Endocrinology: “Dehydration Stimulates Hypothalamic Gene Expression of Histamine Synthesis Enzyme: Importance for Neuroendocrine Regulation of Vasopressin and Oxytocin Secretion.”
Cough Hacks: How to Find Relief
Coughing is a normal and healthy reflex. It helps your body clear your airways of mucus, smoke, and other irritants. But constant coughing can take a toll. It may interrupt your sleep, work, and activities, hurt your chest, and tire you out. When infected or irritated by a cough or sore throat, the cells in your upper airways (nose and throat) trigger your immune system to help fight back. You can get relief from the symptoms by working to reduce the inflammation.
It’s best to stop a cough by treating the underlying cause, whether it’s a cold, allergies, acid reflux, or blood pressure drugs or other medications. But you also can try some home remedies to quiet and soothe your cough.
Drink lots of fluids. When you’re sick, mucus can trickle down the back of your nose. Staying hydrated thins the drip so it’s less likely to irritate your throat and trigger a cough. This also makes it easier for your lungs to clear out the discharge.
What’s more, a parched body may push your immune system to release more histamines. These chemicals swell your nose and make more mucus, which can set off a cough.
Swallow some honey. It soothes the scratchiness in the back of your throat. One study found that honey works just as well as over-the-counter drugs for calming nighttime coughs. Take a tablespoon as needed, or stir it into a warm drink. Don’t give honey to babies under age 1.
Look to Nature. Other natural remedies include aloe and menthol. These can help reduce inflammation of the upper airways.
Sip a hot drink. Research shows that it can ease cold symptoms, including a cough. The liquids are hydrating, and the heat helps to lower congestion. Brew some calming chamomile tea. Ginger tea is another good choice. The spicy root may help relax the smooth muscles in your airways. Steep chopped ginger in boiling water for 5-10 minutes and discard before sipping.
Over the Counter options. Some natural OTC products that contain very low doses of aspirin also help reduce the symptoms of sore throat and cough.
Clear irritants from your home. Some people are sensitive to perfumes and fragrances in laundry detergents and air fresheners. That may irritate the sinuses and up mucus production, which sets the stage for hacking.
If you have allergies, cleaning away mold, dust, and pollen may help. These allergens may cause a reaction, including a cough. You may need to wash your sheets in hot water, clean your floors with a HEPA-filter vacuum, and scrub windows with a bleach solution.
Sleep on an incline. If a cold or an allergy is behind your cough, try raising your head. When you lie flat, the mucus can pool and irritate your throat. To put gravity on your side, use an extra pillow or raise the head of your bed with a stable surface, such as books.
Gargle saltwater. Along with soothing a sore throat, gargling can also help loosen thick mucus. It can also help clear away allergens and bacteria. To try it, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Gargle, then spit it out.
Stamp out cigarettes. Smoking paralyzes the tiny hairs lining your lungs, called the cilia, which clear out mucus and dirt. That’s why some smokers get long-term cough. Research so far suggests that the same may happen with vaping. Steer clear of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and secondhand smoke.
Moisten the air. A steamy shower or bath can help loosen the mucus and congestion behind your cough. A humidifier also may help. Be sure to clean and change the filter as directed by the manufacturer. This prevents it from blowing mold, fungi, and bacteria in your home.
Rinse your nose. It flushes out cough-inducing mucus and allergens from your nasal passages and sinuses. Use a saline spray or try nasal irrigation. With your head tilted over a sink, use a neti pot, nasal cup, or bulb syringe to pour salt water in one nostril and let it drain out of the other.
Show Sources
Eugene Lee, MD, Loyola Medicine, Maywood, IL.
U.S. Library of Medicine: “Cough.”
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Rhinology: “The Effects of a Hot Drink on Nasal Airflow and Symptoms of Common Cold and Flu.”
JAMA Pediatrics: “Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents.”
Chest Journal: “Airway Inflammation as an Assessment of Chronic Nonproductive Cough.”
Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology: “Effects of Ginger and Its Constituents on Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation and Calcium Regulation.”
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology: “Humidifiers and Indoor Allergies.”
Mayo Clinic: “Sore Throat.”
Urologic Nursing Journal: “Conventional and Alternative Medical Advice for Cold and Flu Prevention: What Should Be Recommended and What Should Be Avoided?”
Thorax: “Pro-Inflammatory Effects of E-Cigarette Vapour Condensate on Human Alveolar Macrophages.”
American Family Physician: “Saline Nasal Irrigation for Upper Respiratory Conditions.”
How can I stop a coughing attack?
A coughing attack can happen for various reasons, and there are several things a person can do for relief. These include taking antihistamines, using cough medicines, and avoiding smoking and other triggers. Tackling the underlying cause is usually the best option.
Coughing is a symptom of many different health conditions. Some of these conditions are relatively harmless, while others are much more severe.
This article outlines the different types of coughs and lists the most common causes of acute and chronic coughs. It also provides information on how to stop a coughing attack, diagnose a cough, and when to see a doctor.
Share on Pinterest A person can try sipping hot water with honey to stop a coughing attack.
There are several methods a person can try to stop a coughing attack when one begins. These include:
- drinking plenty of water
- sipping hot water with honey
- taking over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines
- taking a steamy shower
- using a humidifier in the home
Many coughs occur due to dryness or irritation in the throat. The methods listed above can all help relieve dryness and irritation if present.
A cough can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition. In these instances, treating the underlying condition should stop the cough.
How to stop infants from coughing
Children and infants who have a cough should drink plenty of water. This will help soothe the throat and minimize coughing.
Placing a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier next to a child’s bed can help alleviate nighttime coughing.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend giving OTC cough medicines to children under 2 years of age.
Additionally, people should not give honey to infants under 1 year of age, as it can lead to an illness called infant botulism.
Many different health conditions can cause a cough. It can be helpful to understand the different types of coughs to identify the condition.
According to the American Lung Association (ALA), healthcare practitioners classify coughs as follows:
- Acute cough: This is a cough that comes on suddenly and lasts up to 3 weeks.
- Subacute cough: This is a cough that comes on suddenly and lasts around 3–8 weeks.
- Chronic cough: This is a cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks.
- Productive cough: This is a cough that produces phlegm.
- Dry cough: This cough does not produce phlegm.
- Nocturnal cough: This is a cough that only occurs at night.
- Hemoptysis: This is when a person is coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus from their lungs.
The following are some common causes of acute coughs.
COVID-19
During the current pandemic, a dry cough, which is a symptom of COVID-19, may be a concern for some people. This is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:
Most people who contract SARS-CoV-2 will develop mild symptoms. However, some may develop severe and even life threatening symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to seek emergency medical treatment if they develop any of the following symptoms:
- difficulty breathing
- persistent pressure or pain in their chest
- confusion or an inability to arouse
- blue discoloration of the lips or face, or cyanosis
Upper respiratory tract infections
An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a viral or bacterial infection of one or more of the following:
- the nose
- the sinuses
- the pharynx, which is the part of the throat that sits behind the mouth and nasal cavity
- the larynx, or voicebox
Some examples of URTIs include:
A cough is a common symptom of URTIs. Other common symptoms include:
- a sore throat
- headaches
- nasal congestion, or a runny nose
- sneezing
- pressure in and around the face
- a low grade fever
- muscle aches
Lower respiratory tract infections
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) affect the lungs’ large airways. Some examples include bronchitis and pneumonia.
Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchi, the lungs’ main airways. The primary symptom of bronchitis is a dry or productive cough. A productive cough may produce green, yellow, or blood-tinged mucus.
Other symptoms include:
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. It typically causes a dry or productive cough.
Some other common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- rapid and shallow breathing
- shortness of breath, even when resting
- chest pain that worsens when breathing or coughing
- a rapid heartbeat
- a fever and chills
- a loss of appetite
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to something in the environment.
Common environmental allergy triggers, or allergens, include:
People with allergic rhinitis may experience a dry cough due to breathing in an allergen. Some other potential symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
- nasal congestion
- sneezing
- itchy eyes, nose, mouth, or throat
- swollen eyelids
Inhaling irritants
A person may develop an acute cough after breathing in certain environmental irritants. Examples include:
- cigarette smoke
- diesel fumes
- perfumes or colognes
Inhaling irritants can cause symptoms similar to those of allergic rhinitis.
The sections below outline some of the more common causes of a chronic cough.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. This narrowing makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties.
There is no cure for asthma, but treatments are usually effective in managing the condition. If a person does not control the condition well, however, they may experience the following symptoms:
- coughing fits
- wheezing
- a tight feeling in the chest
- shortness of breath
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of chronic lung conditions that obstruct airflow in and out of the lungs.
COPD can inflame and thicken the airways within the lungs, and it can damage the lung tissue responsible for exchanging gases.
Chronic coughing and shortness of breath are common symptoms of COPD. Other possible signs and symptoms of COPD include:
- wheezing
- excessive mucus production
- frequent respiratory infections
- cyanosis of the lips or fingernail beds
- fatigue
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer type in the United States. It occurs when cells divide uncontrollably in the lungs, causing tumors to grow. Tumors can cause breathing difficulties, and spread to other parts of a person’s body.
People with lung cancer may not have symptoms until the disease is at an advanced stage.
According to the CDC , a lingering cough that may gradually worsen is a possible symptom. Other potential symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing up blood
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Unexplained weight loss
Medications
A cough can sometimes be a side effect of certain medications.
A cough is one of the most common adverse side effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). Doctors sometimes prescribe these to treat high blood pressure.
According to a 2012 case report , the antiepileptic drug, topiramate may also cause a dry cough, but this is rare.
To prevent a coughing fit, a person will need to identify and treat the underlying cause of the cough.
People with chronic respiratory conditions will require medical treatments to reduce the frequency and severity of coughing fits.
Those who develop coughing fits in response to certain allergens or irritants should try limiting their exposure to those substances.
Another option for people with allergies is to take antihistamines. These drugs help suppress the immune system’s response to environmental allergens, thereby preventing coughing fits.
Quitting smoking will also help prevent coughing episodes.
Coughing is a common symptom of a variety of health conditions.
According to the ALA, a person should take note of the duration, type, and features of their cough when speaking with a healthcare professional to assist with diagnosis.
A healthcare professional may ask about a person’s medical history, the nature of the cough, whether the cough gets worse or better in certain settings, and if they have any additional symptoms.
Examples of questions a doctor may ask a person include:
- When did your cough start?
- Does the cough produce mucus?
- What is the color and consistency of the mucus?
- Is there blood in the mucus?
- Do you have allergies or cough triggers?
- Have you been in contact with people with respiratory infections, such as the common cold, tuberculosis, pneumonia, or whooping cough?
- Do you have any known medical illnesses?
- Do you smoke tobacco or cannabis, vape, or use drugs?
If a person is experiencing other symptoms, such as chest pains, difficulty breathing, headaches, drowsiness, confusion, fever, and they are coughing up blood then a doctor may prescribe further tests.
Tests can include:
- blood tests
- imaging tests, such as a CT scan or chest X-ray
- spirometry or methacholine challenge test
A person should see a doctor if their cough is severe, persistent, or worsens over time. These characteristics can indicate that a person requires medical treatment.
Parents and caregivers should also speak to a doctor if their child displays any of the following symptoms:
- a fever of any kind in an infant under 3 months of age
- a fever of 102°F (38.9ºC) or higher in a child of any age
- cyanosis of the lips
- wheezing
- difficult or labored breathing
- a loss of appetite or thirst
- excessive sleepiness
- excessive irritability
- a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks
Also, anyone who develops bothersome symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their doctor. If the symptoms are severe, they need immediate medical attention.
There are several steps a person can take to stop or manage a cough. These include drinking plenty of water, taking over-the-counter cough medicines, and using an indoor humidifier.
There are several health conditions that can cause a cough. Some are relatively harmless and tend to go away on their own. Others are much more severe and may require medical treatment.
A person should talk with a doctor if they develop a severe, persistent, or worsening cough. A person should also contact a doctor if they or their child develop any other concerning symptoms.
A doctor will work to identify the cause of the symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatments.
Last medically reviewed on June 30, 2022
- Allergy
- Asthma
- COPD
- Respiratory
- Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
- COVID-19
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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