Brought to you by Bronchostop.

Winter definitely has it benefits.

Cosy nights in, hot chocolates, snow, Christmas, do I even need to say anymore? But unfortunately, when this lovely time of year rolls around it can often get completely spoiled when we are stricken down with the dreaded winter cough. Last year 75% of Irish adults suffered from a cough throughout the year. That's a huge percentage! So we decided to speak to cough experts Bronchostop and get the low down on the cough myths we need to stop believing this winter. Here they are... Myth: Hot drinks can cure a cough Truth: Hot drinks can be soothing but they won’t cure an infection. While hot drinks such as honey and lemon can be soothing to the throat and decrease irritation, a hot drink will not cure the cause of a cough, particularly if it is caused by an infection. If your symptoms persist longer than 3 weeks you should consult your GP who will be able to talk to you about your symptoms and advise you on the best treatment. Myth: All coughs are due to an infection. Truth: Not all coughs are due to an infection. When something irritates the nerves in your airways or lungs, you cough. A cough is simply your body’s way of stopping unwanted irritants and mucus from entering your lungs. Most coughs should clear up within three weeks but a more persistent cough can be a sign that there is an underlying bacterial infection, inflammation or irritation and should be checked out by your local GP. Myth: There are lots of different types of cough Truth: There are basically only two types of cough, chesty (productive) and dry (non-productive). A dry cough is a tickly and irritating cough that is felt in your throat and is often caused by viral infections, allergies, smoke, dust or inflammation. A chesty cough is caused by a build-up of phlegm or mucus in the lungs.The most common causes of a chesty cough are cold and flu viruses and other lung infections.  A cough can also change over time, moving from productive to non-productive and vice versa. Myth:  A cough will always resolve itself Truth: Not all coughs are self-limiting, which means a cough won’t always clear up itself. Coughs can usually be categorised by how long they have been present.  Anything under 3 weeks is usually described as an acute cough, which is the most common type of cough and is usually caused by viral infections like cold and flu. A cough that lasts over 8 weeks is classed as a chronic cough that might occur because of a long-term illness like asthma. Smoking and taking certain medicines can also cause chronic coughs. If your cough gets worse or continues for a prolonged period of time, it is advisable to visit your doctor. Myth: Every cough needs antibiotics Truth: Most coughs are viral in origin. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and so won’t help to clear up symptoms that are caused by viral infections. An over the counter remedy can provide relief and your pharmacist or healthcare assistant can recommend the most suitable product to relieve your symptoms. This article is brought to you by Bronchostop. Bronchostop is the go-to solution to treat any kind of winter cough. Unlike most cough syrups it treats all coughs e.g. dry, chesty, tickly etc.