| Expectorants or mucolytics are usually given for | | | | can be irritating. The act of coughing causes the |
| productive cough in the belief that they will help | | | | air passages to contract. When this happens over |
| liquefy and loosen phlegm, making it easier to | | | | and over, it leads to inflamed membranes and |
| expel it from the body. Unfortunately, there is | | | | helps to perpetuate the cough. Coughing is similar |
| little evidence that these drugs work. The only | | | | to scratching an itch over the skin: If overdone, it |
| exception to this rule is guaifenesin which the US | | | | can do more harm than good," according to Dr. |
| Food and Drug Ad¬ministration (FDA) said may | | | | David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the “Mayo |
| help in some cases. | | | | Clinic Family Health Book.” |
| “There's a big market out there for | | | | Faced with this problem, what medicine should |
| something called 'expectorants.' They're supposed | | | | you take? If the root of the problem is simple |
| to loosen your cough so that you can spit out the | | | | throat irritation, take honey, hard candy, or |
| mucus in your airways. There are several | | | | medicated throat lozenges. Look for products |
| different commercially available prescriptions | | | | containing menthol or camphor. Their vapors have |
| including potassium iodide, hypertonic saline, and | | | | an anesthetic or analgesic effect on the throat. |
| guaifenesin. In my view, you're probably wasting | | | | "Some cough lozenges contain soothing |
| your time, money and effort on any of these | | | | substances such as honey, liquorice, or glycerin |
| preparations. With the exception of guaifenesin, | | | | which may act on the surface of the throat. |
| which may have some liquefying effect in very | | | | They may also contain pleas¬ant smelling and |
| large doses, I have never found these products | | | | tasting substances such as pepper¬mint, |
| to work," said Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New | | | | eucalyptus, cinnamon, lemon, clove or aniseed. |
| York Hospital - Memorial Sloan-Kettehng Cancer | | | | The main effect of these preparations is that |
| Center in “The Best Treatment.” | | | | their smell or taste may help you feel better. |
| When coughing doesn't bring up phlegm or mucus, | | | | They may increase the production of saliva which |
| it's called dry or "unproductive." This can be | | | | is soothing and helps to wash the inflamed surface |
| triggered by ingesting cold foods or beverages | | | | of the throat. Don't take cough medicines which |
| which stimulate the nerves in the roof and back | | | | contain the same ingredients in liquid form since |
| of the mouth. A persistent, dry cough can also be | | | | they are swallowed directly into the stomach and |
| a symptom of a tumor, a heart disorder, the | | | | only have a fraction of a second to work locally |
| irritation of breathing passages from chemicals, | | | | on the throat," said Andrew Chetley in |
| dust and cigarettes, or the inflammation of the | | | | “Problem Drugs.” |
| vocal cords. | | | | If that doesn't work, you may need a cough |
| The best treatment for this particular cough | | | | suppressant or antitussive. These medicines act |
| depends on what's causing it. Once the underlying | | | | on the portion of the brain that controls the |
| condition is treated, the cough will disappear. | | | | cough reflex. Three drugs have been approved |
| However, it may be appropriate to take cough | | | | by the FDA for this purpose: codeine, |
| medicine at this time since a dry cough can be | | | | dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine. What |
| irritating and harmful in the long run. | | | | can you expect from these drugs? Find out in the |
| "A harsh or forceful cough can be an irritant to | | | | third part of this series. |
| the lining of the airways, just as cigarette smoke | | | | |