Coughing fits can strike at the worst times and leave you feeling frustrated. A cough often happens when your throat or airways are irritated. This blog will show simple ways to stop a coughing fit fast and discuss long-term solutions for persistent coughs.
Keep reading for effective tips and remedies that work!
Key Takeaways
- Drink warm water or tea with honey to soothe the throat and reduce coughing. Honey works as well as over-the-counter medicines for mild coughs but is not safe for infants under one year.
- Use menthol lozenges to calm irritation and control persistent coughing fits. They provide fast relief, especially when cold air or allergies worsen symptoms.
- Inhale steam or use a humidifier to loosen mucus and ease airway dryness. This method helps both adults and children, especially during nighttime coughs.
- Address underlying causes like acid reflux or allergies for chronic cough relief. GERD contributes to 25% of chronic cases, while antihistamines help manage allergy-related coughing.
- Controlled breathing techniques from BCST can reduce the frequency of a chronic cough and improve quality of life without overusing medications.
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Identify the Cause of the Cough
Different factors can trigger a cough. Acute coughs, lasting less than three weeks, often result from respiratory infections like COVID-19 or the flu. Allergic rhinitis and inhaling irritants like smoke or dust are also common triggers.
Subacute coughs last between 3-8 weeks and may occur after an infection. A chronic cough lasting over eight weeks could point to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acid reflux, or even medication side effects.
Doctors analyze the characteristics of the coughing fit to determine its cause. For example, dry coughs might suggest allergies, while wet ones with excess mucus could indicate respiratory infections.
Noting nighttime coughing patterns helps identify issues like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Diagnostic tests such as chest X-rays and spirometry measure lung function for more severe cases involving persistent symptoms or uncontrollable coughing fits.
Immediate Remedies to Stop a Coughing Fit
Focus on calming the throat to ease irritation. Use simple actions to reduce the intensity of the cough reflex.
Drink warm water or tea with honey
Drinking warm water or tea with honey can help calm a coughing fit. Honey soothes the throat and reduces irritation, which lowers the urge to cough. Combining it with warm beverages also helps relax airway muscles and ease discomfort.
Studies show honey can work as well as over-the-counter cough medicines for mild coughs.
Give children aged 1 year and older between 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of honey for relief, but avoid giving honey to infants under one due to the risk of infant botulism. Adding honey to herbal teas adds extra comfort while boosting hydration, which supports your immune system during a coughing attack or other symptoms like sore throats.
Use cough drops or lozenges
Cough drops or lozenges can help calm persistent coughing fits. The menthol in many cough drops works to soothe throat irritation and reduce the urge to cough. These remedies act quickly, making them effective for immediate relief.
Choose options with honey or herbal ingredients for additional comfort during a hacking cough. Keep cough drops nearby if cold air, allergies, or severe infections make your cough worse.
This simple solution is easy to carry and offers fast results when you need it most.
Inhale steam or use a humidifier
Inhaling steam from a hot shower or bath can ease wet coughs by loosening mucus. This method soothes the airway, making it easier to breathe. A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier helps reduce throat dryness and irritation, especially at night.
These devices are beneficial for children experiencing nighttime coughing fits.
Keeping your home environment humidified balances air moisture, preventing respiratory discomfort caused by dryness. This approach works well alongside other common cough remedies like tea with honey or cough syrup for added relief.
Practice controlled breathing techniques
Controlled breathing can help stop a coughing fit. Techniques like holding your breath or shallow breathing ease irritated airways. Breathing through the nose also reduces throat dryness, which lowers cough triggers.
These methods are part of Cough-Control Breathing (CCB), used in Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy (BCST).
CCB improves life quality for those with chronic lung conditions or persistent coughs. Patients learn to manage symptoms without overusing medications. Practicing these techniques daily may reduce both intensity and frequency of a cough caused by stomach acid, bacterial infection, or other concerning symptoms.
Long-Term Solutions for Managing Persistent Coughs
Identify and treat the root cause of persistent coughing. Follow medical advice to find lasting relief.
Address underlying conditions like acid reflux or allergies
Acid reflux, also called GERD, causes chronic coughing in over 25% of cases. Managing GERD reduces symptoms and improves coughs. Maintain a healthy weight to ease pressure on the stomach.
Quit smoking to lessen acid production. Elevate the head of your bed by six to eight inches for better digestion during sleep. Eat meals slowly and avoid large portions.
Allergic rhinitis, triggered by allergens like pollen or dust, often leads to persistent coughing fits. Removing allergens from your environment helps relieve symptoms quickly. Use antihistamines to reduce sneezing and nasal irritation linked with allergies.
Over 59% of asthma patients show signs of GERD as well, so addressing both conditions may be necessary for long-term relief from a recurring cough problem.
Consider over-the-counter or prescribed medications
Over-the-counter medications like suppressants or expectorants can help manage a persistent cough. Suppressants reduce the urge to cough, while expectorants loosen mucus for easier removal.
For example, products containing dextromethorphan act as effective suppressants.
Prescribed medications may be necessary for severe or chronic coughing fits. Doctors might recommend inhalers, corticosteroids, or opioids in extreme cases. Combining over-the-counter and prescribed options often offers long-term relief.
Consult a healthcare provider to find the most suitable treatment plan.
Conclusion
Stopping a coughing fit takes simple steps. Drink warm water or tea with honey to calm your throat. Use lozenges or steam to ease irritation. If coughs continue, check for underlying causes.
Seek medical advice if needed for lasting relief.
FAQs
1. What is the best way to stop a coughing fit quickly?
You can sip water, suck on a lozenge, or take deep breaths to calm your throat and stop a coughing fit.
2. How does drinking water help with a coughing fit?
Water soothes dryness in your throat and reduces irritation that causes coughing fits.
3. Can breathing exercises help stop a coughing fit?
Yes, slow and steady breathing relaxes your airways and helps control the cough reflex during a coughing fit.
4. Should I see a doctor if my coughing fits don’t stop?
If you cannot stop frequent or severe coughing fits, visit a doctor to find out if there’s an underlying issue causing them.
