Ever wonder how to stop coughing? There are a few things you can do to help ease a persistent cough. Check out these tips for how to stop and prevent coughing.
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Coughing is a healthy response to remove mucus, smoke, and allergens from your airways. However, persistent coughing can be exhausting, causing discomfort, chest pain, and affecting work and sleep. Infections or irritation in the nose, throat, and upper airways trigger the immune system to defend against this common symptom. BetterBrand® products may help lower inflammation and can help alleviate these irritating symptoms.
What Causes Coughing?
There are a wide variety of things that can cause a cough. Common reasons include allergens like dust, pollen, animal dander, and mold. Other irritants such as smoking, secondhand smoke, chemical fumes, pollution, air fresheners, and perfumes can also cause coughs. The common cold can also cause coughing, among other respiratory problems.
Dry Cough vs. Productive Cough
The difference between a dry cough and a productive cough is that a dry cough is mainly irritated or inflamed. This will not produce any phlegm or mucus. A productive cough, also known as a wet cough, will try to clear your airways with the help of mucus and phlegm. It can be a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, post-nasal drip, pneumonia, or bronchiectasis.
Although coughs are usually not dangerous, there are times when you should visit a doctor rather than try to cure the cough yourself. If your cough persists for more than three weeks, or if you have additional symptoms or conditions that worsen, you should seek medical advice.
Tips to Stop Coughing
Home remedies can be used to treat or cure cough symptoms., as long as the underlying cause has been identified and major medical diseases have been ruled out. But before utilizing natural supplements or herbal therapies, see your doctor because they could interfere with prescription drugs.
Hydration
Mucus may run down the back of your nose while you're unwell. Drinking enough water thins the drip, reducing the chance that it may irritate your throat and cause a cough. This facilitates the outflow from your lungs as well. Furthermore, your immune system may generate more histamines if your body is dehydrated. These substances cause your nose to enlarge and produce more mucus, which might cause a cough.
Honey
Honey does a great job of relieving the itching at the back of your throat on its own. In fact, according to one research study, honey soothes coughs at night just as effectively as over-the-counter medications. Take one tablespoon with you as required, or mix it into a hot beverage. Do not give honey to babies under one year old.
Cough Drops and Lozenges
Menthol commonly found in cough drops and lozenges will help soothe the annoying discomfort that comes with an irritating throat.
Over-the-Counter Medications and Natural Remedies
To relieve or treat coughs, a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available. The two primary categories of cough medications are expectorants and cough suppressants. These are mostly available as cough syrup or tablets.
- Expectorants: If you're looking for a way to reduce mucus, expectorants thin the mucus. Guaifenesin, which is the sole over-the-counter expectorant, is present in medications like Robitussin Chest Congestion and Mucinex.
- Suppressants: Another name for cough suppressants is antitussives. They work by inhibiting the cough reflex to reduce coughing. A common OTC cough suppressant is dextromethorphan, which can be found in products such as Triaminic Cold and Cough, Robitussin Cough, Delsym, and Vicks 44 Cough and Cold.
Also, some over-the-counter natural remedies with extremely low aspirin dosages are known to help relieve cough and sore throat symptoms.
Steam Inhalation
You may help release the mucus and congestion causing your cough by taking a warm bath or shower.
If you'd rather try inhaling steam without a shower, follow these steps:
- Boil some water.
- Pour it in a bowl.
- Face the bowl and make sure you are about one foot away from it.
- Place a towel on the back of your head and form a tent over the bowl.
- Inhale. Remember, if you start to feel uncomfortable, you should stop at any time.
Saline Nasal Spray
Try saline nasal spray. It clears your sinuses and nasal passageways of allergens and mucus that cause coughing. You can also try rinsing your nose with nasal irrigation if you don’t have any saline spray on hand. Just pour salt water into one nostril and allow it to drain out of the other using a neti pot, nasal cup, or bulb syringe while leaning your head over a sink.
How to Stop Coughing at Night
Coughing is arguably the most frustrating at night when you are trying to go to sleep. Interrupting your regularly scheduled sleep pattern can ruin your next day. Here are some tips to help you stop coughing at night.
- Elevate your head while sleeping with an extra pillow.
- Use a humidifier. A humidifier adds moisture to the air. It can help release the mucus in your chest and reduce coughing. It is important to clean the humidifier regularly to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
- Avoid foods and drinks that trigger coughing. Common culprits may include citrus fruits, spicy foods, sweet and sugary foods, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Adapt your bedtime routine. Lie on your side and elevate your head. Make sure your room is at a comfortable temperature. Wash your bedding regularly, and remember to stay calm.
Remedies for Cough Relief
Looking for a natural way to soothe your throat? Here are some common remedies for cough relief.
Herbal Teas
Warm liquids, such as hot tea, can help reduce nasal congestion and symptoms of a cold.
- Mullein Tea: Mullein tea benefits may include soothing coughs and other respiratory issues.
- Ginger Tea: Soothes inflammation in the throat.
- Peppermint Tea: Helps loosen mucus in the lungs.
- Chamomile Tea: Produces a calming effect while getting the benefits of a hot liquid.
Warm Saltwater Gargle
Gargling warm salt water might help break up heavy mucus and relieve sore throats. It could soothe inflammation that encourages coughing while helping to hydrate the throat. Additionally, it can aid in eliminating bacteria and allergies.
Follow these steps for gargling salt water:
- Add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.
- Stir the water to dissolve the salt.
- Once you have finished gargling, spit it out in the sink.
Eucalyptus Oil
To help break up mucus, apply some eucalyptus oil on your chest or use it in a vaporizer.
Mullein
The mullein plant may feature some properties that act as a natural expectorant and cough suppressant.
BetterBrand products are a convenient and natural way to help stop coughing. We’re proud to offer natural ways to use mullein for lungs. Available in tea, tincture, gummy, and supplement forms, you can get the soothing, natural lung and respiratory support you need in whichever form you prefer:
- BetterLungs® Mullein Tea
- BetterLungs® Respiratory & Lung Support Supplement
- BetterLungs® Mullein Leaf + Chlorophyll Extract Drops
- BetterLungs® Mullein Gummies
How to Help Prevent Coughing
Follow these tips to help prevent coughing from starting or getting worse.
Avoid Allergens and Irritants
Certain people are sensitive to the scents and perfumes included in air fresheners and laundry detergents. That might aggravate the sinuses and increase mucus production, which would cause them to start coughing.
Eliminating mold, dust, and pollen may be beneficial if you suffer from allergies. Coughing is one of the reactions that certain allergies may produce. It could be necessary for you to use a HEPA filter vacuum to clean your flooring, hot water to wash your bedding, and a bleach solution to scrub your windows to get rid of these irritants.
Maintain Good Hygiene
Regularly washing your hands and using sanitizer can help prevent a cold, flu, and other viruses and other irritants from finding their way into your body. This will cut down on a few of the most common sources of coughs.
Strengthen the Immune System
It is well recognized that maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves eating well, exercising, managing stress, and getting enough sleep, which can help to maintain the strongest possible immune system.
FAQ
What are the most common causes of coughing?
There are several factors that might contribute to a cough, including allergens such as dust, pollen, animal dander, and mold. Other irritants such as fragrances, air fresheners, chemicals, pollution, smoking, and secondhand smoke, and common medical conditions like the cold and flu can all feature coughing as a symptom.
How can I tell if my cough is serious?
You should consult a doctor if your cough lasts longer than three weeks or if you have any other symptoms or problems that make your condition worse.
Are there any foods that can help reduce coughing?
Beneficial foods like honey, ginger, and warm liquids can all aid in reducing your cough.
What lifestyle changes can help prevent coughing?
A few tips for lifestyle changes that can help prevent coughing include avoiding smoking, maintaining humidity, and managing allergies.
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