Productive or dry cough (Adults)

A key measure to prevent chronic cough in adults is to avoid and stop smoking. It is important to emphasize that stopping smoking also leads to a cessation of the cough, if it is a common “smoker’s cough”, usually a month later. But in addition to this, stopping smoking protects against the occurrence of its two main complications, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Unfortunately, because lung cancer is very common in smokers, the cough is often attributed by the patient to smoking, with the result that when he finally goes to the doctor the disease is quite advanced.

Protection against viruses, especially during the winter months, and timely vaccination against the flu virus, prevents the occurrence of cough. Protection against respiratory viruses involves the strict adoption of personal hygiene measures by both sick and healthy people, so as to avoid or limit the spread of the virus.

Healthy people who care for or live in the same house as patients must necessarily wear a mask and gloves when they come into contact with them and wash their hands thoroughly whenever they touch the patient or commonly used surfaces. For this reason, special disposable antiseptic wipes or special antiseptic hand solutions can also be used.

The use of nutritional supplements rich in vitamins, zinc and herbal ingredients (propolis, echinacea) contribute to strengthening the immune system. The prevention of transmission is also achieved by avoiding places where people are crowded in winter (e.g. coffee shops) and by regular ventilation of these places. Regarding the flu, vaccination is necessary every year, in October of each year, for people who belong to high-risk groups such as people over 50, people with chronic respiratory (asthma, COPD) or heart diseases (coronary heart disease), people with diabetes, obese people (bmi>30), patients with neurological diseases or kidney failure, patients with hemoglobinopathies or splenectomy, pregnant women as well as those who work in nursing institutions or take care of the elderly or babies.

Allergic patients should avoid contact with allergens, especially in spring and autumn, while people with asthma should avoid exposure to cold air, damp or smoky areas.

Angelos P. Karatzaferis, Specialist Pathologist/ Scientific Associate for the GET WELL Natural Corner service
Excellent Graduate of the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Specialty in Internal Pathology at the Pathological Physiology Clinic of the University of Athens