1. Is Your Cough Cause for Concern?
You may cough because of a cold or you may cough because of allergies. Thankfully, there is an over the counter medication designed specifically for your cough. You can choose from nasal decongestants, antihistamines, cough suppressants and expectorants. Read the labels on any cough medication you choose to make sure it fits your specific symptoms. When you look at the label of cough medication, it contains the medical term for the ingredient and next to that it specifies the purpose of that ingredient. For example, dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. You should also read the labels of any additional medication you take (like allergy medication) to make sure you don't double up on an ingredient, which can cause an accidental overdose.
2. Your Nose Knows
That tickle in the back of your throat appears again and you know it's because of your stuffy nose. When mucus from your nose drains into the back of your throat, you'll soon find yourself with a cough. Find relief from this cough by treating your nose. An over the counter saline nasal spray helps loosen mucus in your nose or you can opt for a nasal decongestant. Once your nose stops draining excess mucus, your cough could disappear.
3. Find Maximum Relief with one Medication
Manufacturers combine cough medications with cold medications so you get maximum relief with one pill. It's common to find an antihistamine, a nasal decongestant and a pain reliever all in one medication. Carefully read the labels of each medication. If you don't have aches and pains, there's no need to take a medication with a pain reliever. You should also make sure that you don't double up on ingredients if you take more than one medication. This could cause an overdose.
4. Drink a Natural Remedy
Water right out of your tap is the best expectorant. It soothes your throat, which often becomes irritated while you have a cough. A glass of water also helps loosen up chest congestion, making your coughs more productive. If you can't tolerate the taste of water or if you need something more soothing while you're sick, try a cup of hot herbal tea with a drop of honey. It's not as good as water, but you'll definitely feel a difference.
5. Breathe in the Relief
Coughing is most annoying at night when you're trying to sleep. However, rubbing aromatic cough medications on your throat and chest can help you breathe a sigh of relief. The vapors of these medications ease coughing and even help clear a stuffy nose. Menthol cough medications are also available for use with a vaporizer, providing medicated steam throughout your room. Inhaling steam from a hot shower is also a good source of cough relief. Exposure to smoke negates the effect of any cough medications. Inhaling smoke of any kind deposits offending agents into your lungs. Clear the air of smoke and you'll breathe in the relief.
