Strenuous cough can be dry or wet (with phlegm) and can occur in both children and adults. Check what diseases a persistent, tiresome cough may indicate and try home remedies that will bring relief quickly.
Tiring cough- regardless of the reason - it makes everyday functioning difficult, and if it occurs at night - disturbs sleep.
Both dry and wet coughs can tire. In the first case, the patient struggles with an unpleasant feeling in the throat - as if a feather was still there and irritated the mucous membranes, provoking coughing.
In turn, persistent wet cough is associated with expectoration of secretions (phlegm), or the feeling that it remains in the airways.
A tiresome cough - whatever its cause - often leads to shortness of breath. Why? This is due to the anatomy of the human body.
The respiratory system consists of many thin tubes, not exceeding 1 mm in diameter, carrying air to the lungs. Respiratory diseases cause these tubes to narrow, hence a persistent, exhausting cough and shortness of breath.
Tired cough - causes
1) Bronchitis
If a persistent dry cough appears after the flu, it may be a symptom of a serious complication - bronchitis. Then the cough becomes more intense when you go out into the cold air, when you exercise, laugh and talk.
At first it is dry and tiring, then with a slight coughing up of mucus. It is accompanied by malaise, headaches and a slight fever.
2) Pneumonia
A tiring, choking cough that produces green or yellow mucus that may indicate pneumonia. Coughing up a large amount (even half a cup) of purulent sputum indicates bronchiectasis.
3) Bronchial asthma
Tiring cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing are symptoms of bronchial asthma. The nagging feeling of breathlessness related to bronchial constriction occurs most often at night and in the morning, and also a few minutes after strenuous exercise.
Symptoms appear paroxysmal (spontaneously or under the influence of various factors, e.g. tobacco smoke, cold air, stress) and disappear spontaneously or after taking medications.
4) Allergy
Iftiring cough appears in the spring and summer period and is accompanied by symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, nasal and throat congestion, and sometimes also hives and skin rash, most likely an allergy.
Allergic cough is a natural reflex that protects against the entry of allergens into the body, such as pollen, mites, mold spores, animal hair and other allergens that enter the body through inhalation. Allergic cough may be accompanied by expectoration of colorless mucus.
5) Whooping cough
Tiring, choking cough is also one of the symptoms of whooping cough. The cough for whooping cough is dry and worsens over time; it is easy to recognize, because during coughing, a characteristic wheezing noise comes from the patient's respiratory system, reminiscent of the crowing of a rooster. The cough associated with whooping cough is usually accompanied by a runny nose, slightly elevated temperature, and sometimes conjunctivitis.
Tired cough - home proven ways
With a dry cough, herbs such as marshmallow, Icelandic lichen, coltsfoot, mullein will help. Pine syrup is also recommended for a dry, tiring cough, which will help not only with cough, but also with a runny nose, when you experience chills and a feeling of breakdown. During illness, adults should take it 3-4 times a day for one teaspoon, children 3 times a day for one teaspoon.
On the other hand, the onion syrup will help with a wet and tiring cough. Finely chop the onion and sprinkle it generously with sugar. Set aside, covered, for about five hours, until the onion releases the juice and the onion syrup is ready.
Fennel seed syrup will also help with wet cough - pour 1/3 l of water over a tablespoon of fennel seeds, add 2 teaspoons of honey, cook for 10 minutes and strain. Drink a cup three times a day.
If the cough is tiring, it is also worth reaching for thyme, which facilitates expectoration and increases the secretion of liquid mucus that thin the thick secretion.
For this purpose, you can prepare an infusion of thyme. Pour 1.5 cups of boiling water over a tablespoon of the herb, set aside, covered for 15 minutes, and strain. Drink 1/3 cup several times a day.
About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish Woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized byAssociation.Read more articles by this author