Stimulating self-purification ability

Good English skills are usually helpful when advising foreign-language customers. PTA-Forum has compiled the most important vocabulary, questions and advice on the subject of "cough and bronchitis".

Everyone knows the symptoms: Due to a bad cold, thick mucus has accumulated in your bronchial tubes and a nagging persistent cough causes irritation during the day and robs you of needed sleep at night. Here medication stimulates your self-purification ability and supports the coughing up of viscous mucus.

In the case of acute coughs, either herbal preparations containing extracts of thyme, ivy, primula root and the South African Kaplan geranium, or alternatively the two synthetic substances Ambroxol and ACC may be used as expectorants.

Should the sinuses also be inflamed, preparations containing eucalyptol, Myrtol as well as eucalyptus oil will help the patients. But before any medication can be recommended, some questions need to be asked by PTA or the pharmacist.

Important questions for the consultation

• How do you experience the symptoms?
• Do you also have a temperature?
• Since when have you had the symptoms?
• How would you describe the cough: is it more dry or is there thick mucus?
• Do you additionally have a headache, especially in the forehead?
• Would you like to take a herbal preparation or do you prefer a synthetic one?
• Have you already taken any medication?
• Do you take any medication regularly?

Additional information

• Please do not take the expectorant shortly before going to bed. Otherwise the mucus will dissolve while you are sleeping and you will not be able to cough it up.
• Inhale in order to moisten and soothe your respiratory tracts.
• Drink a lot, preferably three litres of water or herbal tea a day.
• Please avoid everything that could additionally irritate your bronchi (bronchial tubes), for example cigarette smoke.
• Make sure that your bedroom has sufficient moist air.
• If you have a temperature, this points to a bacterial infection. You should see your doctor.
• If your condition does not improve substantially in the next few days, please go and see your doctor.