Dry cough syrup – how to choose the best one? What are the most common causes of dry cough? How to distinguish between a dry and a wet cough?

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A dry cough can be very tiring. It attacks most often at night, which makes it impossible to fall asleep. It may be accompanied by an unpleasant scratching in the throat. A dry cough is usually the first symptom of an infection, but the first instinct is to reach for the syrup. Which is the best to choose? Can you make dry cough syrup at home? We check how the syrup works, and what substances it should contain to be effective.

Dry Cough Syrup – What Causes Dry Cough?

A dry cough can have many causes. Most often it is caused by the development of a viral infection (colds) or a bacterial infection (flu). Dry cough also occurs when a foreign body gets stuck in the esophagus or we are allergic to animal hair.

For this reason, the causes of dry cough can be divided into those related to an infection of the upper respiratory tract, which include:

1. irritation of the mucosa (e.g. with cigarette smoke), 
2. chronic upper respiratory tract infections, 
3. whooping cough 
4. bronchial asthma. 

However, among the causes of dry cough not related to upper respiratory tract infections, it is worth mentioning:

1. hair allergy, 
2. reflux, 
3. circulatory failure, 
4. lung and bronchial cancer, 
5. heart diseases, 
6. pulmonary hypertension. 

A dry cough can also be the body’s reaction to air conditioning, especially in hot weather.

Also check: Air conditioning and coronavirus – are we at risk of infection?

Dry cough syrup – when does a dry cough most often attack?

Dry cough most often attacks at night. It can appear during the day – it’s called a coughing attack. It is accompanied by a dry mouth and a scratchy feeling in the throat. With a dry cough, there is no discharge (or a small amount of it) as in the case of a wet cough.

A dry cough can bother us for several weeks, causing a sore throat. If it does not turn into a wet cough and syrup or other medications you are taking are not helping, see your doctor who will determine the cause.

1. What are the most common causes of viral pharyngitis?

Dry cough syrup – how to distinguish between dry and wet cough?

A dry cough is called unproductive because it does not cough up the accumulated mucus, which is the case with a wet cough. When a dry cough becomes a wet cough, it usually means that the infection has progressed from viral to bacterial.

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Also, a wet cough is much deeper than a dry cough. However, both types can be equally tiring, so it is worth taking medications to prevent their development.

Dry cough syrup – how to choose?

There are many drugs on the pharmaceutical market, including syrups, that are designed to reduce the frequency of attacks of dry cough. For this reason, choosing the right preparation that will be the best is not easy. The more so that the choice of cough syrup should also be related to whether the patient is not taking other medications, has no comorbidities or is not allergic to any of the substances included in the selected preparation.

They are most often used with a mild cough herbal cough syrupsthat do not have as many side effects as those based on synthetic ingredients. If we are not sure whether a dry cough will turn into a wet cough, we can opt for a syrup that works for both types.

Dry Cough Syrup – The Most Common Chemicals?

The most common chemical ingredients used in prescription syrups to counteract dry cough include:

1. codeine – inhibits the functioning of the respiratory center. At the same time, frequent intake of codeine can be addictive, so it should not be used in higher doses. Codeine is an ingredient often found in complex preparations, 
2. butamirate – is a non-opioid antitussive drug which acts on the cough center in a prolonged center and inhibits the cough reflex. At the same time, it slightly relaxes the bronchial muscles, 
3. dextromethorphan – in antitussive drugs, it is in the form of hydrobromide. It does not cause addiction and does not directly affect the cough center;
4. Levodropropizin – in the over-the-counter syrup for dry cough – has a strong antitussive effect.

Homemade dry cough syrup – what can it be made of?

In the fight against dry cough, home-made syrup may also be useful. The most commonly used ingredients are:

1. Buckwheat honey, 
2. marshmallow, 
3. thyme, 
4. mullein, 
5. Icelandic lichen, 
6. propolis, 
7. coltsfoot, 
8. milk with melted butter.   

Onion syrup for dry cough – how to make?

One of the most popular home remedies for dry cough is onion syrup, considered a natural antibiotic. To prepare it, you need two ingredients – onion and sugar, which can be replaced with honey and a little lemon juice.

In the jar, alternate layers of onion slices covered with sugar. Both ingredients can also be mixed. Turn the ingredient on and set aside in a shaded place for the onion to release juices. After 5 hours, the decoction can be given to the sick. The jar may be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

1. Onion syrup – grandma’s remedy for colds

Pine syrup for dry cough – how to prepare?

Pine syrup is, next to onion syrup, the most commonly used home remedy for the treatment of persistent dry cough. When preparing it, young pine shoots are necessary, which we mix with sugar in a large jar with a little water.

You should turn it on and set aside in a shaded place for a week, and then pour the resulting syrup into smaller jars that can be consumed even for several years.

Dry cough syrup and tablets – what to choose?

In addition to cough syrups, pharmacies also offer cough pills. The choice of the appropriate preparation should depend on individual factors, including previous experience. In addition, remember that if you cough for a long time, do not take it lightly.

Dry cough syrup for children – which one to choose?

In the case of children, it is much more difficult to assess what type of cough we are dealing with, so it is better to choose the one intended for both dry and wet cough. In addition, as in the case of adults, if proven methods for a dry cough do not work, it is best to go to the pediatrician with your baby.