What causes a chesty cough?

There can be many causes of a chesty cough but a common cause is a mild upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold.8 Some other possible causes for coughs include1:

  • Allergies that involve the nose or sinuses
  • Post-nasal drip
  • Cigarette smoking or exposure to second hand smoke

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.3,4 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 mucus4.

Thinning the mucus will help the cilia do their job5 and can help relieve your chesty cough symptoms1,7

Do I have a chesty cough? 

Identifying the type of cough you have is an important step in getting the right treatment8.

Some symptoms associated with chesty, wet, and productive coughs are:6

  • The presence of sticky mucus or phlegm
  • Cough is often worse in the morning
     

If you have different symptoms, you may have a dry cough. (If unsure check with your Pharmacist)

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.9

Think about using cough medicine, which may help your cough. Avoid cold remedies that combine medicines to treat many symptoms. In most cases, it's better to treat each symptom separately.9

Mucolytics may help clear the chest of excess mucus by making bronchial secretions thinner and easier to cough up.1

Bromhexine hydrochloride is a mucolytic which thins and loosens mucus to help clear stubborn chest congestion. It helps relieve chesty coughs and breathing difficulties due to excess mucus in cold, flu and respiratory tract infections.7

When to see your doctor about your chesty cough

If you have a chesty cough, you should seek medical attention8.

  • Your cough lasts for more than 3 weeks
  • You have chest pain or unexplained tiredness
  • You are short of breath
  • You cough up blood
  • You have trouble with sleeping due to cough
  • You have unexplained problems like weight loss or a fever

Self-care tips for easing chesty cough symptoms8

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:

  • Stay well hydrated — it’s important to drink plenty of water. If you have an existing medical condition, check with your doctor about how much water is right for you.
  • Rest and avoid vigorous activity until symptoms go away.
  • Avoid smoking — Smoking will aggravate your cough.
  • Have some honey — it may help to reduce the severity and duration of a cough.
     

There are many cough remedies and over-the-counter medicines for cough.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.  

Find out which Bisolvon product is right for you.

Read About

MAT-AU-2400693-April-2024.