One of the symptoms of Covid-19 is cough that puts strain on lungs and the body. During recovery, one will feel exhausted with continuous cough. Cough is generally a reflex action of phlegm, allergens, dust that irritates windpipe and lungs. People who recovering from Covid-19 might experience dry cough for few more days.

Coughing excessively can make a person breath through mouth that again irritates lungs and could increase the coughing. How to manage cough?

Practicing normal breathing or yogic breathing will help. Tummy breathing – where breathing rises tummy while taking breath in, and fall during breathing out, Pranayama breathing with alternate nostril breathing will help to control cough.

To reduce cough one can try these techniques:

• Gentle breathing in and out through nose until cough goes away
• Slowly sipping hot water
• Close mouth and swallow
• Chewing menthol drops

Experts tips to manage a dry cough (Source: Medanta)

A dry cough is likely to put greater strain on your throat. The following strategies can be used to manage a dry cough-

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water (lukewarm preferably)

• Take small sips of fluids instead of taking large sips to facilitate swallowing.

• Steam inhalation is necessary to cure a dry cough. So pour hot water into a bowl and put your head over the bowl and breathe in the steam.

-If comfortable, cover your head and bowl with a towel. You can also use a steam inhalation machine if you have one.

• Drink warm honey and lemon or another warm drink like kadha to soothe irritated throat

• Salt water gargle or Betadine gargle (1 part betadine & 3 part of water) can be effective for treating a sore throat.

• If you feel the need to cough but don’t have a soothing drink or water at hand, swallow repeatedly.

Tips to manage a productive cough:

A phlegmatic or productive cough can become difficult to manage since you have to spit out the phlegm-filled sputum regularly. It’s also important to note that viral infections, especially COVID-19, are contagious, so proper disposal of sputum is very important. You should also ensure that the sink where you dispose of your sputum is regularly disinfected. The following strategies can be used to manage a productive cough:

• Keep yourself hydrated with lukewarm water, broths, soups, herbal teas and kadha.

• Take steam inhalation at least thrice a day to loosen the phlegm congested in your lungs.

• Lie on either the left or the right side, instead of lying on your back. This might help drain the phlegm faster.

• Movement makes the lungs function, and it can also move the phlegm to facilitate your spitting it out. So, try to be mobile by walking around your room.

While India and other countries are into second wave of Covid-19 with new mutants, it is becoming obvious that hygiene and other instructions all should follow. 

Image credit: Image by Anastasia Gepp from Pixabay  (Free for commercial use)