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Sputum cough is not treated, this is the result

Untreated cough with phlegm can interfere with your activities and rest, and the risk of causing serious health problems. But in reality, there are still many people who underestimate the cough with phlegm and do not try to treat it properly. Untreated cough with phlegm not only disrupt the health of the body, but also affects the psychological condition of people who experience it. Especially if this condition is allowed to continue for a long time.

Understanding the Variety Due to Untreated Coughing Sputum

Coughing is the body's natural way to cleanse the respiratory tract of mucus and foreign matter so that you can breathe freely. In general, coughing can heal by itself within three weeks without special medication. However, you can not simply ignore it if the cough with phlegm that you experience does not go away. Prolonged and untreated phlegm can cause:
  • No appetite and difficulty sleeping.
  • Quick to feel tired and not powerful when having activity.
  • Headache, nausea, even vomiting.
  • Chest pain and muscle aches.
  • Sore throat and hoarseness.
In certain cases, untreated phlegm cough can cause rib fractures, especially in elderly people who have osteoporosis. In addition, the frequency of cough with phlegm can increase if not treated. This will put more pressure on the bladder when you cough and make it difficult for you to hold back urination (urinary incontinence), and eventually wet yourself.

Effects of Sputum Cough on Social Relations

In addition to affecting health conditions, a study revealed that prolonged and untreated phlegm cough will also cause a decrease in the quality of life of sufferers, thus impacting on psychological conditions. In addition, a prolonged cough that is left untreated can also reduce the quality of life of the patient so that it impacts on psychological conditions such as disturbing other family members, feeling insecure or embarrassed, unable to carry out social activities such as gathering with friends, and feeling sad because they cannot do other important activities . Not only that, an untreated cough with phlegm often makes you feel limited in doing activities. You may also have difficulty completing work. This condition can trigger stress, so you become more irritable, frustrated, and even depressed. Therefore, coughing up phlegm that has disrupted activities and makes you feel uncomfortable should be addressed immediately. You can take phlegm cough medicine that is sold freely in pharmacies or which must be purchased by prescription from a doctor. The drugs commonly used for coughing up phlegm are cough medicines that are mucolytic or sputum thinner, and expectorants that can facilitate expectoration. An example is phlegm cough medicine containing bromhexine and guaifenesin. In taking phlegm cough medicine, make sure you follow the instructions for use listed on the packaging. Immediately consult a doctor if the cough with phlegm does not improve after one to three weeks of treatment.

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