Treat a Cough

A cough is a common, irritating symptom that can be either short-term or chronic. Short-term causes of cough may include viruses (including the flu, the common cold, croup, and RSV), bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. Chronic coughs lasting longer than 8 weeks could include asthma, allergies, chronic sinus infections, GERD, congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung cancer, or tuberculosis.

Steps

Caring for Your Body

  1. Recognize that coughing is usually important. If you're still in the middle of the illness that's causing your cough, most doctors will be reluctant to "treat" it because it's serving an important purpose, which is clearing out your airway. If the cough feels like it's deep in your chest, or if you're consistently coughing up phlegm or mucus, accept that what's happening is a good thing. Your body has an innate ability to help itself get well.
    • If you’ve had a cough for more than 8 weeks, this is considered a “chronic cough.” You should see your physician to see what might be causing this cough. Common causes of chronic cough include asthma, allergies, chronic sinus infections, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung cancer, or tuberculosis. Some medications such as ACE inhibitors may also include cough as a side-effect.[1]
  2. Drink plenty of fluids. Having a cough makes you lose fluids from increased breathing rate and coughing, and if your cough is accompanied by a fever, you lose even more fluids. Drink water, eat broth-like soup, or sip on non-citrus fruit juice. Staying hydrated will keep your throat from feeling irritated, thins your mucus secretions, and helps you feel better in general.[2]
    • Men should drink at least 13 cups (3 liters) of fluids daily. Women should drink at least 9 cups (2.2. liters) of fluids daily. Plan to drink more when you’re sick.[3]
    • Avoid carbonated drinks and citrus juices - they may irritate your throat more.[4]
    • Studies have shown that warm fluids help loosen mucus secretions and can help relieve coughs, as well as other common symptoms that co-occur such as sneezing, sore throat, and runny nose. Drink some warm broth, hot tea, or even coffee.
    • To loosen congestion and reduce coughing, drink warm lemon water with honey. Mix 1 cup warm water with the juice of half a lemon. Stir in as much honey as you like. Sip the warm beverage slowly.
      • Do not give honey to children under the age of one due to the risk of botulism exposure.[5]
  3. Eat more fruit. Studies have shown that eating a diet high in fiber, especially fiber from fruit, can help reduce chronic cough and other respiratory symptoms.[6]
    • Fiber from whole fruit is more effective than fiber supplements in reducing coughs. Fruits such as apples and pears also contain flavonoids, which may help improve overall lung function.[6]
    • High-fiber fruits include raspberries, pears, apples, bananas, oranges, and strawberries.[7]
  4. Take a hot shower or bath. Inhaling the steam from a hot shower or bath can help moisturize your airways and clear feelings of congestion.[8] This can help soothe the urge to cough.[9]
    • Start a hot shower, close the bathroom door, and put a towel between the bottom of the door and the floor. Spend 15 to 20 minutes inhaling the steam as it builds up in the bathroom.
    • You can also use a steam inhalation treatment. Bring a pot of distilled water to just under a boil. Carefully pour it into a heat-safe bowl and place it on a level, stable surface such as a table or countertop. Lean your face over the bowl, making sure not to burn yourself with the steam. Lay a light cotton towel over your head and breathe deeply, inhaling the steam.
      • Be sure to keep children away from the hot bowl and water, as they might burn themselves. It may be better to have children sit in a closed bathroom with a hot shower running and have them inhale steam that way.
    • Remember, dry secretions don’t move, but moist secretions are much more easily cleared from your lungs and airways.
  5. Loosen the congestion with percussive techniques. If you're at home and you have a partner who can help, use a chest percussion technique to help clear the chest congestion. This works particularly well in the morning and just before bed.[10]
    • Sit with your back supported by a chair or wall. Have your partner cup his or her hand by bending the fingers at the knuckles. Ask your partner to clap over your pectoral muscles quickly and firmly. Stay in this position for 5 minutes.
    • Lie on your stomach with a pillow under your hips. Bend your arms at the elbow and hold them to the sides. Ask your partner to use a cupped hand to clap firmly and quickly over your shoulder blades and upper shoulder area. Stay in this position for 5 minutes
    • Lie on your back with a pillow under your hips. Hold your arms down and to the sides. Ask your partner to use a cupped hand to clap firmly and quickly over your pectoral (chest) muscles. Stay in this position for 5 minutes.
    • The “clap” should make a hollow sound. If it sounds like a “slap” instead, ask your partner to cup her/his hand more.
    • Never clap over the spine or kidney areas.
  6. Learn a new coughing technique. If your throat is strained and irritated from nonstop coughing, try the “Huff Cough” technique to head off a coughing fit.[11]
    • Deflate your lungs by exhaling as much as possible. Next, inhale slowly to take a deep breath. Keep your mouth open and loose, like an “O.”
    • Contract your upper abdominal muscles to cause a short “mini-cough.” Inhale a short breath, and repeat with another mini-cough. Take an even shorter breath, and give another mini-cough.
    • Finally, give a large, forcible cough. You should feel phlegm being released. The tiny coughs help move mucus towards the upper part of your air passage so you can expel more of it with a last, big cough.
  7. Stop smoking. Smoking is a culprit behind many coughs. In fact, it’s the most common cause of chronic cough.[12] It’s also terrible for your health. Quitting smoking can help relieve a cough and allow your body to begin repairing damage.[13]
    • After you quit smoking, you may notice that you actually cough more than usual for the first few weeks. This is normal, because smoking inhibits the function of the cilia (tiny hairs) in your lungs. In addition, smoking causes chronic inflammation in your airways. When you quit smoking, the cilia function better and the inflammation begins to clear. Your body can take up to 3 weeks to adapt to this recovery.[14]
    • Quitting smoking reduces your risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It also reduces the severity of respiratory symptoms such as coughing over the long term.[15]
    • Quitting smoking can also benefit others, who can experience many health problems from exposure to secondhand smoke.
  8. Wait it out. Most minor coughs should subside in 2-3 weeks. If it persists or is frequent or severe, visit your doctor. Long-term coughing could be the sign of another illness. You should see a doctor immediately if you have underlying medical conditions that could complicate a cough (such as asthma, lung disease, or immune deficiencies) or if you experience any of the following symptoms:[16]
    • Thick phlegm that is green or greenish-yellow that persists for more than a few days or is accompanied by face or head pain or a fever
    • Pink or bloody phlegm
    • Choking
    • Wheezing or “whooping”
    • Fever above 100.5F for more than 3 days
    • Shortness of breath or chest pain
    • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
    • Cyanosis, or bluish color to lips, face, fingers, or toes

Using Natural Remedies

  1. Use honey. Honey is a natural cough suppressant and soothes irritated throats and is also known to reduce many of the allergy-related causes for chronic cough. Stir some into some hot tea for comforting cough relief.[17] You can also eat a spoonful of honey before bed to help calm coughs.[18]
    • You can safely give honey to children aged 2 or older. Honey has been found to be as effective as dextromethorphan in children.[19] However, you should never give honey to infants under 12 months. This can cause infant botulism, a serious type of food poisoning.[20]
    • Studies have shown buckwheat honey to be helpful.[19] Honey harvested from your local area can also help fight allergens common where you live.[21]
  2. Use a saline-based nasal spray to relieve congestion. A saline spray can help loosen the mucus in your nose or throat, which may decrease your cough. You can purchase commercial saline sprays or make your own.
    • To make your own saline solution, combine 2 teaspoons table salt with 4 cups of warm water. Stir until thoroughly dissolved. Use a neti pot or nasal syringe to irrigate your sinuses.[22] Use this spray when you feel congested, especially before bed.
    • Try using the spray before you feed infants or young children.
  3. Gargle salt water. Warm saltwater gargles help moisturize your throat, which can quiet coughs.[1]
    • Mix ¼ tsp to ½ tsp of kosher or pickling salt with 8 ounces of warm distilled or boiled water.
    • Take a large sip of the mixture and gargle for one minute. Spit out the gargle. Don’t swallow the saltwater.
  4. Use some peppermint. Peppermint’s active ingredient is menthol, which is a good expectorant. It can help loosen phlegm and relieve coughing, including dry coughs.[23] Peppermint is widely available in commercial preparations, essential oils, and herbal teas. You can also grow your own peppermint easily.
    • Drink peppermint tea to help relieve coughs.
    • Don’t ingest peppermint oil. Rubbing a little on your chest can help you breathe more easily.
  5. Try eucalyptus. Eucalyptus has an active ingredient called cineole, which acts as an expectorant to help relieve coughs.[24] You can often find eucalyptus in commercial preparations, cough syrup, lozenges, and ointments. Eucalyptus oil is usually available at health shops and pharmacies.
    • Don’t consume eucalyptus oil by mouth; it can be toxic when ingested. Rubbing a little under your nose or on your chest can help you feel less congested, which can help fight the urge to cough.
    • You can try a eucalyptus cough syrup or lozenge to help fight coughing spells.
    • Brew a eucalyptus tea by steeping a few fresh or dried eucalyptus leaves in hot water for 15 minutes. Drink this tea up to 3 times a day to help soothe a sore throat and calm coughs.
    • Do not use eucalyptus if you have asthma, seizures, kidney or liver disease, or low blood pressure.
  6. Use chamomile. Chamomile tea is a very popular for people who don’t feel well. It can help treat chest colds and help you sleep.[25] You can also purchase chamomile oil at health food shops and pharmacies.
    • Add chamomile oil to a steam inhalation bath to help you relieve a cough. You can also add chamomile oil to a “shower bomb” to help clear your congestion and soothe coughs.
  7. Use ginger. Ginger can help calm coughs.[26] Make a hot ginger tea to help soothe a chronic cough.[12]
    • Make a hot ginger cinnamon tea by simmering ½ cup thinly sliced fresh ginger, 6 cups water, and 2 cinnamon sticks for 20 minutes. Strain and serve with honey and lemon.[27]
  8. Try thyme. Thyme is a natural expectorant and can help clear mucus.[28] Some studies suggest that thyme can help treat bronchitis and chronic cough.[29]
    • Brew a thyme tea to help soothe a cough.[30] Steep 3 sprigs of fresh thyme in 8 ounces of water for about 10 minutes. Strain and stir in 2 tablespoons honey. Drink to relieve coughing.[31]
    • Do not ingest thyme oil, as it is toxic. You should consult with your doctor before using thyme if you also take blood-thinners.
  9. Try marshmallow. This is Althea officinalis, not the puffy white marshmallows that you put into hot cocoa. Marshmallow leaf and root are available at many health food stores. Taking marshmallow supplements can help reduce a cough caused by ACE inhibitors.[32]
    • Brew a hot marshmallow tea. When combined with water, marshmallow leaves and roots produce mucilage, which coat your throat and help reduce the urge to cough.[33] Brew a few dried leaves or roots in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink the tea.
  10. Try white horehound. Horehound is a natural expectorant and has been used to treat coughs since ancient times. You can take horehound in a powdered or juice supplement, or brew a tea from horehound root.[34]
    • To brew a horehound tea, steep 1-2 grams of horehound root in 8 ounces of boiled water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3 times per day. Horehound is very bitter, so you may wish to add honey.
    • Horehound is sometimes found in hard candies or lozenges. These can be good to suck on if you have a persistent cough.

Using Medications

  1. Visit the doctor. Your doctor may want to see you if you have a persistent or serious cough. If you go to the doctor, he or she will likely ask you about the duration and characteristics of your cough. He or she will examine your head, neck, and chest, including listening to your lungs with a stethoscope, and may take a nasal[35] or throat swab. Rarely, a chest x-ray,[36] blood test, or breathing treatment may be necessary in the office.
    • Be sure to take any medications as prescribed by your doctor. In the case of antibiotics for a bacterial infection, be sure to take the entire course of antibiotics until they are gone, even after you begin to feel better.
  2. Talk to your doctor about over-the-counter medications. You should speak with your doctor before taking any medications, particularly if you have chronic medical problems, have medication allergies, take other medications, or you are administering medication to a child under the age of 12. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult care providers before taking any medications.
    • Be aware that studies don’t consistently show benefit for many OTC cough and cold medications.
  3. Take a commercial expectorant. Expectorants can help clear secretions from your upper and lower airways. The best ingredient to find in an expectorant is Guaifenesin. After you take it, try to make your coughs as productive as possible, and spit out anything that comes up.[37]
    • Expectorant that contain guaifenesin include Mucinex and Robitussin.[2]
  4. Take an antihistamine for an allergy-related cough. Antihistamines may be helpful with allergy-related symptoms such as coughs, sneezing and runny nose.
    • Antihistamines that may help you include Loratidine (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra), Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Chlorpheniramine, and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
    • Be aware that antihistamines make most people sleepy, particularly Chlorpheniramine, Benadryl, and Zyrtec. Claritin and Allegra generally cause less sedation. Try taking any new antihistamine before you go to bed and do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how you will react to it.
  5. Try a decongestant. There are many decongestants available, but the two most common are pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. Be aware that if you have thick secretions and just take a decongestant, your secretions may become very thick.
    • You may have to get medications with pseudoephedrine from the pharmacist. Sales restrictions necessitate these medicines being kept behind the counter at the pharmacy. Be sure to ask your doctor whether these medications are safe for you to use.
    • If you are trying to clear thick secretions and are having a great deal of congestion, your best bet is to combine an expectorant (Guaifenesin) with a decongestant.
  6. Use cough suppressants when appropriate. If your cough is productive, don’t use a cough suppressant. However, if you have a persistent dry cough, a cough suppressant may be helpful.
    • Over-the-counter cough suppressants commonly have the ingredient Dextromethorphan, but they aren’t always effective. For a severe persistent cough, see your doctor. She will need to rule out more serious causes and may prescribe a prescription strength cough medicine (Typically containing Codeine).
  7. Coat your throat. Making your throat feel as if it's "coated" in a substance can reduce your urge to cough non-productively (that is, you're no longer coughing up mucus or phlegm).[38]
    • Take an over-the-counter cough syrup.
    • Suck on a lozenge or cough drop. The gel-like substance inside the lozenge can coat your throat and minimize coughing. Even hard candies can help.
    • Do not give lozenges, hard cough drops, or candy to children under the age of 4. Young children may choke on them.[39] Choking is the 4th leading cause of accidental death in children under age 5.[40]

Changing Your Environment

  1. Use a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air can help calm a cough.[2] You can purchase humidifiers at most department stores and pharmacies.
    • Clean your humidifier regularly with a bleach solution. Because of the moisture, humidifiers can rapidly promote mold or mildew growth if they’re not kept clean.[41]
    • Warm or cool humidifiers are equally effective, but cool mist humidifiers are safer for use around young children.
  2. Remove irritants in the environment. Dust, airborne particles (including pet fur and dander), and smoke all irritate your throat and can cause coughing. Make sure you keep your environment free of dust and debris.[12]
    • If you work in an industry where there’s a lot of dust or airborne particulate, such as construction, wear a face mask to avoid inhaling these irritants.[2]
  3. Sleep with your head elevated. To help you avoid feeling as though you’re choking on phlegm, elevate your head with a few extra pillows when you lie down or sleep propped up.[2] This can help reduce coughing at night.

Tips

  • Practice good hygiene. If you have a cough or you are around people who are coughing, wash your hands frequently, don’t share personal items, and keep some distance between you.
  • Do your research. While many herbal and natural remedies do indeed help coughs, some don’t. For example, a common myth is that pineapple is 5 times more effective at treating cough than cough syrup, but the “study” referenced by this myth does not exist.[42]
  • Get enough rest. When you have an illness like a cold or the flu, pushing your body too hard will delay your recovery and can worsen your cough.
  • Try haldi doodh. It is nothing but turmeric milk. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and sugar to a glass of milk. Boil it for around 10 – 15 minutes on slow flame.Cool it for few minutes and drink when warm.This will give relief to throat.
  • Avoid going quickly from cold exterior temperatures to very warm interiors. Rapid temperature change puts great stress on the body. Central air conditioning systems that simply recycle stale air should also be avoided. They recirculate germs and micro-organisms and dry out the skin.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cough/treatment
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/coughs-home-treatment
  3. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
  4. ↑ http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/cough_sheet.html
  5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-botulism/faq-20058477
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200306-789OC
  7. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/high-fiber-foods/art-20050948
  8. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3303983
  9. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/cold-remedies
  10. ↑ http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw185489
  11. ↑ http://www.copdsupport.ie/about-copd/how-to-manage-with-c-o-p-d/controlled-coughing/cough-technique
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_cough/page4.htm#are_there_home_remedies_for_chronic_cough
  13. ↑ http://www.emedicinehealth.com/coughs/page7_em.htm
  14. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/expert-answers/quit-smoking/faq-20057818
  15. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting/index.htm
  16. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050846
  17. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/honey/AN01799/METHOD=print
  18. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18056558
  20. ↑ ,http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031
  21. ↑ http://www.modernalternativehealth.com/2013/05/10/the-amazing-benefits-of-local-raw-honey/
  22. ↑ http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/PedSurgery/ColorectalProgram/SalineSolution.pdf
  23. ↑ http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/peppermint
  24. ↑ http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/eucalyptus
  25. ↑ http://umm.edu/health/medical-reference-guide/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-guide/herb/german-chamomile
  26. ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/ginger_zingiber_officinale-oral/article.htm#Uses
  27. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/chicken_soup_and_recipes_for_cold?page=2
  28. ↑ https://www.ghc.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2174009&print=true
  29. ↑ http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/cough
  30. ↑ http://www.healthline.com/health/health-benefits-of-thyme
  31. ↑ http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/honey-thyme-tea-daphne-oz
  32. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-774-marshmallow.aspx?activeingredientid=774&activeingredientname=marshmallow
  33. ↑ http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/marshmallow
  34. ↑ http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2109003
  35. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/rapidlab.htm
  36. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bronchitis/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20014956
  37. ↑ http://www.emedicinehealth.com/coughs/page6_em.htm
  38. ↑ http://symptoms.webmd.com/cold-and-flu-map-tool/treating-your-cough
  39. ↑ http://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=840619
  40. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/injury_prevention/choking_prevention_for_children.htm
  41. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/cool-mist-humidifiers/faq-20058199
  42. ↑ http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/pineapple.asp
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