Cough Cures

Nurse Ratched, RN · Apr 28, 2005

What kind of a cough - the dry hacky kind, or the productive mucus-y kind?

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Apr 28, 2005

Usually dry hacking though occationally brings up a tiny bit of mucus.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Apr 28, 2005

Depends on what's causing it (and there are dozens of possible reasons.) This time of year is rife with seasonal allergies. If that's causing your cough, you need to treat your allergies and make sure you're getting lots of water.

Some people who aren't even asthmatic may need a temporary inhaler for significant coughing.

There isn't too much one can do to shorten the life of the garden variety viral cough (i'm guessing this is what you're referrign to) other than fluids (keep your mucosa hydrated.) Raise the HOB at night to promote drainage so it doesn't stick in the throat and irritate.

Cassinia · Apr 28, 2005

To help cut back on the coughing, and not wanting to use cough medicine, I use an old fashioned home remedy of warm lemonade with honey in it. The warmth is soothing to the throat and the honey is a nice coating. I've used this on my son since he was little and even as a teenager he will try this before having to use medication.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Apr 28, 2005

Incase this helps, it is now acumpanied (sp) by a SEVERE cold (constant running nose and regular sneezing)

allnurses Guide · Apr 28, 2005

The runny nose is what causes that tickle cough . . . so take something to dry that up.

I also sleep upright propped by pillows because as soon as I lay down I start coughing. Not an easy way to sleep however.

Something hot can temporarily take the tickle cough away - I like the warm lemonade and honey idea . . .

I keep thinking a bottle brush down the throat would be a good thing to take that itchy, scratchy tickle cough away . . . :uhoh3:

steph

Nurse Ratched, RN · Apr 28, 2005

Incase this helps, it is now acumpanied (sp) by a SEVERE cold (constant running nose and regular sneezing)

Consider seasonal allergies as a possible culprit.

Mithrah · Apr 28, 2005

One time I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't stop coughing. I had no cough syrup so I grabbed a bottle of honey and swallowed about 1 Tbsp. It felt so good and stopped the cough quickly.