How to stop yourself from coughing. How to Stop Coughing: Effective Tips and When to Seek Medical Help

06.02.197016.07.2021 by alexxlab

What are the most effective ways to stop coughing. How can you differentiate between various types of coughs. When should you seek medical attention for a persistent cough.

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Understanding Different Types of Coughs

Coughing is a common symptom that can be attributed to various health conditions. To effectively address a cough, it’s crucial to understand its nature and underlying cause. Healthcare practitioners typically classify coughs into several categories:

Acute cough: Sudden onset, lasting up to 3 weeks
Subacute cough: Sudden onset, lasting 3-8 weeks
Chronic cough: Persisting for more than 8 weeks
Productive cough: Produces phlegm
Dry cough: Does not produce phlegm
Nocturnal cough: Occurs only at night
Hemoptysis: Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus

By identifying the type of cough you’re experiencing, you can better determine the appropriate treatment approach and whether medical intervention is necessary.

Immediate Relief Strategies for Coughing Attacks

When a coughing fit strikes, several methods can provide quick relief:

Hydration: Drink plenty of water to soothe the throat
Hot water with honey: Sip this mixture to alleviate irritation
Over-the-counter medications: Use appropriate cough suppressants
Steam therapy: Take a steamy shower or use a humidifier

These techniques primarily address dryness and irritation in the throat, which are common triggers for coughing. However, it’s important to note that these are temporary solutions and may not address the underlying cause of persistent coughs.

Common Causes of Acute Coughs

Acute coughs often stem from various respiratory conditions and environmental factors. Some of the most prevalent causes include:

COVID-19

In the current pandemic, a dry cough could be a symptom of COVID-19. The main symptoms of this disease include:

Dry cough
Fever
Shortness of breath

While most cases are mild, some individuals may develop severe symptoms. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, or bluish discoloration of the lips or face.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs)

URTIs are viral or bacterial infections affecting the nose, sinuses, pharynx, or larynx. Common examples include the common cold, sinusitis, and laryngitis. Symptoms often include:

Cough
Sore throat
Headaches
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Facial pressure
Low-grade fever
Muscle aches

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs)

LRTIs affect the large airways of the lungs and include conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia. Bronchitis typically presents with a dry or productive cough, while pneumonia can cause a range of symptoms including:

Cough (dry or productive)
Chest pain
Fever
Fatigue
Shortness of breath

Allergic Rhinitis and Environmental Irritants

Allergic reactions and exposure to environmental irritants can trigger coughing fits. Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system overreacts to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. Symptoms may include:

Dry cough
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Itching in the eyes, nose, mouth, or throat
Swollen eyelids

Similarly, inhaling irritants like cigarette smoke, diesel fumes, or strong perfumes can lead to coughing and symptoms resembling allergic rhinitis.

Treating Coughs in Infants and Children

Coughs in young children and infants require special attention and care. Here are some safe and effective methods to alleviate coughing in younger patients:

Hydration: Encourage plenty of water intake to soothe the throat
Humidification: Use a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier near the child’s bed
Avoid certain treatments: The FDA advises against giving OTC cough medicines to children under 2 years of age
Honey precaution: Do not give honey to infants under 1 year due to the risk of infant botulism

Always consult a pediatrician before administering any treatments to infants or young children.

When to Seek Medical Help for a Cough

While many coughs resolve on their own or with home remedies, certain situations warrant medical attention. Consider consulting a healthcare professional if you experience:

A cough lasting more than 3 weeks
Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Chest pain or pressure
High fever (above 101°F or 38.3°C)
Unexplained weight loss
Night sweats
Persistent fatigue

These symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment.

Preventive Measures to Reduce Coughing Episodes

While it’s not always possible to prevent coughs entirely, certain lifestyle changes and precautions can help minimize their occurrence:

Practice good hygiene: Wash hands frequently and avoid touching your face
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day
Avoid irritants: Steer clear of smoke, strong fragrances, and other known triggers
Manage allergies: Follow your allergy management plan and avoid known allergens
Boost immune health: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep
Use air purifiers: Consider using HEPA air purifiers to reduce airborne irritants
Quit smoking: If you smoke, consider quitting to improve respiratory health

By implementing these preventive measures, you can potentially reduce the frequency and severity of coughing episodes.

Natural Remedies and Alternative Treatments for Coughs

In addition to conventional treatments, several natural remedies and alternative approaches may help alleviate coughs:

Herbal Teas

Certain herbal teas have been traditionally used to soothe coughs and throat irritation:

Thyme tea: Known for its expectorant properties
Ginger tea: May help reduce inflammation
Marshmallow root tea: Can create a protective coating in the throat
Licorice root tea: May help loosen mucus

Essential Oils

Some essential oils, when used properly, may provide relief from coughing:

Eucalyptus oil: Known for its decongestant properties
Peppermint oil: May help soothe throat irritation
Tea tree oil: Has antimicrobial properties

Always dilute essential oils properly and consult with a healthcare provider before use, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant.

Honey and Lemon

A mixture of honey and lemon juice in warm water is a time-honored remedy for coughs. Honey has antimicrobial properties and can help soothe the throat, while lemon provides vitamin C and may help thin mucus.

Salt Water Gargle

Gargling with warm salt water can help reduce throat inflammation and loosen mucus. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and gargle several times a day.

While these natural remedies can provide relief, they should not replace medical treatment for persistent or severe coughs. Always consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions.

Understanding the Impact of Chronic Coughs on Quality of Life

Chronic coughs, lasting more than 8 weeks, can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. These persistent coughs can lead to various physical, emotional, and social challenges:

Physical Effects

Sleep disturbances
Fatigue
Chest and abdominal muscle pain
Headaches
Urinary incontinence
Rib fractures (in severe cases)

Emotional and Social Impact

Anxiety and depression
Social embarrassment
Difficulty in public speaking or professional settings
Strain on personal relationships

Given these potential impacts, it’s crucial to address chronic coughs promptly and effectively. This often involves identifying and treating the underlying cause, which may include:

Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Postnasal drip
Chronic bronchitis
Medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors)

A comprehensive approach to managing chronic coughs typically involves a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle modifications, and coping strategies to minimize the impact on daily life.

The Role of Diet in Managing Coughs

While diet alone cannot cure a cough, certain foods and dietary habits can play a supportive role in managing coughs and promoting overall respiratory health:

Foods That May Help

Chicken soup: May have anti-inflammatory properties and help thin mucus
Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory effects
Garlic: Has antimicrobial properties
Citrus fruits: Rich in vitamin C, which may boost immune function
Honey: Can soothe throat irritation and may have antimicrobial effects

Foods to Avoid

Certain foods may exacerbate coughs or throat irritation:

Dairy products: Can increase mucus production in some individuals
Processed foods: May contain additives that irritate the throat
Fried foods: Can increase inflammation in the body
Caffeine and alcohol: May lead to dehydration, worsening cough symptoms

Hydration

Staying well-hydrated is crucial for managing coughs. Adequate fluid intake helps:

Thin mucus, making it easier to expel
Soothe throat irritation
Support overall immune function

While dietary changes can support cough management, they should be considered as part of a broader treatment plan, especially for persistent or severe coughs.

The Future of Cough Treatment: Emerging Research and Therapies

As our understanding of cough mechanisms deepens, researchers are exploring new approaches to cough treatment. Some promising areas of research include:

Targeted Cough Suppressants

Scientists are working on developing medications that specifically target the cough reflex without causing systemic side effects. These drugs aim to block specific receptors involved in the cough mechanism.

Neuromodulation Therapies

Researchers are investigating the use of neuromodulation techniques to control chronic coughs. This involves using electrical or magnetic stimulation to alter nerve activity related to coughing.

Personalized Medicine

Advances in genetic research may lead to more personalized treatments for chronic coughs, tailoring therapies based on an individual’s genetic profile and specific cough triggers.

Probiotics and the Microbiome

Emerging research is exploring the role of the gut and respiratory microbiome in cough and respiratory health. Probiotics and other microbiome-based therapies may play a future role in cough management.

Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis

AI-powered diagnostic tools are being developed to analyze cough sounds and patterns, potentially leading to more accurate and rapid diagnosis of underlying conditions.

While these areas show promise, it’s important to note that many are still in the research phase. Current best practices for cough management, including identifying and treating underlying causes, remain crucial.

As we continue to advance our understanding of coughs and their treatments, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments and consult with healthcare professionals for the most up-to-date and appropriate care. Remember, while coughs are common, persistent or severe coughs should always be evaluated by a medical professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Tips and when to seek help

There are several things a person can do that might help relieve a coughing attack. However, the best way to treat a cough is to tackle the underlying cause.

Coughing is a symptom of many different health conditions. Some of these conditions are relatively harmless, while others are much more severe.

This article outlines the different types of cough and lists the most common causes of acute and chronic coughs. It also provides information on how to stop a coughing attack and when to see a doctor.

Share on PinterestA person can try sipping hot water with honey to stop a coughing attack.

There are several methods a person can try to stop a coughing attack when one begins. These include:

drinking plenty of water
sipping hot water with honey
taking over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines
taking a steamy shower
using a humidifier in the home

Many coughs occur due to dryness or irritation in the throat. The methods listed above can all help relieve dryness and irritation if present.

A cough can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition. In these instances, treating the underlying condition should stop the cough.

How to stop infants coughing

Children and infants who have a cough should drink plenty of water. This will help soothe the throat and minimize coughing.

Placing a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier next to the child’s bed can help alleviate nighttime coughing.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not recommend giving OTC cough medicines to children under 2 years of age.

Additionally, people should not give honey to infants under 1 year of age, as it can lead to an illness called infant botulism.

Many different health conditions can cause a cough. In order to identify the cause, it can be helpful to understand the different types of cough.

According to the American Lung Association, healthcare practitioners classify coughs as follows:

Acute cough: This is a cough that comes on suddenly and lasts up to 3 weeks.
Subacute cough: This is a cough that comes on suddenly and lasts around 3–8 weeks.
Chronic cough: This is cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks.
Productive cough: This is a cough that produces phlegm.
Dry cough: This is a cough that does not produce phlegm.
Nocturnal cough: This is cough that only occurs at night.
Hemoptysis: This means coughing up blood or blood stained mucus from the lungs.

The following are some common causes of an acute cough.

COVID-19

During the current pandemic, a person may be concerned that a dry cough is a symptom of COVID-19. This is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

a dry cough
a fever
shortness of breath

Most people who contract SARS-CoV-2 will develop mild symptoms. However, some may develop severe and even life threatening symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that people seek emergency medical treatment if they develop any of the following symptoms:

difficulty breathing
persistent pressure or pain in the chest
confusion or an inability to arouse
blue discoloration of the lips or face, or cyanosis

Upper respiratory tract infections

An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a viral or bacterial infection of one or more of the following:

the nose
the sinuses
the pharynx, which is the part of the throat that sits behind the mouth and nasal cavity
the larynx, or voicebox

Some examples of URTIs include:

A cough is a common symptom of URTIs. Other common symptoms include:

a sore throat
headaches
nasal congestion, or a runny nose
sneezing
pressure in and around the face
low grade fever
muscle aches

Lower respiratory tract infections

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) affect the large airways of the lungs. Some examples include bronchitis and pneumonia.

Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchi, which are the main airways of the lungs. The primary symptom of bronchitis is a dry or productive cough. A productive cough may produce green, yellow, or blood tinged mucus.

Other symptoms include:

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. It typically causes a dry or productive cough.

Some other common symptoms of pneumonia include:

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a condition in which a person’s immune system overreacts to something in the environment.

Common environmental allergy triggers, or allergens, include:

People who have allergic rhinitis may experience a dry cough as a result of breathing in an allergen. Some other potential symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

nasal congestion
sneezing
itching in the eyes, nose, mouth, or throat
swollen eyelids

Inhaling irritants

A person may develop an acute cough after breathing in certain irritants from their environment. Examples of such irritants include:

cigarette smoke
diesel fumes
perfumes

Inhaling irritants can cause symptoms similar to those of allergic rhinitis.

The sections below outline some of the more common causes of a chronic cough.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. This narrowing makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties.

There is no cure for asthma, but treatments are usually effective in managing the condition. If a person does not control the condition well, however, they may experience the following symptoms:

coughing fits
wheezing
a tight feeling in the chest
shortness of breath

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of chronic lung conditions that obstruct airflow in and out of the lungs.

In COPD, the airways within the lungs become inflamed and thickened, and the lung tissue responsible for exchanging gases can become damaged.

Chronic cough and shortness of breath are common symptoms of COPD. Other possible signs and symptoms of COPD include:

wheezing
excessive mucus production
frequent respiratory infections
cyanosis of the lips or fingernail beds
fatigue

Medications

A cough can sometimes be a side effect of certain medications.

The most common medications to cause a cough are drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Doctors sometimes prescribe these to treat high blood pressure.

According to a 2012 case report, the antiepileptic drug topiramate can also cause a dry cough.

In order to prevent a coughing fit, a person will need to identify and treat the underlying cause of the cough.

People with chronic respiratory conditions will require medical treatments to reduce the frequency and severity of coughing fits.

Those who develop coughing fits in response to certain allergens or irritants should try limiting their exposure to those substances.

Another option for people with allergies is to take antihistamines. These drugs help suppress the immune system reaction to environmental allergens, thereby preventing coughing fits.

Quitting smoking will also help prevent coughing episodes.

A person should see a doctor if their cough is severe, is persistent, or worsens over time. These characteristics can indicate that a person requires medical treatment.

Parents and caregivers should also speak to a doctor if their child displays any of the following symptoms:

a fever of any kind in an infant under 3 months of age
a fever of 102°F (38.9ºC) or higher in a child of any age
cyanosis of the lips
wheezing
difficult or labored breathing
a loss of appetite or thirst
excessive sleepiness
excessive irritability
a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks

Also, anyone who develops bothersome symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their doctor. If the symptoms are severe, they need immediate medical attention.

There are several steps a person can take to stop or manage a cough. These include drinking plenty of water, taking OTC cough medicines, and using an indoor humidifier.

There are a number of health conditions that can cause a cough. Some are relatively harmless and tend to go away on their own. Others are much more severe and may require medical treatment.

A person should talk to their doctor if they develop a severe, persistent, or worsening cough. A person should also contact a doctor if they or their child develop any other concerning symptoms.

A doctor will work to identify the cause of the symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatments.

Why Coughing May Occur After You Quit Smoking

Although coughing is not a common symptom of withdrawal from smoking cigarettes, some ex-smokers do develop a cough early on in smoking cessation for a short period of time. The reason for this usually has to do with the cilia in the lungs.

Cigarette smoke paralyzes and damages the cilia, thousands of tiny hair-like projections in our lungs. When you stop smoking, cilia start to function again.

Verywell / JR Bee

The Function of Cilia in Lungs

Cilia are a protective barrier between the outside world and the delicate tissue of the lungs. The bronchial tubes in healthy lungs are lined with a thin coating of mucus and cilia. Moving back and forth in unison, cilia clean house by sweeping inhaled pollutants that have been trapped in the mucus layer back out of the body.

Once the mucus reaches the throat, it’s either coughed or spit out, or swallowed. This work done between cilia and the mucus layer in lungs protects us from a host of respiratory infections and diseases.

How Smoking Affects Cilia

Cigarette smoke is made up of thousands of chemicals that have damaging effects on the lungs. It also leaves a sticky yellow coating called tar on everything it touches, including a smoker’s teeth, fingers, clothing and furniture—and the inside of the lungs.

In the lungs, the buildup of tar shuts down the motion of cilia and causes inflammation in the airways, prompting excess mucus production. With the lung’s natural defense system neutralized, toxic particles in cigarette smoke and other inhaled dust, dirt, and germs stay in the lungs, putting smokers at risk for chest infections and respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis and lung cancer.

Smoking Cessation-Related Coughing

When you stop smoking, cilia gradually start functioning again and the lungs begin the work of moving trapped toxins up and out. This might cause a cough that could last for the first couple of months of smoking cessation until cilia have fully recovered.

If you are concerned about your cough, how long it is lasting, or any other symptom you experience when you quit smoking, don’t hesitate to check in with your doctor to have it evaluated.

What You Can Do for Your Cough

While you don’t want to necessarily reduce the productive quality of the cough because it is helping to rid the lungs of tobacco pollutants, there are a few things you can do to soothe your throat and help the process along:

Stay hydrated by drinking water, juice, and tea. Teas with licorice root are an especially good choice, as licorice root is a natural expectorant that also soothes the throat.
Use a humidifier in your home, especially if you live in a dry environment. It will help to loosen mucus and allow for a productive cough.
Ease your tender throat with a tablespoon of honey one to three times a day. It coats and soothes raw throats.

When to Call the Doctor

If you experience any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible, as there may be something more serious than cilia recovery going on:

Shortness of breath: Struggling to catch your breath after little or no exertion, or feeling that it is difficult to breathe in and out.
Wheezing: Noisy breathing may be a sign of inflammation in your airway.
Blood in sputum: Coughing up flecks or streaks of blood in phlegm can be a sign of infection.

A Word From Verywell

Nicotine withdrawal can produce a number of discomforts that may be intense. But they are temporary, and are signs that your body is healing from the damage that tobacco has inflicted.

Reading about what you can expect as you recover from nicotine addiction, and connect with other ex-smokers for support that will help you go the distance with smoking cessation. It’s worth the work it takes, and the benefits are undeniable.

Cough | Your COVID Recovery

Why do I still have a cough?

A cough is usually a reflex action to clear dust, phlegm and other irritants from your lungs and windpipe. Whilst recovering from COVID you may continue to experience a dry cough for some time.

Over time, a cough can develop into a cycle, where excessive coughing causes irritation and inflammation, which worsens the cough. A dry cough may have no obvious cause and using the advice below will help to prevent this cough.

A problematic cough can also make you breathe through your mouth, which means that lots of dry, fast flowing air enters the lungs, affecting the delicate airway membranes and causing further coughing.

How can I control my cough?

Practise a ‘normal’ breathing pattern – gentle, quiet, diaphragmatic (tummy breathing- feeling the tummy rise and fall as you breathe in and out), nose breathing at rest to start with. Aim to practise this little and often so that it becomes habit. Progress this by practising with gentle activity as you are able.

Other techniques to help with reducing your cough:

Close your mouth and swallow.
Gently breathe in and out through your nose, until the urge to cough goes away.
Sip drinks regularly (hot or cold).
Suck boiled sweets or lozenges.

Using a combination of the above techniques is more effective at reducing your cough – pick the techniques that work best for you!

It can be very difficult to control your cough but keep practising.

Why do I have a productive cough?

It is important to realise everyone produces sputum as part of the body’s normal defence mechanisms. It’s how the lungs and airways keep themselves clear and clean.

You may find your chest remains productive with phlegm following an infection with COVID. Your breathing may be noisier than normal, and you maybe short of breath following a chest infection.

It is important to continue to clear the secretions from your lungs. This will reduce the chance of recurrent chest infections, allows you to breathe more freely during exercise and everyday activities and help reduce any uncontrolled coughing.

The breathing exercises below will help you to effectively and efficiently clear your phlegm. It is important not to force clearance and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to rest during and after.

Make sure you are sitting upright and comfortably.
Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose and hold it at the top for a count of 3 (if you can) then let it go gently from your mouth. Repeat 3-4 times.
Gentle, relaxed breathing for 20-30 seconds (breathing control, see breathlessness section).
Repeat steps 2 and 3 through 3 times.
Huff 2-3 times (Take a slow deep breath in through your nose, then breathe the air out quickly through your mouth, keeping your throat open as if you are steaming up a mirror or your glasses).

Repeat this for 3-4 cycles or until you feel that the phlegm has cleared. Sometimes you can feel dizzy with doing this cycle. Allow enough time at the breathing control parts of the cycle for your breathing to become quiet. Remember the huffing should be short, try not to breathe out for so long that you need to gasp for air. If the dizziness persists, then stop.

You may need to use this technique several times in a day – find a time that is convenient for you and try to use it at times of the day when you feel most productive.

The following can also help with keeping your chest clear

Positioning – try and keep upright as much as possible. If you have been advised by a physiotherapist to use other positions, then try them.
Taking prescribed medication of antibiotics and/or steroids
Taking your inhalers if you have them.
Keeping well hydrated.
Steam inhalation.
Exercise and keep active.

If your cough is ongoing and you did not require hospitalisation during your COVID infection you should seek advice from your GP.

7 ways to combat coughs and colds

Speaking of Health

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

The next time you go to see your health care provider for an upper respiratory illness — a cough or cold — don’t assume you’ll get a prescription for an antibiotic.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, and won’t help viral illnesses like colds, flu and most sore throats.

According to the American College of Physicians

Clinicians should not prescribe antibiotics for patients with bronchitis. Antibiotics should be used only if patients have pneumonia.
Clinicians should test patients with symptoms that could be strep throat. Because symptoms alone are not reliable, antibiotics should be prescribed only when testing confirms strep throat. Other sore throat infections don’t need antibiotics.
Clinicians shouldn’t prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections unless patients have severe symptoms or symptoms lasting more than 10 days. Patients whose symptoms improve but eventually get worse also may need antibiotics.
Clinicians should not prescribe antibiotics for patients with the common cold.

So what can you do to combat a viral illness? To make yourself as comfortable as possible when you have a cough or cold, try to:

Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water are good choices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
Eat chicken soup. Chicken soup and other warm fluids can be soothing and loosen congestion.
Rest. If possible, stay home from work or school if you have a fever or a bad cough, or are drowsy after taking medications. This will give you a chance to rest and reduce the chances you’ll infect others.
Adjust your room’s temperature and humidity. Keep your room warm but not overheated. If the air is dry, a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer can moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing. Keep the humidifier clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds.
Soothe your throat. Perform a saltwater gargle. Dissolve 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a 4- to 8-ounce glass of warm water. This can relieve a sore or scratchy throat temporarily.
Use saline nasal drops. To help relieve nasal congestion, try saline nasal drops. You can buy these drops over the counter, and they can help relieve symptoms ― even in children.
Take over-the-counter cold and cough medications. For adults and children older than 5, over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers might offer some symptom relief. However, they won’t prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. Experts agree you shouldn’t give these medications to younger children. Overuse and misuse of cold and cough medications can cause serious damage.

Even though colds are usually minor, they can make you feel miserable. It’s tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. Rest, drink fluids and keep the air around you moist. Remember to wash your hands frequently.

Emily Langer is an emergency medicine physician assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System in Lake City.

For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

How to Prevent and Stop Coughing Attacks

For many people with COPD, a chronic cough is an ever-present feature in their lives. This can be very disruptive to daily life and leave you feeling tired and fatigued.

COPD causes a chronic cough for two main reasons: First, COPD causes inflammation in your throat, lungs, and airways, making them much more sensitive to getting triggered to cough. Second, COPD causes you to produce extra mucus, which obstructs your lungs and airways and triggers a phlegmy cough.

People with COPD also tend to suffer more often from other conditions that cause coughing, like pneumonia, asthma, and GERD.

Along with breathlessness, coughing is one of the most uncommon and unpleasant symptoms of COPD. Some people have a chronic cough that they have to deal with day in and day out, while others only experience severe coughing during exacerbations.

But whether you struggle with coughing every day or just when your symptoms get worse, you should know that you don’t have to suffer hopelessly. While you probably won’t be able to rid yourself of your cough for good, there are many effective cough suppression techniques that can reduce your cough and make it easier to manage.

In this article we’re going to show you a variety of cough suppression techniques for COPD. We’ll introduce you to an assortment of home remedies, lifestyle changes, and mucus reduction techniques that can help you control your cough and breathe unobstructed

Not All Coughing is Bad

Before we get into the cough suppression techniques, it’s important to know that there are times when you shouldn’t try to suppress your cough. Oftentimes, COPD causes a productive cough, which is a cough that produces sputum (a mixture of mucus and saliva).

A good rule of thumb is that if you can cough up mucus, then you should try to cough up as much as you can. You don’t want to stop or suppress the coughing, otherwise the mucus will build up in your airways and make it even more difficult to breathe. The mucus has to come out at some point, so you might as well deal with it now!

If you have a wet cough that produces sputum, you can use controlled huffing and coughing techniques to move the mucus up and out of your airways and into your mouth, where you can spit it out. You can read more about controlled coughing techniques in our previous post here, and learn about other methods to loosen and get rid of mucus in your airways.

Controlled, productive coughing is important because it’s the only way to clear your airways of mucus and prevent uncontrolled coughing later. Uncontrolled coughing, however, can be disruptive, uncomfortable, and even painful.

If you have COPD, uncontrolled coughing can leave you feeling exhausted and leave you with less energy for other activities. In this next section, we’ll show you how you can reduce and suppress coughing with simple activities and home treatment methods.

Simple Activities to Reduce Coughing

Avoid Coughing Triggers

COPD makes your lungs and airways especially sensitive to airborne irritants. That includes particulates likes smog, dust, and barbecue smoke as well as biological molecules like bacteria, pollen, and mold.

These airborne irritants are common causes of coughing, and breathing clean, pure air is one of the best ways to prevent it. If you smoke, live in an area with high air pollution, or are sensitive to airborne allergens like pollen, you’re much more likely to experience a chronic cough and other worsened COPD symptoms.

To avoid coughing as a result of exposure to contaminated air, its important to keep airborne irritants and allergens from building up in your home. Since most people spend a lot of time indoors, it’s worth putting in some extra effort into cleaning and buying a high-quality air filter to remove particulates from the air indoors.

You should also avoid going any place where you might be exposed to smoke or other forms of air pollution. Stay away from wood-burning stoves, avoid breathing car exhaust on busy roads, and stay indoors when your local air quality or allergen report indicates caution.

Finally, scented products like perfumes, lotions, and other body products are irritating to many people who have COPD. If you notice that certain products and fragrances are making you cough or causing other respiratory symptoms, make sure to use only unscented products. You might consider asking other people who share your home or work space to do the same.

Avoid Foods that Worsen Symptoms

There are certain foods, like dairy, that you should avoid if you often have thick or excess amounts of mucus in your airways. For some people, dairy seems to increase mucus production and changes their mucus’ consistency to be thick and sticky.

Not everyone is sensitive to this effect, however. But if you regularly experience thick mucus and coughing, it’s worth testing whether dairy is a culprit by reducing your dairy consumption and paying attention to how it affects your congestion and cough.

Another category of foods to avoid is foods that contain a lot of salt. Too much salt can make you dehydrated, thickening the mucus in your airways and making you more likely to cough. It can also cause bloating, which increases chest discomfort and makes it even more difficult to breathe.

Drink Plenty of Water

If you have COPD it’s important to avoid dehydration. If you don’t drink enough water, it can make several COPD symptoms worse, including chest discomfort, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

This happens because, when you don’t get enough water, the mucus in your lungs and airways dries up and becomes more thick and sticky. This thick mucus gets stuck in your lungs and airways, blocking airflow and triggering the need to cough.

Proper hydration prevents this by keeping your mucus thin and watery, that way it is less likely to cause blockages. Thin, runny mucus is also easier to cough up and drain out of your airways using postural drainage techniques (discussed later in this article).

Get Plenty of Exercise

If you have COPD, then you know that exercise is important. It’s the only way to stay healthy and keep your body strong, and it’s an effective way to reduce coughing, as well.

Regular exercise can improve many COPD symptoms and can make it much easier to breathe on a daily basis. That’s because, in the long run, physical activity strengthens the muscles in your chest that you use to breathe.

This overall reduction in symptoms, increased ability to breathe, and increased tolerance for activity means less coughing and wheezing, too. However, exercise can also help your cough in the short term by helping mucus drain.

For some people, exercise helps their mucus flow and makes it easier to clear out of their airways. However, some people find that exercise actually increases their mucus production and makes coughing worse. To figure out how exercise affects you, pay attention to how you feel and how much you cough during and after moderate to light aerobic activity.

Practice Breathing

Shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing can all make you more likely to cough. That’s right, coughing itself causes more coughing because it irritates your airways and makes them even more sensitive to irritants and other coughing triggers.

This is why, when you have a coughing fit, it can be so difficult to stop coughing and get your symptoms back under control. The best way to break out of this negative cycle is to practice controlled breathing techniques.

Breathing techniques help you slow your breathing and get it back into a natural rhythm. Doctors recommend that you practice breathing exercises like diaphragmic breathing and pursed lips breathing every day, that way you can use them when needed to recover from periods of wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing.

Position Yourself for Proper Drainage

Excess mucus production is a major cause of coughing in people with COPD. One way to prevent this and reduce coughing is to position yourself so that the mucus drains out of your lungs and airways.

Postural drainage is a specific mucus-draining technique used to help COPD patients and people with other respiratory conditions breathe better. It involves positioning your body in specific ways that allow mucus to flow out of your lungs and airways and into your mouth, where you can spit it out.

There are several recognized postural drainage positions, and each helps drain a different section, or lobe, of your lungs. Most positions require lying down on a soft surface and using pillows to elevate certain parts of your body.

Here is a link to more information on postural drainage positions.

Chest and Back Percussion

Percussion is a method used to loosen up mucus in the lungs so you can more easily cough it up. This allows you to clear out phlegm that might obstruct your breathing or cause a fit of coughing later.

To do chest percussion, you lie flat on your back and have someone tap firmly and rhythmically on specific places on your chest. After a few minutes, you sit up and do controlled coughing techniques until you are able to get the dislodged mucus out of your lungs.

Back percussion is similar to chest percussion, except you lie on your chest and have someone tap on specific points on your back. To learn more about chest percussion and the correct spots to tap, see this guide to chest physiotherapy from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Elevate Your Head at Night

Keeping your head and neck elevated at night is an effective way to prevent coughing and breathing difficulties while you sleep. It helps mucus drain out of your airways so it doesn’t pool in your throat and obstruct your breathing at night.

Before you go to sleep, prop up your head and neck with a pillow or two to keep mucus from building up in your throat and upper airways. This will help you avoid nighttime coughing and help you and your family sleep more comfortably.

Home Remedies for Coughing

Get a Humidifier

Dry air is a very common trigger for coughing, especially if you have COPD. If you live in a dry climate or experience worse coughing in the winter, the cold weather could be what’s making your cough and other COPD symptoms worse.

When you breathe air that is too dry it irritates your airways and triggers a coughing reaction. When you breathe in moist air, however, it lubricates your airways and allows air to pass through without discomfort.

The best solution to dry indoor air is to get a humidifier for your home. Running a humidifier increases the amount of moisture in the air and makes it easier and more comfortable to breathe.

You can get either a whole-house humidifier for your entire home or a smaller, portable humidifier for a single room or small area. Just make sure to read the information on the box to make sure that the humidifier you get is big enough for your space.

Many people find that using a humidifier in their bedroom at night reduces their COPD symptoms and makes it easier to breathe while they sleep. However, if the humidity gets too high then it can actually make your symptoms worse. Most doctors recommend that you keep the humidity in your home at about forty percent for the best results, and to not let the humidity rise above fifty percent indoors.

Breathe Moist Air

If you’re suffering from an acute coughing fit due to an irritated throat or airways, try taking a hot shower or bath. This helps suppress coughing by moistening and soothing your airways so they are less irritated and sensitive to coughing triggers.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of taking a whole shower or bath, you can breathe in moist air from other sources. You can inhale the steam rising from a hot drink or by standing over a pot of simmering water to get the same effect as a steamy shower.

Breathe Still Air

Moving air, like wind or air stirred up by a fan or heater, can sometimes make coughing worse. Moving air can tickle and irritate your throat and nasal passages, which are particularly sensitive to irritation in people with COPD.

To prevent this, turn off any overhead fans, HVAC ventilation, heaters, or other air-stirring appliances whenever you feel particularly sensitive to coughing. If you remove the air currents indoors and stay out of the wind, you will be less likely to cough and experience other respiratory symptoms.

Drink the Right Stuff

Along with drinking water, there are certain foods that might be able to suppress coughing by reducing the amount of mucus in your airways. For example, one group of researchers found that drinking pineapple juice can help your body get rid of mucus in your lungs, although no other scientists have yet verified these results.

Lemon and honey is another common and potentially effective home remedy for coughing. The acidity from the lemon helps kill bacteria clinging to the walls of your throat and the honey acts as a thick, soothing liquid that soothes your throat and prevents irritation.

Eat to Clear Your Throat

Sometimes thick mucus gets stuck in the folds and the walls of your throat and just won’t let go. This gives you an uncomfortable, phlegmy feeling and can obstruct airflow when you breathe.

Sometimes a few gulps of water or a warm drink like coffee or tea can loosen mucus and clear it up, but it’s often not enough to do the job. Extra fluids will thin your mucus if you wait and give it time, but you can sometimes get more immediate relief by using solid food to physically brush it off.

Toast is a perfect food for this purpose. It’s soft and spongy, and yet rough enough scrape stubborn mucus from the back of your throat. So if you have a phlegmy throat that’s bothering you and won’t go away, try eating a piece of toast to clear it up.

Medical Remedies for Coughing

When all else fails, you might need to turn to pharmaceutical medications to manage your cough. If you talk to your doctor, he can prescribe daily bronchodilators, recommend over-the-counter medications, or suggest other treatments to help you reduce coughing.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators help widen your airways so that it’s easier to get mucus out. They relax and open up your airways, bypass blockages, make it easier to breathe, and make it easier to move mucus up and out of your lungs when you cough. Many doctors recommend using bronchodilators before trying other mucus clearance techniques like percussion or postural drainage.

Cough Suppressants

Some studies show that cough suppressant medications like codeine can help people with COPD better control their chronic cough. However, cough medications are not always effective, and you should always talk to your doctor before taking any over the counter medicine.

VapoRub

This is a common remedy for congestion and coughing that could help reduce coughing for people with COPD. You simply rub the thick, menthol-infused cream on your back, throat, and/or chest, and you should feel its effects within minutes.

Throat Lozenges

Throat lozenges, or cough drops, are often an effective way to suppress coughing when you have an irritated throat. Cough drops coat your throat to prevent irritation and usually contain a soothing compound like menthol which can reduce congestion and soothe your throat.

Positive Expiratory Pressure

If you have trouble with breathlessness and coughing while you sleep, you might need to use a positive expiratory pressure device at night. This is a medical device with a tube that connects to a breathing mask that fills your airways with pressurized air.

This pressurized air helps keep your airways open so they don’t collapse and obstruct your breathing while you sleep. The widened airways also make mucus less likely to build up and block your airways, preventing coughing and making it easier to breathe.

High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation

This is a technique for which you need a special vest that inflates and vibrates against your chest and back. This works similarly to chest percussion by loosening mucus in your lungs and airways to make it easier to cough up.

You can do high-frequency chest wall oscillation for several sessions of several minutes each. In-between each session, use controlled coughing techniques to dislodge the loosened mucus and cough it up and out of your body.

Conclusion

Dealing with a chronic cough is hard. It makes it difficult to exercise, sleep, and participate in the activities that you enjoy.

Luckily, with these techniques and home remedies you can reduce your coughing and prevent it from taking a major toll on your life. If you eat a healthy diet, use mucus-draining techniques, and try the other tips in this article you’ll likely find your cough much easier to manage.

Treating your cough makes it easier to exercise, breathe, and get more joy and fulfillment out of your life. Start using these cough suppression techniques today to get yourself back on the road to feeling better.

Learn About Cough | American Lung Association

A cough is a spontaneous reflex. When things such as mucus, germs or dust irritate your throat and airways, your body automatically responds by coughing. Similar to other reflexes such as sneezing or blinking, coughing helps protect your body.

Key Facts

Coughing is an important reflex that helps protect your airway and lungs against irritants.
Coughing can propel air and particles out of your lungs and throat at speeds close to 50 miles per hour.
Occasional coughing is normal as it helps clear your throat and airway of germs, mucus and dust.
A cough that doesn’t go away or comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath, mucus production or bloody phlegm could be the sign of a more serious medical problem.

How a Cough Affects Your Body

An occasional cough is a normal healthy function of your body. Your throat and airways are equipped with nerves that sense irritants and seek to dispel them. This response is almost instantaneous and very effective.

Throats and lungs normally produce a small amount of mucus to keep the airway moist and to have a thin covering layer that works as a protective barrier against irritants and germs you may breathe in. Some infrequent coughing helps mobilize mucus and has no damaging effects on your body. Coughing also allows for the rapid removal of any unwelcome particles you accidentally breathe in.

Cough Causes

These are common causes of acute cough – lasting less than two months:

Upper respiratory tract infections: Infections of the nose and throat are the most common cause of coughing related to illness. They are usually associated with fevers, sore throat and runny nose. They are almost always caused by viruses, and include the common cold, viral laryngitis and influenza.
Hay fever (or allergic rhinitis): A common allergic condition that mimics the symptoms of a common cold. It is usually associated with dry cough, sneezing and runny nose.
Inhalation of irritants: Acute exposure to some fumes and vapors can cause inflammation of the throat and airway and cause cough.
Lower respiratory tract infections: These are more serious viral and bacterial infections that usually cause a deep, lingering cough and fever. They can affect the airways (bronchitis) or go further into the lungs (pneumonia).
Pulmonary embolism: This is a potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot travels, usually from the legs, to the lungs causing sudden shortness of breath and sometimes a dry cough.
Lung collapse (or pneumothorax): This is caused by the deflation of the lung. It can be spontaneous or due to chest trauma. Signs of a collapsed lung include sudden chest pain, dry cough and shortness of breath.
Heart failure: A weak or diseased heart can cause buildup of fluid in the lung, causing cough and worsening shortness of breath.
Post-nasal drip: This condition shows up as a dry cough caused by the chronic dripping of mucus from the back of the nose to the throat. Usually this occurs after a recent infection or continuous exposure to an allergy trigger.
Gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD): This digestive disorder occurs when stomach acid frequently backs up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. When the acid rises into the throat it can also cause a dry cough.

Types of Cough

There are many different types of coughs with distinct characteristics that can help your doctor identify what underlying issue may be causing it. If a cough brings up phlegm or mucus it is called a productive cough and could suggest pneumonia, bronchitis or the flu. The color of the mucus can signal a more serious problem. You should see a doctor if your cough brings up yellowish-green phlegm or blood. A cough that doesn’t produce mucus is called a dry or nonproductive cough.

Acute cough is the least serious type of cough. It only lasts for three weeks or less and will most likely clear up on its own. This type of cough will not need medical attention. However, if the cough is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, headache, drowsiness or shortness of breath it should be brought to a doctor’s attention. Coughs that make certain sounds, like whooping, wheezing or barking, may also signal a bigger problem.

Chronic coughs last longer than eight weeks and can be the sign of a more serious or chronic lung disease. Learn more about possible causes.

Why It’s So Important – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

If there were ever a perfect time to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette, it’s now. We’ve been locked in this pandemic for over a year and we’re all keenly more aware than ever before just how easy it is to spread germs.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Before coronavirus, it was normal to go to work or school with a mild cough or runny nose. But these days, the slightest sniffle is bound to raise alarm from those around you.

Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself coughing or sneezing around others.

Protect others from getting sick too

If you’re feeling under the weather, the most important thing you can do is stay home and avoid carrying your germs to school, work or anywhere else. If you’re already in public and find yourself coughing or sneezing, it’s critical that you wear a face mask (but you already knew that and were wearing one, right?).

A face mask is going to reduce the rate of your respiratory droplets going out into the open air and reaching and infecting others. It protects both yourself and those around you.

Don’t like the feeling of coughing or sneezing into a wet mask? Always travel with a few spare face masks to swap out.

Typical cough etiquette without a face mask includes the guidelines below and should still be practiced at home (even from people who are fully vaccinated):

Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose every single time you cough or sneeze. Resort to coughing into your elbow if a tissue is not available. Never cough into your hands or open air.
Always turn your face away from people around you when coughing or sneezing.
Place your used tissue immediately in the trash can.
Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 to 95% alcohol after you cough or sneeze.

“When you cough into the air, you can actually send germs as far as 3 to 6 feet in front of you,” explains infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, MD. “And if you cough into your hands, you could transfer germs from place to place when you touch something else.”

Serious respiratory viruses are commonly spread by unclean hands and touching your face after touching contaminated surfaces. So it’s incredibly important to wash your hands and to always cover up your cough or sneeze, preferably with a face mask.

Keep these additional hygiene etiquette tips in mind:

Wash your hands often.
Don’t touch your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands. If you do, immediately wash your hands before touching anything else.
Sanitize surfaces you may have coughed on or touched with contaminated hands.
Refrain from shaking hands, kissing or hugging.
If you’re sick, steer clear of others, especially those who are considered high-risk.

And again, if you’re feeling under the weather – please stay home (or keep your kids home from school). You’ll be doing your part to slow the spread of colds, the flu and COVID-19 if you just stay home and rest.

Think you might be sick, but not sure what to do?

When in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution, especially if you’ve been in contact with someone who has already been sick. Stay home from school or work and call your doctor ahead of time before going in for an appointment.

Flu symptoms can include:

Fever.
Sore throat.
Body aches and chills.
Cough.
Difficulty breathing.
Runny or stuffy nose.
Headache.
Fatigue.
Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

COVID-19 symptoms can include:

Fever or chills.
Cough.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Muscle or body aches.
Headache.
New loss of taste or smell.
Sore throat.
Congestion or runny nose.
Nausea or vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Rashes in some cases.

90,000 5 Easy Ways to Stop Coughing in Minutes

1. Drink plenty of fluids. As with any illness, drinking plenty of fluids is also a top priority in treating coughs. In case of severe dryness in the throat, it is worth drinking water to relieve swelling in the throat. This will help stop the cough in a few minutes, especially if the liquid is warm, be it tea, or even spicy soup.

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2.Heat the liquid. For some types of coughs, such as those caused by congestion or drainage of fluids in the sinuses, warm fluids will be even more effective than cool or room temperature fluids. In addition, in the case of a viral disease, it is not recommended to drink cold water due to the weakness of the immune system.

3. Try salt water. In particular, if your cough is caused by a cold or flu, salt water will be your best friend. Few people know about this life hack, and it will pleasantly surprise you with its effectiveness.

How to enter the chronicles

Lydia Yudina, AIF: How does the disease become chronic? How many acute diseases do you need to endure for this?

– Acute viral diseases, bronchitis, pneumonia do not always lead to chronic respiratory pathology.Chronic diseases are more likely to develop due to a genetic predisposition. For example, manifestations of bronchial asthma may appear after contact with an allergen or the very first viral infection. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progresses gradually (usually under the influence of smoking). At first, it is asymptomatic, then coughing and shortness of breath occur, to which the patient adapts and perceives it as a variant of the norm, therefore, the doctor often turns to the doctor for the first time already at a far advanced stage of the disease.

– Does seeking help early help? After all, it is impossible to cure chronic diseases.

– Early diagnosis implies early initiation of treatment, which allows effective control of the disease from the outset. Thanks to this, a person lives an almost ordinary life, which does not differ from the life of healthy people.

Having identified the provoking factors that cause exacerbation of asthma, the patient can protect himself from them. In cases where it is impossible to avoid contact with an allergen (pollen from plants, house dust mites, etc.)allergen-specific immunotherapy (administration of increasing doses of the allergen) may be indicated. In COPD, smoking cessation and proper therapy can help slow the progression of the disease. The prognosis largely depends on the severity of pulmonary pathology – the more severe the disease, the shorter the life.

Not to mention the fact that a patient with bronchial asthma, without receiving treatment, may die from an attack of suffocation. And COPD, according to the WHO, is the fourth leading cause of death in the world.

– Fortunately, the incidence of asthma in Russia is one of the lowest in developed countries.

– According to official statistics, Russia does indeed appear as a country with a low prevalence of bronchial asthma. However, according to data obtained in the course of epidemiological studies, the prevalence of the disease among children and adolescents in Russia is 9%, and among adults – 6.9% (that is, at the same level with global indicators).

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is greatly underestimated both in the world and in Russia, largely due to the difficulties with diagnosis.According to the most optimistic estimates, one in ten people over 40 suffers from COPD.

– Why is it not always possible to make the correct diagnosis?

– There are no problems with diagnosing asthma. A person who has survived a choking attack immediately goes to a doctor and receives a confirmation of the diagnosis. The main symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath and cough with sputum discharge. However, they are not enough to make a diagnosis – spirometry is necessary (a study of the function of external respiration).For early detection of the disease, this study should be recommended for all smokers (since 80–90% of COPD is associated with smoking).

How to treat a disease

– Is there an effective treatment for these ailments?

– When I started working, patients with bronchial asthma were prescribed pills and intravenous injections of hormones. This therapy was not only ineffective, but could only be carried out in medical institutions and had many serious side effects.Asthma attacks at the time were the cause of frequent ambulance calls and hospitalizations. Most asthma patients today live their normal lives. Asthma is primarily an inflammatory disease. Therefore, it is necessary to take inhaled steroids to treat it. But these drugs do not bring immediate relief, so patients sometimes refuse to use them and abuse bronchodilator drugs. This not only provokes exacerbations, but can also be fatal, including in patients with a mild course of the disease.

The result of treatment also depends on how closely the patient follows the instructions for use of the inhaler device. Often, patients are not taught the correct technique of use, and effective therapy is discredited by inappropriate use.

In severe bronchial asthma (observed in 6-10% of patients), standard treatment does not help. Targeted immunobiological therapy may be indicated for such patients.

With COPD, it is impossible to completely rid a person of symptoms.However, bronchodilator therapy can help prevent shortness of breath and, in some cases, stop the progression of the disease.

– The slogan “Help yourself” was popular in the past. How relevant is it for chronic lung diseases? Do they improve their condition, for example, by eating well or being physically active?

– Nutrition is very important. Regular intake of nutrients is required to form and maintain lung tissue.It is known that among emaciated asthenic pulmonary patients, mortality is higher. Exercise for asthma is a complex topic. There is so-called exercise-induced asthma, in which exercise can trigger asthma attacks. Elite sport is a serious risk factor. It is no coincidence that the prevalence of asthma among athletes (skiers, cyclists, swimmers) is higher than the average in the population.

Nevertheless, the load, selected by the doctor, taking into account the condition, age and phenotype of the disease, in asthma can improve both the condition and prognosis of patients.Adherence to a healthy lifestyle is an important adjunct to drug therapy, but not a replacement.

How to stop coughing in 5 minutes: vkozinsky – LiveJournal

1. Stop breathing through your mouth. Breathe only through your nose.

2. Count 8 seconds between each breath.

3. Continue doing this for at least 4-5 minutes.

4. Spread the “Star” balm on the soles of your feet.

5. Put on your socks and lie down to relax for at least 5 minutes.

6. Drink plenty of water. The liquid helps to get rid of harmful bacteria or viruses and also keeps your throat hydrated. Suck on cough drops. They will moisturize a dry, hoarse throat.

Drink herbal tea or lemon juice, as well as hot water with a spoonful of honey dissolved in it. The hot liquid dissolves mucus accumulated in the throat, while honey lubricates the throat and suppresses coughing.

7. If the cough persists, chew a piece of ginger with salt.This will reduce throat irritation.

8. Caress your throat with salt water. The salt disinfects your mouth and clears your throat to help you breathe.

9. Dissolve a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and drink. Vinegar has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect on the throat.

Tips

When you lie down, you cough; when you sit down, you don’t cough. Use more pillows at night to help you sit up and cough less while you sleep.

Try ginger tea. Boil hot water, add a lot of ginger and let it sit for 5 minutes. Dip the tea bag in there for a minute or so. Your ginger tea is ready, add sugar and drink.

Try applying a hot cloth to your nose. This will help soften your throat and clear your nose if it is congested.

If the cough persists or if too much phlegm is produced, it is in your best interest to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Source

US doctors had a reason to quarantine Frank and his loved ones

Frank’s father-in-law died in China from COVID-19 (the official name of the coronavirus). In the midst of the outbreak, the family was taken back to California and were quickly quarantined due to contact with their father-in-law.

When Annabelle coughed in front of medical staff, the US Centers for Disease Control suggested that the Wuchinski family remain in quarantine for a while.

The man said that he was tested twice for the virus and both times the results were negative.

However, this interview looks really suspicious

Fox News just interviewed a Pennsylvania man who went through the coronavirus quarantine process – but he couldn’t stop coughing during the interview pic.twitter.com/kzoIYQM8x6
– Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 28, 2020

“Fox News just interviewed a Pennsylvania man who went through coronavirus quarantine – but couldn’t stop coughing during the interview.”

90,040 Twitter users had their own opinion:

According to the World Health Organization, symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, shortness of breath and shortness of breath. It is closely related to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and still causes 2,861 deaths worldwide.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, the World Health Organization recommends avoiding touching your face, covering your mouth with a cloth when coughing or sneezing, and washing your hands frequently.

Please refrain from coughing on children … or anyone else.

See also: The Pope revealed how much he values his wife’s sacrifice in a letter to his newborn son .

90,000 Night cough keeps you awake. How to stop an attack?

Cough is an important helper in the fight against illness. It is a protective reflex that helps clear phlegm and germs from the airways. But nocturnal attacks of coughing interfere with rest and exhaust the already weakened organism.

Why does the cough get worse at night?

When a person is in a horizontal position, mucus accumulates in the nasopharynx, the airways are not cleared. With a runny nose, discharge from the nose and paranasal sinuses flows down the throat and causes a cough reflex, so coughing torments in sleep, especially when we roll over from side to side, and in the morning when we get out of bed.

Dust and dry air can aggravate coughing. This is especially true in apartments with central heating. Dry and hot air irritates the mucous membranes and provokes coughing fits. To alleviate your condition, regularly ventilate the bedroom and do wet cleaning. It will not be superfluous to buy a humidifier. But if you don’t have one, and you need to fight a cough right now, you can hang a damp towel on the battery or put a container of water next to the bed.

Dry and wet cough – is there a difference?

Yes.A moist cough associated with colds and flu is beneficial for clearing the nasopharynx and airways. Sputum protects the mucous membranes and prevents bacteria from entering the body.

A dry, throat-chilling cough, on the contrary, is quite dangerous for the body. With such a cough, phlegm does not stand out, the bronchi are not cleared, and the nasopharynx dries up. A constant inflammatory process is maintained on the walls of the respiratory tract. A dry cough, unlike a wet cough, does not help to recover, but only exhausts and interferes with rest.To speed up the healing process, you need to try to convert a dry cough into a wet one. But this should be done under the supervision of a doctor.

Is a child’s nighttime cough dangerous?

Not unless the cough is a symptom of a serious illness (such as asthma or pneumonia). The most common cause of cough in children is a viral infection. Viruses infect the respiratory tract at different levels – from the nose to the bronchi, bronchioles and lungs. Sometimes the cough continues for several weeks, because the child does not have time to recover from one infection and picks up another.About 10% of children continue to cough even after treated with ARVI.

Some doctors even propose to introduce a new term – “post-viral cough”. Such long attacks frighten parents, but more often than not they do not talk about serious pathologies.

But even if the disease is not dangerous or has completely passed, it is difficult for a child to endure sleepless nights, especially with a dry cough. And parents have a hard time if they don’t know how to help.

Important: If your child coughs frequently at night, it could be a sign of respiratory tract problems, allergies or whooping cough.Be sure to consult a doctor and do not treat the child yourself, so as not to worsen his condition.

What if my child coughs and cannot sleep?

To quickly stop an attack of a nocturnal cough and help your child, you can:

Place a high pillow under the back, turn the child from back to side to prevent a strong outflow of mucus that has been swallowed and accumulated during the day.
If the child does not have allergies, a spoonful of honey will help – it envelops and soothes the mucous membranes of the throat.
Give your child warm tea or water to help ease cough and airway. It is better not to drink carbonated drinks or citrus juices – they can further irritate the already inflamed mucous membranes.

How to stop a nocturnal coughing attack in an adult?

Try to find a comfortable position. Place a high pillow under your back. Drink warm tea or water to soften your throat. This is especially important for dry coughs – the liquid will help soothe the irritation.

If you find it difficult to breathe, ventilate the bedroom and try to humidify the air. If you don’t have a humidifier, hang a couple of wet towels over the radiator. You can have a small steam therapy session: go to the bathroom, close the door, turn on the hot water and wait a few minutes.

What drugs will help get rid of cough?

Treating cough only with folk remedies is ineffective and dangerous. If it does not go away for several days or nights, be sure to see your doctor.It is important to remember that a cough is a symptom of a disease, and not an independent disease, therefore, complex treatment is required.

Mucolytic and expectorant drugs fight against wet cough. They improve the excretion of phlegm and mucus. But with a dry cough, such medicines do not help, but only intensify the attacks, because the body will try to remove phlegm, which is not there. Antitussives, which inhibit or suppress the cough reflex, help get rid of dry coughs.

Mucolytic drugs, which include, for example, ambroxol, will help to cope with a wet cough in bronchitis or pneumonia. SANTO produces Ambro® solution that can be taken by mouth or inhaled. Ambro® has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, stimulates local immunity, increases the concentration of antibiotics in sputum and bronchial secretions.

90,000 8 steps to a good night without coughing

On cold days, it is very easy to catch a cold and get sick.Usually after a couple of days we recover, but quite often after an illness, a prolonged and painful cough remains. It tends to be very annoying at night, depriving a person of normal sleep. In this article, we would like to tell you how you can overcome a night cough with 8 simple steps.

Step 1: Drink tea before bed

Make yourself a cup of herbal tea with honey – this will soften the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and pleasantly relax you. Drinking warm fluids before bed can help flush mucus from the airways and is therefore an effective cough suppressant, experts say.

You should also make sure that the drink you make is caffeine-free, otherwise you may have difficulty falling asleep. Prepare your favorite drink from herbs, berries or fruits, add a spoonful of honey there and fall asleep calmly.

Step 2: Raise the head of your bed

The worst enemy when coughing is gravity. Mucus begins to build up in the throat, irritating the airways and causing a painful cough.A simple yet effective way to combat gravity is to raise the headboard with an extra pillow. This will make it easier for you to breathe while you sleep and the annoying cough will not bother you so much.

Step 3: breathe in the ferry

A severe cough may be caused by a too dry airway. To soften them before going to bed, you can take a shower or a bath, or just sit in a steam-filled bathroom for a while.But, be careful, as breathing in steam is not good for everyone: if your cough is caused by asthma, then steam inhalation can only aggravate the situation and make the cough even worse.

Step 4: Ensure proper air humidification

Use a humidifier to saturate your bedroom air with the moisture it needs and thereby prevent your airways from becoming too dry. It should also be remembered that too humid air contributes to the appearance of a cough.This is why it is so important to find the right humidity level and maintain it while you sleep.

To do this, you can purchase a special device that measures the degree of air humidity and adjust it to 40-50%: this is the most optimal indicator for maintaining the good condition of your respiratory tract.

Step 5: Prepare Thoroughly for Bed

Before going to bed, put on your bedside table anything that can somehow help you fight your cough: a glass of water, cough syrup, etc.It is important to stop coughing attacks at the very beginning, since a prolonged cough will provoke even more irritation of the respiratory tract and, thus, you will find yourself in a vicious circle.

Step 6: Make sure your bed is in good condition

Frequent allergic reactions can also trigger a cough. Make sure your bed is clean enough: Dust mites nesting inside your bed can aggravate your cough and make it progress. All bedding should be washed in hot water at least once a week.Do not forget about thoroughly cleaning the bed itself; a steam cleaner will cope best with this task.

Step 7: Take cough medicine

Certain medications, some of which are available without a prescription, can also help you cough. The pharmacist will tell you which drug is most effective for your type of cough. When taking medication, be careful to take cough-promoting drugs during the day, while drugs that reduce coughing should be preferred in the evening.This way, your sleep will become stronger, and will not be constantly interrupted by an agonizing cough.

Step 8: Visit your doctor

If a cough has been bothering you for more than 7 days, then you need to see a doctor. It is possible that your cough is just a consequence of a cold, but a prolonged cough may have some other reason. In this case, it is better not to hesitate to visit the doctor, he will help to find the cause of your cough and eliminate it.

Coronavirus cough by day

Summary:

Cough is one of the main symptoms of coronavirus infection, but not all of its types indicate COVID-19.Assessment of this trait is a useful diagnostic tool that has been used by medical professionals for centuries. Consider what a cough with coronavirus can be by day.

Coronavirus cough – what to look for

Cough itself is not an exceptional symptom of Covid-19, but specialists can use cough as a guideline when making an initial diagnosis.

A symptom of coronavirus infection is also a dry, paroxysmal cough with fever and fatigue.

The following points will be helpful to your doctor about a cough to help evaluate this symptom:

duration of cough – it is important how long the symptom lasts: several days, weeks, or months;

when the cough gets worse – at night, in the morning, or perhaps during the day it occurs irregularly;

How does a cough sound – it can be dry, barking (a type of dry cough), wet or suffocating;

severity of cough – May be intermittent or debilitating, and can sometimes make it difficult to carry out daily activities.

Dry cough is common with COVID-19

The predominant symptoms indicative of COVID-19 are fever and fatigue. About half of those infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus also cough.

With COVID-19, the cough is dry and persistent due to irritation of the lung tissue. In this case, muscle pain and shortness of breath appear. As the disease progresses, fluid builds up in the lungs and over time the difficulty in breathing may worsen.

Coronavirus cough:

Persistent and dry (unproductive) as COVID-19 irritates lung tissue.There is no discharge, and a coughing fit usually begins in the back of the throat. The sound made when coughing resembles barking.

Accompanied by shortness of breath and muscle pain.

As time passes and the disease progresses, dyspnea when coughing will increase.

If you get pneumonia with COVID-19, the type of cough changes. As the infection progresses, the alveoli in the lungs may fill with fluid and the cough becomes moist. At this stage, the sputum may turn scarlet.

How does the cough go by day

Let’s take a closer look at how this symptom develops. What characteristics does a cough with coronavirus acquire, by day:

Day 1: not all patients, but many have a dry cough that is not accompanied by shortness of breath.

Day 2: May be accompanied by weakness and headache, but shortness of breath may still not be present as the infection has not yet gone down.

Day 3: can persist or pass briefly.

Day 4: along with a cough, the person complains of fatigue, weakness and slight shortness of breath.

Day 5: the symptoms recede somewhat, and therefore the person coughs less, in general he feels better.

Day 6: The oxygen saturation in the lungs improves, the condition returns to normal. The patient is only weak when coughing.

Day 7: The cough on this day may become more severe, as well as the feeling of weakness. People who have moderate to severe coronavirus may experience shortness of breath.

Day 8: manifested by attacks, accompanied by shortness of breath. In people with a mild form of coronavirus, by this day, the cough usually goes away, or becomes less pronounced.

Day 9: The symptom gets worse, but the person does not complain of fever or shortness of breath. A healthcare professional may notice that the patient is feeling better, especially if he takes special drugs for the treatment of Covid-19 during this period.

Day 10: Along with the cough, there may be changes in the ability to smell and taste, and fatigue.

Day 11: Weakness and fatigue appear at the same time, even when it is necessary to make minimal effort. Some patients may have fever and shortness of breath.

Day 12: accompanied by a slight headache, but there may be no fever.

Day 13: the symptoms are the same.

Day 14: The person persists in coughing with anosmia and problems with the ability to taste.

Day 15: Symptom persists and slight weakness is noted.

Day 16: Generally feeling well, but there is a dry cough and there may be shortness of breath along with a fever.

Day 17: The main symptom is cough and weakness, but the person has an appetite and strength to do something.

Day 18: This day is characterized by a slight deterioration in the functional state of the lungs against the background of the absence of cough and fever. Shortness of breath is also not detected.

Cough with coronavirus infection can develop in other scenarios, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.

When to sound the alarm

When the coronavirus enters the body through the respiratory tract, the air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid or pus. Are these changes felt in the lungs? To some extent, yes, because fluid build-up in the lungs leads to coughing and breathing difficulties.

Sometimes chest pain can occur with deep breathing. If the infection continues, the lungs may eventually stop delivering oxygen to the bloodstream, leading to respiratory failure.But it is best to avoid this condition, so pay attention to the symptoms listed below and, if you notice them, react quickly enough.

The most common symptoms of coronavirus pneumonia are:

cough with shortness of breath;

chest pain;

feeling unwell;

sweating and chills;

heart palpitations;

temp.

Thus, a cough without additional symptoms can rarely indicate the addition of pneumonia.Usually, when it comes to the latent attachment of a threatening condition, there is difficulty in breathing along with oppression or chest pain.

Pay close attention to the signals your body is sending you, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath or chest pain. Then seek medical attention.

Conclusion

Since the coronavirus infects the respiratory tract, coughing is one of the first symptoms of infection, but other symptoms can quickly join.

It occurs in about half of people with COVID-19.

If the cough is accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and fatigue, this can be considered a reason to seek medical attention.