KIDNEYS

The kidneys are two red-shaped organs residing on both sides of the upper back, just below the human rib cage. Kidneys as big as the fist of an adult have functions:

    Scrape the metabolic dregs of the body, byproducts, and excess fluid from the blood.
    Maintain a balance of salt and mineral levels in the body.
    Produce renin, an enzyme that helps regulate blood pressure.
    Produce active compounds of vitamin D to maintain bone health.
    Produce erythropoietin compounds that function to stimulate the production of red blood cells.
    Regulates levels of chemical compounds in the body that ultimately help the heart and muscles function properly.
Kidney Disease-Alodokter
When the kidneys are damaged or damaged, the remnants of the body's metabolism and excess fluid can accumulate in the body until eventually causing swelling of the ankle, vomiting, feeling weakness, shortness of breath, and lack of sleep. Kidney disease is a dangerous condition which, if left untreated, kidneys can stop functioning. If the kidney stops functioning, the result can be deadly.Acute Kidney DiseaseAcute kidney disease is a kidney condition that suddenly stops functioning. If this condition is not treated immediately result in levels of salt and abnormal chemicals in the body. This situation makes other organs affected and can not work properly. The following are symptoms that generally arise due to acute kidney disease, among others:

    Nausea and vomiting
    Dehydration
    Abdominal pain and slight back hip pain
    High blood pressure
    Confusion
    Fluid accumulation in some parts of the body or edema
The following are people at risk for acute kidney disease.

    Have had kidney disorders or other chronic diseases such as heart failure, liver disease, or diabetes.
    Being over 65 years old.
    Dehydrated.
    Have severe infection or sepsis.
    Take certain medications.
    Blockage of the urethra.
Acute kidney disease is caused by several things below.

    The volume of blood in the body decreases. Can occur due to bleeding, diarrhea, or vomiting with severe dehydration.
    Disorders with blood vessels. Conditions that occur due to inflammation or inhibition of major blood vessels that supply blood flow to the kidneys, for example because vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessel walls that block blood flow).
    The blood the heart pumps is less than normal. May occur due to heart failure, liver failure, or sepsis.
    Some medications may also affect the blood supply to the kidneys or react to the kidneys directly.
To confirm the diagnosis of acute kidney disease, doctors need to perform urine tests and blood tests. The doctor will measure the levels of creatinine (a chemical waste product produced by the muscles of the body) in the blood, which should be low in levels because it is removed by a healthy kidney. The doctor will inquire about your medical history and the medication you are taking to find out the underlying cause of the condition.
Treatment of acute kidney disease is highly dependent on the factors that have caused this condition from the very beginning. By treating the underlying cause, the majority of patients are potentially cured of the kidney disease experienced. Here are some steps that need to be done to treat mild acute kidney disease:

    Treat infections that cause acute kidney disease.
    Advise to increase fluid consumption to avoid dehydration that can exacerbate acute kidney disease suffered.
    Stopping the consumption of drugs that may be the cause of acute kidney disease.
    Perform blood tests to monitor creatinine and salt levels.
If the cause of acute kidney disease is not known with certainty, your doctor will advise you to see a specialist kidney (nephrology) or urology specialist. Here are some conditions that require patients with acute kidney disease to be hospitalized.

    There is a risk of urinary tract obstruction, for example caused by prostate disease.
    The underlying cause of acute kidney disease requires immediate treatment. Most people need to be treated not because of acute kidney disease, but because of the underlying conditions.
    Patient conditions worsen and require regular blood and urine tests to monitor their kidney performance and have complications.

PULMONARY INFECTION

Pulmonary infection is an inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by bacterial microorganisms, fungi, parasites, or viruses. There are many types of infectious diseases in the lungs, such as pneumonia (lung wet), bronchitis, tuberculosis, and others. Infectious diseases of the lungs can worsen and can be a more severe problem if left untreated. This article will explain some of the most common symptoms of lung infection, causes, and necessary handling measures. You will also find some useful tips for treating lung infections before the disease becomes more serious. Understanding Lung Infection Another name of a lung infection is a lower respiratory tract infection. The term is also often used to refer to conditions of pneumonia or wet lung. A person affected by a lung infection will likely feel very weak and look so sick. Lung infections are of two forms, chronic and acute. When the diagnosis is made, it usually takes the form of bronchitis or pneumonia. Bronchitis is most often caused by viral infections, although it can also be caused by bacteria. On the other hand, pneumonia can occur from a variety of different factors such as from environmental or nosocomial infections (infection acquired while in hospital). Certain lung infections tend to affect people who have weakened immune systems such as children, pregnant women or the elderly. The main symptoms of lung infection lung infection Symptoms of viral infections due to virus Some symptoms that often appear in viral infections caused by the lung include: cough, sore throat, mild fever, and colds. Other symptoms reported by the patient include difficulty breathing, wheezing and dehydration. In severe cases, the lips may look bluish that indicates that the body is deprived of oxygen. Symptoms of Bacterial Lung Infection Bacterial lung infections are usually caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The most common symptom of this bacterial lung infection is inflammation (pneumonia). This happens as a result of the release of histamine by infected cells, causing swelling of the airways as well as the production of mucus and redness due to increased blood flow. Skin irritation can also occur in MRSA-related lung infections. The patient's skin may appear red, dry and itchy. If there is a lump like acne and pus, then be careful because it tends to be highly contagious through skin contact. Other symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, aches, fatigue, and urinary tract infections in more severe cases. Symptoms of Candida-induced Lung Infection Lung Infection of lung by Candida Fungus can cause symptoms similar to pneumonia and flu. Common symptoms of this infection are mild fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough and excessive mucus production. Important!! In the case of viral or bacterial infections, it tends to cause a more severe fever, difficulty breathing, changes in color and texture of the mucus, and pain or tightness in the chest that feels worse when coughing or breathing deeply. When to Go to a Doctor? If you have any or all of the above symptoms of pulmonary infection, let alone the symptoms worsen such as high fever, shortness of breath, and cough up phlegm constantly, then immediately see a doctor. Here are the conditions that require immediate access to a doctor: Children younger than two years Elderly over 65 Have other diseases or a weakened immune system Are undergoing chemotherapy or treatment that affects the immune system. Medical Treatment of Antibiotic Lung Infection. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics usually begin to relieve symptoms within three days. If symptoms persist, then check back to the doctor for evaluation. Antiviral drugs. Pneumonia and other lung infections due to virus sometimes require antiviral drugs especially for those with weak immune systems. These drugs usually begin to relieve symptoms within one to three weeks. Fever medicine. It is a drug to lower high body temperature, there are many choices of fever drugs, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Cough medicine. Usually needed cough medicine that functions to thin the sputum and helps blood out. In this case used Cough Phlegm Drug like amboxol. Inpatient. In more severe conditions when the drug is not working effectively, then the next step is hospitalization.

HEART DISEASE

Heart disease or in medical terms is called coronary heart disease is a condition that occurs when the main blood vessels that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries) are damaged. Piles of cholesterol in the blood vessels and inflammation process is suspected to be the cause of this disease.
When there is cholesterol buildup (plaque), coronary blood vessels will narrow so that the flow of blood and oxygen supply to the heart will be hampered. Lack of blood flow will cause pain in the chest (angina) and shortness of breath, until a time of total obstruction in the blood flow to the heart or the so-called heart attack.
Coronary heart disease is one of the highest causes of death in the world. The World Heart Federation estimates the death rate from coronary heart disease in Southeast Asia to reach 1.8 million cases in 2014. In Indonesia alone in 2013 there were recorded at least 883,447 people diagnosed with coronary heart disease in Indonesia with the majority of patients aged 55-64 years. Mortality rate due to heart disease was quite high, which is about 45 percent of all deaths in Indonesia.Causes of Coronary Heart DiseaseCoronary heart disease occurs when the blood supply to the heart through the coronary blood vessels is inhibited by fat. The accumulation of fat in the blood vessels is known as atherosclerosis and is a major cause of coronary heart disease.
In addition to reducing the blood supply to the heart, atherosclerosis can also cause the formation of blood clots. If this happens, the blood flow to the heart is completely blocked and a heart attack occurs. The factors that trigger atherosclerosis include high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure (hypertension).Types and Complications of Coronary Heart DiseaseCoronary heart disease is divided into two types that are categorized by the level of blood flow inhibition, namely angina (sitting wind) and heart attack.
Untreated heart disease will lead to deadly complications. When not receiving enough blood supply to be too weak to pump blood, the heart's performance will decrease. Conditions like this can make the fluid accumulate in the lungs so that patients will have trouble breathing. This case is known as heart failure. These complications can occur suddenly or gradually.Diagnosis of Coronary Heart DiseaseIn the early stages, doctors will usually ask about symptoms, family health history, and your lifestyle. If you suspect you have heart disease, your doctor may recommend that you undergo multiple checks to confirm the diagnosis. For example blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiogram (EKG), coronary angiography, CT scan, or MRI scan.
Treatment For Coronary Heart Disease
If you have heart disease, you are strongly encouraged to change your lifestyle such as maintaining your diet, regular exercise, taking medication regularly and as directed by your doctor, and quitting smoking. Coronary heart disease can not be cured, but can be prevented from getting worse. The doctor will advise surgery steps to deal with the disease if necessary. The goal in the treatment of heart disease is to control symptoms and reduce the risk of fatal attacks such as heart attacks.Prevention of Coronary Heart DiseaseThere are some simple precautions to avoid heart disease, namely:

    Quit smoking.
    Applying a healthy lifestyle, such as reducing high cholesterol foods, increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and exercise regularly.
    Controlling blood sugar levels.
    Maintain a healthy weight.
    Reduce alcohol consumption.

HYPERTENSION

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic condition in which blood pressure in artery walls (blood vessels clean) increases. This condition is known as a "silent killer" because it rarely has any obvious symptoms. The only way to know if you have hypertension is to measure blood pressure.
If you have not checked and do not know your blood pressure, ask your doctor to check it out. All adults should check their blood pressure at least once every five years.
Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2013 showed that hypertensive patients aged over 18 years reached 25.8 percent of the total population of Indonesia. Of these, women with hypertension were 6 percent more likely than men. While diagnosed by health personnel only reached about 9.4 percent. This means there are still many people with hypertension that is not affordable and diagnosed by health personnel and not undergoing treatment as directed by health personnel. It causes hypertension as one of the highest causes of death in Indonesia.Risk of HypertensionThe cause of hypertension has not been ascertained in more than 90 percent of cases. As you get older, your chances of suffering from hypertension will also increase. The following are the trigger factors that are thought to affect the increased risk of hypertension.

    Being over 65 years old.
    Eat lots of salt.
    Overweight.
    Have a family with hypertension.
    Less to eat fruits and vegetables.
    Rarely exercise.
    Drinking too much coffee (or other drinks containing caffeine).
    Too much alcohol.
The risk of developing hypertension can be reduced by changing the things above and applying a healthier lifestyle. Regular blood pressure checks can also help diagnosis in the early stages. The diagnosis of hypertension as early as possible will increase the likelihood of lowering blood pressure to normal levels. This can be done by changing lifestyles to be healthier without the need to take medication.Measuring blood pressureThe power of blood in pressing the artery wall when pumped by the heart to the rest of the body determines the size of blood pressure. Pressure that is too high will burden your arteries and heart, so people with hypertension have the potential to have heart attacks, strokes, or kidney disease.
Measurement of blood pressure in mercury doses per millimeter (mmHG) and recorded in two numbers, namely systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the blood pressure when the heart beats pumping blood out. While diastolic pressure is the blood pressure when the heart does not contract (relaxation phase). Currently the blood that has just pumped out the heart (systolic pressure), is in the arteries and diastolic pressure also shows the strength of artery walls to restrain blood flow rate.
Your blood pressure is 130 per 90 or 130/90 mmHg, meaning you have 130 mmHg systolic pressure and 90 mmHg diastolic pressure. Normal blood pressure levels are below 120/80 mmHg.
You will be deemed to have hypertension or high blood pressure if the result of multiple examinations, your blood pressure still reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher.Prevention and Treatment of HypertensionIf your blood pressure is high, monitor it closely until it goes down and can be controlled properly. Doctors usually suggest changes in lifestyle that are included in the treatment for hypertension as well as prevention. These steps can be implemented through:

    Eat healthy foods.
    Reduce consumption of salt and caffeine.
    Quit smoking.
    Exercise regularly.
    Lose weight, if needed.
    Reduce alcohol consumption.
Preventing hypertension is easier and cheaper than treatment. Therefore, prevention should be done as early as possible. If left for too long, hypertension can lead to complications that can even threaten the lives of patients.

URIC ACID

Uric acid is the residual metabolism of purine substances derived from the foods we consume or byproducts from the breakdown of cells in the blood. Normal uric acid levels are 2.4 - 6 for women and 3.0 - 7 for men. Uric acid disease is a disease characterized by abrupt and recurrent attacks of painful arthritis due to crystal monosodium crystal deposits, collected in the joints as a result of high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia).
Under normal circumstances, uric acid is released in the body through the feces and urine, but because the kidneys are unable to excrete uric acid, it increases levels in the body. Another thing that can increase uric acid levels is that we consume too much food containing many purines. Excess uric acid will then accumulate in the joints causing pain or swelling.
Symptoms of uric acid is very important to recognize because the disease is very vulnerable to happen to anyone. Uric acid is a type of disease that is very disturbing for the sufferer because it causes pain in the joints that can lead to inhibition of activity. Therefore, it is very important to recognize the symptoms of uric acid in order to prevent this disease can be done immediately.Symptoms of Uric Acid Disease include:

    Tingling and scratching
    Pain especially at night and morning after awakening from sleep
    Joints look swollen, redness, heat, and feel very painful
In addition to joint pain, high uric acid can cause kidney stones as well as in the long term, will damage the kidney permanently until it takes lifelong dialysis. High uric acid levels were also associated with the incidence of diabetes mellitus (diabetes) and hypertension.
In addition, the symptoms of gout can also be seen from unhealthy body circumstances such as fever, chills, and feeling unwell. Symptoms of other uric acids such as very rapid heartbeat can also occur. Symptoms of uric acid will generally appear in middle age for men, whereas in women the symptoms of uric acid will begin to appear after menopause. The initial uric acid strain that is felt in the joints usually lasts for several days and then disappears until the next attack. Symptoms of uric acid should be really wary of avoiding more severe uric acid attacks.
Understanding Uric Acid - Gelaja - Causes and How to PreventCauses of Uric Acid
This uric acid disease can not be avoided, but there are several ways to control it as it controls the food consumed. Foods to avoid because they contain lots of purines include: side dishes (offal, liver, kidney, spleen, tripe, intestine, lung and brain), sea food (shrimp, clams, squid, crab), canned food (corned beef and sardines) , Meat, eggs, thick broth, beans and dairy (tempe, soy milk, tauco, emping, melinjo, bean sprouts), vegetables (spinach, cassava leaves, kale, asparagus, cauliflower, beans), fruits (durian , Avocado, pineapple, coconut water), and alcoholic beverages (beer, tape, wine).
To prevent recurrence is recommended to drink plenty of water. While for patients who are overweight, if weight is reduced, uric acid levels are often close to normalHow to Prevent Uric Acid
How to prevent and treat it? The best way would be to avoid high purine foods as mentioned above. Some interesting things include:

    Consumption of coffee (not tea) can reduce uric acid levels significantly (interesting yes?)
    In the event of an acute attack, uric acid-lowering drugs actually exacerbate the pain so should be avoided
    Consumption of alcohol will reduce the discharge of uric acid through the kidneys
    Drinking water at least 8 glasses a day is effective to get rid of uric acid
If the above you have done and have not succeeded, it is necessary role of doctors in giving the drug gout controller.

HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

High cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia is a condition in which the level of cholesterol in the blood that goes beyond normal levels. Cholesterol itself is a waxy fat compound that is mostly produced in the liver and some of it is obtained from food. High cholesterol conditions can increase the risk of serious illness. Diseases that lurk high cholesterol sufferers are usually associated with the presence of excessive cholesterol deposition in blood vessels, such as strokes and heart attacks.
According to the WHO report in 2011, it is estimated that about 35 percent of Indonesia's population has higher cholesterol levels than normal limits good for health. This means that one-third of Indonesia's population at high risk of artery disease.
Excess cholesterol can result from eating foods with high cholesterol content or lack of exercise. However, this condition can also occur due to hereditary factors.
About Cholesterol
Actually cholesterol is needed by the body to help build new cells so that the body can keep functioning normally. In addition, cholesterol also helps the body produce vitamin D, a number of hormones, and bile acids to digest fats.
In the blood, cholesterol is carried by proteins. Combined both are called lipoproteins. The two main types of lipoproteins are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) commonly called bad cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) commonly called good cholesterol.
LDL is responsible for transporting cholesterol from the liver to the cells in need. But if the amount of cholesterol exceeds the need, it can settle on the walls of the arteries and cause disease. On the other hand, HDL, as opposed to LDL, is responsible for transporting cholesterol back into the liver. Inside the liver, cholesterol will be destroyed or expelled by the body through feces.
The suggested blood cholesterol levels may vary depending on whether the person has a higher or lower risk of developing artery disease. The amount of cholesterol in the blood can be measured by doing a blood test.
You should check blood cholesterol levels if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, have diabetes, or have other diseases that can increase your cholesterol levels.
Diagnosis of cholesterol levels is also recommended if a person has a close family who suffer from cholesterol disease, or a close family who has a history of cardiovascular disease at an early age.
For those who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, mild stroke, or peripheral arterial disease, it is advisable to perform this examination as well.
The impact of high cholesterol
When excessive cholesterol settles on the walls of the arteries, the blood flow in the heart, brain, and other body parts can be inhibited. In other words, high cholesterol increases a person's risk of arterial constriction or atherosclerosis, blood clots in certain body parts, minor strokes, strokes, and heart attacks.
High cholesterol levels can also cause pain in the front of the chest or on the arm (angina) when a person experiences stress or heavy physical activity. In addition, high cholesterol also increases a person's risk of coronary heart disease.
If you do not change your diet and do not quit smoking, people with high cholesterol will be more at risk of stroke or heart disease. In cigarettes found a chemical called acrolein. This substance can stop the activity of good cholesterol or HDL to transport fat deposits to the liver. As a result, arterial narrowing or atherosclerosis may occur.
In addition, the risk of the patient also increases if he suffers from hypertension, diabetes, or has a family suffering from heart disease or stroke.
High cholesterol can also be caused by a genetic condition (heredity) called familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). Cholesterol levels of patients with this condition remain high despite eating healthy foods.How to prevent or lower cholesterol levelsHealthy lifestyle is necessary in treating high cholesterol conditions. Eating a healthy and balanced nutritious diet is one of the main steps that can be done in preventing or lowering cholesterol levels. Fat content in foods should be low. Try changing the consumption of foods containing saturated fats with fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains (eg whole wheat bread). That way, cholesterol levels in the body will remain low. In addition to a healthy diet, immediately start exercising regularly and lose weight for those who are overweight. No less important, avoid smoking.

JOINT PAIN

Joint pain is a pain in the body part that connects bone to bone, causing movement and quality of your life to be disturbed. Joint pain can be short or long. The severity of the pain also varies, ranging from mild, medium, to severe.Causes of joint painBased on the number of joints affected, joint pain is grouped into two, namely pain in one joint and pain in some joints.In the case of pain in one joint, the knee joint is the organ that most often experiences it. There are several causes of pain in one of the joints, including:• Chondromalacia patellae or cartilage damage behind the kneecap.Haemarthrosis or bleeding in joint space due to cracked knee or torn ligaments. This condition usually occurs in people who are in the treatment of warfarin (anticoagulant medication).• Gout (gout). Conditions that can cause recurrent pain (relapse), as well as heat and redness of the skin around the inflamed joint are caused by the sharp crystals from the buildup of uric acid. The big toe is a joint that is usually exposed first. Furthermore, other joints may also experience it.• Pseudogout. This condition is almost like uric acid disease, but the sharp crystals that come from the buildup of calcium around the joints. Similar to gout, at first this condition is usually about the big toe.• Traumatic synovitis or inflammation of the tissues lining the joints and tendons.• Osgood-Schlatter's disease. This condition is characterized by symptoms of pain and swelling in the bony lump located just below the kneecap.• Fracture.• Septic arthritis.• Repeated joint dislocations.• Cancer.• Infection.• Hemophilia disease.• Avascular necrosis. Conditions characterized by symptoms of bone damage due to lack of blood supply.While the various causes of pain in some joints of the body are:• Osteoarthritis or swelling of tissue in and around the joint due to damage to the bone protective surface. Serious injury to joints, obesity, and age factors are things that increase the risk of this disease.• Psoriatic arthritis. Conditions that cause symptoms of pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation in the joint is usually experienced by one in five people with psoriasis.• Rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of pain in this condition often disappear and arise in turn and cause the sufferer tired. Part of the inflamed joints are usually joints of the fingers, wrists and ankles.• Diseases that can affect connective tissue, such as scleroderma and lupus.• Viral infections that can cause arthritis, such as rubella and hepatitis.• Arthritis that is rare, such as reactive arthritis, juvenile arthritis, and anklyosing spondylitis.• Cancer.• Diseases that cause inflammation of the blood vessels, such as Henoch-Schonlein Purpura and Behcet's syndrome.• Sarcoidosis disease.• Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy.• Side effects of drugs, such as hydralazine, isoniazid, and steroids.Treatment of joint painIf the symptoms of joint pain are still relatively mild, you can handle it at home by:• Get enough rest.• Compresses sore joints with ice bags for 15-20 minutes.• Take anti-inflammatory drugs that are sold freely in pharmacies, such as naproxen sodium or ibuprofen.To prevent pain from getting worse, avoid physical activity or movements that involve joints that are inflamed.If the pain does not go away despite taking care of yourself (including taking anti-inflammatory drugs), reddish swelling, and warm sensation in the inflamed joints, you are encouraged to see a doctor.Moreover, if you experience joint pain caused by injuries resulting in sudden swelling, joint changes, unbearable pain, and make it difficult to move the joints, you are required to immediately see a doctor to get further treatment.

FEVER

Fever is a condition when the body temperature is above 38 degrees celsius. Fever is part of the immune process that is fighting infections due to viruses, bacteria, or parasites. In addition, fever may also occur in conditions of hyperthyroidism, arthritis, or due to the use of some types of drugs, including antibiotics. The increase in body temperature due to the consumption of this drug is called a drug fever or "drug fever".

Although sometimes worrisome, high fever does not necessarily signify that you are suffering from a serious illness. Fever is often found in cases of infections of children are often not dangerous. In fact, fever is a sign that the immune system is trying to fight off the infection.


Fever is not a disease, but a symptom that often accompanies a self-limiting disease without the need for treatment, such as a cold or a cold. Therefore, the fever will disappear by itself when the underlying disease is healed. But to treat a more severe fever, some of the febrifuge drugs can be bought freely in pharmacies. Read the rules of use and follow the recommended dosage.

The symptoms that accompany the fever depend on the cause of the fever itself. The following are examples of symptoms that can accompany a fever:

    Headache
    Cold sweat
    Shivering
    Dehydration
    Coughs
    Sore throat
    Pain to the ear
    Diarrhea and vomiting
    Muscleache
    Loss of appetite
    Feeling tired

Examination of the most appropriate body temperature is to use a thermometer. Do not rely on hand-picking to make sure the fever or not. Fever is not necessarily a serious condition, but you need to be alert if your body temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius and you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

    The neck feels stiff and the eyes become very sensitive to light
    Vomiting constantly
    Appears reddish spots on the skin
    Hard to breathe
    Constantly drowsy
    If you / your child is in pain
    Children do not want to drink and rarely urinate.

Call your doctor or hospital immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms.

COUGH

Coughing is the natural response of the body as an airway defense system if there is an external disturbance. This response serves to clear the mucus or irritating factors or irritants (such as dust or smoke) to get out of the lungs and.

Coughing rarely indicates serious illness and will generally heal within three weeks, so it does not require treatment. The effectiveness of cough medicine has also not been fully proven. Homemade herbs like honey and lemon water can help ease a mild cough.

Types of Cough
The types of cough are differentiated into cough with phlegm and dry cough. Phlegm cough is known as the productive cough because it is accompanied by increased production of mucus or phlegm in the throat. While dry cough is known as nonproductive cough because cough is not accompanied by phlegm.

The early signs of a dry cough usually is an itchy feeling in the throat that triggers a cough. Cough without sputum is common in the late stages of a cold or when there is exposure to irritant substances.

In the case of phlegm, cough is very helpful because it works sputum. The phlegm can come from the throat, sinuses, and lungs.

In addition, there is also the term cough allergy, which is generally a dry cough, and a cough that accompanies the flu, which can appear either in the form of a dry cough or phlegm.

Causes of Cough

Viral respiratory infections are the main cause of most people. In addition, there are several other causes of cough that include:

    Long-term recurrent disease, such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or chronic bronchitis.
    Allergic rhinitis, eg allergic to pollen (hay fever).
    GERD. This disease causes stomach acid to collect in the esophagus and trigger a cough.
    The liquid from the nose dripping down the throat.
    Smoking or using tobacco in other ways.
    Exposure to dust, smoke, and chemical compounds.Although rare, the factors above can still be the initial cause of the disease that causes long-term cough.
Cough Diagnosis
The doctor will ask for symptoms and check your physical condition. Your medical history and family will also be asked at the beginning of the examination. If you are unsure of the cause of your cough, your doctor will probably recommend a follow-up examination:

    Sputum sampling to determine the presence of bacterial infection and the type of antibiotic that will be given if the cough is caused by bacteria.
    Chest X-ray to check whether you have a lung infection.
    Spirometry, the procedure of pulling and exhaling through a tube connected to the machine. This step serves to check whether you have a respiratory disease or not.
    Allergy testing to check whether your cough is caused by something that triggers allergies, such as dust mites.

Treatment of Cough
Mild coughs rarely require a serious treatment step, simply overcome with cough medicine to relieve itching, or to thin the sput to be more easily removed.

But if the cough is still prolonged, it could be a sign of a more serious respiratory infection. Consult a doctor if you have a severe cough and do not go away, so treatment can be done immediately.

A mild cough indeed rarely requires a certain treatment step. However, consult your doctor immediately if you have a cough that:

    More than three weeks due to viral infection.
    Getting worse.
    With blood, difficulty breathing, chest pain, weight loss for no apparent reason, fever, or swelling and a lump in the neck.

Coughing in Infants and Children
Coughing in infants and children is caused by the same factors as coughing in adults, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and GERD.

If cough becomes prolonged, it can be a sign of a more serious respiratory infection. Consult a doctor if your child has a severe cough and does not stop, so treatment can be done immediately.

Being aware of whooping cough symptoms is also very important, especially in children and infants. Symptoms of whooping cough include:

    Shriek in every deep breath after coughing.
    Coughy and intense coughing out thick sputum.
    Fatigue and blushing face for continued coughing.
    Gag.

In addition to whooping cough, coughs in infants and children can also be caused by bronchiolitis and croup. Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection in infants as well as children under the age of two years. While croup is a viral infection that attacks the larynx (voice box) or trachea (windpipe) of infants and children.

FLU

Flu or influenza is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system (a system consisting of the nose, throat, and lungs). Common cold symptoms include fever, headache, cough, aches, decreased appetite, and sore throat.


Incubation period of flu virus including short. You will experience symptoms only within one to three weeks after first infected. The period in which the most contagious flu is on a day when symptoms begin to appear for another three or seven days.

Many think flu is similar to a runny nose because of the similarity of symptoms, but this is not the right thing. The type of virus that causes the flu is different from the common cold. In addition, flu tends to have a shorter incubation period with more severe symptoms that can inhibit the routine of the patient. While colds generally appear gradually with symptoms that are lighter so as not to impact the patient's routine.
Step Flu Treatment
Doctor handling is not needed in most cases of flu, because the disease generally can heal by itself. Some self-help steps you can take include taking adequate rest, drinking, and keeping your body warm.

You can also take paracetamol or ibuprofen which can be bought freely at pharmacies to reduce fever and reduce pain and stiffness. You are not advised to take antibiotics because this drug is only intended for conditions caused by bacteria, while the cause of the flu is a virus.
Flu Complications
Flu rarely causes serious complications. However, the risk of developing complications is quite high among:

Children.
Pregnant mother.
Seniors.

Patients with serious or chronic diseases such as heart failure, lung disease, or diabetes.
People with declining immune systems, such as cancer and HIV.

Flu Prevention Steps
The flu virus can be transmitted through the saliva released by the patient when sneezing or coughing. In addition, objects that have been contaminated with the flu virus can also be a medium of transmission. The main step to prevent this disease is to maintain cleanliness. Do not forget to wash your hands before eating. For public transport users, it is advisable to wear masks while traveling.

Another flu prevention step is by vaccination. But this method is only recommended for those who are more susceptible to flu complications.