Hoarseness and cough

introduction

Cough and hoarseness often go hand in hand, which is due to the fact that both symptoms are mostly the expression of a respiratory infection. As a rule, they are harmless and can be managed well with a few measures at home.

causes

Hoarseness and cough are both not diseases, but symptomsthat can occur in the context of various diseases.
There are a wide variety of possible triggers for each of these complaints. However, when they are together it is most often through one Respiratory infection justified.
For such infections there are about 200 pathogensthat may be eligible. Mostly, however Viruses the reason for a respiratory tract infection, bacteria or even fungi are more rarely the culprits.
Typically, you get the infection by yourself from another infected person.

Cough is basically one useful response of the body. Because it is one reflex, which occurs when substances have entered the airways that cannot be removed by the cilia on the mucous membrane cells and thereby the breathing hinder. It can be mucus (for example, if you have an infectious disease), Leftovers or foreign bodies inhaled act.
Hoarseness occurs when the delicate mechanism of the vocal cords in the larynx, which is responsible for voice formation, is disrupted. This can be due to, among other things Swelling of the mucous membrane (for example in the case of infections), Nerve damage or mechanical stimuli happen.

Symptoms

Cough and hoarseness are symptoms in themselves.
Often, however, they are accompanied by other symptoms, which are also due to the respiratory tract infection that is usually present.
Accompanying coughs and hoarseness, the most common cold is found, which is also caused by overproduction or the lack of drainage of secretion from the respiratory tract. In addition, depending on the illness, breathing difficulties, fever, headache and body aches and fatigue can also occur.

Read more on the topic: Cough - A complex of symptoms or symptoms of inflammation of the vocal cords

therapy

The therapy of cough and hoarseness depends on the underlying causes.
With respiratory infections, however, you can often Treat symptomatically only, since there is no specific remedy for most of the viruses responsible. This is different when bacteria cause the disease, then the doctor prescribes an antibiotic.

General measuresthat help against hoarseness and coughs physical conservation (You should avoid strenuous sports, while leisurely walks in the fresh air can even help), healthy eating (much liquid to take in vitamin rich food respect, think highly of), Inhalation or rubbing with essential oils (Warning: essential oils are forbidden in small children because of the risk of causing shortness of breath) and that Keeping the airways moist by Air humidification or Chamomile steam.

Lots Cough suppressants are freely available in pharmacies. When choosing, you have to distinguish between one productive coughthat goes through the Secretion of mucus noticeable (the aim here is to liquefy the mucus, which makes it easier to cough up - this can be achieved, for example, with the help of Cough syrups with ivy extract) and one unproductive cough, which is still no slime that can be suppressed with medication to stop the excruciating cough.
A Cough suppressants but must never be without the express prescription from a doctor administered.
Also a few Home remedies how Cough teas (for example with fennel or thyme), hot milk with honey or Chest wrap, can have a relieving effect on the cough.

Definitely go to the doctor one should, if in addition to coughing and hoarseness as well fever, Heart trouble, Ears-, Forehead- or cheek headache, nausea and Vomit or Difficulty breathing occur or the symptoms also no improvement after a week of self-therapy.

In the case of hoarseness, you should first and foremost Save voice and especially don't whisper or keep clearing your throat, but if you speak softly, then that Whispering stresses the vocal folds even more and cough if necessary.
This is also part of protecting the voice Refrain from smoking, spicy foods, alcohol and cold drinks.
Home remedies are against hoarseness sage and Icelandic mossthat can be taken in the form of candy, for example.
With a hoarseness that existed longer it may be necessary to Speech training with a speech therapist to be integrated into the therapy plan.
Otherwise, there are many other treatments that can sometimes be necessary for hoarseness, including surgery, but which are then caused by more serious illnesses and are usually not caused simply by the typical combination of cough and hoarseness.

In general it can be said that both hoarseness and cough almost always fade awayif the underlying disease is treated appropriately. Any symptoms will usually go away completely.