Every year, as the days get shorter and the temperature gets colder, you run the risk of getting sick with the flu or an upper respiratory infection. Oftentimes, these maladies come with a bad cough that can linger for days after the rest of your symptoms vanish. In these cases, you may opt to buy an over-the-counter cough suppressant in order to be able to go back to your daily routine. After one dose of the syrup, you cough less and are able to get on with your day, but have you ever wondered how it all works?
Cough syrup manufacturers claim that the syrup helps coat the back of your throat and prevent irritants from activating the receptors that cause you to feel like you are going to hack up a lung. Cough suppressants are good because they help you cough less, which in turn helps you spread fewer germs, preventing more people from getting sick. There are many kinds of over-the-counter cough syrups that not only contain a thick sugary liquid which coats the throat, but that also contain drugs to help treat other symptoms associated with coughing.
The most commonly added drugs that are found in over-the-counter cough syrups are guaifenesin, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine. The RCSI Medical School explains that guaifenesin is categorized as an expectorant, meaning it increases the release of mucus and phlegm. Dextromethorphan is an antitussive (cough suppressor), and pseudoephedrine is a decongestant, which relieves mucus from the nose.
However, an article in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that there is little evidence that over-the-counter cough medicine is effective. A different article in The Journal of Family Practice finds that dextromethorphan shows moderately promising results in adults, but not in children. Pediatric Reports suggests honey as an alternative cough suppressant, as it does not contain additives and therefore yields no side-effects.
As you can see, there is some debate between the scientific world and the public regarding the effectiveness of cough medications. Aside from the fact that over-the-counter cough medications can be expensive and not taste very good, it is also never bad to reduce the amount of chemical additives we put into our bodies. So the next time you feel a cough attack on its way, try some tea and honey to feel better in no time!
Feature Image Source: Boston Public Library
Huh, that’s interesting. Tea and honey though? Does it do the same thing the suppressants were supposed to do? What if we just eat honey?
Very interesting article!