While coughing is a healthy reflex that works to clear the airways, it can sometimes be very irritating and debilitating. Whether you're at home, at work, or trying to sleep, coughing can be very painful and often embarrassing. Depending on the type of cough you have, there are a number of steps you can take to relieve your sore throat. You can try home remedies for short-term coughing, but if the cough doesn't go away, you may need to see a doctor.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Annoying Short Term Cough
Step 1. Keep the body hydrated
Fortunately the mucus that comes out of the nose and flows into the throat so that it makes an itchy throat and so on can be overcome by consuming lots of fluids. The water will thin the mucus making it easier for the throat to manage it.
Unfortunately the liquid in question does not include egg nog. Water however is the best option. Stay away from fizzy drinks and juices with high acidity – these types of drinks will irritate your throat even more
Step 2. Maintain a healthy throat
While nourishing your throat doesn't necessarily mean treating a cough (which is often just a symptom), this habit will make you feel and sleep better.
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Try lozenges or cough drops. These medications numb the back of the throat area, reducing the cough reflex.
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Drinking warm tea with a mixture of honey also soothes the throat in the same way. Definitely don't drink too hot tea!
- Mixing 1/2 tsp ground ginger or apple cider vinegar with 1/2 tsp honey is not an uncommon tactic, although it is not medically endorsed.
Step 3. Make use of the ambient air
Creates a friendly environment for the throat. If you change the environment you live in, your symptoms can be drastically reduced.
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Take a shower with hot water. This method can clear mucus in the nose so that it eases breathing.
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Buy a humidifier. Restoring humidity if the air feels dry can help relieve pain.
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Get rid of irritants. Scented perfumes and sprays are generally harmless but some people are sensitive to them and can get sinus irritation if exposed to them.
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The next thing that cannot be denied is smoke which is the main trigger. If you are around smokers, save yourself. If you smoke, you may have a chronic cough and it's more than just a nuisance.
Step 4. Taking medication
If the above steps don't work, you may need medication. It is best to consult a doctor; you need to know that some drugs have different functions.
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Take a decongestant. This drug is useful for reducing the amount of mucus produced by the sinuses and shrinking swollen nasal tissue. When the drug enters the lungs, it will dry the mucus and open the respiratory tract. This type of drug is available in the form of pills, liquids, and sprays. If you have hypertension, you should be careful: This drug can increase blood pressure and if you take it inappropriately, it can make things too dry which in turn triggers a dry cough.
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Take cough suppressants. If you can barely close your eyes because of a sore chest, you may need a cough suppressant such as Delsym, DexAlone, or Vicks Formula 44. But you should only take it at night.
- Use expectorant drugs. If the cough is accompanied by thick phlegm, you should take an expectorant to treat it, for example guaifenesin – it is found in Humibid, Mucinex, Robitussin Chest Congestion, and Tussin. These medications thin the mucus and the good news is that you can get rid of the phlegm.
- Do not give over-the-counter medicines to children under 4 years of age as advised by the FDA. These drugs can cause serious side effects.
Step 5. Consult a doctor
If you have a common cough then a visit to the doctor may not be necessary, but if the cough persists or is a side effect of a bigger problem, it is best to consult a professional who can diagnose your condition.
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Regardless of the period you're coughing, if you cough up blood, have a fever or fatigue, see a doctor immediately. The doctor can determine the cause of the cough - asthma, allergies, flu, etc.
Method 2 of 4: Severe Persistent Cough
Step 1. Check with the doctor
If your cough has lasted more than a month, your subacute cough may have turned into a chronic cough.
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You may have a sinus infection, asthma, or gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD). Knowing the cause of cough is the first step to overcome it.
- Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have a sinus infection. He or she may also suggest a nasal spray.
- If you have allergies, you are definitely advised to avoid allergens as much as possible. Your cough can be reduced drastically if this condition is the source of the problem.
- If you have asthma, avoid conditions that trigger it. Take asthma medication regularly and avoid irritants and allergens.
- When acid from the stomach enters the throat, this condition is called GERD. There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe to reduce the pain you are experiencing. In addition, waiting 3 or 4 hours after eating before bed and sleeping with the head elevated can reduce these symptoms.
Step 2. Quit smoking
There are many programs and facilities out there that can help you break the habit and your doctor can also provide you with a referral to a new program or method that is effective.
If you are a passive smoker then this may be the cause of the cough you often experience. Avoid smokers as much as you can
Step 3. Taking medication
Coughing is generally a symptom – therefore, cough medicine should only be taken when the real source of the problem is not known. If you have a chronic cough, then the condition will be different. You are only allowed to take the drug if your doctor has approved it. Here are some options for you:
- Antitussives are prescription cough suppressants. Usually this drug is the recommended last resort when other treatments do not show positive results. You need to know that over-the-counter cough suppressants are not supported by scientific research.
- Expectorants work to thin mucus so you can cough it out.
- Bronchodilators are drugs that open the airways.
Step 4. Increase fluid intake
Although the cause of the cough will not go away, you will feel much better.
- Drink water as the main source of fluids. Carbonated or too sweet drinks can irritate the throat.
- Warm soup or broth can also relieve a sore throat.
Method 3 of 4: For Kids
Step 1. Avoid certain drugs
The FDA states that most over-the-counter medications can cause side effects in children under 4 years of age. Keep this in mind when giving cough medicine to children.
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Cough drops should not be used for children under the age of
Step 2. year. This drug is dangerous and may cause a choking hazard in children.
Step 2. Get into the habit of keeping your throat healthy
Maintaining a healthy throat will reduce the side effects of colds or influenza. Take the following steps to minimize their symptoms.
- Give them plenty of fluids. Water, tea and juice can be consumed (including breast milk for babies). Stay away from fizzy drinks and citrus drinks which can irritate the throat.
- Sit in a steamy bathroom for about 20 minutes and put a humidifier in their bedroom. This method can clear the airways, reduce coughing, and promote better sleep.
Step 3. Take her to the doctor
If your child has difficulty breathing or has a cough that has lasted more than 3 weeks, seek professional medical attention immediately.
- If your child is under 3 months old and has a cough accompanied by fever or other symptoms, this is a serious condition that deserves special attention.
- Pay attention if the cough occurs at the same time every year or is caused by something specific – it could be an allergy.
Method 4 of 4: Alternative Method: Honey & Creamy Soup Treatment
Step 1. Take the pan
Heat about 200 ml (1 cup) of full cream milk.
Add a flat spoon (15 grams) of honey and about a full teaspoon (5 grams) of butter or margarine and gently mix all the ingredients together
Step 2. Boil all ingredients over low heat until the butter melts and forms a yellow layer on top
Once the yellow layer appears you don't need to stir again
Step 3. Pour the mixture into a cup
Let it cool slightly before giving it to children.
Step 4. Breathe slowly
Make sure to drink the yellow part too.
Step 5. Notice that the cough will subside
The cough will stop or decrease significantly within an hour of drinking the mixture.
This soup will cover the throat, numbing it. Be aware that this soup does not cure colds or flu (which causes coughs)
Step 6. Make sure the body is always warm
A cold body will be more susceptible to disease.
If you have a dry cough, drink lots of water
Tips
- A cold towel placed over your throat while lying down will keep your coughing away long enough to fall asleep.
- Make a mixture of honey, lemon and warm tea and inhale it slowly.
- Try to stay calm. Sometimes just being calm and keeping yourself warm can reduce coughing. Put on a warm blanket and lie down in a comfortable place. Read or watch TV to distract and calm down.
- There are tons of home remedies available out there. Ranging from aloe vera to onions to garlic syrup is said to be able to overcome a sore throat. If your cough is just itching, you can experiment with home remedies that you like.
- Turmeric and milk are also able to relieve coughs.