Chesty Cough Relief | Bisolvon AU

What causes a chesty cough?

There can be many causes of a chesty cough but a common cause of chesty cough is a mild respiratory tract infection, such as a cold. Some other possible causes for coughs include:^1,2

Allergies that involve the nose or sinuses
Post-nasal drip
Tobacco smoke or smoking

Why do we get chesty coughs?

There are tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that help keep our airways clear from foreign particles in mucus or phlegm.³ When this mucus builds up and we cannot clear it, we may develop a chesty, productive cough. This is the body’s response to remove excess mucus.⁴

Thinning the mucus will help the cilia do their job and relieve your chesty cough symptoms.⁵

Do I have a chesty cough?

Identifying the type of cough you have is an important step in getting the right product. Some symptoms associated with chesty coughs are:⁶

A wet, productive cough
The presence of sticky mucus or phlegm after persistent coughing
Cough is often worse in the morning
If you have different symptoms, you may have a dry cough. (If unsure check with your HCP)

How do you relieve a chesty cough?

Relief for a chesty cough aims to try to clear the chest of excess mucus, not suppressing the cough.^5,1

There are different cough preparations available on the market and use of a single active ingredient is preferable to the use of combination preparations.⁶

Mucolytics may help clear the chest of excess mucus by reducing the viscosity of the mucus, making it easier to cough up.¹ Bromhexine hydrochloride is a well-tolerated mucolytic that thins loosens and clears mucus, allowing mucus to move up and out of the chest.⁷ It can be used when you have a cold producing excess mucus or for other conditions where excess mucus is produced.⁷

When to see your doctor about your chesty cough

If you have a chesty cough, you should seek medical attention if:^6,7

Your cough lasts for more than 5 days
The cough is severe or getting worse
You are short of breath
You cough up blood
You have unexplained problems like weight loss or a fever

Does having a chesty cough mean I have a chest infection?

A chest infection is an infection that affects your lungs, either in the larger airways (bronchitis) or in, the smaller air sacs (pneumonia). There is a build-up of pus and fluid (mucus), and the airways become swollen, making it difficult for you to breathe. Chest infections can be diagnosed by your doctor either by X-ray, phlegm sample or blood test.⁸

Self-care tips for easing chesty cough symptoms ^8,9,10

Looking after yourself while you have a chesty cough helps keep your symptoms manageable and gives your body the care it needs to manage the infection causing your cough. Here are some gentle self-care tips for when you’re at home with a chesty cough:

Stop a coughing bout — Help relieve a bout of coughing by sipping water or sucking lozenges.

Loosen mucus — Loosen mucus with steam inhalation or a hot shower

Don’t smoke — Smoking will aggravate your cough

Cover, Discard, Wash — Always cover your cough with your elbow or a tissue, discard any tissues used and wash your hands.

Eat well and drink plenty of fluids — Stay hydrated and eat healthy meals with plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrains. Avoid junk foods high in fat, sugar or salt.

Rest, Rest, Rest — Support your sleep and try to rest when you have a cough. Raise the head of your bed at night to help you sleep if a post nasal drip is keeping you up at night. Make sure you keep tissues, a glass of water and your cough medicine by your bed at night, so you’re not getting up during the night.

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Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

References

[1] Cough in Adults – Lung and Airway Disorders – MSD Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Sep 2021 [cited 23 March 2023]. Available from: ww.merckmanuals.com/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/symptoms-of-lung-disorders/cough-in-adults
[2] Encyclopedia M. Cough: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. 2021 [cited 21 March 2023]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003072.htm
[3] Chang A. The physiology of cough. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. 2006;7(1):2-8.
[4] Defense Mechanisms of the Respiratory System – Lung and-airways/ Disorders – MSD Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Jan 2023 [cited 21 March 2023]. Available from: www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/biology-of-the-lungs-and-airways/defense-mechanisms-of-the-respiratory-system
[5] Cough: productive or ‘wet’ cough treatments – MyDr.com.au [Internet]. 2021 [cited 21 March 2023]. Available from: www.mydr.com.au/respiratory-health/cough-productive-or-wet-cough-treatments/
[6] Chesty coughs – MyDr.com.au [Internet]. 2021 [cited 21 March 2023]. Available from: www.mydr.com.au/respiratoryhealth/chesty-coughs/
[7] Bisolvon Chesty Forte Liquid CMI June 2021. Available from: https://bisolvon.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chesty-Forte-CMI-June2021.pdf
[8] Cough [Internet]. Healthdirect.gov.au. 2021 [cited 22 March 2021]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cough#doctor
[9] Chest infections | betterhealth.vic.gov.au [Internet]. 2021 [cited 21 March 2022]. Available from: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/chest-infections
[10] 8 Tips for Nighttime Cough Relief [Internet]. WebMD. 2021 [cited 22 March 2021]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/nighttime-relief

MAT-AU-2102738, Dec 2021