Cough Relief: How to Get Rid of a Bad Cough
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They are common side effects of colds and flu, but can also be caused by allergies, asthma, acid reflux, dry air, smoking, and even some medications. This is especially helpful if you have a moist cough. When a coughing fit begins, start by taking a series of small, light coughs. These coughs will not produce much mucus. At the end of your series of small coughs, do one big cough.
It can also help clear away allergens and bacteria. To try it, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. It soothes the scratchiness in the back of your throat. One study found that honey works just as well as over-the-counter drugs for calming nighttime coughs. Take a tablespoon as needed, or stir it into a warm drink. Don’t give honey to babies under age 1.
Cold, Flu, & Cough Home
When infected or irritated by a cough or sore throat, the cells in your upper airways trigger your immune system to help fight back. You can get relief from the symptoms by working to reduce the inflammation. Hard candy causes you to produce more saliva and to swallow more, thereby suppressing your cough. It flushes out cough-inducing mucus and allergens from your nasal passages and sinuses. Use a saline spray or try nasal irrigation.
Antitussives are cough suppressants and can block the cough reflex, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Then there are expectorants, which thin mucus and may help you expel it from your airway through your coughs. Coughing, but also craving something sweet? “Honey has been found to be helpful in alleviating cough, either on its own or as part of a cup of tea,” says Dr. Hanak.
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The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. Humidifiers need to be cleaned out regularly. Otherwise, they may cause more harm than good. Mold, other fungi, and bacteria can build up inside the machine and get transferred into the air alongside the steam.
Do not give cough medicine to children under 4 years of age. An over-the-counter cough suppressant is best used for moist coughs that occur during the middle of the night. Excessive use of decongestants can lead to dryness and cause a dry cough. Mix 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey, 2 ounces of lemon juice, and 2 to 4 ounces of water in a microwave-safe mug.
Getting Rid of Your Cough with Medicine
Mix with some lemon and honey for additional cough-relieving properties. Try a menthol cough drops since they tend to be the most effective. Horehound is a bittersweet herb with expectorant properties, so it brings up more phlegm faster, allowing your cough to be over with sooner. Pregnant women should not use horehound.
To quickly calm a cough with medicine, take a decongestant or medicated throat lozenge, which can be found at most drugstores. Dissolve peppermint and ginger in lemon juice. Both ginger and peppermint can suppress the irritation in the back of your throat that triggers coughs. Add honey to this mixture for an even more effective remedy.Add 3 tablespoons of chopped ginger and 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint to 4 cups of water. Simmer until it has been reduced, then strain. Let it cool for a few minutes, then add a cup of honey, stirring until completely dissolved.
To put gravity on your side, use an extra pillow or raise the head of your bed with a stable surface, such as books. Look to Nature.Other natural remedies include aloe and menthol. These can help reduce inflammation of the upper airways. By minimizing exposure to chemicals and irritants, which are harmful to the lungs, Dr. Hanak says quitting smoking can cut down on inflammation.
Do not give cough medicine to children under 4 years of age since they can cause serious side effects. Don't give hard candy or lozenges to children under 3, as they could choke. If you have allergies, cleaning away mold, dust, and pollen may help.
The active ingredient, Glycyrrhiza, can cause negative side effects for some people, especially those with high blood pressure. Look for DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, at your health food or drug store. What’s more, a parched body may push your immune system to release more histamines. These chemicals swell your nose and make more mucus, which can set off a cough. If your cough is a result of allergies, Dr. Hanak recommends trying Flonase or Nasonex paired with a daily allergy pill such as Allegra, Claritin, or Zyrtec.
It can also temp down pain and help fight off viral infections, according to Penn Medicine. Just add two tablespoons of honey to a mug of warm water or hot tea to reap these benefits. Cough suppressants halt the flow of cough-causing mucus and tell your brain to restrict the coughing reflex. For dry coughs, you could also use slippery elm lozenges.
Luckily, there ares of ways to get rid of a cough quickly. This wikiHow will give you lots of remedies for getting rid of a cough including some natural ones.
It’s best to stop a cough by treating the underlying cause, whether it’s a cold, allergies, acid reflux, or blood pressure drugs or other medications. But you also can try some home remedies to quiet and soothe your cough. Of course, you'll also want to give OTC medications a shot, especially if you've already tried everything else.
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Expectorants are great if you have a cough with thick phlegm. Whisk 1 tablespoon of honey into the mixture and microwave for another 45 seconds. 15 Immune-Boosting Foods Eat these to fight colds, flu, and more.
Ronn is also part of the adjunct faculty at New York University in nursing. He received his MS in Nursing from Stony Brook University School of Nursing in 2013. This article has been viewed 3,139,777 times. This is in addition to the fluids they drink normally, such as breastmilk or formula.
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