How to Quit Coughing

Drink hot tea to soothe a cough.

Coughing is an important function of your body that helps remove irritants from your throat and lungs. However, a persistent cough can be an irritating distraction. There are a number of home remedies to help eliminate a cough. If you have ruled out the possibility that your cough is caused by a more serious problem, it is not a problem to treat this symptom at home. If you want to quit coughing, try some of these solutions.

Things You'll Need

• Herbal tea
• Honey
• Cough drops
• Cough medicine
• Air filter

Instructions

1. Identify the source of your cough. Are you recovering from an illness, like the cold or flu? Coughing can persist for some time after being sick, but it will fade.

2. Limit your exposure to substances that irritate the lungs. If you smoke, this is one more reason that you should quit. If you live in an area prone to smog or particulate matter in the air, you may want to consider purchasing an air purifier with a HEPA filter. This type of filter will remove most irritants and allergens from the air, relieving your respiratory system.

3. Drink plenty of fluids. Herbal tea with honey is one of the most common home remedies to help ease a cough. The heat of the liquid and the honey are both known to help soothe sore throats and coughing.

4. Try taking over-the-counter cough syrup or sucking on throat lozenges. Read the label and look for an ingredient called dextromethorphan before you make a purchase. This helps stop the cough reflex and relaxes your airways.

5. Talk to your doctor if your cough persists. Lingering coughs can actually be a sign of something more serious. If you find that a few days of home remedies do not imrpove the cough, schedule an appointment.

Tips & Warnings

• Try inhaling steam or using a vaporizer to help reduce your cost.

References

• Organized Wisdom
• Good Housekeeping : The Cough that Won't Quit