A productive cough may be caused by an illness that requires no treatment and will usually go away by itself, like the common cold or the flu. A productive cough may also be caused by more serious conditions, like bronchitis, lung cancer, asthma or emphysema. If you're not sure what's causing your productive cough, consult a doctor. She can determine the best treatment, if any, for your particular symptoms.
Cough Drop
Sucking on a cough drop may help thin mucus and relieve a cough, says Alexander Chester, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Additionally, a cough drop may help lubricate the vocal cords and soothe an itchy, raw throat due to coughing. If you don't have a cough drop handy, suck on a piece of candy to help get your saliva flowing and prevent coughing. To prevent choking, don't give cough drops to children under age 3.
Cough Syrup
Cough syrup may be helpful if you're going to a special event and you absolutely can't cough, but taking it daily may be doing more harm than good. Over-the-counter cough syrups thin the mucus, which may actually create more mucus, says Horst Konrad, M.D., chairman of the Division of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
Antibiotics
If you have a cough that is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to help reduce your cough. For viral infections, such as bronchitis or the common cold, an antibiotic is generally ineffective. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if you smoke or if you have a chronic lung disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Water Vapor
To help make a cough less painful and thin out the mucus, run a humidifier while you sleep, suggests the Mayo Clinic. When filled with water, a humidifier sends water vapor into the air that is absorbed into the lungs and throat. Humidifiers may spread mold and bacteria if they are not cleaned regularly. Clean out your humidifier at least three times a week to prevent bacteria from spreading and entering the chest through the water vapor.
Spit It Out
A productive cough may cause mucus to collect in the back of your throat each time you cough. Instead of swallowing or ignoring the mucus, spit it into a tissue or the sink every time. Swallowing mucus will send it back into the lungs, creating a desire to cough again. Mucus in a tissue contains germs, so throw away the tissue as soon as you use it.
