Coughing is a natural reflex that actually helps to protect our lungs and airways against certain irritants, germs, dust and mucus buildup.
A cough is your body’s way of protecting your lungs. It is a rapid expulsion of air from the lungs when the air passages are irritated. One should take into consideration that coughing, though sometimes unpleasant, isn’t always a bad thing. However, when a cough becomes persistent, or causes other symptoms to develop like shortness of breath or wheezing, it may be a sign of something that requires attention.
It’s very important to note that there are various types of coughs which are as follows:
- Dry cough
- Wet cough
- Productive cough
- Chesty cough
- Tickly cough
- Night cough
- Nervous cough
- Persistent cough
- Croup cough
- Whooping cough
Why Do We Experience Dry Cough?
Certain underlying conditions, such as asthma can cause a narrowing of the airways, making someone experience dry cough. Post nasal drip can also contribute to a person’s dry cough symptoms. Cough, whether it may be dry or wet, can be very painful on your chest, back and the rest of your body. This can be one reason why a person can experience fatigue after a coughing spell. It’s recommended that if the cough lasts for more than 8 weeks then it could be a sign of a very serious condition such as COPD or bronchiectasis.
Why Do We Experience Wet cough?
A wet cough may be triggered by a recent respiratory infection from a common cold or flu, congestive heart failure, a pre-existing chronic lung condition like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or bronchiectasis.
Why Do We Experience Productive coughs?
Productive cough is one type of cough which helps to clear mucus from the lungs. In this condition the airways and lungs are working together to bring up mucus or phlegm and propel it out of the body.
It can also be called “Wet cough” and the prevalence inthe country is around 5% – 10%. However, the majority of the cases often are not reported so the prevalence would be much higher. Sometimes when a cough can bring up mucus, also called phlegm or sputum. When this is experienced it is termed as “productive cough”. In this condition cells within the air passages become irritated by fluids, mucus or material and cough reflex is initiated, forcing air out of the lungs under high pressure to clear the irritating substances and also to protect the lungs.
Following are few of the Home/ Natural Remedies
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Inhalation of steam
- Salt water gargles
- Hot drinks
- Honey
- Ginger
Current management includes use of synthetic expectorants which often may lead to physical changes such as drowsiness, dizziness, psychological and some social changes which can have impact on quality of life as per some studies. Taking into consideration these drawbacks, the following is one of the best nutraceutical products to treat a productive cough.
BLM Helix contains Ivy leaf Extract which is a natural mucolytic, expectorant which provides very significant relief against respiratory diseases like cough and bronchitis, and is backed by rigorous clinical evidence in over 65,000 patients. Treatment of cough with Ivy leaf extracts is a well-established phytotherapeutic approach in a number of countries. Being of natural origin, it does not cause drowsiness or dizziness, it is sugar free and most importantly safe in children as well. Some clinical studies have reported that relief of symptoms is seen within 48 hours.
BLM Helix is available in the form of syrup and it is recommended dosage is 5 ml three times a day.
Following are the product promises offered:
- Helps to loosen and clear mucus: Reduces cough frequently and effectively, with reduction in cough symptoms in totally 93% of cases. It stimulates the gastric mucosa and the parasympathetic reflexes in turn stimulate the secretion of bronchial mucus.
- Relieves Congestion: It helps to break up and reduce viscosity of the chest mucus so that it ultimately clears the air ways and improves chest congestion.
- Soothes Airways: BLM Helix plays a vital role in soothing the chest by opening and calming the airways associated with a chesty cough due to cold. It has been reported to ease breathing symptoms in 91% of cases.
Key features
- Supported with 11 clinical trials
- 9 scientific studies
- Free from artificial colors
- Alcohol-free
- Sugar-free
- Safe and natural option for productive cough
- Indicated for treatment of acute inflammation of respiratory tract
- For chronic inflammatory bronchitis in adults
BLM Helix is one of the Best nutraceutical products offered with Natural origin, Safety, Efficacy and has no traditional side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness etc which are associated with other available expectorants.
Reference:
- American Lung Association. “Learn About Cough.” Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/warning-signs-of-lung-disease/cough/learn-about-cough
- Wang Z, Wang M, Wen S, Yu L, Xu X. Types and applications of cough-related questionnaires. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2019 Oct;11(10):4379.
- https://smartvest.com/blog/what-is-a-productive-cough/
- https://info.isabelhealthcare.com/blog/9-types-of-cough-symptoms-causes-and-when-to-seek- help
- Medical News Today. “Wet Coughs: What to Know.” Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327442
- https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-natural-cough-remedies
- Cwientzek U, Ottillinger B, Arenberger P. Acute bronchitis therapy with ivy leaves extracts in a two-arm study. A double-blind, randomised study vs. an other ivy leaves extract. Phytomedicine. 2011 Oct 15;18(13):1105-9.
- Schaefer A, Kehr MS, Giannetti BM, Bulitta M, Staiger C. A randomized, controlled, double- blind, multi-center trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a liquid containing ivy leaves dry extract (EA 575®) vs. placebo in the treatment of adults with acute cough. Die Pharmazie-An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2016 Sep 1;71(9):504-9.
