FAQs
Your questions answered
- Question of the week
- Is it possible that non-productive cough turns to productive cough?
- Yes. For example, in the case of a common cold or flu, there are often two phases: At first a non-productive (dry) or less productive cough that later turns more and more into a productive cough. When viruses invade the airways, the lining of the respiratory tract may be attacked and impaired. The normal secretion of mucus changes: mucus becomes stickier and "adheres" in the airways. This phlegm cannot be expelled, and coughing is experienced as very troublesome and exhausting. As the cold progresses, usually more mucus is produced and the cough becomes productive. It is then possible to expel the phlegm by coughing.
- What is the difference between a productive and a non-productive cough?
- Basically, there are two kinds of cough: productive and non-productive.
Productive cough: A productive cough, also known as chesty cough, it is typically associated with a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URI), such as the common cold. Infection causes the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes to become inflamed and produce thick, sticky mucus, so that it is no longer removed by the normal action of the cilia and clogs up the airways. Coughing is a reflex that expels this sticky mucus, also called phlegm. Inflammation and accumulated mucus narrow the airways, restrict respiration, and can promote bacterial infection.
Non-productive cough (Dry cough): A non-productive cough is dry, tickling and irritating - a repeated stimulus in the respiratory tract and usually without expectoration. This cough can for example be caused by cigarette smoke or dust. It can also have an allergic or neurotic origin or can be caused by other perhaps more severe diseases. - Is it possible that non-productive cough turns to productive cough?
- Yes. For example, in the case of a common cold or flu, there are often two phases: At first a non-productive (dry) or less productive cough that later turns more and more into a productive cough. When viruses invade the airways, the lining of the respiratory tract may be attacked and impaired. The normal secretion of mucus changes: mucus becomes stickier and adheres in the airways. This phlegm cannot be expelled, and coughing is experienced as very troublesome and exhausting. As the cold progresses, usually more mucus is produced and the cough becomes productive. It is then possible to expel the phlegm by coughing.
- How can I recognise a chronic cough?
- A cough is usually called chronic if it lasts more than 2 months and/or occurs repeatedly.
- At what point should I see a doctor about a cough?
- Whether you should consult a doctor is dependant on the individual situation. In general contact a doctor if your cough lasts longer than about a week, if you are feverish, or if you have persistent chest pain or difficulty breathing.
- What is an expectorant?
- Often the common cold is accompanied by acute or chronic bronchitis with mucus production and cough. An expectorant medicine is promoting or facilitating the secretion or expulsion of phlegm, mucus, or other matter from the respiratory tract.
- What are the differences between an expectorant and an antitussive?
- Expectorants are substances which support sticky bronchial secretion to be removed from the bronchi more easily or more quickly. Antitussives suppress the cough reflex by depressing the medullary cough centre or associated higher centres in the brain and/or peripheral cough receptors - resulting in calming down the cough.
- Is it recommended to stop or to calm cough?
- This depends for instance on the type of cough. A dry, irritating cough can be very troublesome and can be treated with remedy that calms the cough. In a common cold this dry cough often turns into a productive cough that goes along with an increased mucus production. In order to keep the removal of the phlegm under way, a remedy calming the cough should now be avoided or only taken at night to allow a restful sleep and the chest to recover from exhausting coughing. In this stage of productive cough, it is generally advisable to use an expectorant such as Mucosolvan to help expectorate the phlegm and cure the cough. If the cough does not get better within about a week consulting your doctor is recommended.
- What is the difference between mucus and phlegm?
- Mucus is a slippery secretion of the lining of various membranes in the body (mucous membranes). Mucus aids in the protection of the lungs by trapping foreign particles that enter the nose during normal breathing. Additionally, it prevents tissues from drying out. Increased mucus production in the respiratory tract is a symptom of many common diseases, such as the common cold. The presence of mucus in the nose and throat is normal, but increased quantities can impede comfortable breathing and must be cleared by blowing the nose or expectorating phlegm from the throat. Phlegm: the definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing (sputum).
- Is it normal that there is an increase in secretion during the first days of treatment with Mucosolvan®?
- Yes. Expectorants help to remove sticky phlegm from the bronchi faster and more easily by increasing less viscous bronchial secretion. Therefore, the frequency of coughing also increases in order to remove the increased amount of phlegm. Later, in the course of the healing process, the frequency of coughing decreases.
- How can I support the effectiveness of Mucosolvan®?
- Besides taking Mucosolvan®, the following can help your body fight the cough and thus accelerate the healing process.
- Get a lot of rest.
- Make sure you get enough vitamins by eating fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Take warm-to-hot-to-cold footbaths.
- Use chest compresses and inhale warm vapours.
- Don't forget to wash your hands after blowing your nose.
- How can I strengthen my immune system?
- Once the immune system is weakened, colds and coughs have an easy time of it. You can boost your immune system in several ways:
- Go out for walks in the fresh air.
- Take a sauna.
- Take hot and cold showers.
- Get sufficient sleep and avoid unnecessary stress.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach and broccoli are all highly recommended. You can also take vitamin preparations, especially vitamin C.
- Which is faster: the speed of sound or the speed of a cough?
- The speed of sound is faster - but not by much. Sound travels at 1234.8 km/h. A strong cough forces air out of the airways at speeds up to 1000 km/h.
