HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR SMOKER'S COUGH
Coughing is a protective reaction of the body
to the toxins in cigarette smoke, which irritate the respiratory tract and
lungs. A dry, irritated cough can occur when inhaling smoke but it stops
shortly after the smoke has been coughed out of the lungs.
If
you smoke a few cigarettes each day, your lungs and air passages are
contaminated by foreign, unwanted chemicals. When you inhale these chemicals,
your body tries to eject them by coughing. The infamous "early morning
cough" that affect smokers is caused by one unique reason. On normal
people, small hair-like formation (cilia) that lines the airways can sweep
unwanted materials out of the lungs with outward movements. Unfortunately
cigarette smoke decrease the sweeping movement, as the result some of the toxic
substances remain in the lungs. When you sleep, cilia regain some of its
effectiveness and it begins to work again, this is the reason why you cough in
the morning. Your body is trying to clear away toxic materials that are
accumulated the previous day.
Complications
Unfortunately decades of heavy smoking can permanently impair
cilia’s ability to clean your respiratory system. As the result, you’ll be more
vulnerable than before to other contaminants, such as bacteria, virus and other
pollutants. This will make infection and irritation more likely to happen.
At
this stage, the noxious chemicals will accumulate steadily, causing some
serious conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer.
Emphysema
Emphysema
happens when many alveoli (air sacs), where carbon dioxide and oxygen are
exchanged, in the lungs are destroyed. Prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke can
cause the alveoli wall to become fragile and thin. This is an irreversible
damage and if the person continues to smoke, many alveoli will be punctured and
completely lose their function. This will result in less efficient lungs, due
to lower oxygen/carbon dioxide transfer rate, which can cause shortness of
breath. Because the lungs are also less elastic, heavy smokers often find it
more difficult to exhale.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis
is the bronchi inflammation, which causes swelling of the bronchial walls and
excessive mucus production. On people with constant, instead of occasional,
smoker coughs, it is likely that the mucus layer has thickened to the point
where the airways are narrowing noticeably and normal breathing is difficult or
impossible to do. Because at this stage, the cilia are likely to be already
damaged permanently, the thick mucus layer becomes a fertile breeding ground
for bacteria, making infection happens easily.
Pneumonia
When
left untreated, the infection on your bronchial wall can cause additional
damages to respiratory tract. In this case complications such as pneumonia or
even total respiratory failure can happen.
Lung cancer
Smokers
are continuously exposed to toxic substances, which make viral infections more
likely to happen. Both are common causes of lung cancer.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
This
term is often used to describe both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In the
United States alone, more than seven millions people have COPD and it is fourth
leading cause of death. Although, smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD
and many men smoke, more women died from this disease. On the most severe case
of chronic lung disease, patients continuously gasp for breath, causing a
drowning sensation.
In
women, smoker’s cough can trigger stress urinary incontinence. Chronic cough
can weaken the structure that supports both the vagina and urethra, causing
both overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Smoker’s
cough can be treated effectively by homoeopathic medicines. Well selected
medicines not only cure the cough but also removes the craving for tobacco
smoke.Some of the important remedies are given below.
CAPSICUM 30-Capsicum is one of the best remedies for smoker's cough. It is prescribed for sore throat of smokers and drinkers. There is a dry hawking cough , expelling an offensive breath from the lungs. Pain in distinct parts on coughing -bladder, lungs, ears etc.
CAPSICUM 30-Capsicum is one of the best remedies for smoker's cough. It is prescribed for sore throat of smokers and drinkers. There is a dry hawking cough , expelling an offensive breath from the lungs. Pain in distinct parts on coughing -bladder, lungs, ears etc.
NUX
VOMICA 30-- Nux Vomica is one of the top medicines for smoker’s cough
and it is prescribed when
cough with oppressed breathing is present. The person feels
suffocation during the night time. The cough may be dry or rattling.
Sometimes bloody expectoration is also observed
CALADIUM
30-Caladium is an excellent remedy for smoker’s cough. It is
prescribed where cough, with
difficulty in raising expectoration, occurs . Caladium is also helpful in
decreasing the craving for tobacco smoking, making it an effective
antidote.
LOBELIA
INFLATA 30--Lobelia Inflata is prescribed where the cough is
attended with chest constriction and suffocation. Dyspnea and laboured
breathing are accompanying symptoms. Heaviness or feeling of weight may be felt
in the chest. Intense nausea and vomiting may be present.
DROSERA ROTUNDIFOLIA 30- Drosera is another best
medicine for smoker’s cough where the
cough is dry and irritating. The cough may also be deep and barking
in such cases and appears in frequent attacks. Retching and vomiting may be
observed. The fauces and throat may feel rough from coughing. People with this
condition complain of a constricted feeling in the larynx as well.
BRYONI ALB 30-Bryonia is effective for smoker’s cough where chest pain
accompanies the cough. Pain in the chest is of sharp, stitching nature.
The cough is dry, hacking and hard. Chest pain usually arises with every
coughing episode. Deep breathing
also leads to chest pain.
HEPAR SULPH. 30-Hepar Sulph is
another effective medicine
for smoker’s cough, especially in cases where the cough is loose
or rattling. The cough gets worse during the morning. The phlegm
expectoration is yellow or pus like and may be blood stained. Suffocative
attacks, wheezing and breathing difficulty may also accompany loose cough.
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