Coughing is an act which helps to clear the foreign particles from the throat and the airway, where the foreign particles are usually germs, irritants, or mucus. It can be voluntary as well as involuntary. Coughs are of two types—productive and non-productive. A productive cough or wet cough involves phlegm and mucus whereas a non-productive cough or a dry cough does not include any phlegm and mucus.
According to the American Lung Association, dry cough is a persistent medical condition for many individuals in the country. In this article, we will concentrate on the causes of a dry cough and treatment of this medical condition.
What causes a dry cough?
Medical conditions, lifestyle disorders, and environmental issues are the common causes of a dry cough among most people. Continue reading to know more about the causes of a dry cough and treatment thereafter.
- Upper respiratory tract infection
In more than 25 percent of the cases, dry cough results due to upper respiratory infections including pharyngitis, laryngitis, and tonsils. These types of medical conditions are most common during the fall and winter. - Asthma
Asthma is another common cause of a dry cough where the airways of the patients become inflamed, and their thickness reduces. There is a condition cough variant asthma (CVA) which results in a chronic dry cough. The patient experiences wheezing, respiratory distress, and chest pain along with a dry cough in asthma. - Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
It is a condition where the acid from the stomach refluxes into the esophagus and causes irritation in the food pipe. This irritation results in a dry cough in patients. In many cases, the patients also complain of heartburn, regurgitation of food, sore throat, and a feeling of a lump of food in the throat. It is a common cause of a dry cough and treatment of GERD is usually undertaken through lifestyle changes and medicines. - Environmental irritants
The presence of allergens in the atmosphere like smoke, pollution, pollen, and dust, may irritate the windpipe and result in a dry cough. - Smoking
Smoking is a potential cause of a dry cough. Toxic chemicals present in tobacco interfere with the function of cilia and causes inflammation. The reflex action tries to remove this inflammation and it ends in a dry cough.
Dry cough treatment
Here are some of the cough treatments which may offer you relief from the condition.
- Salt and water gargle
Regular gargling with salt and warm water soothes the throat and prevents the occurrence of a cough. - Consumption of honey
Drinking a cup of herbal tea made of honey and lemon can work wonders in curing dry cough and soothing a sore throat. - Cough expectorant
Certain over-the-counter cough expectorants containing dextromethorphan help in treating dry coughs.
A dry cough is annoying, but a combination of healthy lifestyle and medicines help in curing it under medical supervision.
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Keurig coffee makers that you should buy right away
Read moreAre you a coffee lover? A coffee addict perhaps? Most people who need a refreshing cup of coffee amidst their busy schedule would possess or want to buy a coffee maker.
Keurig® coffee makers are some of the best options available in the market. The expertly engineered Keurig® coffee maker is simple to operate. It offers endless possibilities as you can use it as a tea maker, or cocoa maker too. The company even makes Keurig® Coffee Maker Bundles that contain everything you might need for a complete coffee experience!
Keurig® offers a wide variety of brewers — from a personal one-cup Keurig® coffee maker to a commercial Keurig® multi-cup coffee maker; from a no-reservoir model to a model with 90 oz reservoir capacity. Priced between $99.99 to $229.99 approximately, you’re sure to find a model that suits your needs perfectly. If you’re still confused, you can read on to learn more about two of the most popular Keurig® coffee makers:
Keurig® K575 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Coffee Maker
This model comes with a large and bright touchscreen display. This coffee maker costs around $134.44 to $199 on different e-commerce websites. It comes with 6 K-Cup® pods, a water filter handle, and two filters to help you create delicious beverages. Its large and easily removable 80 oz water reservoir lets you brew at least 10 cups of coffee before you have to refill it again. The strength control and five temperature setting are useful and convenient options that allow you to brew a weak, medium or strong cup of beverage.Keurig® K145 OfficePRO® Brewing System
This commercial coffee maker from Keurig ® works at the push of a single button and delivers the perfect beverage in under one minute. With its heavy-duty work mechanism that can easily handle your office needs, brewing 20 K-cups is also possible with this model. A 48-ounce removable water tank and an auto switch-off mode that helps save energy are other handy features of this model.Whether it is hot water, or a consistently delicious brew of coffee, tea, cocoa or iced beverage that you desire, all you need to do is get yourself a Keurig® coffee maker.
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Best brands for electric wheelchairs
Read moreAlso known as power chairs and motorized wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs speak volumes of utility and convenience. Unlike their manually-powered counterparts, these wheelchairs run on an electric motor. They are ideal for those who cannot propel a manual wheelchair. People can use these wheelchairs for long distances with ease, without getting fatigued. To enable you to seek a quality electric wheelchair, here we are with some of the best electric wheelchair brands.
- IMC Heartway Rumba HP4 power electric wheelchair
Making both indoor and outdoor travel easy and convenient, this wheelchair has an appealing design as well. The electric wheelchair comes with a rotating seat, 8’ and 10” front and rear wheels, and a standard swivel captain seat. In addition, the wheelchair features a fold-down back. Due to its high power motors, the wheelchair drives easily through rough and steep areas while providing maximum comfort. The feature-rich IMC Heartway Rumba remains an ideal choice for those seeking an incredibly powered mobility.
- Golden Technologies GP162 LiteRider PTC 162
If you are seeking electric wheelchairs mainly for outdoor travel, Golden Technologies is the electric wheelchair brand you can rely on. The GP162 LiteRider PTC 162 wheelchair model that comes from this coveted brand has a weight capacity of 300 lb. Its light weight allows you to carry it along anywhere with ease. The red tubular frame design and the unique storage basket located under the seat is there to store required items for an outdoor trip. The comfortable stadium style seat of this electric wheelchair helps facilitate the upper body of an individual while traveling.
- PW-800AX Dual Function Foldable Power Wheelchair
This dual function wheelchair is both electric/motor and manually powered. Lighter than most wheelchairs, it is made of high-quality aluminum alloy. Due to its strong frame, powerful motors, and a superior seat fabric, this wheelchair can hold up to 330 lbs. When required, you can fold it into a compact size within a matter of 10 seconds. The two lightweight batteries with a full charge make this wheelchair drive up to 15 miles at a top speed of 6.8 miles/hour.
- Betterlife Aries Electric Wheelchair
With a wide range of features, this wheelchair is indeed one of the best electric wheelchairs you can find in the market. When not in use, it can be folded down for easy storage without much effort. This electric wheelchair comes with a built-in handbrake that ensures safe indoor and outdoor moving. It also features an adjustable position controller, a built-in horn, and reflectors.
- Foldawheel PW-1000XL Power Chair
For faster traveling and frequent use, you can count on this electric wheelchair. It weighs only 55 lbs and folds and opens in just 2 seconds. With its 18” seat cushion, the wheelchair is suitable for users up to 330 lbs. The brushless motors and the bigger rear tires of the wheelchair make traveling easy. This is one of the best electric wheelchairs in terms of safety, as it comes with innovative quick release anti-tilt support. In addition, this wheelchair comes with a detachable joystick controller for added convenience.
- KD Smart Chair
Weighing just 50 pounds, this wheelchair remains a much-preferred choice for those in need of a lightweight and easy to fold electric wheelchair. With a fully charged Lithium-ion battery, the wheelchair travels up to 15 miles. The durable and feature-rich wheelchair is a compact device that can make outdoor travels fun and comfortable.
- Invacare Pronto P31 Power Wheelchair
This full-length electric wheelchair featuring an adjustable height, flip-up, removable arms, and adjustable footboard is comfortable and easy to carry around. Additionally, other features make this wheelchair suitable for even those with severe immobility issues.