So, you have a cough. You can deal with a cough. It’s normal, right? Wrong. Having a cough is a sign that something is wrong with your respiratory system. It may be due to a cold, a lung infection, or even air pollution. But all of those reasons would result in a temporary cough. If your cough is chronic, then there might be something else wrong. That something else could very well be asthma.
If you’re coughing, then your lungs are trying to eject irritants such as fluid or mucus. When you have asthma, your airways tighten and swell, and may produce too much mucus deep in your lungs. This makes you cough constantly, and typically, that cough is dry, as the mucus or fluids never actually make it out of your lungs.
Like allergies, asthma can worsen when you’re exposed to certain triggers. Some common triggers include pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and smoke. Other triggers could include exercise, stress, and cold air.
Aside from the coughing, other symptoms of asthma include wheezing, chest discomfort, and troubled breathing. This is because asthma narrows your airways and makes it harder for the air to get through. Over the counter cough medications will not help with a cough or any of these symptoms when you have asthma because they do not interrupt asthma pathophysiology in your body. What you really need are prescription drugs that help reduce inflammation and controls your response to triggers. An inhaler can also be a huge help for quick relief.
If you think you may be suffering from asthma, see your doctor right away. If you are diagnosed with asthma, your doctor can recommend long-term preventative medications that can help you combat the symptoms. Aside from medications, there are other natural remedies that you can use to get relief. One highly beneficial and holistic option is salt therapy.
Salt therapy can kill the bacteria in your respiratory system and reduce inflammation. This can help widen your airways and will make your breathing easier. It also helps to shift that excess mucus in your respiratory system, which will prevent infections. Lastly, salt therapy can reduce IgE levels, which means that your body’s immune system won’t continuously overreact to your triggers.
You shouldn’t have to deal with a constant cough. You have enough stress in your life, so you should be able to relax and breathe easy. Visit your doctor to evaluate whether or not your frequent cough is a sign of asthma, and consider salt therapy as a natural, holistic solution.