Cough, cough, cough again

3 min read

Cough, cough, cough again

"Love, pregnancy and cough, cannot be hid.” - George Herbert, English Poet. The cough is one of the most common reasons we seek medical care. In fact, over 30 million doctor visits are attributed to this complaint every year!

A cough is not a disease, but a reflex response of the air passage to irritation, and a useful defense mechanism to help rid the body of microbes, mucus, pollutants (like smoke and pollen), and stop us from choking.

There are four distinct types of cough: dry cough, wet cough, croup cough, and whooping cough. All of which get worse at night! Why? When we lay down to sleep mucus collects in the back of the throat and nasal congestion increases, triggering the coughing reflex and disrupting sleep. Severe coughing at night can even cause gagging and vomiting.

We’ve looked at cough types, associated illnesses and how the Salin Plus Salt Therapy device can help ease symptoms in each instance, allowing for better breathing and quality sleep.

1. Dry Cough

The dry, unproductive cough is a common symptom of cold and influenza. This “hacking” cough often signifies upper respiratory infection, is worse at night and irritated by warm environments.

This means the use of warm, humidifying devices at night is making your symptoms worse, not better! (See our blog: Humidifiers: Debunking the Dependence.)

A dry cough can also be a sign of asthma that can be triggered by airborne irritants such as exposure to cigarette or wood fire smoke and pollen.

Intensifying or prolonged symptoms can be a sign of the infection moving into the lower respiratory tract, and can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.

The Salin Plus Salt Therapy device settles inflammation caused by repeated coughing and widens the airways. Overnight, pure, therapeutic salt particles are absorbed into the lungs as microcrystals where they work to break down bacteria to be coughed up as phlegm or mucus.

The replaceable Salin Plus Salt Filter also cleanses the air of particles over 10 microns in size, purifying the air of irritants that cause further coughing.

2. Wet Cough

When a cough becomes wet or productive, it is because there are fluid secretions and mucus in the lower respiratory tract (the windpipe and lungs). Also referred to as “chesty”, this cough can be viral, bacterial or a symptom of asthma.

This type of cough comes with a “rattling” or tight chest and is worse in the morning. The good news is, a wet cough can be a sign that an illness is coming to an end.

Due to its expectorant and anti-bacterial capabilities, the Salin Plus Salt Therapy device is ideal to treat wet, chesty coughs in people of all ages. It not only soothes the airways allowing for a restful night’s sleep, but also shortens recovery time and reduces the need for antibiotics to return to full health.

3. Croup Cough

Croup is a viral infection of the throat and windpipe that causes a distinctive, harsh, dry cough (barking), and a high-pitched sound (stridor) on inhalation. A common childhood illness, croup causes swelling of the voice box and windpipe.

Treatment options are limited to rest and at-home care. Salin Plus helps to ease inflammation in the airways, reduce coughing, breathlessness and wheezing so children can get the sleep they need to get well again.

4. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Whooping cough can affect both children and adults, and starts with common cold symptoms that deteriorate into fits of severe, deep and fast coughing, most acute at night. Fits generally come in a series of five to 15 rapid coughs, followed by a deep, “whooping” sound on inhalation.

The rapidness of coughing can lead to breathing problems in children who can turn blue due to temporary oxygen shortage. Symptoms can last for up to three months, even after treatment with antibiotics.

Medical intervention is essential; however, the Salin Plus device can help to remove irritants from the air, soothe and open the airways to allow for rest and recovery.

Immunization is available and recommended for whooping cough.

For best results, Salin Plus should be used all year round. The device is not only a curative device for all coughs, it is also a preventative by reducing the likelihood and severity of infection so you can enjoy a better quality of life, health and well-being.