Coughing is the body’s natural response to any blockage of the airway which may be due to dust and traffic fumes or mucous resulting from infection. Coughing can also be a symptom of a number of more serious illnesses, so professional medical attention is needed for any cough which persists for more than a few days or for which there is no obvious cause.
Coughs can be dry and irritating or “productive” with phlegm which can vary in shade from white to green — darker colours generally indicating an infection. Dry coughs can often linger for weeks following a cold and in some cases coughing can become a nervous habit. (more…)
Sore throats can be the first sign of a developing cold, although a tendency to “streptococcal throats” — as they are sometimes labelled — can be associated with underlying food allergy and candidiasis. Sore throats can also herald pharyngitis, tonsillitis or German measles with inflammations caused by viral or bacterial infection. As always, if the problem is recurrent, then the cause may be associated with stress (caused by overwork or food intolerance) or a reduced resistance to infection.
This can be especially true with tonsil problems, since these organs are simply small packs of lymphatic tissue at the back of the throat which help protect the body from infection. With children prone to tonsillitis, cutting out milk and milk products and using soya substitutes can often solve otherwise intractable problems. In severe cases the tonsil can become filled with pus, causing an abscess or quinsy which can need urgent surgical treatment, so do not delay in seeking professional help if the problem does not show signs of improvement within 24 hours. (more…)
