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Cough is referred to as a protective mechanism of the body to get rid of dust, mucus, and microbes (virus, bacteria) that have entered the airway. Cough can arise at any time of day or night and in some cases occurs specifically in the morning. Morning cough can occur from different reasons. First among these can be allergies (allergic rhinitis). Allergic rhinitis is an over-reaction of the body’s immune system to airborne allergens like dust mites, pollens, pet dander, etc. This can result in runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes and dry cough. When cough is associated with allergies to dust mites, the symptoms tend to get worse in the morning and at night. This is because the dust mites reside in the bedding. Another cause can be common cold. It refers to the infection of the nose and throat that results from viruses (there are around 200 or more types of respiratory viruses among which rhinoviruses is the most important one). Cough can be one of its symptoms along with runny nose, stuffed nose, sneezing and sore throat.
Another cause for morning cough is PND (post nasal discharge that refers to dripping of mucus from the back of the nose into the throat that can trigger a cough). PND can be caused from various causes like cold, flu, sinus infection, allergies and acid reflux.
It may next occur in case of infections of the respiratory tract. The infection can either be in the upper respiratory tract or the lower respiratory tract. Some of the conditions occurring from respiratory infections include bronchitis, pneumonia, COVID -19. Bronchitis is the infection of the bronchial tubes that carry air from the windpipe into the lungs. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. COVID – 19 results from infection with virus named SARS – CoV-2.
Other causes of morning cough include COPD and asthma. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease resulting in obstruction of airflow to the lungs. Two common conditions that are linked with COPD are chronic bronchitis (long term inflammation of bronchial tubes) and emphysema (damage of the alveoli at the end of bronchioles). Asthma is a respiratory disease in which there is difficulty in breathing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma may also result from acid reflux/GERD i.e. gastro esophageal reflux disease in which there is backflow of stomach acid in the food pipe due to the improper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Besides the above, the other reasons for morning cough are hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid that may cause morning cough from a feeling of something stuck in the throat beside other signs and symptoms), smoking and dry mouth.
Homeopathic Management
Homeopathic medicines are highly effective to manage cases of morning cough. Homeopathic medicines are medicines of natural origin that help in such cases with zero side effects. They treat the root cause of the cough and boost the body’s own restorative mechanism to get rid of the problem. There are numerous homeopathic medicines to manage morning cough and the prescription has to be selected for every individual based on the characteristic symptom presentation. It is advised to take any homeopathic medicine under the supervision of a homeopathic physician after detailed case evaluation. One should avoid self–medication in every case. Homeopathy is advised only for mild to moderate cases occurring without any serious reasons. In case of cough with high fever, intense difficulty in breathing, excessive chest pain, drowsiness, fainting or in cases of cough occurring from serious causes like pneumonia, COVID – 19 one must take treatment from conventional mode as homeopathy has limitations in handling such serious cases.
Homeopathic Medicines For Morning Cough
1. Kali Bichrome – For Managing Cough In Morning On Waking
Kali Bichrome is very effective for managing cough in the morning on waking up. It is attended with expectoration of white mucus. The mucus is very thick and sticky and can be drawn in strings. The mucus tends to stick in the throat and the mouth. A very important symptom along with cough is post nasal drip (PND) of a very thick, sticky and ropy mucus. Cough can be attended with difficulty in breathing. It gets better by lying down. Cough occurs from an irritation in the larynx. In some cases, the sputa expectorated is blood-stained as well. In cases needing it, the cough can increase after eating and also from deep respiration. This medicine is of great help in managing complaints linked with PND or sinus infections.
2. Pulsatilla – For Loose Cough In Morning With Profuse Expectoration
This medicine is beneficial for managing loose cough in the morning. Along with this, there is excessive expectoration of mucus. The mucus is thick, and can be yellow or green. It can have a bitter or salty taste. There is hoarseness of voice and soreness in the throat. Burning sensation or a constricted feeling is felt in the chest along with these complaints in some cases.
3. Coccus Cacti – For Cough In Morning Around 6 am Or 7 am
This medicine is indicated when there is coughing in the morning around 6 am or 7 am. In the beginning, there is dry cough. After some time, the mucus gets detached. The expectorated mucus is thick, sticky and white or whitish yellow. The mucus may have a salty taste. In some cases, vomiting also occurs. There may be headache along with cough where this medicine is required. Another characteristic feature of using this medicine is cough in the morning when a person rises up or while brushing teeth.
4. Iodum – To Manage Dry Cough In Morning
Iodum works well in cases of dry cough in the morning time. It arises from an irritation in the larynx (the voice box). Sometimes, there is a sensation of a feather-like thing in the throat that excites coughing. There may be sneezing too. Sometimes vomiting also occurs. Burning pain in the throat and stitching type of pain in the chest can also accompany it. There is also marked weakness along with coughing.
5. Natrum Mur – For Cough From Tickling Or Irritation In Throat
This medicine is very useful for cough occurring from tickling or irritation in the throat. It can be attended with mucus expectoration. The sputum expectorated is mostly yellow. Along with these complaints, there may be pain in the forehead. Runny nose and sneezing can be present in the morning along with cough where this medicine is required. Natrum Mur is a great medicine to help with complaints associated with allergies.
6. Ferrum Met – For Morning Cough With Blood Streaked Mucus Expectoration
Ferrum Met is prominently indicated when there is cough in the morning with blood-streaked mucus expectoration. In some cases, the mucus expectorated is green and frothy. The mucus may taste sour or sweet. There can be breathing difficulty as well. There is relief in cough by walking around slowly.
7. Phosphorus – For Cough With Mucus Expectoration
Phosphorus is an important medicine to help cases of cough with expectoration of mucus. Mucus can be transparent, white, thick yellow or blood-stained. However, in the evening, there is dry cough without any expectoration. The nose may be blocked in the morning in cases needing it.
My child 7 years old have enlarged adenoid gland. ENT Doctor has prescribed surgery. Whether homeopathy medicine can help to decrease the adenoid size.
Avijit Ghosh,
Kolkata, west bengal