and shortness of breath.
A sore, bruised feeling in the chest also appears.
Another symptom that may arise is involuntary urination during coughing.

Kali Sulph

Kali Sulph is a valuable remedy for coughing with expectoration of thick yellow-coloured sputa.
Other symptoms pointing to the use of Kali Sulphare the rattling of mucus in the chest, difficult expectoration, and wheezing in the chest.

Pulsatilla Nigricans

Pulsatilla Nigricans is an important remedy for coughing where greenish expectoration is present.
The patient’s cough may get aggravated in a warm room and find relief in the open air.
Pulsatilla Nigricans is also suited for a cough after measles.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is beneficial medicine for coughing in bronchitis.
The characteristic indicators for using Phosphorus are cough with sputum expectoration of a purulent nature, frothy or blood-stained sputum.
The phlegm may be salty or sweet to taste. Strong odours may trigger a coughing.
Along with coughing, chest tightness, oppression of chest, and sharp stitching pain in the chest may be present.
Heat/ burning sensation in the chest may also appear in a few individuals needing Phosphorus.

Arsenic Album

Arsenic Album is an excellent choice of medicine for an asthmatic type of coughing.
The symptoms indicating the use of Arsenic Album are a coughing with shortness of breath, and wheezing/whistling in the chest.
Tightness in the chest may also arise.
Tenacious expectoration of yellow/ green color may be there.
Other attending feature is suffocative attacks during sleep. Anxiety and restlessness may occur in persons along with above symptoms.

FAQ for Cough

1. What is a cough?

A cough is a reflex action to clear the airways of mucus, irritants, or foreign particles. It is a common symptom of many health conditions.

2. What causes a cough?

Common causes of cough include:

Respiratory infections (e.g., colds, flu, pneumonia)
Allergies
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Smoking
Environmental irritants (e.g., dust, pollution, chemicals)
Certain medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors)

3. What are the types of cough?

Acute cough: Lasts less than 3 weeks and is often due to colds, flu, or respiratory infections.
Subacute cough: Lasts 3 to 8 weeks, often following a respiratory infection.
Chronic cough: Lasts more than 8 weeks and may be caused by underlying conditions like asthma, COPD, or GERD.

1] Medicine Golwala.pdf

2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/220349#diagnosis

3] Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 21st Edition

4]Harrison’s Manual of Medicine: Nineteenth Edition

5] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17755-cough

6] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322394

7] PHATAK S. R., Materia Medica of Homeopathic Medicines

8] ALLEN’S KEYNOTES

9]risk factors of cough – Search (bing.com)

10]Cough • 6: Which investigations are most useful in the diagnosis of chronic cough? | Thorax (bmj.com)