Expert answer:
Dry cough usually originates allergic, but may also be a symptom of other diseases. Some diseases which cause dry cough:
- Asthma;
- Bronchitis;
- Allergies;
- Rhinitis and sinusitis;
- Onset of pneumonia;
- Tuberculosis (persistent cough for more than 4 weeks);
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- Lung cancer (cough that never improves).
What to do to soften dry cough?
Some "home treatments" may help alleviate the discomfort caused by dry cough in less severe cases:
- Drinking water constantly: Liquids in general, preferably water, are the best home remedies for coughing, as they facilitate the movement of the mucus;
- Drink chamomile teas, lemongrass and sweet fennel;
- Sleep with the head higher, using more pillows;
- Leave the surroundings of the house well ventilated.
Coughing is a natural reflection of the body, being a important mechanism of defense of the respiratory system, responsible for the removal of excess secretion, foreign bodies and infectious micro-organisms of the airways.
Read too:
Persistent cough: what to do?
Cough with catarrh: what to do?
What is the difference between allergic cough and normal cough?
Treating cough with self-medication, without seeking a pulmonologist, can mask the symptoms and make diagnosis difficult.
