Content

• Steps
• Warning

Coughing is a natural lung protective response by removing lung irritants such as smoke and mucus from the airways to prevent infection. The occasional cough is a sign that the immune system is working properly. However, a persistent cough can also be a sign of an underlying illness or infection like the flu. A prolonged cough can cause unpleasant side effects such as chest pain, exhaustion, dizziness, and loss of bladder control. Coughs also interfere with sleep and inconvenience communication and work. There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent and relieve cough symptoms without taking cough syrup. However, you should always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal or supplemental self-remedy.

Steps

Method 1 of 7: Use home remedies

1. 

   
   
   Use cough lozenges. Cough lozenges have an ingredient that suppresses the cough reflex. This is also a great way to keep your throat moist, helping to increase your cough suppressant effect. Cough lozenges are not medicines that only stimulate the salivary glands, increasing moisture in the back of the throat. Cough lozenges are more effective at treating a dry cough than a cough with phlegm.
   • Buy cough lozenges with ingredients such as honey, lemon, eucalyptus, and mint to ease cough symptoms.

2. 

   
   
   Apply a warm compress. A warm washcloth applied to your neck or chest can help relieve congestion in your lungs and nasal passages. The temperature stimulates the mucus to escape, rather than build up, irritating the throat. Soak a clean towel in warm water for 3 to 5 minutes. Wring out the water and place it on your chest or neck for 5 minutes. Soak warm water again and repeat the above steps, up to 20 minutes.
   • Do not apply the heat for more than 20 minutes, unless advised by your doctor.
   • If you don't want to use a towel, you can use a hot gel pack or a warm water bottle. Make sure it is not too hot to prevent skin burns by using a towel between the heat source and the skin.
   • Do not apply heat if there is swelling or fever. Instead, use an ice pack. People with poor blood circulation and diabetics should be cautious about applying hot compresses.

3. 

   
   
   Take a warm bath. Taking a warm shower or soaking in a 5-10 minute bath of warm water can reduce severe coughing by soothing the throat, stimulating mucus to drain and helping to relax sore muscles. Warm baths also help loosen the bronchus and increase moisture, making coughing attacks more effective. Make sure the water is neither too hot nor too cold, especially if you have a fever. Staying clean also helps to reduce the risk of getting more bacteria or viruses.
   • Warm baths are also beneficial for babies and babies with a stuffy nose and sore throat.

4. 

   Gargle salt water. When you have a cough due to a sore throat, rinse your mouth with salt water. The salt water helps soothe the throat and moisten the sinuses, so that the mucus is easier to drain and prevents posterior nasal discharge, a cough stimulant. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of distilled or sterile water and stir. Gargle for 1 to 2 minutes, then spit it out. Do not swallow salt water.
   • If the salt irritates your mouth and throat, you can use warm, sterile water to rinse your mouth.
   • Do this every few hours.
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Method 2 of 7: Use herbal remedies

1. 

   Use peppermint. Peppermint contains menthol, which helps to soothe the throat and dry coughs, while also helping to clear the nose. You can find peppermint in many forms, including in supplements, lozenges, essential oils, and herbal teas. You can also use fresh herbs as a condiment to your daily meals.
   • You can drink peppermint tea up to 3 times a day. Peppermint essential oil is often used as a massage in aromatherapy. Never drink peppermint oil.
   • Do not give peppermint or menthol to a child younger than two years old.

2. 

   Use garlic. Garlic has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the throat and nasal passages. Garlic is also rich in antioxidants such as vitamin B6, vitamin C and manganese, which help boost the immune system to fight infections. The garlic contains a sulfuric enzyme called alliin, which can help fight off the virus. The best way to use garlic is to eat it raw to release alliin.
   • To make it easier to eat, you can crush garlic and mix it with a teaspoon of honey or olive oil. Garlic will strengthen the immune system, help reduce the likelihood of catching colds when used every day and accelerate the recovery process when used during the flu.
   • You can also try using 2 to 4 grams of chopped fresh garlic to flavor a dish or fry the golden garlic over low heat so that the active ingredients in the garlic are not destroyed.
   • Garlic has also been shown to provide other benefits such as lower blood cholesterol and lower blood pressure.
   • Garlic is also available in many other forms such as garlic seasoning, garlic powder and garlic salt. When taken in excess, garlic can cause low blood pressure and cause bad breath, so limit yourself to 2 to 4 cloves of garlic per day.

3. 

   Eat licorice root. Licorice root is an expectorant that has many health benefits, including cough suppressing or cough relief. There are several types of oral tablets or licorice serum. You can also eat 1 to 5 grams of raw licorice root. Look for licorice candy with licorice root as a key ingredient instead of a licorice flavored candy.
   • Another alternative to eating is to drink licorice tea. Soak 1-5 grams of licorice stick in a cup of boiling water. Let it soak for 3-5 minutes, then filter again and drink once a week.
   • Do not let children drink licorice tea for more than a day without consulting a doctor. Never give licorice tea to infants and toddlers. People with high blood pressure, hepatitis, liver or kidney problems should not use licorice.

4. 

   Try green whip grass. Green horseworm works to clear the nose, loosen phlegm and mucus from the chest and throat, reduce congestion and prevent coughing attacks. Green horseshoe is available as a dietary supplement, tea and syrup at nutrition stores and pharmacies. The recommended dosage for whipweed extract is 1 tablet per day, taken with a glass of water with meals, or at least 1-2 times per day.
   • Make green horseshoe green tea by steeping ½ teaspoon in a cup of boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Strain and drink up to 2 times per day.
   • Do not use horsetail if you are taking diuretics or taking a lot of caffeine as it can cause dehydration.
   • Check with your doctor before using green whip if you are pregnant, have digestive problems, or are taking other medications.

5. 

   Drink elderberry extract. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, elderberry is often used to treat respiratory ailments, sore throats, coughs and fevers. Elderberry extract comes in the form of lozenges, supplements, or syrup, and can be found at most nutrition stores and pharmacies.
   • You can also try dried elderflower as an herbal tea. Soak 3-5 grams of dried elderflower in a cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day.
   • Elderberry is not recommended for long-term use. Elderberry is a blood thinner and is not suitable for people with low blood pressure. Only drink elderberry every 2-3 days.
   • Are not Use uncooked or green elderberries as they can cause poisoning.

6. 

   Use eucalyptus alcohol or aromatherapy. Eucalyptus soothes coughs, fights respiratory infections and reduces congestion. Eucalyptus comes in the form of shower pills and lozenges to ease a sore throat. You can also try an eucalyptus leaf ointment applied to your nose and chest to help clear your nose and loosen phlegm. This helps prevent the throat from getting worse by the mucus.
   • In general, eucalyptus is safe for adults when applied to the skin.
   • Use eucalyptus leaves to make tea by soaking 2-4 grams of dried leaves in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. You can also make a warm mouthwash with eucalyptus leaves to soothe your throat.
   • Never be given eucalyptus oil because it can be poisoned.

7. 

   Buy slippery elm extract. Slippery elm contains gel-like mucus that coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines to help reduce coughing. This herb comes in the form of tablets, lozenges, and powders, and is sold in most health food stores. You can also make a tea by steeping 1 tablespoon of bark powder in a cup of hot water and drinking it up to 3 times a day.
   • Do not give slippery elm trees to a child or pregnant woman without consulting a doctor.
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Method 3 of 7: Lifestyle changes

1. 

   Use a humidifier. Dry air can aggravate cold symptoms, making it harder for mucus to escape and provoking coughing. Use a humidifier in your bedroom or living room to increase the humidity in the air, help clear your sinuses and soothe your throat. When using a humidifier, pay attention to the right humidity. The air should be between 30% and 55% humidity.
   • If the humidity is too high, mold and mite can multiply. Both are common triggers of allergies and coughs.
   • Very low humidity can cause dry eyes and irritation of the throat and sinuses. The easiest way to measure moisture is to use a hygrometer, which can be found in most home stores.
   • Both central and bench humidifiers need to be cleaned regularly as they are susceptible to mold and bacterial contamination.

2. 

   Indoor plants. If you don't want to use a humidifier, consider growing indoors. Plants can help regulate humidity in your home through evaporation, where steam is released from the flowers, leaves and branches. Good indoor plants include bamboo-leaf palm, aloe vera, Chinese ivy, various species of lettuce, ligandendron and rosemary.
   • Indoor plants also help clean the air, clear carbon dioxide and pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichlorethylene, which can irritate the throat.
   • Make sure you are not allergic to indoors.

3. 

   Try an air purifier. In addition to humidifiers, air purifiers help filter out the allergens that cause coughs. Moreover, they also clean and bring a pleasant scent to your home. Electronic air filters are especially useful in removing mold and pollen from the air.
   • Another type of filter, called an ion filter, collects dust by creating ions that bind to particles suspended in the air, which hang on walls, ceilings, and curtains.

4. 

   Lie on your side while sleeping. Persistent coughing spells will make it difficult to fall asleep. Getting enough sleep is important for your body to heal itself and stop coughing. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, increase production of stress hormones, increase the risk of chronic illnesses, and reduce longevity.
   • If you have a persistent cough, try to sleep on your side. This is the least congested position, making it easier to breathe and the mucus is easier to drain.

5. 

   Sleep with a pillow. If your coughing makes it difficult for you to sleep while you sleep, try pillows to make it easier for the air in and out, as well as to keep mucus from clogging your sinuses and throat. The pillow you use should be comfortable, support the natural curve of your neck and make it easier to breathe.
   • If the pillow is too high, the neck will be placed in a position where the throat is blocked and coughing, and the muscles in the back, neck and shoulders will become strained.

6. 

   Drink a lot of water. Water helps reduce coughing triggers like stuffy nose caused by colds, nasal discharge that irritates the throat, and dry throat. The water moistens the throat and dilutes mucus, making it easier for phlegm to drain. Try to drink at least one 240 ml glass of water every two hours. Adults are advised to drink an average of 2 liters of water per day. If you drink caffeine, you need to drink an extra liter of water for every cup of caffiene you consume.
   • Not drinking enough water easily leads to dehydration, which can cause headaches, irritation, dizziness, irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath. Caffeinated and glucose free sports electrolyte sports drinks can also help improve dehydration.

7. 

   Avoid intense exercise. Avoid heavy exercise if you have a cough, cold, fever or headache. If intense exercise causes coughing with symptoms like wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath, you may have exertion of bronchospasm (EIB). This happens when the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs contract during exercise and cause asthma symptoms. Some people with EIB don't have asthma, and people with allergies may also have difficulty breathing during exercise.
   • Talk to your doctor or an immunologist to help you plan your own exercise plan that is right for you. Avoid cold, dry environments and change in air pressure, as these are the factors that can lead to EIB.

8. 

   Give up smoking. Smoking removes the oxygen needed for cell repair and production. This is due to the constriction of blood vessels that carry blood to the extremities and brain. This can lead to many respiratory illnesses, chronic coughs, and even strokes. Tobacco is one of the leading causes of chronic cough and bronchitis, also known as smoking cough.
   • Try to avoid secondhand smoke and other harmful emissions with a cough or sore throat. Avoid smoking especially when you have a headache or fever, as smoking can weaken your immune system and prolong the duration of your illness. Ask your doctor about how to reduce and quit smoking.
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Method 4 of 7: Try changing your diet

1. 

   Eat honey. When you have a cough, drink warm tea or lemon juice with a little honey. This can help soothe the throat and relieve cough. Mix 2 teaspoons of honey in warm water or tea, once in the morning and once in the evening before bed to help relieve cough. Honey can be found in supermarkets and health food stores.
   • Never give honey to babies under one year of age due to the risk of botulism in infants, a serious form of food poisoning.

2. 

   Eat soup. Warm soups can reduce inflammation in the throat and help the nasal discharge easier, thereby reducing congestion. This is especially true if you have a long-term cough, cold, or fever. You can make your own soups or buy healthy, low sodium soups at the grocery store. Warm enough and eat. You should eat the soup one to three times a day until the symptoms subside, or until the symptoms are completely gone.
   • If you want to add spices to aid in coughing, you can add chopped cayenne peppers, or 1-2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper powder in soup.
   • You can also drink meat broth. Chicken and vegetable broths are the most common. You can cook it yourself or buy it at the store. Be careful because store-bought chicken broths can be high in sodium. Look for one with little or no sodium.
   • Infants and young children should eat light soup to reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting.

3. 

   Eat pineapple. Pineapples are rich in the enzyme bromelain, which is often used as medicine to treat swelling and inflammation in the airways, helping to prevent the buildup of mucus that can cause coughing and nasal congestion. Eating pineapples may also prevent respiratory infections that often lead to coughing. You can add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your daily diet to help your body to consume more beneficial bromelain.
   • Do not eat potatoes or soy products with pineapples because they contain substances that may reduce the healing effects of bromelain in the body.

4. 

   Avoid eating inflammatory foods. Certain foods can slow down the body's healing process, weaken the immune system and increase inflammation. They can also cause stomach acid reflux, making the cough worse.
   • Reduce or avoid foods that cause chronic inflammation such as fried foods, veal, minced meats, kebabs, sausages, margarine, lard, refined carbohydrates, white bread, pasta, donuts, soft drinks and energy drinks.

5. 

   Eat more foods that reduce inflammation. While some foods cause inflammation, others can help reduce inflammation and relieve sore throats. Eat more fruits like strawberries, berries, cherries, and oranges. You should also eat nutritious foods like almonds, walnuts, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, and olive oil. Eating whole grains like millet, oats, brown rice, flaxseed and quinoa will also help reduce inflammation.
   • You should also try to eat more vegetables like olives, spinach, kale, and broccoli.
   • Fruits containing cirtric acid can cause acid reflux, worsening the throat and provoking a cough.

6. 

   Use cayenne pepper. Cayenne peppers contain capsaicin with anti-viral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that accelerate the healing process. People who are allergic to rubber, bananas, kiwi, chestnuts, or avocados may also be allergic to cayenne.
   • Capsaicin should not be used by people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, low blood sugar or who are taking blood thinners.
   • In children, cayenne can cause nausea and irritation in the throat, so do not give children and infants cayenne or other peppers.
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Method 5 of 7: Keep personal hygiene

1. 

   Wash your hands often. The fastest way to spread the infection is to contact sick people or go to a public place without washing your hands before touching your face. Bacteria and viruses can spread quickly through direct contact, so it's important to wash your hands often with warm water and soap - before and after eating, after using the toilet and after touching. face, etc. This also helps to reduce the chance of passing the disease on to others if you have a cough.
   • Carry hand sanitizer with you to disinfect when you go to public places or at work. Remind your child not to put their hands in their mouths or rub their eyes, as germs are often spread this way.

2. 

   Use a tissue when you cough. Use a tissue when sneezing or coughing to keep germs from spreading through the air. This also prevents other bacteria or viruses from entering the lungs every time you inhale. If you don't have a tissue, cover it when you sneeze or cough with your elbow instead of covering your mouth with your hands.
   • This will prevent germs from spreading to your hands and from there on other objects.

3. 

   
   
   Avoid common allergens. The allergens irritate the sinuses, causing nasal congestion, making it difficult to breathe, causing posterior nasal discharge and worsening the throat condition. Allergic phenomena occur when the immune system produces antibodies against free radicals by secreting chemicals such as histamine that can cause inflammation and allergic symptoms. Pollen, dust, and mold are common allergens.
   • Other common allergens include toxic emissions, tobacco and secondhand smoke, shellfish, shrimp, fish, eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, pet flakes, insect stings. , certain drugs, certain substances you apply to your skin or touch, chemicals and fabric dyes.
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Method 6 of 7: Get specialist help

1. 

   
   
   See your doctor. Most coughs go away after a few weeks, but some coughs can be warning signs of an underlying disease. Seek medical attention if a cough begins to develop if there is a sore throat, a high fever, a cough like a dog barking, a cough with a hissing sound, or a posterior nasal discharge (a sensation of mucus running down the throat ). These could be signs of an infection. Your doctor will quickly check with a light device to look into your throat, ears, and nasal passages, gently touch your neck to check for swollen lymph nodes, and use a stethoscope to hear your breathing.
   • You should contact your doctor immediately if you have previously been diagnosed with allergies, asthma, bronchitis, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease. Coughing can make these illnesses worse.
   • Contact your doctor if you are taking an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE inhibitor) to treat heart disease and have a long-term cough. An ACE inhibitor can cause a cough, and that could be a sign of intolerance. If necessary, your doctor will switch to another medicine to treat your blood pressure.
   • Smokers may experience more coughing and should see a doctor if the cough persists for more than three or four weeks.
   • Get medical help right away if you cough up blood or have trouble breathing.

2. 

   
   
   Take a throat fluid sample if there is any sign of infection. Your doctor can perform a number of tests to diagnose exactly what you have. If your throat is red and inflamed with pustules on the back of your throat, your doctor may use a cotton ball to sweep the back of your throat to sample the discharge. The sample will then be taken into a laboratory to look for the streptococcal bacteria, which causes strep throat. This test gives results in minutes to 48 hours.

3. 

   Chest X-ray. Your doctor may recommend a chest x-ray if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, long-term cough, or fever. An X-ray is a quick, painless, non-invasive test that shows the inner chest structures such as the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Although a single chest X-ray does not reveal the most common causes of coughs, it can be used to check for lung cancer, pneumonia, and other lung conditions.
   • A sinus X-ray can show evidence of sinusitis.
   • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or may be pregnant. In general, pregnant women should avoid having x-rays during pregnancy.

4. 

   See an otolaryngologist. Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist to check your throat for signs of a bacterial or viral infection. See an otolaryngologist if your cough is likely due to an underlying cause of the ear, nose, or throat (such as sinusitis). An otolaryngologist may perform an endoscopy, a procedure that uses an optical lens to look at your sinuses for nasal polyps or other structural problems.
   • This is only necessary if you have rhinitis. Your doctor may also recommend laparoscopic surgery if needed.
   • You should tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems.
   • If you suspect you have pneumonia, your doctor will refer you to a lung specialist.
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Method 7 of 7: Diagnosis of underlying diseases

1. 

   Seek immediate medical attention for whooping cough. Whooping cough (pertussis) begins with the common cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, mild cough, fever, and sleep apnea. A severe cough that starts after a week or two. Whooping cough can cause rapid and intense coughing spells that repeat continuously until the air in the lungs is exhausted, and the patient is forced to inhale and make a sound. hissed. Sometimes the sick person may vomit.
   • You should see your doctor right away if you have pertussis. However, it is important to know that many young children with pertussis do not cough at all. Instead, whooping cough can cause a baby to stop breathing. Infants and children under 6 years of age should be promptly taken to the emergency room.
   • There is a vaccine for whooping cough vaccination. You need to make sure your child is fully vaccinated.

2. 

   Watch for signs of rhinitis. Cough and sore throat can also be symptoms of rhinitis. If you suspect that you have rhinitis, also known as sinusitis, your doctor may order an imaging diagnosis, including x-rays, computed tomography (CT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). . Other common symptoms of rhinitis are fever and headache. If you have a high fever or severe headache, you should seek immediate medical attention.
   • You may also feel tension on your forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, jaw, teeth, eye sockets, or on the top of your head. Rhinitis is also often accompanied by a stuffy nose, loss of smell, runny nose (usually yellowish green color), or posterior nasal discharge.
   • Rare complications associated with chronic sinusitis can include blood clots, abscesses, orbital cellulitis, inflammation around the eye, meningitis, and osteomyelitis, a form of Infection of the skin on the bones of the face.

3. 

   Check for signs of bronchitis. Bronchitis is inflammation and a buildup of mucus in the air ducts of the lungs.This often leads to chronic cough and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), regardless of whether the patient has acute or chronic bronchitis. It is usually caused by influenza virus, exposure to secondhand smoke or gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you experience symptoms such as chest pain, fever, wheezing, sore throat, fatigue, swelling of the feet, and a long-term cough with phlegm, you should see your doctor right away to determine if you have bronchitis.
   • The best way to prevent bronchitis is to avoid air pollution and secondhand smoke and to avoid getting the flu.
   • Lifestyle modifications like adopting a healthy diet, getting enough rest, drinking enough fluids, washing your hands, etc. can help protect you from illness.

4. 

   See a doctor if you have severe cold symptoms. Severe symptoms of a cold need medical attention. If you have a cough with green or yellow phlegm, cough bloody, high fever (40 ° C), ear or nose infections, runny nose, skin rash or difficulty breathing due to asthma or other respiratory illness, you should go to doctor or call emergency services.
   • If you have severe symptoms of a cold or flu, or have previously been diagnosed with any respiratory illness, you should seek immediate medical attention. Young children are especially susceptible to colds because their immune systems are not yet fully developed to fight common infections and are often around older children, who may not wash their hands as often.
   • Early symptoms of a cold in young children are a stuffy or runny nose, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, irritability, trouble sleeping or feeding, cough and mild fever. If your baby is younger than 2 or 3 months old, you should see your doctor as soon as the early symptoms appear.
   • Infants are more likely to experience breathing problems because they often breathe through their nose only. If your child has a stuffy nose, they will have difficulty breathing.
   • Children should see a doctor right away if the fever is above 38 ° C, has difficulty breathing, cyanosis around the lips and mouth, coughing up blood, cough so hard that it is vomiting and / or refusing to suck or drink water can lead to dehydration. .
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Warning

• If you are pregnant, be aware that certain medications, herbs and supplements can be harmful to the fetus and should not be taken.
• If you have underlying lung problems such as bronchial asthma or pneumothorax, you should tell your doctor right away if you have a flu.
• Some herbal remedies and dietary supplements can interact with other prescription medications and cause adverse reactions, even death. That is why it is advisable to consult your doctor or pharmacist before trying self-treatment.