Best Cough Syrup: Quick Relief from Wet & Dry Cough

Catching a cold can be extremely frustrating, especially when it comes with a headache, sore throat, and even a fever. In fact, coughs can be an uneasier malady to have during the pandemic, as the cough is one of the main symptoms of the virus. The easiest remedy for these issues causing a cough is cough syrup. There are many best cough syrups. But before talking about this, we need to understand that there are two types of coughs, wet chesty cough and dry throaty cough.

Generally, a dry cough is easier to get rid of as compared to a wet cough, but it’s not something a cough syrup can’t usually fix. There are different cough syrups for adults and kids.

What is a Cough?

A cough is your body’s reflex action that is caused by an irritation in the respiratory lining of the lungs, throat, or windpipe. This is how your body tries to remove the irritant. A cough, influenza, the common cold, acute bronchitis, and respiratory distress syndromes are all caused by an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. A change in the weather, oily or cold food, or even dust are a few things that can trigger a cough. Most times, a cough goes away on its own, but it can definitely be aggravated if not taken care of.

Other times, if abnormally persistent, it can be a sign of a slightly severe issue. When it comes to chest infections, too, a cough is usually the last symptom to go. It is best to see a doctor if the cough persists, as there are many severe conditions that have coughing as one of their symptoms.

Dry Cough

As mentioned, there are two different types of coughs. This means that there is the existence of a separate syrup for dry cough too. A dry cough is one where mucus or phlegm isn’t produced by the body. So, it is best to buy syrups that are only suitable for dry cough.

Suppressants are used in this syrup to block the cough reflex. The most common ingredient you can find in syrup for dry cough is dextromethorphan, and you can see it listed on the ingredients list of your dry cough syrup bottle.

Please note that this is not used to treat coughing that comes with mucus, and it is not a pain reliever in any manner.

Causes of a Dry Cough

There are a few causes of a dry cough. We will look at the most common ones.

Asthma – Dry coughs are the most common symptom when it comes to asthma, but it is not the only one. This condition is one where the airways have become swollen and narrowed.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – GRED is a kind of chronic acid reflux. This is when stomach acid flows into the esophagus regularly, triggering coughing.

Postnasal Drip – This is when extra mucus drips down the throat. When you have seasonal allergies or a cold, the nose’s membranes produce more mucus than normal. This mucus is watery as compared to normal mucus, and so it easily drips down the throat, triggering a cough.

Viral Infection – Many viral infections cause coughing that usually goes in a week. But sometimes, the coughing can last up to a few months after, due to the irritation in the airway that is sensitive after going through a viral illness.

Wet Cough

A wet cough is often also known as a productive cough. This is when mucus or phlegm is produced by the body. Many describe the feeling as having something stuck at the back of your throat or in your chest. Wet coughing can often bring mucus into your mouth that you will have to spit out. This indicates that your body is producing mucus, but more than is normal. It is generally caused by infections that are caused by microorganisms that cause the flu or a cold.

The entire respiratory system of the body is lined naturally with mucus membranes. There are many benefits of it, like protecting your lungs from any irritants or keeping moist airways. But if your body is fighting an infection, more mucus is produced to help trap the organisms causing infections and expel them. Coughing then helps get rid of all the excess mucus that is stuck.

Causes of a Lingering Wet Cough

A lingering wet cough that does not go away may be a sign of a more severe issue that you would need to consult a doctor for.

Bronchitis – This is an inflammation that is in the bronchial tubes that are the ones carrying air into your lungs. This can be because of many different viruses. If chronic, it is often because of smoking and is a condition that is ongoing.

Pneumonia – This is a lung infection caused by fungi, viruses, or bacteria. This can be mild to life-threatening.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD is a kind of condition that can damage the tubes carrying air into your lungs and the lungs themselves. This is generally caused by smoking.

Cystic Fibrosis – This is a respiratory condition that is genetic and can usually be diagnosed early in a person’s childhood. This results in thick and sticky mucus that is in the lungs and other organs.

Asthma – Most individuals with asthma have a dry cough, but some produce excess mucus and have a wet cough.

Below, you will find a list of the best cough syrups for dry and wet cough. As many work for both, and some only for dry coughs. So, we have made two lists. Some of these can work as cough syrup for kids but must only be done under supervision.

List of Best Cough Syrups for Dry & Wet Cough

Cough Syrup for Dry Cough

Here are a few examples of cough syrups for kids and also cough syrups for adults. It is best to buy specific cough syrups for dry coughs and not a general one.

1. Dabur Honitus Cough Syrup

This is said to be one of the effective cough syrups. It gives quick relief from coughs without the side effects of drowsiness. This is also an ayurvedic cough syrup that has ingredients like mulethi and tulsi that can help with irritation in the throat. This is natural and safe and is termed by some as the best cough syrup for dry cough in India.

Dose: Two teaspoons three-four times a day for adults. One teaspoon three-four times a day for kids.

2. Charak Pharma Kofol Syrup

This is an ayurvedic cough syrup that is suitable for wet and dry cough. The herbal blend in this syrup works as an expectorant, mucolytic agent, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic to treat the cough. It also helps in relieving respiratory issues and allergies. This syrup, too, has a non-drowsy formula.

Dose: Two to three teaspoons for adults, one teaspoon for kids, and half a teaspoon for infants.

3. Cofsils Dry Cough Syrup

Cofsils is one of the best cough syrup fir dry cough & is used to relieve a dry cough caused by the flu, common cold, or other conditions. It has Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide that acts on the cough centre in the brain to repress the cough reflex. It also relieves discomfort in the throat.

Dose: Not for children below two without medical consultation. One teaspoon for children that are 6-12 years old, and two teaspoons for adults.

Note: Please be extra cautious if you’re buying cough syrup for kids and give them the proper dosage for their safety.

Best Syrup for Wet Cough

Here is a list of some of the best-wet cough syrup for adults and children.

 1. Adulsa Cough Syrup

Sapat Adulsa is an excellent cough syrup that works for both dry and wet cough. It can be used to treat common respiratory problems like inflammation, bronchitis, and more. The syrup has natural ingredients like adulsa, honey, tulsi, etc. This can end persistent coughing while boosting your immunity. This syrup is also non-drowsy.

Dose: One to two teaspoons two-four times a day for adults and one teaspoon two-four times a day for children.

Note: Take this syrup with warm water.

2. Ascoril LS Syrup

Ascoril LS syrup has multiple variations, so it is best to choose the one that helps with wet coughs, like Ascoril LS. This is a medicine made of a few combinations that are used to thin the mucus in the lungs, windpipe and nose. This makes it easier to cough out the excess mucus. Relief is also provided from watery eyes, runny nose, itching and sneezing.

3. Cofsils Wet Cough Syrup

This cough syrup is used to relieve a wet cough that is causing mucus. It has an expectorant and a mucolytic to thin and remove the mucus. It also works for chest congestion and clears the airways from mucus, so there is no difficulty with breathing.

Dose: Not for children below two without medical consultation. Half a teaspoon for children that are 2-5 years old, one teaspoon for children that are 6-2 years old and two teaspoons for adults.

Note: Use all these cough syrups under medical supervision alone to avoid allergic reactions or chances of an overdose, especially for children and the elderly. Take note of when and how often the syrups are to be ingested, as is advised by a doctor.

Conclusion

The best cough syrup for you is one that is recommended by a medical professional according to the illness and your age. There is no sure-fire formula for treating cough as there are many causes of it, and coughing can be a sign of different illnesses. Hence, it is best not to assume things and panic but to let a doctor handle them.

There is a lot of concern regarding children or adults getting addicted to cough syrups due to the alcohol content. That does indeed help in relieving irritation or coughing, but it is a dangerous narcotic. This is why it is best to choose a syrup that is non-narcotic and is prescribed by a doctor to avoid any chances of overdose as well.

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