Coughing may last for a short time, but it can interfere with your life and work if you can't find the right remedy. Coughing is often a symptom of something else. If you have a cough that lasts for more than three weeks, a visit to the doctor may take care of the underlying cause. But normal coughing can usually be taken care of with popular and home remedies.
Cough Medicine
Over-the-counter cough medicine is recommended if there are no suspected underlying causes and the cough has just started. Ask the pharmacist or your doctor which cough medicine to choose. Some people respond to different products, depending on their particular cough conditions. Children should not be given cough medicine unless you first check with a doctor. However, medications for high blood pressure may cause chronic cough, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. These medicines include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Your doctor can prescribe another medication without the same ingredients. Cough drops can do the trick for mild coughing. But don't give cough drops to children younger than 3; they may choke on them.
Honey
In a study of 105 children ages 2 to 18, researchers found that parents reported honey brought relief to their children's night coughs and sleeping difficulty more effectively than cough suppressant dextromethorphan or no treatment at all. The study, reported in the December 2007 issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, concluded that honey might be a preferred treatment for upper respiratory infections for children who have difficulty sleeping. Honey with tea or lemon water has long been used for treatment of sore throat from coughing.
Steam
Steam can clear the respiratory airways and stop a cough. You can make a steam room in your own home. Steam-filled bathrooms are good for children who cough from underlying causes such as croup or asthma. You can turn on hot water in a shower in the bathroom and close the door to steam up the room. Sit in the room for about 20 minutes. The steam should provide relief and make it easier to breathe, eliminating the cough. A humidifier in the room may also help.
Fruit Juices
Some fruit juices may soothe a cough, but try to avoid citrus fruit drinks and sodas that may aggravate the throat that's already sore from coughing.
Root Causes
Smoking is a cause of chronic cough. If you smoke, you can usually stop a persistent cough by quitting. Smoking may also increase the risk of people around you coughing. Allergies, asthma and persistent heartburn, or acid reflux, can also trigger bouts of coughing. Check with a doctor to get to the root of your problem and stop your coughing. You should also see a doctor if your coughing is accompanied by hoarseness that doesn't clear up, chest pain, worsening smoker's cough, sudden weight loss, shortness of breath or wheezing, or if you're coughing up phlegm that's green, brown, yellow or blood-stained.
