Cough is an important reflex action, which the body undertakes to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages. A cough is usually initiated to clear a buildup of phlegm in the trachea, by forceful expulsion of air at high speed away from the body. You can choose to cough (a voluntary process), or our body may cough on its own (an involuntary process). Coughing is an essential action to help clear the airways and throat. However, there are instances wherein cough suggests a symptom of an underlying condition usually obstruction in the respiratory tract. Coughing is a clear skin that the body is functioning properly because of the fact that it can defend the body from irritants coming from the lungs, throat, and other structures in the respiratory tract. Whooping cough however is easier to detect or diagnose today than it was a decade or so ago, thanks to improved channels of passing information and improved health care services. The Government is working hand in hand with these institutions to create awareness on the importance of immunizing young children against this deadly cough, which reduces the chances of catching the illness. A cough is a simple body mechanism, characterized by a distinct sound, to get rid of any irritants that cause irritation to the air passages. When you cough, your thoracic cavity contracts abruptly, a movement that releases a lot of air from your lungs. The vagus nerve, which connects the lungs and the brain, has an important role to play in the mechanism of a cough. Chronic cough can also be brought about by particles in the respiratory tract, chest infection and bronchitis. A cough is termed chronic when it persists for more than three weeks and may even take years. Without proper diagnosis it leads to disturbed night sleep, regular chest pains, frequent urges to urinate and anxiety. Whooping cough is an infectious bacterial illness that affects the respiratory passages. The disease is most contagious during the cold-like initial phase (catarrhal phase). In its early stages, pertussis is indistinguishable from the many colds common in children. However, after one or two weeks, the illness gets progressively worse. Whooping cough is contagious and is passed on a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis hence its other name, pertussis. The bacterium can be transmitted from on person to another if the one infected cough or sneezes and the other person picks or inhales the drops. Onions and garlic are very good against coughs. Raw or stewed onions can be eaten, or drunk in a broth, to make you feel better. You can also try cabbages to treat coughs. Again stew the cabbage, and drink it as a tea or broth. The stewed cabbage and onions can be put together to make an effective poultice to treat coughs. Raisins are also a fantastic cough remedy. Prepare a sauce by grinding 100 grams of raisins with water. Add approximately 100 grams of sugar and heat the mixture. When the mixture reaches a consistency of sauce, it should then be preserved. Twenty grams should be taken before going to bed on a daily basis.
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