Even a mild cough can be exasperating. And if you’re someone who’s always on the go, constant coughing can stop you in your tracks. The only way to deal with it is to give yourself the right first aid treatment.
Here’s how you can manage your cough, enjoy a clear throat and go on with your life.
If you really want to ease your cough as soon as possible, this is no-brainer advice that you should follow. Suffering from an itchy throat and sticky phlegm isn’t such a wonderful feeling. To support your body’s natural process of removing mucus, taking an effective cough syrup will provide you great relief.
Taking your medicine as prescribed by your doctor will help loosen the phlegm and make it more liquid. This makes it easier for your body to expel it out of your airways. If you’re having a hard time getting a good night’s sleep due to your cough, taking 24-hour cough capsules will provide you long-lasting relief.
Rapid breathing and constant coughing can make you lose fluids. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Doing so thins your mucus secretions, keeps your throat feeling better, and helps in your overall health.
A steamy shower can help alleviate your cough by loosening secretions in your nose. If you have dry air in your home, a humidifier can also help prevent your nasal secretions from becoming uncomfortable and dried out.
Using a humidifier will put moisture back into the air which is beneficial for your cough. But clean your humidifier regularly as it can become a reservoir for pumping out molds, bacteria and fungus into the air.
Having a diet with fiber-rich fruits can aid in reducing chronic cough and other respiratory problems. High-fiber fruits such as pears and apples contain flavonoids that help improve your overall lung functioning. To boost your immune system, taking vitamin supplements to fill in the gaps is also beneficial.
Scented bathroom sprays and perfumes may seem harmless but to other people, they can cause sinus irritation. This will then produce extra mucus which could lead to a chronic cough. You can take control of this by avoiding fragrances that can irritate your nose.
Then again, smoke is still the worst irritant. Even if you’re not a smoker but you’re working or living around one, you can still suffer airway irritation. The best solution is to stay away from smokers.
Whenever you sleep, make sure to keep your head elevated. This method will help you avoid feeling like you’re choking on phlegm, and can help you breathe easier. Use a few pillows to elevate your head and keep it propped up every time you sleep or lie down.
You may not need medical attention for an average cough. Often, all your body needs is time to rest and recover. However, if your cough is getting worse, you should seek help from a doctor to get the cause properly diagnosed.
If your cough bears any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately:
You should also see a doctor, for a sore throat that lasts longer than seven days with the following symptoms:
Your body isn’t a machine. When you’re not feeling well, it’s important to take it easy and get the right amount of sleep. After all, your body needs to rest to have enough energy to fight off viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
When you have cough, or any disease for that matter, get some rest and treat your illness with the right combination of rest, food and medicine. Remember, pushing yourself too hard will only exhaust your body out and stress you further. If you don’t want your cough, cold and sore throat to stay longer, do what’s good for your body.
