The transition months between seasons are under the sign of a cold, flu and cough, common symptoms of these conditions. Dry or productive cough is disturbing, but it is beneficial, which is how the body protects the airways clear of mucus and other secretions.
In many cases, one of the symptoms that accompany colds, flu and upper respiratory infections (sinusitis, chronic rhinitis) is a cough.
Dry (irritant) or productive (in sputum) cough, is more persistent at night, while sleeping because the position of nasal secretions reach the neck, which triggers episodes of coughing.
Cough occurs in other illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, lung tumors, gastroesophageal reflux.
Also, many smokers have some morning hardcore episodes of coughing. If the cough is accompanied by high fever, may be a sign of pneumonia. In some cases, the cough may persist even two, three weeks, so to avoid complications should be treated seriously and fairly.
Drink many liquids
Hydration – the key word in cases of colds and flu. Drink plenty of water, soups, tea and lime sweetened with honey (honey in hot tea is not added because it loses its qualities, it is not stable at high temperatures), fresh oranges, fresh stewed dishes in the house – all these are indicated for purify body fluids.
Also, in the tea you can add a few drops of almond oil (found in herbal shops).
Dark chocolate and cough
Dry cough can be relieved and rebutted, if the diet is rich in cocoa. It was shown that theobromine, a substance present in cocoa beans, helps combat dry cough without adverse effects. Theobromine disables nerve activity in the brain responsible for reflux cough.
Add to the list of key foods in case of cough, hot cocoa and chocolate with at least 75% cocoa. Also, theobromine is also found in coffee beans and tea leaves.
Chicken soup remains on top
Not only that our grandmother told us, but a few years ago a study by researchers at the University of Nebraska. They found that chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory, speeds up release of airway mucus and reduce symptoms of cough and cold.
Clear explanation is not found yet, but experts have revealed the perfect recipe: onion, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, parsley and chicken.
Iron health
Last year, Italian researchers found that iron deficiency causes chronic cough in women. The study involved 16 women suffering from chronic cough, but had no lung or respiratory diseases, asthma and gastro-esophageal reflux. All had iron deficiencies.
The reason? Iron helps the production of proteins in the immune system, such as controlled inflammation. And iron deficiency leaves the upper respiratory system exhibited to more inflammation, so it triggers chronic cough. Some natural sources of iron include liver, red meat, seafood, peas.