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This article was co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
There are 24 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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A persistent cough can be annoying and uncomfortable! Not only is it distressing for you, but it may also disturb others around you. Your brain forces you to cough whenever it detects an irritant or blockage in your throat.[1] If you want to quiet your cough, you need to soothe the irritation or remove the blockage. Luckily, this is easy to do no matter where you are. Occasional bouts of coughing are totally normal, but see your doctor if a cough persists for more than 3-4 weeks or if you develop severe symptoms like fever and wheezing.[2]
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Soothing a Cough in Public
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1Suck on ice chips, hard candy, or lozenges to comfort an irritated throat. Keep a glass of ice chips by your side and suck on a few whenever you need some relief. Popping a lozenge, hard candy, or cough drop can also soothe your throat and quiet a persistent cough when you're out and about.[3]
- Lozenges made with real honey may provide additional soothing properties, but most expensive medicine-flavored cough drops aren't any better at providing relief than inexpensive lozenges or hard candies.[4]
- You can buy lozenges and cough drops at grocery stores and pharmacies.
- Never give lozenges to children under the age of 4 to prevent choking.[5]
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2Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and reduce irritation. Simply drinking some water can help reduce a nagging cough, especially in dry surroundings, because it is soothing as it travels down your throat. Liquids also prevent the lining of your nostrils and throat from drying out and keeps mucus moist so that it's easier for you to get rid of.[6]Advertisement
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3Drink soothing warm beverages like hot tea to quiet a cough. Stick with decaffeinated teas and caffeine-free herbal teas. Simply brew up your favorite kind and enjoy a mug of it as often as you'd like throughout the day. If you aren't usually a tea drinker, you might try out herbal varieties like peppermint, ginger, or chamomile.[9]
- Drinking warm soup broths can also provide comfort.[10]
- Caffeine is dehydrating and may ultimately worsen your cough.
- Stirring in a small amount of honey or fresh lemon juice may provide additional soothing properties. They also taste delicious in a warm mug of tea!
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4Avoid cigarettes and other throat irritants to reduce coughing. Exposure to smoke, dust, fumes, and other pollutants can irritate your throat and lungs. Avoid smoking cigarettes, second-hand smoke, and spending time in areas where you’re likely to breathe pollutants.[11]
- Chemical cleaning products can irritate your throat and worsen a cough.[12]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Reducing a Cough at Home
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1
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2Take a hot shower to moisten your airways. The steam from a hot shower can lubricate your throat and reduce a cough. Jump into a hot shower and breathe in the steam for about 20 minutes. Be sure to take slow, deep breaths.[15]
- If you don't want to get in the water, just close the bathroom door and breathe in the steam that fills the room.
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3Use a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air. Fill your machine with distilled water and position it at least 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) from your bed. You can run the machine several times per day or during the night while you're sleeping, but avoid constant use. Don't forget to drain and clean your humidifier or vaporizer every day so bacteria doesn't grow inside of it.[16]
- Running a humidifier or vaporizer 24/7 encourages mold and mildew growth.
- Avoid using tap water in your humidifier. The machine will turn minerals in tap water into a white dust and release into the air. Breathing in this dust can cause coughing and breathing problems.
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4Gargle with warm salt water to relieve a sore throat. Stir 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1 to 2 grams) of table salt into 4 to 8 ounces (118 to 236 ml) of warm water. Tilt your head back and gargle with the solution for about 1 minute. Then, spit the salt water out into your sink.[17]
- Avoid swallowing salt water. It can make you sick to your stomach.
- Salt water gargles are safe for anyone over the age of 6.
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5Flush your sinuses and reduce mucus with saline nasal drops. Stand over a sink and angle your head downward. Place the tip of the bottle in 1 nostril and spray. Rotate your head back and allow the solution to drip back out of your nose naturally. Repeat the process for your other nostril.[18] >
- Getting rid of mucus prevents it from going down your throat, which will force you to cough it up.
- Blow your nose gently to remove any leftover saline solution when you're done.
- You can buy saline nasal drops over-the-counter at most pharmacies and grocery stores.
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6Irrigate your sinuses with a Neti pot to prevent postnasal drip. Fill a Neti pot with distilled water and stir saline powder into it until it dissolves. Tilt your head to the side and put the spout of the Neti pot in your upper nostril. Breathe through your mouth and slowly pour the solution into the nostril. The liquid should come out of your lower nostril in 3-4 seconds. Repeat the process in your other nostril.[19]
- Blow your nose gently when you're done to clear any leftover solution.
- Clean your Neti pot thoroughly between uses to prevent germs and bacteria from entering your nasal passages the next time you use it.
- If you must use tap water, be sure to boil it first to kill bacteria and organisms. Let the water cool before using it.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
When to Seek Medical Care
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1See your doctor if your cough doesn’t go away in 3 to 4 weeks.[20] A chronic cough can be caused by many common issues, like allergies, asthma, GERD, or some other underlying illness,[21] so it's best to have your doctor evaluate you and formally diagnose the problem. A chest X-ray or lung function test may be recommended.[22]
- You may have a bacterial infection, which can be treated with prescription antibiotics.[23]
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2Visit your doctor immediately if you develop more severe symptoms. Wheezing, fever, and coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm usually indicate an infection in the chest or lungs. It’s best to see your doctor as soon as possible so you won't prolong your recovery. Antibiotics or some other treatment may be prescribed. Call your doctor if you have the following severe symptoms:[24]
- Fever higher than 100 °F (38 °C)
- Coughing up green or yellow phlegm
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
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3Get emergency care if you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing. If you're struggling to breathe, it's time to go to the ER. Let the ER doctor know how long you’ve had the cough, as well as any other symptoms you’re experiencing. You should seek emergency medical care for the following symptoms:[25]
- Choking or vomiting
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Bloody or pink-tinged phlegm
- Chest pain
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4See your doctor immediately if you’re having coughing fits or gasping. These symptoms may mean you have a more serious condition, like whooping cough. Ask your doctor for a same-day appointment or go to an urgent care center to make sure you're okay. They can find out what’s causing your cough and offer you the right treatment.[26]
- Whooping cough is highly contagious and requires medical treatment, so don't hesitate to see your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWill drinking a milkshake help coat your throat and quiet the cough?
Zora Degrandpre, NDDr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
Natural Health DoctorYes-- the cold can help soothe a sore throat and that can help quiet a cough. You may want to thin out the milkshake just a bit so that it is even easier to swallow.
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References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415124/
- ↑ https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/cough/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-remedies/art-20046403
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/How-to-Manage-Colds-and-Flu.aspx
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/ug1887
- ↑ https://uhs.umich.edu/strep
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/7-ways-to-combat-coughs-and-colds
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-cough/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351580
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/treatments-for-post-nasal-drip
- ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/that-nagging-cough
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640
- ↑ https://entinstitute.com/7-remedies-for-post-nasal-drip/
- ↑ https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/ug1887
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/that-nagging-cough
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002104.htm
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351640
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/nasal-sprays-how-to-use-them-correctly/
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cough/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-cough/symptoms-causes/syc-20351575
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15048-chronic-cough-overview
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/article/antibiotics.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050846
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050846
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/
About This Article
Article SummaryX
If you’re struggling to shake off a nasty cough, make sure you drink water regularly throughout the day as this will help soothe your throat and thin mucus. Before you go to bed, try taking a hot shower since that will help open your airways. In bed, put an extra pillow under your head so you’re raised up slightly. You could also take a natural remedy like a spoonful of honey or a cup of peppermint tea before going to sleep. To learn from our reviewer about other natural treatments, including eucalyptus and ginger, keep reading!
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Medical Disclaimer
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.
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