An occasional brief bout of coughing can be a mild inconvenience that resolves itself without incident. However, a persistent cough is a distressing condition that signals a potentially serious respiratory problem. Coughing is a symptom that prompts people to visit their doctors more than almost any other, according to Integrative Medicine Communications. Home care techniques for a cough include avoiding certain foods that can irritate your respiratory passages.
Allergens
One of the most important categories of foods to avoid when you have a cough is foods you are allergic to, according to the book "Quick Access Patient Information on Conditions, Herbs & Supplements," by Integrative Medicine Communications. Food allergies trigger inflammation and can cause constriction of your already-irritated airways. Wheezing added to a cough can escalate an uncomfortable condition to a dangerous one. Food allergies may also increase mucus production, further congesting your sinuses, throat and lungs. Some allergies produce obvious symptoms, while others, known as hidden allergies, may produce mild or discrete symptoms that fly under the radar of your perception. Allergy testing can help you determine if you have any hidden allergies. You can also try a home test for common food allergens such as dairy, eggs and wheat by eliminating a food for seven days to see if your health improves, according to Julia Ross, M.S., author of the book "The Diet Cure."
Mucus-Producing Foods
Certain foods, such as dairy, wheat, citrus fruits and bananas naturally cause your body to produce more mucus. Even though they are healthy and you may be able to tolerate them most of the time, avoid these foods while you have a cough to give your respiratory system a break from any unnecessary irritants. In place of mucous-producing foods, choose fresh vegetables, non-mucous-producing fruits and whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa and amaranth.
Sugar
Eliminate refined and junk foods and avoid fried foods. White flour and simple sugars suppress your immune system and delay the healing process, according to James Balch, M.D., author of the book "Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health." High sugar consumption causes adrenal stress that, at first, elevates stress hormone levels and then depletes them when you reach the point of adrenal fatigue, says Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of the book "Beat Sugar Addiction Now!: The Cutting-Edge Program That Cures Your Type of Sugar Addiction and Puts You on the Road to Feeling Great -- and Losing Weight." Low cortisol levels also make you more susceptible to colds and flu, which may be the reason for your cough.
Fermented Foods
A persistent cough may signal a Candida infection, according to Gareth Zeal, in his book "500 Health Tips." If your cough flares up after eating wheat or sugar, consider getting checked for a yeast overgrowth. If that is your diagnosis, a yeast-elimination diet may be in order to eliminate all sugar, processed carbohydrate and fermented foods such as soy sauce and alcohol.
References
- "Quick Access Patient Information on Conditions, Herbs & Supplements"; Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000
- "The Diet Cure"; Julia Ross; 2000
- "Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health ..."; James Balch; 2011
- "Beat Sugar Addiction Now!: The Cutting-Edge Program That Cures Your Type of ... "; Jacob Teitelbaum; 2010
- "500 Health Tips"; Gareth Zeal; 2004
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