A sudden explosion of air from the lungs to expel something from the air passages. Productive coughing brings up mucus while dry unproductive cough caused due to pharyngeal irritation, does not.
A cough, in medicine, is a sudden and often repetitively occurring defense reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from excess secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. The cough reflex consists of three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily, though for the most part it is involuntarily.
Frequent or severe coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Many viruses and bacteria benefit by causing their host to cough, which helps to spread the disease to new hosts. Coughing is classified as acute (of sudden onset) if it is present less than three weeks, subacute if it is present between three and eight weeks, and chronic when lasting longer than eight weeks. A cough can be dry or productive, depending on whether sputum is coughed up. Most of the time, coughing is acute and caused by a respiratory tract infection. Coughing can be triggered by food entering the windpipe rather than the esophagus due to a failure of the epiglottis in patients who have difficulties swallowing. Smoking and air pollution are common causes of coughing. Provided the patient is a non-smoker and has a normal chest X-ray, the three most common causes of chronic cough are asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease and post-nasal drip. Other causes of chronic cough include chronic bronchitis, heart failure and medications such as ACE inhibitors.
Everyone is familiar with a cough that follows cold or flu, and indeed these are the most common causes. These and other viral infections are the most common cause of acute cough, particularly in children. Other possible causes of recurrent cough in children include asthma, bronchiectasis, or even cystic fibrosis; some of these conditions allow frequent viral infections and thus recurrent cough. But a cough could also be a different infectious respiratory condition such as whooping cough, or a sign of a chronic lung condition such as emphysema or COPD, or even lung cancer. Whooping cough is uncommon in infants due to vaccination but is surprisingly common in adults (because vaccination wears off) and is often undiagnosed.
Ayurvedic Approach:-
In Ayurveda it is known as PRATISHYAYA mainly due to vitiation of Kapha. Pratishyaya is classified in to VATAJ, PITTAJ, KAPHAJ and TRIDOSHAJ types. In Vataj type there is pain in sinus cavity with sneezing, pittaj type is with fever and in kaphaj type there are whitish secretion and dull headache.
Symptoms :-
Sore Throat
Flu (Sometimes)
Hoarsiness in voice
Inflamed respiratory tract
Heaviness of head
Causes :-
Viral Infection
Irritation in respiratory tract
Allergy
Do's :-
Diet:-
Drink plenty of water, vegetable and fruit juices
Behaviour:-
Rest should be taken, wash hands regularly to avoid contact with bacteria
Dont's :-
Diet:-
Avoid softdrinks, carbohydrated drinks, ice-creams or any cold items
Behaviour:-
Avoid polluted areas, avoid contact with bacteria
Medicines advised and dosage :-
Atharva Vasadi Vati
Disclaimer :-
The causes, symptoms, dietary advise and behaviour advise as well as Medicines advised are based on General Condition of disease. It is advisable to consult medical practitioner for any health irregularities, to avoid further complications.
The medicines advise is based on exclusively Atharva Ayurved Pharmaceuticals products only.
