Put a nail in your coughing

Dec 2 2007 by Pauline Holt, Sunday Sun

WHAT CAUSES IT?

A COUGH is an involuntary physiological reaction to clear the airways of irritants, phlegm and mucus. It can also be caused by inflammation of the throat or windpipe, due to a viral infection such as bronchitis, laryngitis or the common cold.

Coughs are usually either dry or chesty. A dry cough results from inflammation in the throat and upper airways and is usually felt as a tickle. Chesty coughs occur if an infection causes phlegm, which the body needs to remove from the lungs’ passageways. A non-productive chesty cough is when the infection causes the lung passageways to swell.

WHAT CAN I DO?

COUGHS caused by the common cold or flu usually clear up once the immune system defeats the virus, but coughs caused by a lung infection may stick around for several weeks after the infection has gone because the inflammation can take a while to clear. Cough suppressants such as pholcodine and dextromethorphan help stop the body reacting to a dry cough’s tickle in the throat. Expectorants such as guaiphenesin, ammonium chloride and sodium citrate help chesty coughs. Those containing glycerin, honey and syrup, coat the throat and help relieve the irritation causing the cough.

A cough lasting more than two weeks after a viral infection needs a GP’s attention.

PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER

Covonia mentholated cough mixture 150ml, £2.35, containing liquorice and squill, which belong to a group of medicines known as expectorants. They help remove phlegm in people with chesty coughs. Also contains menthol to help relieve congestion associated with chesty coughs and bronchitis. Not recommended for children under five. Always read the label.

Boots Nirolex Dry Cough Relief Linctus 150ml, £2.19. A linctus which soothes and relieves irritating tickly, dry coughs and sore throats. Do not give to children under one and always read the label.