Cough is a common and bothersome symptom of illness, both short-lived and chronic. Causes of short-lived coughs include viruses (including flu, cold, crus and RSV viruses), bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis, as well as allergic rhinitis. A chronic cough, which lasts longer than 8 weeks, can be caused by asthma, allergies, chronic sinus infection, acid reflux disease, congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung cancer, or tuberculosis.
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Method 1 of 4: Taking Care of Your Body
Step 1. Realize that coughing is usually necessary
If you have an illness that causes a cough, most doctors will be reluctant to "cure" it because the cough has an important purpose: to free up your airways. If your cough is coming from the inside of your chest, or you are constantly passing phlegm or mucus, accept that what you are experiencing is actually a good thing. Your body has a natural ability to help with its own healing efforts.
If you've had a cough for more than 8 weeks, it's a "chronic cough." You should see a doctor to find out the cause of this cough. Common causes of chronic cough include asthma, allergies, chronic sinus infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung cancer, and tuberculosis. Some medications, such as ACE inhibitors, can also include coughing as a side effect
Step 2. Drink plenty of fluids
Coughing makes you lose fluids due to an increase in breathing rate and coughing itself. If your cough is accompanied by a fever, you will lose more fluids. Drink water, eat soup with watery soup, or consume fruit juices other than oranges. Keeping your body hydrated will keep your throat from becoming irritated, loosen mucus secretions, and make you feel better overall.
- Men should get at least 13 glasses (3 liters) of fluid intake per day. Women should get at least 9 glasses (2.2 liters) of fluid intake per day. You should plan on taking more than this when sick.
- Avoid fizzy drinks and citrus juices as they can exacerbate irritation in your throat.
- Research has shown that warm liquids help loosen mucus secretions and can relieve coughing, along with the common symptoms that commonly accompany it, such as sneezing, sore throat and runny nose. Drink warm gravy, hot tea, or even coffee.
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To deal with nasal congestion and relieve coughing, drink warm lemon juice mixed with honey. Mix 1 cup of warm water with the juice of half a lemon. Toss with as much honey as you want. Drink this warm concoction slowly.
Do not give honey to children under one year of age to prevent the risk of developing botulism
Step 3. Eat more fruit
Research shows that eating a diet rich in fiber, especially fiber from fruits, can help relieve chronic coughs and other respiratory symptoms.
- Fiber from whole fruit is more effective than fiber supplements in relieving coughs. Fruits like apples and pears also contain flavonoids, which can improve overall lung function.
- Fiber-rich fruits include raspberries, pears, apples, bananas, oranges, and strawberries.
Step 4. Take a shower or bath with warm water
Inhaling steam from warm water can help moisten your airways and relieve congestion. This can help reduce the urge to cough.
- Turn on the hot water, close the bathroom door, and cover the gap between the door and the wall with a towel. Inhale the steam rising in the shower for 15 to 20 minutes.
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There can also run steam therapy. Heat a pot of distilled water until it is almost curd. Pour the water into a heatproof bowl and place it on a flat, stable surface such as a table. Bend over the bowl and make sure that your skin doesn't get burned by the steam. Cover your head with a light cotton towel and inhale deeply to inhale the steam.
Keep children away from bowls and hot water to avoid the risk of burns. A better solution for children is to make the child inhale steam by asking the child to sit in a closed bathroom with a hot shower running continuously
- Remember, dry secretions don't move, but moist secretions are easier to clear from your lungs and respiratory tract.
Step 5. Treat blocked airways with a tap
If you're at home and someone else can help as your partner, use tapping/percussion techniques to relieve chest congestion. This technique is especially effective in the morning and before bed.
- Sit with your back against a chair or wall. Have your partner form his hands in a position like scooping water (by curling all fingers from the base). Then, ask your partner to pat your chest muscles quickly and strongly with his hands. Maintain this position for 5 minutes.
- Lie on your stomach with a pillow under your hips. Fold your arms and close them to your sides. Have your partner use their hands in a scooping position to pat your shoulder blades and upper shoulders quickly and firmly. Maintain this position for 5 minutes.
- Lie on your back with a pillow under your hips. Relax your arms and line them at your sides. Have your partner use their hands in a scooping position to pat your chest muscles quickly and strongly. Maintain this position for 5 minutes.
- A partner's clapping should produce a sound like hitting an empty object. If your partner's slap sounds more like a slap, ask your partner to correct the position of their hands by curling their fingers together more.
- Never pat the rib or kidney area.
Step 6. Learn a new cough technique
If you find that your throat is tense and irritated from a persistent cough, try the Huff Cough technique to prevent uncontrollable coughing streaks.
- Exhale the lungs by exhaling as much as possible. Then, take a deep breath by inhaling the air slowly. Keep your mouth open and limp, forming an "O" shape.
- Next, tense your upper abdominal muscles to produce a small, short cough. Take a deep breath, then repeat a small cough. Take even shorter breaths, then repeat the small cough one more time.
- Finally, cough loudly and forcefully. You should be able to feel the phlegm coming off your airway. Small coughs help the mucus move to the top of your airways so you can expel more with that last big cough.
Step 7. Quit smoking
Smoking habits are the cause of many cases of coughing. In fact, smoking is the most common cause of chronic cough, besides having a bad impact on your health. Quitting smoking can help relieve your cough and allow your body to start repairing any damage.
- After you quit smoking, you may notice that you cough more often than before for the first few weeks. This is normal, because smoking inhibits the function of the vibrating hairs (cilia) in the lungs. In addition, smoking also causes chronic inflammation of your respiratory tract. Once you quit smoking, the quiver works better and the inflammation begins to subside. It can take your body up to 3 weeks to adjust to this recovery.
- Quitting smoking also reduces your risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It also reduces the seriousness of respiratory symptoms such as cough in the long term.
- Quitting smoking can also benefit others, who can experience many health problems from secondary exposure to secondhand smoke.
Step 8. Wait for it to subside
Most cases of mild cough should subside within 2-3 weeks. If your cough persists or is frequent or severe, see a doctor. A long-term cough can be a sign of another disease. See your doctor right away if you have a medical condition that can complicate your cough (such as asthma, lung disease, or immune system deficiency) or any of the following symptoms:
- Sputum that is thick and green or yellowish-green in color for more than a few days or accompanied by pain in the face or head or fever
- Sputum is pink or bloody
- Cough suffocating
- Cough wheezing (sound of "sniff") or wheezing
- Fever with a temperature above 38 °C for more than 3 days
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Cyanosis, or blue lips, face, fingers or toes
Method 2 of 4: Using Natural Remedies
Step 1. Use honey
Honey naturally suppresses coughs and soothes sore throats. In addition, honey is also known to be effective in dealing with various causes of chronic coughs related to allergies. Stir honey into hot tea to soothe your cough. You can also drink a spoonful of honey before bed to soothe a cough.
- You can safely give honey to children aged 2 years or older. It has been found that honey is as effective as dextromethorphan in children. However, never give honey to babies under 12 months old. This can lead to infant botulism, a serious type of food poisoning.
- Black honey such as buckwheat honey has been shown to be effective by various studies. Honey harvested from the area where you live can also help fight common allergens around you.
Step 2. Use a nasal spray containing a saline solution to relieve a stuffy nose
Salt spray can help loosen mucus in your nose or throat. This can reduce coughing. You can buy commercial saline sprays or make your own.
- To make your own salt solution, mix 2 teaspoons of table salt with 4 cups of warm water. Stir until completely dissolved. Use a small teapot called a neti pot or use a nasal spray to moisten your sinuses. Use this spray when you feel a stuffy nose, especially at bedtime.
- Try using the spray before feeding a baby or young child.
Step 3. Gargle with salt water
Gargling warm salt water can help moisturize the throat. This can soothe a cough. You can prepare salt water to gargle at home in the following ways:
- Mix to teaspoon of "kosher" or pickling salt with 226 mL of boiled or distilled warm water.
- Put a large sip of the solution in your mouth and gargle for a minute. Remove the salt water from the mouth and do not swallow it.
Step 4. Take advantage of the peppermint
The active ingredient in peppermint is menthol, a powerful expectorant, which is able to loosen phlegm and relieve coughs, including dry coughs. Peppermint is available in various forms in the market, such as essential oils or herbal teas. You can also grow your own peppermints easily.
- Drink peppermint tea to help relieve a cough.
- Do not ingest peppermint oil. Rubbing a little peppermint oil on your chest can help you breathe easier.
Step 5. Try using eucalyptus
Eucalyptus contains an active substance called cineol, which can act as an expectorant to help relieve coughs. You can find eucalyptus or similar products in a variety of forms, such as cough syrups, lozenges, or ointments. Eucalyptus oil, or more commonly eucalyptus oil, is commonly available in many health stores and pharmacies.
- Do not use eucalyptus or eucalyptus oil in your mouth as they can be toxic when taken by mouth. Rub a little eucalyptus oil under your nostrils or on your chest to relieve congestion and ward off the urge to cough.
- You can try taking cough syrup or lozenge containing eucalyptus to help fight persistent coughs.
- Brew the tea by boiling some fresh or dried eucalyptus or eucalyptus leaves in hot water for 15 minutes. Drink this tea up to 3 times per day to treat sore throats and soothe coughs.
- Do not take eucalyptus if you have asthma, seizures, kidney or liver disease, or low blood pressure.
Step 6. Take advantage of chamomile
Chamomile tea is often used for people who are not feeling well. This tea is able to deal with bronchitis and help you to sleep. You can also buy chamomile oil at health food stores and pharmacies.
Add chamomile oil to the steam bath you are using to relieve coughs. You can also add to a shower bomb that you use to deal with stuffy noses and soothe coughs
Step 7. Take advantage of ginger
Ginger can help soothe a cough. Brew hot ginger tea to help soothe a chronic cough.
Brew cinnamon ginger tea by boiling cup of fresh ginger that has been finely chopped, 6 cups of water, and 2 cinnamon sticks for 20 minutes. Strain, then serve with honey and lemon
Step 8. Take advantage of thyme (thyme)
Thyme is a natural expectorant that can clear the nose from mucus. A number of studies suggest that thyme can help treat bronchitis and chronic cough.
- Brew thyme tea to help soothe a cough. Boil 3 sprigs of fresh thyme in 226 mL of water for about 10 minutes. Strain, then stir in 2 tablespoons of honey. Drink this tea to relieve cough.
- Do not ingest thyme oil as it is toxic. You should also consult your doctor before using thyme if you are also taking blood thinners.
Step 9. Try marshmallows
What is meant here is the Althea officinalis plant, not the chewy candy that can be dipped in a hot chocolate drink. The leaves and roots of the marshmallow plant are available at health food stores. Taking marshmallow supplements can also relieve coughs caused by ACE inhibitors.
Brew hot marshmallow tea. When combined with water, marshmallow leaves and roots create a sap that can coat your throat and help reduce the urge to cough. Steep some dried leaves or roots in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain, then drink the tea
Step 10. Try a white horehound
White horehound or Marrubium vulgare is a natural expectorant that has been used to treat coughs since ancient times. You can take horehound as a powder or juice supplement, or you can brew a tea from horehound root.
- To brew horehound tea, boil 1-2 grams of horehound root in 226 mL of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink this tea up to 3 times a day. Horehound has a very bitter taste, you can add honey if you want.
- Horehounds are sometimes found in the form of hard candies or lozenges. You can suck on this candy if you have a persistent cough.
Method 3 of 4: Using Medication
Step 1. Visit a doctor
Your doctor will probably check the continuity and seriousness of your cough. If you visit a doctor, he or she will likely ask you for the duration and nature of your cough, then examine your head, neck and chest. The doctor may also perform a nose or throat swab. In rare cases, the results of a chest X-ray, blood tests, or breathing therapy will be required.
Make sure that you take your medication as directed by your doctor. In the case of antibiotics for bacterial infections, make sure that you finish all of your antibiotics even if your condition has improved
Step 2. Discuss over-the-counter (OTC) drug use with your doctor
You should discuss with your doctor first before taking any medication, especially if you have chronic health problems, have drug allergies, are taking other medications, or if you are giving medication to children under 12 years of age. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also consult their health care provider before taking medication.
Be aware that studies don't show a consistent benefit of many OTC medications for coughs and colds
Step 3. Try taking an expectorant that is sold in the market
Expectorants are able to free your upper and lower respiratory tract of secretions. The best ingredient that can be found in an expectorant is Guaifenesin. After taking the expectorant, try to cough as productively as possible and blow anything that rises to the top of your throat.
Some expectorants containing guaifenesin include Mucinex and Robitussin
Step 4. Take an antihistamine for coughs associated with allergies
Antihistamines can help with allergy symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and runny nose.
- Antihistamines that can help you include Loratidine (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra), Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Chlorpheniramine, and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
- Be aware that antihistamines make most people drowsy, especially Chlorpheniramine, Benadryl, and Zyrtec. Claritin and Allegra provide a milder drowsiness effect. Make sure that you try a new antihistamine before bed and avoid driving or operating heavy machinery before you know your exact reaction to the drug.
Step 5. Try a decongestant
Many types of decongestants are available, but the two most common are pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. Be aware that if you have thick secretions and take a decongestant alone, your secretions can become very thick.
- You may need to talk to a pharmacist about getting medicines with pseudoephedrine. Provisions restricting sales require these drugs to be stored on separate shelves in pharmacies. Make sure that you have asked your doctor about the safety of this medicine for you to use.
- If you're trying your best to deal with thick, blocked secretions, the most effective way you can try is to combine an expectorant (Guaifenesin) with a decongestant.
Step 6. Take cough suppressants when needed
If you have a productive cough, don't use a cough suppressant. However, if you have a persistent dry cough, a cough reliever can help.
OTC cough medicines generally contain dextromethorphan, but this type of medicine is not always effective. For a more serious persistent cough, see a doctor. Your doctor will need to rule out more serious causes of cough and may prescribe a prescription cough medicine (usually containing codeine)
Step 7. Smear your throat
Making your throat feel "smeared" with something can reduce your urge to cough unproductively (in the sense that you no longer have mucus or phlegm).
- Take OTC cough syrup.
- Swallow a cough lozenge or candy. The gel contained in the lozenge can coat the throat and reduce coughing. Hard candy can also help.
- Do not give cough lozenges, hard candy, or chewing gum to toddlers. Small children can choke on candy. Choking is the 4th leading cause of unintentional death for children under 5 years of age.
Method 4 of 4: Changing Your Environment
Step 1. Use a humidifier
Increasing the humidity in the air in the room can help soothe a cough. You can buy a humidifier or humidifier at most department stores or pharmacies.
- Clean your humidifier regularly using a bleach solution. A humidifier can lead to drastic growth of mildew or mold due to humidity if not kept clean.
- Warm or cool humidifiers are equally effective, but humidifiers that produce cool air are safer to use around small children.
Step 2. Remove any irritants from your environment
Dust, airborne particles (including pet dander and dead skin), and smoke all have the ability to irritate the throat, leading to coughing. Make sure that your environment is free of dust and dirt.
If you have a job in an industry that deals with dust or particulate matter in the air, such as building construction, wear a face shield to prevent you from breathing in irritants
Step 3. Sleep with your head up
To help you avoid the sensation of choking on phlegm, elevate your head using a few extra pillows while lying down, or sleep leaning on something. This can help you sleep at night.
Tips
- Keep it clean. If you are coughing or are around someone who is coughing, wash your hands often, don't share personal items, and keep a good distance.
- Find out for yourself. While many herbal and natural remedies can relieve coughs, some do not. For example, there is a myth that pineapples are 5 times more effective at treating coughs than cough syrups, but the "research" that this myth cites actually doesn't exist.
- Get enough rest. When you have an illness such as a cold or flu, overexerting yourself will hinder your recovery and may make your cough worse.
- Try turmeric milk concoction. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and sugar to a glass of milk. Boil for 10-15 minutes using low heat. Let it cool for a few minutes then drink it while it's warm. This drink will soothe your throat.
- Avoid going from cold to warm places too quickly. Rapid changes in temperature can cause tremendous stress to your body. Central air conditioning systems that recycle only stale air should be avoided. This tool circulates germs and microorganisms and makes the skin dry.
