A bronchial cough is typically identified as a tight feeling in the chest, as it affects the bronchus, which is the body's airway. This type of cough is often accompanied by wheezing, tickling in the throat, and mucus. There are various causes of a bronchial cough, with some of the most common being a cold, bronchitis, the flu, asthma, and pneumonia. It is often necessary to see a doctor to cure this condition, but some home remedies include cough suppressants, a humidifier, and warm liquids, such as tea.
Many people get a cough when they are suffering from the common cold, in which case they may also notice yellow or clear mucus that comes up when they cough, along with congestion, a sore throat, and a fever. Mucus that is tan or green may signal bronchitis, which typically occurs when a cold gets worse, bringing with it shortness of breath and wheezing. Of course, a bronchial cough combined with wheezing may also be due to asthma, especially if the rest of the body feels fine.
On the other hand, a dry cough that produces no mucus could indicate the flu, which is typically accompanied by chills, fatigue, and a high fever, to name a few symptoms. Pneumonia seems similar, but it by definition occurs when the cough has gone into the lungs. Other symptoms of pneumonia include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Unfortunately, a bronchial cough may also signal more serious conditions that are not easily treated, such as emphysema or lung cancer, which is why seeing a doctor to get an official diagnosis is usually advised.
A bronchial cough may be soothed at home in some cases, using either over-the-counter medication or items that most people already have in the house. For example, drinking warm liquids is often soothing for the throat, and can also loosen up mucus so that it is not necessary to cough very hard to get rid of it. For this reason, hot tea with honey is often used for home treatment of a bronchial cough. Breathing in warm, moist air is also useful when it comes to helping the throat feel better while relieving congestion, so those suffering from a dry cough can use a humidifier or even breathe in the vapors of a pot of boiled water. Finally, cough suppressants can be found at most stores without a prescription, ranging from cough drops to liquid that will likely stop the cough long enough to get a good night's sleep.