A chronic cough is caused by bronchitis, an inflammation of the airways leading to the lungs. Treatment for bronchitis focuses on easing breathing and reducing symptoms. MayoClinic.com recommends getting adequate rest, drinking fluids and using a humidifier to loosen mucus in the airway. In conjunction with self-care measures, take medications that can promote recovery.
Over-the-Counter Cough Medications
Medications like antitussives and expectorants are commonly used over-the-counter cough remedies, which help relieve chronic coughs due to bronchitis. Antitussives are cough suppressants that work by blocking the cough reflex. These medications are best for dry coughs, as coughing that produces mucus helps remove irritants from the lungs. Expectorants thin mucus and make coughing productive. Both medications are available over the counter.
Antibiotics
Acute bronchitis often comes from viruses, the same viruses responsible for the common cold. Antibiotics are not effective for these types of infection. However, if the bronchitis results from Bordetella pertussis, a type of bacteria, or is caused by COPD, also referred to as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, antibiotics are prescribed to relieve coughing and reduce the risks of secondary infections. Talk to a doctor to find out if antibiotics are the best option, as using antibiotics needlessly can lead to antibiotic resistance, which reduces the drug's effectiveness and makes it difficult to treat conditions that require antibiotics.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are powerful prescription medications typically given as a metered-dose inhaler. These drugs reduce inflammation in the airways and help ease chronic coughs, wheezing and breathing difficulty that results from bronchitis, asthma or other chronic conditions of the lungs. They work by suppressing the body’s inflammation response. MayoClinic.com reports corticosteroids usually don’t cause serous side effects, however, mouth and throat irritation as well as oral yeast infections can result with inhaled medications. Rinsing the mouth with water after use and using a spacer can reduce this symptom.
