Reading time: 3 minAirway problems are typical winter ailments (although in certain conditions they can occur year-round) that generally affect people of all ages with symptoms such as nasal discharge, watery eyes, sore throat, cough, headache, a feeling of general aches and pains, and a moderate increase in body temperature.
What causes coughs and colds?
The causes of cough and cold can be both bacterial and viralIn particular, cough and upper airway congestion are the most frequently encountered symptoms for which there are several interesting nutraceutical solutions capable of promoting their resolution.
Cough: causes and remedies
Before dealing with them, however, an important clarification is necessary; in fact, especially with regards to coughing, it is possible to have phenomena of a predominantly irritant-inflammatory (without significant sputum production), productive phenomena (with significant production of sputum commonly known as catarrh) and mixed phenomena where both the inflammatory and productive components are significantly present.
Obviously, each of these situations can require optimized strategies to address it in detail, considering however how the productive conditions often tend to be further complicated by phenomena of bacterial superinfection at the level of the excessively produced mucous secretions.
Starting from the analysis of useful solutions in cases of productive cough It is possible to identify two active ingredients that form the basis of the various proposed approaches to which it is possible to add other nutraceutical substances that complement and amplify their action:
- N-Acetyl-cysteine: with marked mucolytic and fluidifying properties capable of promoting the excretion of mucous secretions, furthermore, thanks to its notable antioxidant properties, it also plays an important role in protecting the mucous membranes.
- Bromelain: proteolytic enzyme extracted from pineapple, with notable decongestant, mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties.
A functional completion of these actions can be done by using thepolygala extract able to act as an additional expectorant and bechic (cough calming), the drosera extract is also very interesting as it is useful in reducing bronchial spasms and calming coughs, as is the extract obtainable from Icelandic cetraria, which can be given a further added value by using the Tolu balm, an effective antibacterial, therefore useful both in combating a possible primary cause of the disorder and in dealing with a possible bacterial superinfection of the excess mucous secretions.
The use of balsamic principles still finds interesting application possibilities today, in fact eucalyptus proves to be an excellent fluidifier while thyme can be used as an additional expectorant principle.
Annoying cough
In some cases, especially if the cough is particularly violent and bothersome, it may also be necessary to use ivy extract, known since ancient times for its important sedative and soothing properties, capable of acting both as a modulator and as a soothing agent on mucous membranes inflamed and further irritated by coughing fits.
Dry cough
Especially in the case of dry irritating cough A further protective-soothing approach may be necessary through the use of marshmallow extracts, which have notable emollient and protective properties, especially on the mucous membranes, together with elderberry extract, an important nutraceutical with soothing properties.
As seen at the beginning of the article, these problems do not manifest exclusively in the lower respiratory tract and cough is not the only symptom; the upper respiratory tract can also be affected and generally is so even more frequently.
The common cold: causes and remedies
In fact, upper airway congestion, generally known as a cold, is an extremely common condition not only in the winter but in practically any situation in which, due to various environmental conditions, our first defense mechanisms are not fully efficient.
With the same logic seen previously, in this case too it is possible to use nutraceutical principles historically known for their positive effects on the upper respiratory tract, such as hyssop extract which, in addition to being a useful cough sedative, also has excellent sedative properties for colds (which in many cases can be extremely violent and irritating to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract).
Extremely useful tooviolet extract, less known but excellent expectorant for the upper and lower respiratory tract, therefore also very useful in dealing with particularly annoying colds.
Airway problems certainly demonstrate a notable complexity from the perspective of the disorders, for which a multifactorial approach certainly proves successful. The wise combination of the nutraceutical solutions illustrated can prove a useful resource in reducing the duration and intensity of these unwelcome companions of the winter season.
