Cough, Cough, Cough?What's ailing your throat?

Remember that memorable scene in Hum Aapke Hai Koun where Madhuri Dixit coughs coyly to get Salman Khan’s attention?

“Cough, cough!” went the Bollywood beauty and hearts went aflutter all over the country.

Well, it’s the winters now and a cough is neither romantic nor pleasing. In fact, it could be indicative of a more serious problem, especially when persistent coughing is accompanied by breathlessness and lack of sleep.

Congratulations, it’s not love that’s keeping you awake; it’s bronchitis!

But how do you tell if it’s seasonal cough or a more serious problem?

While the most noticeable bronchitis symptoms are persistent coughing, it is accompanied by other indicators, such as: - Acute swelling in the trachea

• Redness and irritation in the bronchi of the lungs

• Accumulation and discharge of phlegm

• Breathlessness

• Tightness in the chest

The causes of bronchitis are varied, but the one that immediately comes to mind is pollution. Living in cities might have its upsides, but the dust and smoke we inhale day in and day out can, unfortunately, lead to bronchitis. Other factors include:

• Physical exertion

• Having food and drinks that can dry out the body

• Food particles obstructing the trachea

• Suppressing the body’s natural urges, like sneezing, yawning, thirst, sleep, and passing urine and stool

If you think you might have bronchitis, don’t worry … it’s curable. Proper diet, medicine, and exercise can do wonders. There are very effective bronchitis remedies that you should consider if you want lasting relief from throat irritation.

But, in the meanwhile, don’t forget to keep your body warm and the drinks warmer to help you tide through the winters. Stay warm and stay out of trouble!