Do you also have a persistent cough? Do you not sleep well at night? Does your chest hurt because of the cough so much that you can't do anything useful? Actually, coughing is a protective process of our body. We cough to get rid of harmful substances like mucus and smoke in our respiratory tract. But a persistent cough is very annoying.
The best thing to do is to find the cause of your cough and treat it. It could be a cold, an allergy , acid reflux , or even a medication you take for your blood pressure . Whatever the cause, today we're going to talk about a few things you can do at home to get some relief from that annoying cough.
Simple ways to control cough
Drink plenty of water and fluids.
When you are sick, mucus can flow from your nose into your throat . We call this `` postnasal drip .'' When you drink plenty of water, this mucus becomes thinner and less likely to stick to your throat. This means your throat is less likely to get stuffy and you'll cough less. It also makes it easier for your lungs to clear this mucus.
Another thing is that when the body is dehydrated , our immune system tends to produce more chemicals called `histamines`. This causes the nose to swell, produces more mucus, and thus increases coughing. Therefore, it is very important to drink plenty of water and fruit juices .
Honey is a great medicine.
Honey is a great solution for a scratchy, scratchy throat. One study found that honey is as effective as some over-the-counter cough medicines for nighttime coughs. Drink a teaspoon of honey directly when needed, or add it to hot tea. But remember one thing: never give honey to babies under one year old.
Like honey, herbs like aloe and menthol can also help reduce swelling in the throat and nose and provide relief from coughs.
Sip a hot drink.
Research has even proven that drinking hot beverages can help relieve symptoms of colds and coughs. These hot liquids not only provide the body with the necessary hydration, but the warmth also reduces nasal congestion.
- Chamomile tea: A good tea that calms the mind and soothes the throat.
- Ginger tea: Ginger helps relax the smooth muscles in our airways. This can help reduce coughing. Add a few pieces of ginger to a cup of boiling water, cover, and steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and drink.
Remove harmful things from your home.
Some people dislike the fragrances in laundry detergents and air fresheners. These can cause stuffiness in the nose and sinuses, increase mucus production, and cause coughing.
If you have allergies, it's important to remove dust, mold, and pollen from your home. These allergens can trigger a cough. You can do this by washing your bedding in hot water, vacuuming with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner, and cleaning windows with bleach.
Keep your head slightly elevated when sleeping.
If you're coughing because of a cold or allergies, try keeping your head slightly elevated while you sleep. When you lie down in bed, mucus can collect in your throat and make coughing worse. So you can control this by using an extra pillow or by elevating the head of the bed a little with something like a book.
Gargle with salt water.
Gargling with salt water can help relieve a sore throat and loosen mucus. It can also help remove allergens and bacteria. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, gargle well, and then spit it out.
Quit smoking completely. Smoking damages the fine hair-like structures (cilia) in our lungs that help clear mucus and debris. This is why smokers have a chronic cough. According to the latest research, vaping, or e-cigarettes, can cause the same damage.
Different types of coughs and their relief
Not all coughs are the same. Some come with mucus, some are dry. Coughs vary depending on the cause. Let's look at how to find relief for a few of the main types of coughs.
| Type of cough | Things you can do |
|---|---|
| Bronchitis Cough It is caused by swelling of the airways in the lungs. |
|
| Allergy Cough Caused by inhaling things like dust and pollen. | |
| Dry cough A cough that doesn't produce mucus and leaves the throat scratchy. |
Important: Although you can buy over-the-counter medications at the pharmacy, it is not known whether these will interact with other medical conditions you may have. Therefore, it is safest to talk to your family doctor before using any medication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do I keep coughing even though I'm not sick?
If you have a persistent cough even when you're not sick, there could be a number of reasons for it. It could be due to smoking, high blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors, postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or frequent exposure to harmful substances in the air.
Why does my head hurt when I cough?
If you get a headache when you cough, it's called a `cough headache.` Although the exact cause is not yet known, scientists believe that the pressure in your chest and abdomen when you cough increases pressure in your brain, causing pain.
How to stop a persistent cough instantly?
Drinking a little water or taking a teaspoon of honey can provide some immediate relief from a cough. However, if the cough persists, seek medical advice immediately. It may be a sign of a serious condition.
Take-Home Message
- Coughing is a defense mechanism of our body, but a persistent cough can be annoying.
- You can get relief by drinking plenty of water and fluids, using honey, warm drinks, and gargling with salt water.
- Your cough could be caused by allergies, bronchitis, or something else. Choose the right treatment for the cause.
- It is best and safest to consult your doctor before purchasing medication from the pharmacy.
- If your cough does not subside after a few days or a week of home treatments, or if your cough is accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or high fever, you should definitely see a doctor.
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