Cough Home Remedies

A cough is reflex — just like breathing. It’s actually a way of protecting your lungs against irritants, such as dust or smoke. When there’s a buildup of fine particles or mucus in your breathing passage (bronchi), you cough to clear the passages, allowing easier breathing.

A small amount of coughing is normal and even healthy as a way to keep the passages clear. However, strong or persistent coughing can become an irritant. Repeated coughing causes your bronchi to narrow, which can irritate the interior walls of the breathing passages.

Causes of persistent cough

Persistent coughing is frequently a symptom of a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, which includes your nose, sinuses, and airways. Colds and flu (influenza) are common examples of this kind of infection. Your voice box may become inflamed from the infection (laryngitis), causing pain and hoarseness.

Coughing also results from throat irritation caused by the drainage of mucus down the back of your throat, a condition known as postnasal drainage. Coughing may also occur with various chronic disorders.

People with allergies and asthma often have bouts of involuntary coughing, as do people who smoke. Many irritants in the environment, such as smog, dust, and second-hand smoke, as well as meteorological conditions, such as cold or dry air, can produce coughing.

Sometimes coughing is caused by stomach acid that backs up into your esophagus or, in rare cases, your lungs. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux. Some people may develop a habit cough, which can often occur despite the lack of any underlying condition.

Take these steps to help relieve a persistent cough:

Drink plenty of fluids

Fluids help keep your throat clear. Drink water or fruit juices -- not soda or coffee.

Use a humidifier

The air in your home can get very dry, especially during the winter. Dry air irritates your throat when you have a cold. Using a humidifier to moisturize the air will make breathing easier.

Suck on hard candy or lozenges

Hard candy or medicated throat lozenges may help to soothe simple throat irritation and prevent coughing if your throat is dry or sore.

Try honey

Drink a cup of warm tea or warm lemon water that is sweetened with honey. Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with the warm liquid. A study of children age 2 and older found honey at bedtime seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep. Due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning, never give honey to a child younger than age 1.

Elevate your bed

Sleep with the head of your bed elevated. Raise your bed 4 to 6 inches if your cough is caused by a backup of stomach acid. Also avoid food and drink within two to three hours of bedtime.

Avoid cough syrups

Don't waste your money on over-the-counter cough medicines because they aren't effective. Contact a doctor if your cough lasts more than two or three weeks, or if it's accompanied by fever, increased shortness of breath or bloody phlegm. Managing a chronic cough requires careful evaluation.