How to Ease a Cough

Coughing is a useful protective mechanism because it helps remove mucus and infectious agents from your respiratory system. Treatment that completely suppresses it could do more harm than good. Still, it's sometimes necessary to calm a cough, especially so you can sleep.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dehumidifiers
• Bottled Water
• Honey
• Teas
• Antihistamines
• Antitussives
• Cough Drops
• Cough Syrup
• Expectorants
• Throat Lozenges

1. Determine the cause. Since a cough is not an illness but a symptom, it's important to figure out what is causing your cough in order to ease it.
2. Eliminate smoking. Many coughs are caused by irritants to the respiratory system such as cigarette smoke.
3. Remove chemical irritants you may be inhaling.
4. Use a vaporizer or humidifier. Moist air can help relieve a dry cough and break up thick mucus.
5. Drink plenty of liquids, especially clear fluids such as water. This will help relieve a dry throat and also liquefy mucus.
6. Sip hot liquids such as broth or tea. Tea with honey can soothe a tickle in the throat.
7. Use an antihistamine or an alternative method if your cough is caused by allergies.
8. Suck on lozenges, cough drops or other throat soothers.
9. Use a cough medicine containing guaifenesin if you have thick mucus that you cannot get up. Guaifenesin is an expectorant, which thins mucus and makes it easier to cough up and get out of your respiratory airways. Carefully follow label directions.
10. Decrease the activity of a cough with an antitussive cough medicine. An antitussive reduces the frequency of a cough. Use it only at night to help you sleep. It is important not to use antitussives around the clock because a cough helps clear your airways. Carefully follow label directions.

Tips & Warnings

• Most coughs are not dangerous and usually just run their course. It is important not to use cough syrups around the clock to suppress your cough.
• See a doctor if your cough lasts for more than a week; if you are producing yellow, green, pink, blood tinged or rust-colored mucus; or if your cough is exhausting, persistent and/or accompanied by any of the following symptoms: a fever of 101 degrees F or higher, chest pains, wheezing, shortness of breath or weight loss.
• Any smoker whose cough changes should contact a doctor. as this may be an early sign of lung cancer.
• This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.