Cough

That tickle at the back of your throat often makes you cough. Though coughs can be irritating and make your throat sore, they help to clear the breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles, and microbes.

What causes a cough?

It can come from a cold virus, irritants in the air, or sinus drainage.

How do you treat a cough?

A dry cough (with no mucus) can be treated with a home cough remedy. You can make a soothing natural cough remedy by mixing equal parts honey and lemon juice. Take a tablespoonful every couple of hours to soothe the soreness.

A cough suppressant may be useful, especially at bedtime. Delsym works well to help prevent coughing and can last for up to 12 hours.

If your cough is mixed with congestion, you can add some whiskey, gin or vodka with the above mixture – usually one part alcohol with two parts of the honey and lemon mixture. Keep this mixture in the refrigerator.

If you have a deep cough that produces thick mucus, you may have bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucus membranes of the bronchi, the airways that carry airflow from the trachea to the lungs. A virus, bacteria, cigarette smoke, or inhalation of chemical pollutants or dust can all be causes of bronchitis.

The most effective way to remedy bronchitis is to get enough sleep and drink plenty of water to help thin the chest mucus.

If you are coughing up mucus, you should avoid the use of cough suppressants. Robitussin or Mucinex (guaifenesin) can be helpful. The key is to use it routinely as directed. Drink lots of water and avoid dairy products, as they tend to create more mucus.

You should call your doctor if the sputum (the mucus or phlegm mixed with saliva) produced by the coughing is greenish-yellow and thick rather than gray and watery. Also call your doctor if there is a fever or chest pain present. This may indicate an infection.

How can I prevent a cough or bronchitis?

• Take extra vitamin C every day (1,000 to 4,000mg)
• Avoid smoking and those places where others are smoking
• Limit the amount of dairy products
• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clean eater every day
• Elevate the head of your bed or use extra pillows to elevate your head