Cough is a natural reflex of the body to help eliminate respiratory foreign bodies, such as mucus, sputum... After being infected with respiratory viruses, including Covid-19, patients often cough. long, productive cough or persistent dry cough. In your case, excessive dry cough causes fatigue, diaphragm pain, chest wall pain, affecting quality of life. The following article provides useful tips to help relieve cough symptoms after Covid
1. What is a cough?
Cough, in essence, is a protective response of the body, aimed at expelling pathogens from the respiratory tract. However, coughing too much, causing fatigue and difficulty sleeping, needs treatment.
It is necessary to distinguish 2 types, dry cough and productive cough:
- A dry cough, usually caused by a viral infection, irritates the respiratory tract.
- Cough with phlegm, usually due to chronic respiratory disease or bacterial infection.
2. Why does COVID-19 cause a cough?
According to statistics, about 50-70% of people with COVID-19 have a dry cough as a symptom. Most people with COVID-19, can cough for about 19 days. Even the cough lasts 4 weeks or for many months.
Coughing is an essential reflex that protects against infection. Normally, when a virus or foreign object is detected, the sensory nerves will activate the cough sensor in the medulla oblongata of the brain, thereby activating the muscles around the respiratory tract to push the foreign object out. .
In COVID-19 patients, the virus may directly or indirectly target sensory nerves, as part of the infection, thereby triggering coughs.
3. Management of persistent cough after recovering from COVID-19
Many people have been negative but still have a persistent cough. Depending on each case, there is a reasonable, safe and effective treatment.
3.1. Dry cough
It is possible that the virus is still not completely cleared, or another respiratory viral infection. Or cough due to allergies, smoke, chemicals...
The treatment is to use cough suppressant and tonic + old generation anti-allergic drugs such as alimemazine, diphenhydramine (theralene or benadryl or those with similar ingredients).
Some cases are caused by gastroesophageal reflux, because when you have COVID-19, it is easy to worry, lose sleep, think a lot... can cause increased secretion of stomach acid, causing real stomach spasm disorder. throat, also causes a dry cough. In this case, it is necessary to use antacids to neutralize gastric juice, mild sedatives to reduce anxiety and stress.
3.2. Productive cough
May be caused by bronchitis, bacterial superinfection pneumonia. In these cases, you must see a doctor for antibiotics + expectorants (usually ambroxol).
It may be due to other lung diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis... Then you need to see a respiratory specialist for thorough treatment.
4. Tips to reduce post-Covid disease at home
Elevate your head and chest while sleeping: Put a pad under your pillow, as sleeping with your head and chest elevated prevents mucus from obstructing your airways and thus can help you avoid coughing.
Drink plenty of water: Drinking warm water can help relieve dry throat, a common cause of cough. It also helps thin mucus, which can ease coughs and congestion.
Drink tea with honey: Drinking warm ginger tea with honey can help relieve a cough caused by a sore throat. According to research, honey can soothe a cough more effectively than over-the-counter medicines containing dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant. Meanwhile, ginger has anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce inflammation and swelling in the throat, soothing coughs. Therefore, warm ginger tea with a little honey is a useful cough remedy for you.
Alternatively, you can also drink lemon juice with honey added. Lemon juice is known to help relieve congestion. Note, never give honey to children under 1 year old.
Drink turmeric milk: The active compound curcumin in turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Warm turmeric milk can help soothe the throat and act as an excellent expectorant.
Gargle with salt water: Gargling with salt water can help soothe an itchy throat that causes you to cough. You can mix 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of salt with about 237 ml of warm water.
Mint: Mint leaves are well known for their medicinal uses. The menthol in mint can help soothe the throat and make breathing easier. You can benefit by drinking peppermint tea or inhaling the mint vapors from a sauna therapy.
- Practice diaphragmatic breathing
Sit up straight and comfortably, one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest.
+ Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose so that the hand on the abdomen feels the abdomen expand with each breath; The chest does not move.
Pull in your stomach and slowly exhale through your mouth.
Repeat 5-6 times or more for 15-20 minutes.
Get plenty of rest: Give your immune system plenty of time to recover by getting enough rest and trying to get more than 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
If your cough doesn't improve even with home remedies, see your doctor. When an underlying medical condition is getting in the way of your cough, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications.