You know what's super annoying? Dealing with a cough that just won't quit, especially when it decides to crash your Zoom meetings or keeps you up at night when all you want is some shut-eye!
But here's the thing, as annoying as a cough can be, it's actually your body's way of trying to do some spring cleaning in your throat and airways. When an irritant, like dust or phlegm, shows up uninvited, your brain goes, "Hey, we need to get rid of this!" So, it tells your chest and abdomen muscles to kick it into action and push the irritant out by forcing air from your lungs. It's like a mini superhero team working to clear the way!
And guess what? There's a whole bunch of reasons why this annoying tickle might set in. It could be that common cold, the flu, or even allergies making a surprise appearance. Oh, and don't forget about that sneaky post-nasal drip, where phlegm decides to take a not-so-graceful dive from your nose to your throat. Thanks for the visit, phlegm!
But wait, there's more! Sometimes, your stomach's acid gets a bit rowdy and decides to take a road trip up your esophagus, irritating the windpipe along the way. Acid reflux, we're talking about you! Not the best guest to have around, huh?
With that being said, let jump and take a look at 10 tips that can help you get relief from Coughing
How to Calm Your Coughing?
- Sip a Warm Beverage:
When that annoying cough leaves your throat feeling raw and sore, a nice cup of tea or lemon water can be like a gentle hug for your throat. It's like giving your throat a warm, soothing spa treatment! And guess what? These warm fluids do more than just comfort your throat. They work like little mucus-busters, helping to loosen up that stubborn mucus and making it way easier to cough it out. Say goodbye to that phlegm, right? Now, here's a neat trick: add a few drops of honey to your warm drink, and you've got yourself a natural cough suppressant! Honey's like nature's secret weapon against coughs, and it can help calm that tickle in your throat. It's sweet and soothing, just like a lullaby for your cough! - Set Up Your Fluid Intake:
Staying hydrated is like giving your body a big high-five, especially when you're dealing with a cold! It's like fueling up your body with the good stuff to fight off that unwanted visitor.When you're well-hydrated, it works some serious magic on that stubborn mucus. It's like giving it a gentle makeover, making it way less sticky and easier to cough out. Productive coughs for the win!Now, water is your best buddy here, so keep that water bottle close by.But hey, guess what? Soothing chicken soup is totally on the "hydration approved" list too! It's like a warm, cozy hug for your insides and can help keep you feeling good during your cold.
So, remember, when you've got a cold, keep those fluids coming! Water or a delightful bowl of chicken soup will have your back, helping you tackle that mucus and feel better in no time! Cheers to staying hydrated and kicking that cold to the curb!
- Take Cough Candy
Cough drops are good for soothing a dry, irritated throat and reducing that constant urge to cough. No lozenges? No worries. Any hard candy will promote saliva production and provide the moisture you need to relieve a dry cough, the Cleveland Clinic notes.
- Have Some Honey
Honey in tea? Oh, it's a classic go-to for soothing that irritating cough and calming an irritated throat. And guess what? Science is on board with this sweet remedy! A study in the BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine found that honey works even better than over-the-counter meds for reducing cough frequency and severity caused by upper respiratory infections.Here's the trick: before bedtime, try savoring a teaspoon or two of honey on its own or mix it into a cup of warm water or tea. Ah, sweet relief!(Note: Skip the honey for infants under one year; it won't help and could cause infant botulism, says the AAP.) - Zap Your Cough With a Vaporizer
Want to kick that dry cough to the curb at night? Easy! Just set up a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier right by your bedside. It's like having a mini-moisturizer for your airway passages while you sleep, keeping them happy and hydrated. Say goodbye to those annoying middle-of-the-night coughing fits!And hey, these nifty devices are superheroes during the day too! If you spend most of your time in your office or family room, consider placing a vaporizer there as well. It's like having round-the-clock cough relief, keeping your airways in tip-top shape and making it easier to cough up that stubborn mucus.So, get ready for some well-rested nights and peaceful days with the help of a trusty cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier! Your throat will thank you, and you'll be on your way to a cough-free zone in no time. Cheers to moist airways and sweet relief! - Use an Extra Pillow — or Two
At night, coughs can be a real troublemaker because lying down lets mucus gather in your throat, instead of draining. No wonder your body goes into coughing mode to clear it out!But here's the fix: prop up your head while sleeping to fight gravity's sneaky game. Elevating your head can ease mucus pooling and help with GERD, which can also lead to nighttime coughing.So, grab an extra pillow and get comfy with your head raised to say "nighty-night" to those bothersome nighttime coughs! - Gargle With Salt Water
Warm salt water gargling can also be a good fix for coughing! It soothes irritation, loosens mucus, and clears out throat irritants, reducing coughing.Just mix ½ teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water, gargle, and spit it out. Ah, sweet relief for your throat!
When to See a Doctor for Constant Coughing?
If your cough sticks around for weeks or you have wheezing, fever, shortness of breath, or chest pain, don't wait—see your doctor ASAP. It could be more than just a regular cough, and they'll help figure it out. It might be chronic sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, or even heart-related, so better to get it checked!
