How to Stop Coughing

Man is Coughing with Respirator Infections.

A cough is a reflex that helps clear your airways of irritants. Nerves in the airways become stimulated by allergens, medical conditions, medication side effects, and other irritants, resulting in forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. Do you wonder how to stop coughing? There are things you can do to ease your cough depending on the underlying cause.

What causes coughing?

There are numerous causes for coughing. Common causes of cough include:

Allergens

• pollen,
• dust,
• animal dander, and
• mold.

Irritants

• smoking,
• inhaling secondhand smoke,
• pollution,
• chemical fumes,
• perfumes, and
• air fresheners.

Medical conditions

• common cold,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• flu,
• pneumonia,
• whooping cough,
• asthma,
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
• sinus infections,
• postnasal drip,
• acute bronchitis,
• chronic bronchitis,
• bronchiectasis,
• emphysema,
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
• lung cancer, and
• heart failure.

Medications: ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.

A dry cough is usually the result of

• cold and flu viruses,
• allergies,
• acid reflux,
• ACE inhibitor medications, and
• irritants such as cigarette smoke.

A wet cough is often caused by cold or flu viruses, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A persistent, or chronic, cough is one that lasts more than 3 weeks and may be caused by

• heart disease,
• asthma,
• lung disease,
• bronchitis, and
• whooping cough.

Once the cause of your cough is diagnosed and you have ruled out any serious underlying medical conditions that need to be treated, symptoms of cough often may be treated or cured with home remedies. Talk to your doctor before using any herbal remedies or natural supplements as some may interact with the medications you take. Here are some home remedies for cough.

1. Stay hydrated: Drink lots of water to thin mucus.
2. Inhale steam: Take a hot shower, or boil water and pour it into a bowl, face the bowl (stay at least 1 foot away), place a towel over the back of your head to form a tent, and inhale. Stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable. Note: do not do this if the cough is due to asthma, as steam may make symptoms worse.
3. Use a humidifier in your home to loosen mucus.
4. Cough drops or lozenges soothe an irritated throat (do not use in young children).
5. Saltwater gargles clear mucus from the throat.
6. Use an extra pillow to elevate your head if you are coughing at night.
7. Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
8. Avoid inhaled irritants such as dust, perfumes, or pollutants.
9. Use honey. It can be used alone in adults and children over 1 year of age and acts as a cough suppressant.
10. Ginger tea soothes throat inflammation.
11. Eucalyptus oil: Use it in a vaporizer or rub it on your chest to help break up mucus.
12. Mint: Often taken as tea, it helps loosen mucus in the lungs.
13. Menthol is commonly found in lozenges, and it can soothe a cough.
14. Licorice root acts as an expectorant.
15. Slippery elm supplement coats and soothes the throat.
16. Apple cider vinegar (diluted or mixed with honey) helps thin mucus.
17. Turmeric may help ease digestive problems and can help if the cough is caused by GERD.
18. Chicken soup may ease symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
19. Chocolate. And because we saved the best for last...have some chocolate! Theobromide, an ingredient in chocolate, may suppress vagus nerve activity that causes coughing.

To effectively manage coughing associated with a chest cold, you can use a combination of home remedies, medications, and self-care practices.

Medications:

Decongestants and painkillers might assist in alleviating symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

Decongestants:

Decongestants help alleviate nasal congestion, which might indirectly relieve coughing by clearing postnasal drip that can irritate the throat and lungs.

• Nasal decongestants: Nasal decongestant sprays, such as oxymetazoline, provide immediate relief by reducing congested nose passages and improving breathing. However, they should not be used for more than three days in a row, as they may cause congestion flare-ups.
• Oral decongestants: Medications such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine work by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages to ease swelling and congestion. These may help reduce the drainage from the sinuses that irritate the throat and lungs, which contributes to coughing.
• Make sure to review interactions with any mediations you are taking and be aware of any side effects  especially if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.

Painkillers:

Pain medicines may help reduce the discomfort associated with a chest cold, such as sore throat, headache, and overall body aches, which often accompany cold.

• Acetaminophen: It’s effective at lowering fevers and easing pain without causing stomach distress. It works well for treating cold-related bodily aches and headaches.
• Ibuprofen: This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) reduces inflammation, discomfort, and fever. It is especially effective if you have a sore throat or chest pain as a result of intense coughing.
• Aspirin: Another NSAID, it may reduce inflammation and pain in adults. It must be avoided for use in adolescents or teenagers with flu-like symptoms because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Home remedies:

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids will help reduce the thickness of the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough it up.
• 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.
• Inhale steam: Inhaling steam can help moisten your airways and calm your cough. Taking a hot shower, especially before sleep will help your airways to open and improve breathing while reducing coughing at bedtime.
• Use honey: Taking a teaspoon of honey or adding it to a warm drink can soothe your throat and reduce coughing. Honey is especially effective before bedtime.
• Drink warm liquids: Drinking warm liquids, such as hot tea or chicken soup, may improve nasal congestion and ease cold symptoms.

There are a number of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines available to soothe or cure coughs. There are two main types of cough medicines, 1) cough suppressants, and 2) expectorants. These can be found in tablet or cough syrup form.

Cough suppressants

• Cough suppressants, also called antitussives, block the cough reflex to relieve cough. 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.

Expectorants

• If you need a tip for how to ease phlegm, expectorants work by thinning mucus. The only OTC expectorant is guaifenesin, found in products such as Mucinex and Robitussin Chest Congestion.

Combinations (cough suppressants and expectorants)

• Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin are often found in combination products, for example, combined with each other in Robitussin DM. These medications also may be combined with other medicines that help relieve other symptoms of colds such as pain relievers, decongestants, or antihistamines. If your main symptom is cough, it usually is best to avoid products that contain antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or decongestants, such as ephedrine (Sudafed) because these have a drying effect, making mucus thicker and harder to clear from your airways, which can worsen cough symptoms.

Other OTC cough medicines

• For cough due to postnasal drip, decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may improve symptoms.
• Cough that is a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be helped by
  • famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac 360),
  • cimetidine (Tagamet),
  • omeprazole (Prilosec OTC),
  • lansoprazole (Prevacid, Prevacid 24-Hour), and
  • esomeprazole (Nexium).

When the cough is severe, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home remedies may not be enough to relieve symptoms, and prescriptions may be needed.

• Codeine and other narcotic medications are often prescribed as effective cough suppressants. Many times, these are combined with the cough suppressant dextromethorphan or the expectorant guaifenesin.
• If the cough is due to whooping cough, bacterial pneumonia, complicated bronchitis, or sinusitis, it is usually treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins, or azithromycin (Zithromax).
• For cough due to allergies, such as hay fever, inhaled nasal steroids may be prescribed.
• For postnasal drip that does not respond to OTC drugs, nasal inhalers such as ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) can help.
• If the cough is a result of asthma, prescription inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids help decrease inflammation of the airways. Short-term oral steroids, which help reduce inflammation, are sometimes prescribed to relieve chronic cough.
• When gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes a cough, prescription medications that may help symptoms include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), for example
  • omeprazole (Prilosec),
  • rabeprazole (Aciphex), and
  • pantoprazole (Protonix).

Your primary care provider (PCP) such as a family practitioner, internal medicine specialist, or pediatrician may diagnose and treat a cough. If the cough is severe, an emergency medicine specialist may see you in a hospital's emergency department.

• People suffering from a chronic or persistent cough may be referred to different specialists depending on the underlying cause.
• If you have allergies, you may be referred to an allergist. If your cough is due to gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), you may be referred to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in diseases of the digestive tract.
• If you have lung disease, you may need to see a pulmonologist, a lung specialist who treats diseases of the airways.
• If your cough is due to an underlying heart condition, you will be referred to a cardiologist, a specialist in diseases of the heart and circulatory system.

Many times, cough symptoms will worsen at night. This may be due to postnasal drip (from a cold, bronchitis, or allergies) or acid from the stomach backing up into your throat from acid reflux. There are some strategies and home remedies you can use to help ease nighttime cough:

• Use extra pillows for postnasal drip or if you have acid reflux to prop up the head of your bed. When you lay flat, the mucus or acid reflux irritates your throat. Raising your head allows it to drain.
• Take a steamy shower before bed (note: if your cough is due to asthma, steam may make it worse).
• Use a humidifier. Moist air can help relieve cough. However, if the cough is due to allergies such as dust mites or mold, which thrive in damp air, be careful not to make the room too moist.
• Keep your bedding clean. If your cough is due to allergies, it is important to make sure dust mites don't have a place to sleep as well. Wash all bedding at least weekly in hot water, and dry in a dryer, not a clothesline.
• Drink decaffeinated tea with honey before bed. The warmth of the tea will soothe a sore throat and the fluid will help thin secretions. Herbal teas with ginger, peppermint, or licorice root may also soothe a cough.
• Use a vapor rub, such as one with menthol, to help open airways.
• Keep everything you need near your bed. If you have a cough, make sure you keep your cough medicine, lozenges, a glass of water, or anything else that helps you, on your nightstand for immediate relief.
• Don't smoke.
• Avoid using perfume, air freshener sprays, or other irritants in the bedroom.
• Try over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines that contain cough suppressants (which block the cough reflex) or expectorants (which loosen mucus). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a recommendation.

Adjusting your sleeping posture may prevent nighttime coughing, especially if you have a chest cold or respiratory infection. Here are several positions that may minimize coughing:

• Elevate your head: Sleeping with your head elevated prevents mucus from collecting in your throat, reducing the cough reflex. Extra pillows can be used to raise your head. An elevation of 30-45 degrees may keep your airways open and ease inflammation.
• Sleep on your side: Lying on your side can be more comfortable than sleeping on your back, especially if you have postnasal drip or acid reflux.
• The fetal position: Curling up in a fetal position can help open up the lungs and improve your breathing. Switch sides occasionally to avoid discomfort.
• Sleep on your stomach: Sleeping on your stomach improves mucus drainage from the nasal passages, potentially reducing coughing. However, this position may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with neck or back issues.
• Use a recliner: If sleeping in a bed is too difficult, consider sleeping in a recliner. Recliners can help you stay in an elevated position more comfortably during the night.

Combining these sleeping postures with other therapies, such as using a humidifier in your room or inhaling steam before bed, may reduce coughing at night. If your symptoms persist or worsen, contact your health care provider for further advice and treatment.

Dealing with a dry cough can be extremely unpleasant, especially if it persists. A combination of medications and home remedies can help soothe a dry cough.

Over-the-counter treatments:

• Cough suppressants: Products containing codeine or dextromethorphan effectively relieve the symptoms of a dry cough by suppressing the cough reflux.
• First-generation antihistamines: Antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine, may be taken alone or in combination with other drugs that relieve dry cough.
• Throat lozenges and cough drops: They may soothe the throat, which helps reduce the cough reflex. Menthol and eucalyptus produce a cooling effect, which helps alleviate discomfort.

Home remedies

• Honey: Honey is one of the most effective ways to treat a dry cough. It contains antibacterial properties and forms a coating that reduces throat discomfort. A tablespoon of honey can be consumed separately or mixed with warm tea or water with lemon.
• Ginger tea: The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger tea may help relax the airways and reduce coughing. Boil fresh ginger slices in water for a few minutes, allow them to steep, and then drink the tea warm.
• Steam: Breathing in steam may help moisten dry throat tissues and alleviate the cough. Inhale steam from a hot bath or shower, or lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head to trap the steam.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Water, herbal teas, and clear broths may moisten your throat and make coughing less painful.
• Gargle with salt water: Gargling with warm salt water may moisturize the throat and relieve inflammation that promotes coughing.
• Coconut oil: Swallowing a teaspoon of coconut oil will help coat the throat and provide brief relief from inflammation.

Other tips to help soothe a dry cough:

• Humidifiers: Dry air can worsen a dry cough. Using a humidifier in your living space may add moisture to the air, which relieves dry throats and reduces cough.
• Avoid irritants: Avoid cigarette smoke, perfumes, and polluted air, as they may irritate your throat and aggravate your cough.
• Rest: Getting plenty of rest may help your body heal faster.
• Avoid cold air: Breathing cold air may cause coughing fits. When you are out in the cold, try to breathe through your scarf.
• Keep your head elevated: Use extra pillows to keep your head elevated while you sleep. This may prevent postnasal drip from irritating the throat and prevent coughing.

If your dry cough lasts longer than a few weeks or is followed by other symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you should contact your health care provider. They may assess the potential underlying cause of your cough and recommend the best course of treatment.

Cough often is not serious, but in some situations, you should see a doctor and not try to treat the cough on your own. If you have a cough and the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• Fever higher than 101 F/38.3 C
• Coughing up blood
• Coughing up yellow or green phlegm
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Excessive production of mucus
• Chest pain that is not a result of the cough
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Night sweats
• Your cough is getting worse when you should be getting better
• If you know you have been exposed to the flu, whooping cough, or other infections

These signs and symptoms in addition to cough may indicate a more serious condition that needs treatment by a doctor.

When should I see a doctor for a persistent cough?

You are recommended to see a doctor when your cough lasts more than three weeks or if you experience other symptoms or conditions that make you feel worse. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

• Severe cough that disrupts your daily activities or cough that worsens at night, affecting your sleep
• Coughing up blood or blood-stained phlegm or greenish phlegm
• Associated symptoms such as fatigue, wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, or fever
• Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as nausea, vomiting, body aches, and chills
• Unexplained weight loss
• A history of respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, or heart diseases
• A history of smoking or if you are a current smoker who developed a new cough
• Cough that does not respond to over-the-counter cough suppressants

To determine the underlying cause of your persistent cough, your doctor may recommend multiple tests, including:

• Chest X-ray: This test checks for abnormalities in the lungs or airways that might be causing the cough.
• CT scan: It provides a more detailed image of the lungs and can aid in diagnosing lung diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or cancer.
• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): These tests assess lung functionality and help diagnose chronic conditions like asthma or COPD.
• Sputum analysis: Analyzing the mucus (sputum) coughed up from your lungs can reveal evidence of infection or other issues.
• Blood tests: These measure overall health and can detect infections, anemia, and inflammatory markers.
• Bronchoscopy: It involves passing a thin, flexible tube with a camera (bronchoscope) into the airways to look for foreign objects or potential malignancies.
• Rhinoscopy: It inspects the nasal airways, sinuses, and upper airway using a smaller scope similar to a bronchoscope.
• Allergy tests: These are conducted to check for specific allergens if an allergy disorder is suspected as the cause of the cough.

Each of these tests provides valuable information about the possible reasons for the cough, enabling the health care provider to tailor treatment accordingly.