Coughing is a common symptom of many illnesses and can also be caused by irritants that get into your throat, airways and lungs. Although many people will cough on occasion without there being a cause for concern, coughing is the top reason that people go to a doctor. Knowing what may be causing your cough and how to ease your symptoms can help you feel better.

Common Cough Triggers

Here are some reasons why many people cough:

• Respiratory viruses – Viruses like a cold, the flu and covid-19 often result in coughing. These illnesses may result in a wet cough, which breaks up mucus in your lungs, or a dry cough, which is caused by irritation in your airways.
• Post-nasal drip – Even after you’re sick, you may have mucus that drips down your throat from your sinuses, causing you to cough. A postnasal drip may also occur from allergies or sinus infections.
• Asthma, allergies and irritants – When irritants get into your airways, it can cause your lungs to react by coughing.
• Acid reflux – If you have GERD, heartburn or acid reflux, stomach acid that backs up into your esophagus can be irritating, causing you to cough.
• COPD – This chronic lung condition is characterized by excessive coughing due to inflammation and damage in your lungs.
• Drug side effects – Some medications may cause your throat to be dry or irritated, resulting in a cough.

How to Treat Coughs

When you have a cough, how you treat it will depend on what’s causing it. Some coughs are temporary and only minorly bothersome. They may go away on their own without treatment, although you may want to take some steps to ease discomfort. Other causes of coughing are more serious and necessitate that you get to the bottom of what is causing the cough before deciding how best to treat it. In those cases, drugs or other medical interventions may be necessary to improve symptoms.

Here are some of the most common treatments for coughing:

• Medications – Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to help ease discomfort from coughing. Expectorants thin mucus, which makes it easier to cough it out. Cough suppressants lessen your urge to cough, so you don’t cough as much. If you have an infection, you may need an antibiotic.
• Non-medical treatments – There are many ways to ease cough symptoms on your own. Some people find that drinking a warm cup of tea with honey helps. Others suck on a cough drop, lozenge or hard candy. Still others find that inhaling warm, moist air, such as from a steamy shower, eases congestion and makes coughing more productive.
• Avoidance of irritants – If you cough due to allergies, asthma or exposure to irritants, one of the best ways to ease symptoms is to avoid triggers that make you cough. It’s not always possible to do so, but if you know what your triggers are, such as cigarette smoke, pollution, chemicals or pet dander, you’ll be less likely to cough if you stay away from them.
• Medical interventions – If you have a cough that doesn’t go away with tried-and-true remedies or gets worse, it may be time to see a doctor. If your cough is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, chest tightness or trouble sleeping, it is also best to be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Also, if you have chronic conditions that cause coughing and your cough is not under control, talk to your doctor about treatments that may be available to ease symptoms.

Copyright 2024-2025 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.. Health eCooks^® Heart Healthy Recipes^® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.