Page 104 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

102 COMMON CONDITIONS: CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS

Coughing

The most common cause of a cough is irritation or inflammation in your lungs or throat due to a cold or flu,
a chest infection, or asthma. Irritants such as tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen can make you cough, as can
postnasal drip (mucus from the nose dripping down the back of the throat), or regurgitation of stomach acid
in heartburn. Some people have a nervous cough that becomes a habit. A cough may be simply dry,
tickly, and irritating, or it may bring up mucus (a “productive” cough). Some prescribed drugs cause
coughing. Occasionally, however, a cough is a symptom of a serious illness such as cancer.
See also Blocked or runny nose, p.77; Acute bronchitis, p.104; Heartburn, p.107.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Arrange to see your doctor promptly if:
● You have breathing problems or chest pain Cough suppressants (see p.180)
containing dextromethorphan will help control a
● You cough up blood or discolored mucus
dry cough that keeps you awake at night or makes
● You are feverish and sweating
it difficult for you to work. Don’t take cough
● You are losing weight
suppressants with alcohol.
● You are taking prescribed medicine that may
If you have a productive cough (one that brings
be causing the cough, such as certain drugs up mucus), it is best not to take any cough mixture
to control blood pressure because coughing helps clear the mucus and
irritants from the airways. (Expectorant medicines
for loosening mucus are
usually of little value.)
What you can do yourself
Using suppressants
There are several things that you can do to help Limit your use of cough
control a cough and to support any treatment suppressants during
recommended by your doctor. the day, because they
may cause drowsiness.
● Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids a day. Include
warm drinks such as soup and herbal tea, which
help thin mucus and make it easier to cough up.
● To soothe your throat, try a warm honey and
lemon drink (see NATURAL REMEDIES, p.30).
● Normally, you shouldn’t suppress a cough, since
it clears the airway. However, if you have a dry,
tickly cough that makes it difficult for you to sleep,
try a cough suppressant (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
● Warm, moist air can loosen mucus and soothe a
cough. Use a humidifier, or place a bowl of water Seek further medical advice
or a wet towel by a radiator. Steam inhalation may Arrange to see your doctor if:
help (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, p.79).
● The cough is getting worse, or it has not
● Raising the head of the bed or sleeping on extra
begun to get better after a week
pillows may help ease a cough at night.
● You are becoming exhausted by coughing
● Avoid smoky or dusty environments and being ● The mucus becomes green, yellow,
near people who are smoking. If you smoke, stop. or blood-stained