My successful experience treating cough/chest congestion

[Jingthing]

I've had an unusually persistent issue with coughing and chest congestion (mucus buildup in the lungs). I think it started with some kind of bug that I got and some worse than average air quality in Pattaya recently. It's complicated by the fact that I'm asthmatic and on asthma meds (rescue inhaler and steroid prevention). Anyway, I wanted to try a "softer" method so tried this herbal cough/expectorant medicine sold in Thailand called Compound Makham Pom. That was helping but gradually and it got to the point where I realized that wouldn't be enough to fully clear things up. So I bought some harder core cough/expectorant medicine but before I tried that, I remembered in the past I've cleared things up by breathing in eucalyptus oil steam. So I tried that one time so far and just one treatment has mostly cleared things. Just put a few oil drops in a container and fill with very hot water. Put a towel over your head, close your eyes, and breathe it in. (Nice smell.) I wish I had thought to try that earlier which is why I'm posting so that others with similar chest congestion might give it a try.

 

Cheers. 

[tutsiwarrior]

that's an old remedy that my aunt Alicia in Bolivia would use when her kids got sick...we lived near the river in Cochabamba and there were lots of eucalyptus trees nearby...put the leaves in hot water with the towel over the head and etc...

 

her kids were mostly healthy so it musta been effective...

 

where d'ye get eucalyptus oil in Thailand? my little grand daughter has asthma and that's not a treatment that I've seen her mother use...

 

 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, tutsiwarrior said:

that's an old remedy that my aunt Alicia in Bolivia would use when her kids got sick...we lived near the river in Cochabamba and there were lots of eucalyptus trees nearby...put the leaves in hot water with the towel over the head and etc...

 

her kids were mostly healthy so it musta been effective...

 

where d'ye get eucalyptus oil in Thailand? my little grand daughter has asthma and that's not a treatment that I've seen her mother use...

 

 

I don't really consider it a treatment for asthma but rather to get mucus out. 

The oil is sold at pharmacies here and it's not expensive either. 

 

Edited March 5, 2018 by Jingthing

[NickJ]

Try looking into NAC. It's pretty much at every pharmacy in Thailand. Effervescent tablets. Not only does it help with the lungs but it helps the liver out as well. 

[Daffy D]

My kids are always getting coughs and sneezes, if one starts to sniffle the other just has to join in.

 

Sometimes it takes a week or more of dosing them with kids cough medicine before they recover.

 

Recently as, an experiment, at the first sign of any sniffles I've given their room a quick spray of this eucalyptus  spray as they go to bed.

Now I'm not making any claims but it does seem since using the spray any sniffles they have in the evening have not developed into the usual coughing sneezing like before.

 

Maybe using the eucalyptus spray just coincidence but I'll keep using it till proved otherwise.

 

Got to warn you it's not cheap, about 300Bt a can.

[themerg]

Since you are in Thailand, the food is the best remedy. Anything with chillies will do fine.

[Pinot]

If I get occasional persistent congestion, I've found that an inhaler knocks it out in a couple of days. I haven't found anything else that even close to as effective.

 

It's the Seretide Accuhaler inhaler. I need to use it a couple times a year for a few days. It works and it's fairly inexpensive. Sometimes after a chest cold, I can't get rid of the cough, this works. 

 

See the online instructions for how to use it. If you still have a cough after a week, something else is going on. 

 

 

[transam]

Worth a try as it works great for me. Get a fruit bowl, half fill with table salt then pour water on it to cover the salt, about half inch above the salt, stir it up a bit, put on your bedside cabinet and forget. Top up with water and salt as it evaporates. Give it a week or two to see if it works for you...

[lockyv7]

I had very persistent  coughing and also chest congestion that would linger and while back in Australia my doctor had blood tests done to run some tests and turned out i had Tuberculosis.

So a nine month course of three antibiotics each day and its under control but i still have to be tested regularly now. 

[Laza 45]

Heads up on Ramapril... this is a  common medication for hypertension...  I was on it for a number of years and it did a good job of keeping my bp down.. BUT... early last December I developed a bad cough.. many doctors visits and medications and an assumption the cough was related to asthma (which I have had for years)... I returned to Australia a month ago and went straight to my Dr here and his immediate reaction was that I had developed Ramipril cough!  I've since learned that it is quite a common reaction to that medication.. This was a very serious cough.. at times I thought I'd do myself damage the cough was so bad.. and a lot of mucus coming up.. and disrupted sleep because of tickling and cough when I lay down..  I've since gone on another pb lowering med and adjusting to it ok.. My Dr says that it will take months for me to fully recover from the reaction to the Ramipril..  There is quite a bit of information if you Google Ramipril cough but here is one interesting article...  https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2010/04/26/when-will-doctors-pay-attention-to-an-ace-cough/

[newnative]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[denby45]

1 hour ago, Pinot said:

If I get occasional persistent congestion, I've found that an inhaler knocks it out in a couple of days. I haven't found anything else that even close to as effective.

 

It's the Seretide Accuhaler inhaler. I need to use it a couple times a year for a few days. It works and it's fairly inexpensive. Sometimes after a chest cold, I can't get rid of the cough, this works. 

 

See the online instructions for how to use it. If you still have a cough after a week, something else is going on. 

 

 

What are the active ingredients. I use ventolin (very rarely, a couple times a year) but last time when I had an attack it did not seem to work as well as usual.

 

Den

[Lacessit]

Brown mixture ( Dark green packaging with orange border ) seems to work well for me. Has tincture of opium in it.

[Jingthing]

9 hours ago, NickJ said:

Try looking into NAC. It's pretty much at every pharmacy in Thailand. Effervescent tablets. Not only does it help with the lungs but it helps the liver out as well. 

Interesting.

I'd never heard of that stuff before.

I don't need it now though.

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, Laza 45 said:

Heads up on Ramapril... this is a  common medication for hypertension...  I was on it for a number of years and it did a good job of keeping my bp down.. BUT... early last December I developed a bad cough.. many doctors visits and medications and an assumption the cough was related to asthma (which I have had for years)... I returned to Australia a month ago and went straight to my Dr here and his immediate reaction was that I had developed Ramipril cough!  I've since learned that it is quite a common reaction to that medication.. This was a very serious cough.. at times I thought I'd do myself damage the cough was so bad.. and a lot of mucus coming up.. and disrupted sleep because of tickling and cough when I lay down..  I've since gone on another pb lowering med and adjusting to it ok.. My Dr says that it will take months for me to fully recover from the reaction to the Ramipril..  There is quite a bit of information if you Google Ramipril cough but here is one interesting article...  https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2010/04/26/when-will-doctors-pay-attention-to-an-ace-cough/

Yes there is a class of BP meds that causes chronic coughing in some people. I'm on one of them but that isn't the problem as I've been on it for decades without the problem. It's something to look into when starting a new BP med. If it causes chronic coughing, change the class of BP med. 

[Jingthing]

7 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Brown mixture ( Dark green packaging with orange border ) seems to work well for me. Has tincture of opium in it.

Opium? You don't say? What's the brand name? 

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, themerg said:

Since you are in Thailand, the food is the best remedy. Anything with chillies will do fine.

Yes, those are helpful but I eat those regularly anyway, so in this recent case, that wouldn't have cured it. 

 

Speaking of asthma, it's interesting that black coffee is helpful but really only for people that don't have access to standard medication inhalers. 

Edited March 6, 2018 by Jingthing

[4MyEgo]

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I don't really consider it a treatment for asthma but rather to get mucus out. 

The oil is sold at pharmacies here and it's not expensive either. 

 

What a perfect post, just remembered my daughter (8) has had this dry cough of late and cannot bring up the mucs, will tell the Mrs to get some as she was about to take her to the doctors, and I am against the hand out of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary.

 

Thanks for posting this 

[connda]

Whatever virus that this is, it's persistence. Lots of mucus and phlegm in the lungs among other 'cold-like' symptoms.   

One thing that I've been doing other than medicating is breathing exercises, specifically, Win Hof breathing.  I've linked the Youtube video on how to do it.

I do this in the morning when I get up and in the evening before bed.  The breathing technique helps to get the mucus to come up out of the lungs so that you can easily cough it up and clear your lungs.  I do it laying down so I'm not fighting gravity.  I recommend at least giving a try.  Works for me.
 

 

[4MyEgo]

3 hours ago, Pinot said:

If I get occasional persistent congestion, I've found that an inhaler knocks it out in a couple of days. I haven't found anything else that even close to as effective.

 

It's the Seretide Accuhaler inhaler. I need to use it a couple times a year for a few days. It works and it's fairly inexpensive. Sometimes after a chest cold, I can't get rid of the cough, this works. 

 

See the online instructions for how to use it. If you still have a cough after a week, something else is going on. 

 

 

Same here, just don't overuse those inhalers as I am told they harden the arteries of a long period of time

[Krataiboy]

2 hours ago, Laza 45 said:

Heads up on Ramapril... this is a  common medication for hypertension...  I was on it for a number of years and it did a good job of keeping my bp down.. BUT... early last December I developed a bad cough.. many doctors visits and medications and an assumption the cough was related to asthma (which I have had for years)... I returned to Australia a month ago and went straight to my Dr here and his immediate reaction was that I had developed Ramipril cough!  I've since learned that it is quite a common reaction to that medication.. This was a very serious cough.. at times I thought I'd do myself damage the cough was so bad.. and a lot of mucus coming up.. and disrupted sleep because of tickling and cough when I lay down..  I've since gone on another pb lowering med and adjusting to it ok.. My Dr says that it will take months for me to fully recover from the reaction to the Ramipril..  There is quite a bit of information if you Google Ramipril cough but here is one interesting article...  https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2010/04/26/when-will-doctors-pay-attention-to-an-ace-cough/

Worth checking before taking any blood pressure medication. Most can have unpleasant side effects and throat and chest problems are common drawbacks.

[transam]

The cheap salt thing is worth a try, costs nothing and a pharmacist recommended it, no chemicals........Same as breathing salt air at the seaside for hour after hour in the land of nod.......

[orchidlady]

I have had this same problem for couple of months. Did have.mucus that showed infection so took course of antibiotics so most of head syptoms gone but now stuck in lungs.

Hoping breathing exercises, salt and eucalyptus treatments help!

 

[spambot]

What about  nasal inhalers sold everywhere (7/11) - Specifically Poy-Sian Nasil Inhaler - It has Eucalyptus Oil also mixed with menthol, camphor and borneol - Has anyone tried these or are they not effective on chest / throat? 

I think a lot of people here in Thailand get cough, chest and phlegm problems this month every year as the temperature and humidity changes - I was told that its caused by glands in nose and throat changing the thickness of mucus (everyone produces and swallows unconsciously throughout the day). Any change in humidity / temperature  also changes the  thickness of the mucus and this changes ability to fight infections - It also moistens the lining of the nose / sinuses and when its not the correct thickness doesn't lubricate correctly and causes coughs. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

Same here, just don't overuse those inhalers as I am told they harden the arteries of a long period of time

Which inhalers?

I've been on daily ventolin and steroid (currently Clenil) for decades. Never heard anything about arteries and asthma inhalers. The steroid inhalers are linked to early development of cataracts. Also linked with occasional sore throat episodes (easily treated).

 

In any case, no regrets, without breathing, forget about it. 

 

Properly treated, most people can avoid having acute asthma attacks at all. 

Edited March 6, 2018 by Jingthing

[sawadee1947]

5 hours ago, Laza 45 said:

Heads up on Ramapril... this is a  common medication for hypertension...  I was on it for a number of years and it did a good job of keeping my bp down.. BUT... early last December I developed a bad cough.. many doctors visits and medications and an assumption the cough was related to asthma (which I have had for years)... I returned to Australia a month ago and went straight to my Dr here and his immediate reaction was that I had developed Ramipril cough!  I've since learned that it is quite a common reaction to that medication.. This was a very serious cough.. at times I thought I'd do myself damage the cough was so bad.. and a lot of mucus coming up.. and disrupted sleep because of tickling and cough when I lay down..  I've since gone on another pb lowering med and adjusting to it ok.. My Dr says that it will take months for me to fully recover from the reaction to the Ramipril..  There is quite a bit of information if you Google Ramipril cough but here is one interesting article...  https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2010/04/26/when-will-doctors-pay-attention-to-an-ace-cough/

you should always ask your pharmacist about side effects..he's the specialist...Most doctors don't know anything

[Jingthing]

15 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

you should always ask your pharmacist about side effects..he's the specialist...Most doctors don't know anything

In Thailand, most "pharmacists" don't know either. Here more than in the west, you really need to do your OWN research. The local culture here is that you should just listen to doctors and not ask questions. Do that at your peril. 

[sawadee1947]

15 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

In Thailand, most "pharmacists" don't know either. Here more than in the west, you really need to do your OWN research. The local culture here is that you should just listen to doctors and not ask questions. Do that at your peril. 

LAZA 45 was talking about AUSTRALIA, not Thailand. But even in Thailand you can ask the Docs all your questions. No problem. He will answer. And in addition the pharmacists here are well trained and will have support by their computer systems. So don't tell me any nonsense about 'local culture'. (and I would rather treated by a Doc in CM than by one in Coober Pedy....)

[Jingthing]

18 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

LAZA 45 was talking about AUSTRALIA, not Thailand. But even in Thailand you can ask the Docs all your questions. No problem. He will answer. And in addition the pharmacists here are well trained and will have support by their computer systems. So don't tell me any nonsense about 'local culture'. (and I would rather treated by a Doc in CM than by one in Coober Pedy....)

I disagree. If you ask too many questions here, you get labeled as a trouble maker. If you haven't noticed that about Thai culture, sorry, you're not paying attention. 

 

As Sheryl recently commented on another thread even "pharmacists" here in official looking white coats usually lack significant training. 

Edited March 6, 2018 by Jingthing

[sawadee1947]

6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I disagree. If you ask too many questions here, you get labeled as a trouble maker. If you haven't noticed that about Thai culture, sorry, you're not paying attention. 

 

As Sheryl recently commented on another thread even "pharmacists" here in official looking white coats usually lack significant training. 

Maybe you're living on a country side and don't know how to ask or articulate? Have a good day