Have you ever have a cough that didn't want to go away?

[Sara_MHModerator]

It can be such a nuisance to have a cough that will not go away.  Probably everyone has had a lingering cough.  What can we do about it?  Well, there are actually many ways you can improve the situation.

You can try these methods:
**Stay hydrated: Drink lots of water to thin mucus.
**Inhale steam: Take a hot shower, or boil water and pour into a bowl, face the bowl (stay at least 1 foot away), place a towel over the back of your head to form a tent and inhale. Stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable. Note: do not do this if cough is due to asthma, as steam may make symptoms worse.
**Use a humidifier to loosen mucus.
**Cough drops or lozenges soothe an irritated throat (do not use in young children).
**Saltwater gargle clears mucus from the throat.
**Use an extra pillow to elevate your head at night.
**Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
**Avoid inhaled irritants such as dust, perfumes, or pollutants.
**Use honey. It can be used alone in adults and children over 1 year of age, and acts as a cough suppressant.
**Ginger tea soothes throat inflammation.
**Eucalyptus oil: Use it in a vaporizer or rub on your chest to help break up mucus.
**Mint: Often taken as a tea, it helps loosen mucus in the lungs.
**Menthol is commonly found in lozenges, and it can soothe a cough.
**Licorice root acts as an expectorant.
**Slippery elm coats and soothes the throat.
**Apple cider vinegar (diluted or mixed with honey) helps thin mucus.
**Turmeric may help ease digestive problems and can help if cough is caused by GERD.
**Chicken soup may ease symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
****And because we saved the best for last...save some chocolate! Theobromide, and ingredient in chocolate, may actually suppress vagus nerve activity that causes coughing.

There are also over the counter products that suppress cough and expectorants that thin mucus which helps with cough. Doctors can also prescribe medications for cough.

To get rid of a night time cough when it is often worse, you might try:
** propping your head up with a pillow
**take a steamy shower before bed
** use a humidifier
**keep bedding clean with clean sheets.
**use a vapor rub on your chest

See a doctor if you have fever, cough up blood, have difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, coughing up phlegm that is green or yellow, chest pain or wheezing.
https://www.medicinenet.com/how_to_stop_coughing/article.htm