Treatment Chesty Cough

This section is about what over the counter treatments are available (not all treatments may be available in that country) and how they help.

To cough up all the phlegm out of the chest, hopefully before it becomes infected otherwise antibiotics maybe required.

(Guaifenesin)

These help one to cough up phlegm stuck in their chest.
One will find that they will cough more.
The idea to get the phlegm out before bacteria starts multiplying and become a chest infection.

(Squill, Ipechuana, Ammonium chloride)

These are thought to help one to cough up phlegm stuck in their chest. One will find that they will cough more. The idea to get the phlegm out before bacteria starts multiplying and become a chest infection. They contain other agents which sooth the cough.
They also are quite strong flavoured products and are believed to act on parts of the body causing sensations and help to relive your symptoms by triggering salivation (make your mouth water and produce more mucus as well have a lubrication (coating effect) to sooth your throat and chest.

These act locally by opening the blood vessels and produce more mucus till it starts running and so it cleans out one’s nose and remove allergens/irritants.
They also are quite strong flavoured products and are believed to act on parts of the body causing sensations and help to relive your symptoms via a local anaesthetic or numbing action.
Some vapours can be added to hot water and the vapour creates a moist environment around your chest making the mucus runnier and removing allergen/irritant.

They can be used with chesty cough mixtures or if a chesty cough mixture is not suitable.

Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose.
This then reduces tissue swelling and mucus product helping with congestion, allowing one to breathe more easily.
They can cause light headedness and should not be taken by anyone with a heart condition or if immunocomprimised without seeing your medical doctor first.
Please note pharmacy can only sell a limited amount of Pseudoephedrine/Ephedrine decongestant tablets per sale, see your pharmacist if not sure.
They can be found in combination with cold and flu remedies and cough remedies, so please be aware not to overdose and don’t take at the same time. If one is unsure talk to your pharmacist.
Nasal sprays should only be used no longer than seven days to avoid a rebound effect. They can cause local irritation and dryness of nasal passages.

These are said to help to reduce a runny nose, however it may make one drowsy. Please note that many cold and flu and cough remedies have this ingredient as well as being used for hay fever, allergies and bites.
Please don’t take at the same time. If unsure ask your pharmacist.

There are salt water products and have antiseptic properties.
They are used when decongestants are not suitable and help to cleans as well as wash out the nose from irritants/allergens.
They help particularly if one has mucus coming from the nose and down the back of the throat and causing a cough.

Multivitamins are not intended to prevent long term conditions, reduce infection and is not proven (or data is weak) to help with cancer.

These are essential nutrients that the body requires in small amounts to function properly.