Coughs & Colds

A cold is a viral infection that affects the nose, throat and sinuses. While adults usually have two to four colds a year, children can catch as many as 7 - 10. Children will often cough a lot when they have a cold, this is because of mucus trickling down the back of the throat. 

Babies and anyone whose immune system is compromised can be at risk of developing more serious complications, such as a bacterial chest infection.

Coughs are incredibly common especially during winter months. It is one of the most common reasons for parents to bring their children to see their GP. They can be very disruptive to a child’s sleep as they tend to get worse when they lie down. A cough is a reflex action to clear your airways of mucus and irritants, foreign particles and microbes. Coughs can be dry or chesty. They usually clear up within two weeks.

Most coughs clear up within two weeks although babies and anyone whose immune system is compromised can be at risk of developing more serious complications, such as a bacterial chest infection.


Dry Or Chesty Coughs


Dry and Tickly coughs are usually felt in the back of the throat as a tickle that starts you coughing. It happens when the throat and upper airways become inflamed. Both dry coughs and tickly coughs are known as non-productive coughs (no phlegm). A dry cough is most likely the result of infection by cold and flu viruses. Your brain thinks the inflammation in your throat and upper airways is a foreign object and tries to remove it by coughing. It can also be triggered by atmospheric pollutants (such as cigarette smoke) irritating your throat.

Chesty coughs (mucus coughs) are caused by an excessive amount of mucus in the chest. The cough is helpful because it clears mucus from your lungs. When common cold or flu viruses enter the respiratory system, mucus is produced to clear away the bacteria and help to fight infection. This increased mucus can gather in the respiratory system and a cough reflex is triggered to help remove the extra phlegm.


What Causes a Cough


A cough is usually caused by a virus or bacterial infection. Most people with a cough have an upper respiratory tract infection which is caused by a virus or in more severe cases a chest infection or pneumonia. Some possible non-infectious causes include:

  • Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

  • A flare-up of a long-term condition such as asthma or COPD

  • Smoking or passive smoking.

  • Acid reflux

How The Salt Clinic Can Help

Salt Therapy is a clinically proven, natural, safe and beneficial method of treatment for every age group from 6 months. By visiting The Salt Clinic and breathing in the saline aerosol generated by our medical device it can significantly help to:

  • Salt is a natural antibacterial

  • It reduces inflammation of the airways

  • Salt is mucolytic, which means it helps to shift retained mucus

  • Remove pathogen agents (airborne pollen)

  • Strengthen the immune system, restore the energy levels

  • It reduces IgE levels - the immune system becomes less oversensitive

Salt Therapy helps treat swelling, inflammation, excessive mucus and bacterial infection. As a result of Salt Therapy, inflammation and mast cell response within the bronchi reduces, so the quality and function of breathing improves. Thanks to the desensitisation of the immune response, sleep patterns will improve and acute attacks and the need for medication will substantially decrease. This means that you will have more energy, become stronger and more resilient to every day infections.

How Often Should You Attend

  • Depending on age 20-30 sessions are recommended to achieve long term results.

  • The sessions should be frequent, 2 - 3 a week is suggested.

  • n most patients, after a course of Salt Therapy airways become normal and symptoms disappear. The treatment's efficacy is estimated up to 98%.

Testimonials

The Salt Clinic

"My son loves coming to salt therapy, the room for children is fab and he has lots to do. After few sessions his awful repetitive cough is gone, his breathing has improved and he sleeps better. The staff are amazing and so helpful. I’d highly recommend!"

Roxana Bardita