Coughing is something almost everyone has experienced at one time or another. Coughing can happen when there is a tickle in the back of your throat, when you have talked loudly to be heard over a class of three-year-old preschoolers, or when you lie down to sleep. Coughing is your body’s way of getting rid of irritating substances in the passages that go to your lungs. Your airways need support whether you experience acute or chronic coughs.

Personal Story

Not long ago, I awoke with a cough caused by a tickle in my throat. While it was irritating to have my sleep interrupted, I was irritated because I could not get back to sleep after taking a quick sip of water that would usually soothe a dry cough. The cough continued. I eventually went downstairs to find something to help me get rid of that tickle. I knew I had not consumed enough water during the day and that the cough was likely due to dehydration. I drank some warm water and then I took a teaspoon of my favorite remedy- honey. It did the trick! Thankfully, I crawled back into bed and slept the rest of the night without any further coughing episodes.

Acute Coughs

Acute coughs are coughs that usually resolve in less than three weeks. These are often the result of:

• respiratory infections
• dry air
• allergies

In most acute situations, it is best not to suppress a cough since the purpose of the cough is to get rid of the irritant in the respiratory passageways. Exceptions to that guideline would be dry irritating coughs that keeps you from getting enough rest at night, a painful spasmodic cough, or one that leads to gagging. If a cough lasts more than two weeks, it is best to seek medical guidance.

Chronic Coughs

Chronic coughing is a type of cough that is ongoing for more than eight weeks for adults or four weeks for children. A person who continues to cough for a longer period should be evaluated by a health provider to determine the cause of ongoing coughing. Common causes for chronic coughing are:

• Asthma
• Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
• Postnasal drip
• Smoking
• Infection
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Medications

Many times, chronic coughing is due to a medical condition that needs attention.

Simple Home Remedies

Here are some things to try if you have a cough.

• Eliminate perfumes, cigarette smoke, and campfire smoke.
• Moisturize dry air with an ultrasonic humidifier.
• Drink plenty of liquids- water, chicken soup, etc.
• Consume warm herbal teas, particularly those made from marshmallow root, licorice, plantain, and a small amount of thyme.
• Swallow a teaspoon of honey.

Please get medical help if you cough up a bloody discharge, cannot breathe, have chest pain, have a high fever, or a have a cough that lasts more than two weeks.

Action

Try a home remedy the next time you get a cough and seek medical attention when needed.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. What do you do when you have a cough? Please put a note in the comment section and let us learn from you.

Resources:

Healthy at Home, by Tieraona Low Dog, M.D.

Mommy Diagnostics, by Shonda Parker