Having researched a lot of medical conditions for HealthNews and having dealt with an innumerable amount amongst my family members and loved ones, I had never heard of a case of whooping cough until yesterday. When my doctor suggested I run a course of antibiotics for my whooping cough, I almost laughed. Whooping cough? The name alone makes me think of an archaic affliction like typhoid or the plague. However, my ongoing “death rattle” cough obliges me to seek out natural help for my apparent diagnosis
Whooping cough—also called pertussis—is a serious bacterial infection caused by the infectious bug Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough spreads through the air and is sensitive as it can be caught by coughing, sneezing, or innocent conversation between people. Children usually are vaccinated against whooping cough as infants a few times and then again before starting school so they are not high-risk in a large population of children. Unfortunately, all immunizations wear off after a period of time and adults (like me) are susceptible again to this annoying cough.
Annoying indeed, but also dangerous, this cough starts as part of a cold with symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, and a general body ache. While seeming like a normal, dry cough accompanying a cold, within the first week it turns into a wheezing cough where the patient suffers attacks of coughing that last beyond breath. After gasping for air and coughing up little mucous, these symptoms can occur and become worse over time for up to eight weeks if not treated properly. Extensive cases require hospitalization as the ability to breathe needs to be watched carefully with these symptoms. The cough can end in a high-pitched whooping noise, hence where the infection got its interesting name. Whooping cough is dangerous in nature because if ignored it can lead to pneumonia, ear infections, and even seizures in young children.
The contagious nature of the infection can be present up to four weeks after the initial coughing starts. In order to stave off a build-up of mucous, patients should avoid eating mucous-forming foods like milk, milk products, and dairy including tofu or ice cream, in order to better manage the treatment. Meals should also be smaller and more frequent with lower fats. The patient should stay hydrated with fruit juice, popsicles to soothe the throat, hot tes, and plenty of water.
Vitamin C supplements should be taken along with bioflavonoids to promote the immune system. Zinc can also help strengthen your immunity, and probiotics such as yogurt are helpful for getting the digestive tract running smoothly as an attack like this on the body can mess with digestion.
These home remedies can help soothe your insides while coping with the ongoing stress of treating whooping cough:
* Orange juice mixed with water
* Diet rich in fruit
* spending time outdoors with fresh air balanced with lots of rest and relaxation
* Five drops of garlic juice 2 to 3 times a day may help the severity of the cough
* Almond oil in tea
* Ginger juice with honey and fenugreek
* Epsom salt baths with cold compresses against the throat to soothe the body and relieve pain and agitation
Most of these remedies seem to be beneficial for children and have not been used primarily on adults because adults tend to get much milder cases of the infection, but it’s not to say they cannot work. As for my own bout of whooping cough, I will try to refrain from giggling at the phrase, stop enjoying cereal and milk products for the time being, and make some more herbal tea to ease my scratchy, wheezing throat.
July 19th, 2010 at 9:45 am
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