Remember that secretions thickening in your respiratory tract are a perfect habitat for bacteria, giving the feeling of shortness of breath and intensifying coughing reflexes, thereby contributing to the deterioration of your mood.
In order to effectively treat a wet, convulsive cough, use medications to dilute the secretions or mucus based on ambroxol. Ambroxol reduces the density of mucus, facilitates expectorating or coughing up phlegm and improves the patency of the bronchi.
Medications for a wet cough with bromhexine or acetylcysteine show a similar effect regarding diluting the secretion.
Remember that medications diluting the secretion are most effective when you drink at least two litres of liquids daily.
The second group of medications for a wet, convulsive cough are expectorant medications, facilitating the expectoration or coughing up of the phlegm – based on guaiacolsulfonate or guaifenesin. The following have similar effects for treatment: extract of ivy, thyme, mullein or ribwort plantain.
Preparations from this group may be used along with medications that dilute the secretion.
Remember not to use syrups or lozenges for a productive cough after 5 p.m. to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Never use anti-cough medications which inhibit coughing reflexes (with butamirate or dextromethorphan) when treating a wet cough. These medications can effectively treat a dry cough. However, they are inadvisable when you suffer from a wet, persistent cough because the condition can develop further.
