Coughing is a reflex action and your body’s way of clearing the airway of mucus, phlegm, or irritants. There are 2 types of cough: unproductive and productive cough. A productive cough involves coughing up some fluid. By contrast, an unproductive cough does not produce any sputum. Hence we call it a dry cough. Let’s check out some dry cough FAQs and remedies for home treatment.

What Causes Dry Cough?

There are various causes for a dry cough, but it is often the result of: 

• A viral disease such as the flu, the common cold, or even COVID-19. 
• A post-infectious or post-viral cough is a kind of cough that persists for days and weeks after a viral illness. 

In some other cases, a dry cough can also be the result of some other health-related problems, including: 

• Whooping cough.
• Smoking or second-hand smoking. 
• Post-nasal drip. 
• Allergic rhinitis also known as hay fever, usually occurs due to inhaling substances, or particles that you are allergic to, such as dust, or pollen.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when your stomach acid flows back up into your throat and irritates your esophagus, which triggers a cough as a reflex.

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Why Do I Have a Dry Cough When I’m Not Sick?

There are plenty of explanations for dry coughs while you’re feeling completely healthy and fine. Some of the causes include:

• Habit cough. This happens when you have a habit of coughing to clear out your throat, which you continue to do even when there’s no mucus or phlegm in it. 
• Side effects of certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors.
• A temperature change.
• Breathing dry, cold air.
• Speaking excessively for an extended period.

Or it can be the first sign of some serious diseases such as:

• Asthma
• Lung cancer
• Pulmonary embolism 
• Heart failure

Will Dry Cough Go Away on Its Own?

Dry coughs are usually caused by infectious conditions, such as colds and flu. These coughs occur because there is little to no mucus in your mouth. An individual may experience a tickling feeling in their throat and may not be able to stop coughing. 

In most cases, the coughing goes on its own. However, this might not be true for some people as they may have come down with some health problems. This is why knowing how to keep track of both your health and your cough is extremely crucial.

What Is the Best Remedy for Non-Productive Cough?

A dry cough can give people a lot of discomfort and annoyance, so anyone who has it tends to try their best to get rid of it. You can use some natural remedies to relieve the symptoms. (Always keep in mind that these remedies can interfere with any medication you’re taking, which might result in unwanted side effects.) Here are some remedies you can take at home. 

• Salt-water gargle. Mix half a teaspoon of salt with warm water, then use the mixture to gargle. After that, let it sit at the back of your throat for about 30 seconds to one minute before spitting it out. 

• Honey tea. Honey can help to relieve cough, according to studies. Create a warm drink by mixing 2 teaspoons of honey with herbal tea or warm water. For the best results, drink this mixture twice a day. 

• Marshmallow root. Since ancient times, people have used this to treat sore throats and coughs. It helps to ease irritation resulting from cough, thanks to its high mucilage content. A study shows that cough syrup containing thyme and ivy, along with marshmallow root, effectively relieves the cough resulting from respiratory tract infections and common colds. 

• Bromelain. This is an enzyme that pineapples contain a lot of. It has anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties, which help break down mucus and flush it out of your body. You can drink pineapple juice daily to reduce mucus production and suppress the coughing, but it may not contain enough bromelain. If it does not work, you can try bromelain supplements, but it’s best to speak with your doctor before taking it. 

• Essential oils. Due to their natural qualities and properties, essential oils can complement alternative therapies to treat various symptoms, including dry cough. Aromatherapy helps stimulate your body, clear out your airways, or you can directly apply diluted oil onto your body for a more thorough cleansing. 

The Hyfe Mind