Cough is a common and universal protective of the human body on the earth which exits different reasons and symptoms responsible for our illness like situations. In a very clear and complete ways it passes mucus, dust, microorganism, smoke, and other foreign elements from the physic which cause harms to the body in ways more than one. Clearance of the body from several types of dirt is a natural and vital process of the body for making our breath normal as well as clean and thus, played an important role in keeping human body healthy, protected and fit in all respects. So far as its causes are concerned, it is the net result of a common vital infections and subsides accumulated in days, weeks and months. Normal cough although develops, but can be easily cured by precautions, home remedies, and other light medications, but in any way persistence of the cough causes serious disorders when took the form of fever, breath problem, chest pain, blood in the sputum physical discomfort, appetite, and work efficiency with overall quality of life. Therefore, its negligence in anyway can lead to severe health issues which may bear costly for human body and disrupt our normal and daily life altogether.
Main Causes and Symptoms
In general, the main causes of the arise and development of cough in the human body are related to environment and medical conditions which cause acute cough along with chest congestion. Among the respiratory infections, the viral infection commonly causes common cold, influenza, and COVID-19 aa these are responsible for the inflaming the lining of the respiratory tract. It also increases the production and stimulation of the cough reflex. On the other hand, the bacterial infection namely pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough produce persistent coughing and create a condition for the medical treatment at large. In line, the second factor which induced reaction is allergies and asthma as and when they reacted to dust, pollen, mold animal danger, perfumes and smoke responsible for the irritation resulting trigger coughing. Especially in asthma inflammation and narrowing of the air passages cause chest tightness, and difficulty in breathing during night and in the early morning. The third most important cause of cough/persistent cough is the smoking and air pollution, while regular exposure to smoking damage respiratory lining and increases mucus production, the air pollution, industrial emission, biomass fuel smoke as well as vehicle exhaust played a definite role in irritating the lungs and cause for chronic respiratory diseases. In addition, other medical conditions like GRED, blood pressure medicines, heart failure and interstitial lungs diseases. At large, its symptoms include- sensation and irritation in the throat, chest pain, throat discomfort, fever, sore throat, headache, shortness of breath, heartburn, fatigue, disturb sleep, and reduces appetite, etc.
Diagnosis, Food, and Home Care
In case of being cough affected, there are several methods through which we diagnose/examine the actual cause of cough and adopt successful treatment course as indicated in the test report. The treating doctor also gathers primary information regarding disease from the patient and start for further on the basis of drawn conclusions. The methods of diagnosis include-physical examination, blood tests, sputum examination, chest X-ray or CT scan along with allergy testing. During the course of treatment doctors generally suggest a number of foods to take like- warm soups and broths, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, protein-rich foods, and healthy nuts and seeds which also include natural remedies items-ginger, tulsi, honey, which help sooth throat irritation as well as reduce coughing. At the same time, the treating doctors also prohibit foods and habits that aggravate cough or delay recovery-smoking and all forms of tobacco, alcohol, deep fried, oily, and highly processed foods, excess sugar, spicy food excessive tea and coffee and very cold beverages which cause aggravation and irritation in the throat. In addition to the above, there are several steps which are related to the home care and supportive measures as they help reduce cough and promote speedy recovery. It include drink plenty of warm fluids, adequate rest, gargle with salt and warm water, use of steam inhalation, use of honey, keeping proper humidity, as well as taking full and complete course of prescribed medicine.
Prevention and Treatment Status in India
As it is always said, ‘Prevention is better than cure’ it’s a universal fact for we all and if we adopt a healthy life-style and practice the measures that reduce respiratory irritants we can be far away from the cough and its related severe as well as normal complications in our daily life. It can easily be done by maintaining a good hand hygiene, receiving recommended vaccinations, avoiding smoking, reducing exposure to dust, pollution and harmful industrial chemicals, eating balanced/rich diet whose major part should be in the form of fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, drinking adequate water, managing other chronic diseases, if any, and seeking medical advice on time. The measures counted above are always safer, simpler as well as economical than treatment that we get anywhere in India and outside. In past decades, India has achieved considerable progress in the sphere of diagnosis and management of cough-related illnesses through Government hospitals, primary health care centres, community health centres. In this process, the role played by the Private hospitals are equally significant where, normally more wealthy and affluent class of society get treated successfully, although basic/minimum facility like CT scanning, bronchoscopy, pulmonary function testing, molecular laboratory investigations are now available in both places of treatment, in some medical facilities Private hospital are ahead of the government health centres which face many day-today problems.
These apart, there are several factors which are beyond individual efforts but largely and abundantly affect our multiple health issues and public awareness along with Government efforts at national and global levels. Still, along with India almost all countries of the world, barring a few developed, continues to face daunting challenges which include- air pollution, widespread tobacco use, overcrowding, delayed diagnosis as well as unequal healthcare access between urban and rural population. However, despite these challenges India has been able to contain tuberculosis through a public health campaign and till date provide free diagnosis and treatment. For further, asthma and COPD clinics have expanded in a considerable way with emphasis on anti-biotics, inhalers, antihistamines, mucolytic agents and several supportive medicines which are easily available across the country.
Dr. Rajkumar Singh is a youth motivator, Professor and former University Head of Pol. Sc., Dean Social Sciences and Dean Students’ Welfare (DSW) of the B.N. Mandal University, presently residing at Hajipur Bihar, India. He can be contacted at [email protected] |
