“The common conditions that can be included in the COPD are exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The high concentrated gaseous mixture of gases provide certain benefits such as helium being the lightest gas move easily in the air passage and high concentration of the oxygen reduce the condition of breathlessness,” Dr. Neil D. Eves at the University of Calgary explained in the journal.

In a controlled randomizes study, researchers assigned the 38 patients of COPD to use mixtures of oxygen and helium during rehabilitation. The exercise lasts for one and a half hour three days in the week for the duration of six weeks.

Researchers founded that the, group which was inhaling oxygen-helium mixture attain the intense workout level and longer duration without any difficulty whereas normal air breathing group was unable to cope with the training program.

Researcher with this study founded that helium- oxygen user face less discomfort due to chest congestion and a lower breathing rate.

After the completion of six weeks, patients of oxygen-helium group showed a greater improvement and endurance in the duration of exercise. The average value of oxygen-helium and air breathing group was 9. and 4.4 minutes respectively. Additionally oxygen-helium group exhibited the greater changes in the health quality and researchers stated this improvement as clinically meaningful.

Sometimes usual cough becomes chronic and keeps up for many days. It can be accompanied by cold that may be hindered in sleep. In order to escape the chronic condition, a doctor should be visited on time.

Types of Cough

There are mainly two types of cough which are further divided into various kinds.

Dry Cough

This is dry and scything in its nature. It can be caused by cold or dry air, viral infections, allergies from air pollutants such as dust, cigarette smoke and polluted fogs or fumes in the surrounding environment. Dry cough can be a sign of cold or flu. Sometimes, it is the indication of bronchitis.

Loose Productive Cough

The wet productive cough is the blockage or infection in the chest due to cold or influenza. The other diseases which are characterized with loose productive cough are pneumonia or bronchitis.

Major Causes of Cough

Respiratory area infections can be resulted in cough. These infections include tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis and tuberculosis. During severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cough can be worst.

When dry cough becomes chronic it may be caused by post-nasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease, post viral cough, asthma and ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitors.

Cough that result in the individuals who smoke frequently is called smoker’s cough. Air pollutants can be a cause of cough.

Sometimes cough can be triggered by dryness due to mouth breathing or continuous entrance of food particle into the windpipe. It usually founds in the people with swallowing difficulties.

Some problems of lungs can also be a cause of cough. These conditions involve; bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and sarcodosis. Malignant lung tumors can also trigger cough. Irritation of the nerve that is a disease of external auditory canal can also be resulted in cough. Some cardiovascular diseases like heart failure, pulmonary infraction and aortic aneurysm are also associated with cough.

Some people cough before delivering a speech or communicating to others. Cough may also result due to psychogenic reasons.

Signs of Dangerous Cough

If your cough lasts for more than 10 days or is escorted by the following signs, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

• You feel difficulty in swallowing the food or liquids
• Cough with thick, greenish-yellow sputum
• Traces of  blood in the phlegm or sputum
• Stiffness in the neck
• Fever or sweating during night that stays for more than three days
• Feeling of pain in chest or shortness of breathing
• Itches or swelling of the throat
• High-pitched noises while inhaling the air

Cough Treatments

Usually two types of medications are used to treat coughs.

Expectorants

Expectorants are the kind of medication that is the most helpful during a wet and non productive cough. These help out the mucous to come out while chest congestion is not cleared with the cough.

Suppressants

Suppressants are used to smoother the cough impulse and you quit coughing. But it can be dangerous to suppress the productive cough by suppressants. These should be used at night to minimize coughing while sleeping.

Cough attacks you when there is a change in the season, if preventive measures are taken cough can be escaped. Don’t take the food from which you are allergic. Keep away yourself and your children from the person having cough.