Cough
Coughs
- Irritation in the lungs/throat
- Allergies or an allergic reaction
- Smoking
- Respiratory infection
- Common cold
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
- General chest congestion
- Viral infections
- Whooping cough
- Upper respiratory chest infection
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis (acute or chronic)
A cough is one of the most common symptoms of many different conditions. It is an indication that there is some kind of irritation in our throats and lungs. Irritation can be from many different reasons including dryness, inflammation, smoking, an infection, postnasal drip, allergies (such as dust mites), and much more.
Asthma is one condition that leads to coughing because of sensitivity in the airways and bronchial tubes to external stressors. During an asthma attack, the lungs become irritated and the bronchial tubes start to close causing difficulty breathing and resulting in coughing and wheezing. This results in a more chronic cough, but it is not a persistent cough as it is only present when the airways are stressed in an asthma attack or flare-up.
Coughing can also be a sign of a gastro or heart condition such as congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. In these cases, the excess fluid building up in the circulatory system causes chest congestion in the lungs putting pressure on the respiratory system and resulting in a dry cough and shortness of breath. It is most often a nighttime cough in these situations. Another common cause is GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux or reflux disease) which is a digestive condition where acid from the stomach goes back into the esophagus when it shouldn't. This can cause burning and irritates the esophagus. it also acts as an irritant for the respiratory system resulting in coughing.
These are only some of the many conditions that can result in coughing. Coughing is not a diagnosis but a symptom of something bigger going on in the body. It is always important to identify why the coughing is happening and support the necessary systems including the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the digestive system and the immune system.
How to stop coughing?
The easiest way to stop coughing is to uncover the root of why the cough is happening. A cough is a normal process of the body to try and bring the body back into balance because something isn’t right.
There are some cough suppressant therapies that can help decrease the action of coughing however they do not fix the reason why the cough is happening and often the cough will return just as it was when these medications are discontinued.
When to see a doctor for your cough?
It is always important to get a cough evaluated especially if it has associated symptoms such as shortness of breath (trouble breathing), chest pain, fever etc or it is not going away. Seeking the help of a medical professional will help to figure out the cause of the cough and treat it appropriately.
| Cough Type | Description |
| Persistent Coughs | also called a nagging cough. This is a cough that began as acute but continues to linger after treatment. |
| Productive Coughs | also called a wet cough. They are coughs where something (usually phlegm, mucus or sputum) is being coughed up or expelled. |
| Non-productive Cough | also called a dry cough. This is a cough where nothing is being coughed up. |
| Chronic Cough | a cough that persists for about 3 months for 2 consecutive years. It is often associated with more severe dysfunction or underlying imbalance. |
| Acute Cough | a cough that starts suddenly and is associated with a specific trigger/condition. |
What are some home cough remedies?
There are many different natural cough remedies, home remedies, and over-the-counter support that can be used to help treat a cough.
Thyme - thyme is an herb that has been used for many years as a natural cough remedy. It is a relaxing expectorant decreasing tension in the lungs while helping them to expel and thin out mucus, an anti-microbial to help fend off pathogens, as well as a carminative to help support digestive health. This makes it an excellent remedy for almost any type of acute or chronic cough. It can be taken as a tablet, a tea or made into cough syrup.
Tea - made with boiling water and raw honey can help to soothe a sore throat and cough. Raw honey is also a potent anti-microbial helping to kill any pathogen that is contributing to symptoms while also soothing the throat and lungs.
Humidifier - placing a humidifier in a room can help to add moisture into the air and be particularly helpful in cough-variant that is from an irritate or dry cough. It is an easy home remedy to help soothe the respiratory system.
Chicken soup and different bone broths - this nostalgic natural remedy can help to soothe a sore throat, strengthen the immune system and provide soothing relief to any type of illness.
Gargle with salt water - take warm water and dissolve salt in it. Salt is an anti-microbial and can help to soothe symptoms while killing any pathogens that are causing the symptoms.
Anti-virals - various remedies with anti-viral properties such as raw honey, saltwater and different herbs can be used in home treatment of a cough of viral origin whether a chronic cough, dry cough, or acute bronchitis.
Immune-boosting supplements such as vitamin C - help to support infections from bacteria and viruses by decreasing their duration and mounting the bodies defences, so this doesn't happen again
Avoid cough triggers - learning about and avoiding triggers in conditions such as asthma and allergies can help to decrease the duration of the symptoms and prevent flare-ups. This can include smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke in non-smokers.
Cough drops - store-bought cough drops can be a fast-acting way to help relieve the pain associated with a sore throat or cough. They will not help with the underlying cause but can help soothe the throat symptoms and pain at the moment, making them a good resource when things are bad.
Over-the-counter medicines - such as cough syrup can also be helpful in some cases to soothe the symptoms of a cough especially if a nighttime cough is preventing sleep.
Medications - depending on the cause medications such as ACE inhibitors (for heart concerns), decongestants (for allergies and rhinitis), cough medicines and cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan can be helpful cough remedies when necessary.
How to stop dry cough?
One of the main ways to stop a dry cough is by moistening and soothing the dry tissue as well as removing any irritants or allergies that may be causing this irritation.
A humidifier can be used to help moisten the air in a room, soothing the respiratory tissue.
Certain herbs that are demulcents and mucoprotectant can help to soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes decreasing symptoms associated with dry coughs. These include Mullein, Colt’s Food, and Licorice.
How to stop a phlegm cough?
There are different herbs and natural substances that help the body to break up the phlegm or mucous and then expel it. These can help to decrease the cough. Some of these include thyme, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), Mullein, Elecampane, Ephedra, Colt’s Foot, Cacao, Wild Black Cherry, Opium Poppy, Licorice, Horehound, and Indian Tobacco. While most of these herbs are quite effective and safe such as Thyme others such as Opium Poppy, Ephedra and Indian Tobacco can be dangerous and should only be used with the direction of a health care practitioner.
The main reason for the cough in this situation is to try and remove the phlegm that is irritating the respiratory system. There are many different reasons why this phlegm is building up in the first place and the main way to reduce the phlegm for good is to treat the reason why the phlegm is building up. This could include allergies, respiratory infection etc.
How to stop coughing at night?
There are various herbs and natural remedies that can help with the symptomatic relief of cough at night. Anti-tussive and cough suppressant herbs help to temporarily relieve coughing or suppress the cough reflex. These herbs include mullein, colt’s foot and many more. Any herb such as thyme that generally soothes the respiratory tissue can also help to decrease coughing at night. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil into a room can also help to decrease symptoms of coughing at night by soothing the throat, providing antimicrobial benefit and calming the cough reflex. Eucalyptus should never be taken internally.
How to stop coughs for babies and toddlers?
Babies and toddlers need to be treated with caution as they are much more sensitive to interventions for a cough than adults are. Some herbs and natural remedies taken in small doses can be appropriate as well as some different medications. It is important to consult a health care provider when you are unsure about how to support babies and toddlers with a cough.
- Dryness in the lungs and throat
- Asthma
- Lung cancer
- Bronchiectasis
- COPD
- Congestive heart failure
- High blood pressure
- GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux or reflex disease)
Coughs can be chronic or acute. A chronic cough is found in more severe lung diseases such as lung cancer, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, or COPD. Some common causes of an acute cough include the common cold (rhinitis), bronchitis, viral infections, such as whooping cough or URTI (respiratory tract infection), postnasal drip, sore throat, general chest congestion, and much more. A cough can be an indication that the immune system is not functioning as optimally as it should be and that both the respiratory system and immune system support is needed. They could also indicate that an irritant is present in the lungs or surrounding area that needs to be dealt with. If the proper support is not given during an acute cough it can lead to the development of a chronic cough.
Cough
Coughs
- irritation in the lungs/throat
- allergies or an allergic reaction
- smoking
- respiratory infection
- common cold
- postnasal drip
- sore throat
- general chest congestion
- viral infections
- whooping cough
- upper respiratory chest infection
- pneumonia
- bronchitis (acute or chronic)
- dryness in the lungs and throat
- asthma
- lung cancer
- bronchiectasis
- COPD
- Congestive heart failure
- High blood pressure
- GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux or reflex disease)
A cough is one of the most common symptoms of many different conditions. It is n indication that there is some kind of irritation in our throats and lungs. Irritation can be from many different reasons including dryness, inflammation, smoking, an infection, postnasal drip, allergies such as dust mites and much more.
Asthma is one condition that leads to coughing because of sensitivity in the airways and bronchial tubes to external stressors. During an asthma attack, the lungs become irritated and the bronchial tubes start to close causing difficulty breathing and resulting in coughing and wheezing. This results in a more chronic cough, but it is not a persistent cough as it is only present when the airways are stressed in an asthma attack or flare-up.
Coughs can be chronic or acute. A chronic cough is found in more severe lung diseases such as lung cancer, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, or COPD. Some common causes of an acute cough include the common cold (rhinitis), bronchitis, viral infections such as whooping cough or URTI (respiratory tract infection), postnasal drip, common cold, sore throat, general chest congestion and much more. A cough can be an indication that the immune system is not functioning as optimally as it should be and that both the respiratory system and immune system support is needed. They could also indicate that an irritant is present in the lungs or surrounding area that needs to be dealt with. If the proper support is not given during an acute cough it can lead to the development of a chronic cough.
Coughing can also be a sign of a gastro or heart condition such as congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. In these cases, the excess fluid building up in the circulatory system causes chest congestion in the lungs putting pressure on the respiratory system and resulting in a dry cough and shortness of breath. It is most often a nighttime cough in these situations. Another common cause is GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux or reflux disease) which is a digestive condition where acid from the stomach goes back into the esophagus when it shouldn't. This can cause burning and irritates the esophagus. it also acts as an irritant for the respiratory system resulting in coughing.
These are only some of the many conditions that can result in coughing. Coughing is not a diagnosis but a symptom of something bigger going on in the body. It is always important to identify why the coughing is happening and support the necessary systems including the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the digestive system and the immune system.
How to stop coughing?
The easiest way to stop coughing is to uncover the root of why the cough is happening. A cough is a normal process of the body to try and bring the body back into balance because something isn’t right.
There are some cough suppressant therapies that can help decrease the action of coughing however they do not fix the reason why the cough is happening and often the cough will return just as it was when these medications are discontinued.
When to see a doctor for your cough?
It is always important to get a cough evaluated especially if it has associated symptoms such as shortness of breath (trouble breathing), chest pain, fever etc or it is not going away. Seeking the help of a medical professional will help to figure out the cause of the cough and treat it appropriately.
| Cough Type | Description |
| Persistent Coughs | also called a nagging cough. This is cough that began as acute but continues to linger after treatment. |
| Productive Coughs | also called a wet cough. They are coughs where something (usually phlegm, mucus or sputum) is being coughed up or expelled. |
| Non-productive Cough | also called a dry cough. This is a cough where nothing is being coughed up. |
| Chronic Cough | a cough that persists for about 3 months for 2 consecutive years. It is often associated with more severe dysfunction or underlying imbalance. |
| Acute Cough | a cough that starts suddenly and is associated with a specific trigger/condition. |
What are some home cough remedies?
There are many different natural cough remedies, home remedies, and over-the-counter support that can be used to help treat a cough.
Thyme - thyme is an herb that has been used for many years as a natural cough remedy. It is a relaxing expectorant decreasing tension in the lungs while helping them to expel and thin out mucus, an anti-microbial to help fend off pathogens as well as a carminative to help support digestive health. This makes it an excellent remedy for almost any type of acute or chronic cough. It can be taken as a tablet, a tea or made into cough syrup.
Tea - made with boiling water and raw honey can help to soothe a sore throat and cough. Raw honey is also a potent anti-microbial helping to kill any pathogen that is contributing to symptoms while also soothing the throat and lungs.
Humidifier - placing a humidifier in a room can help to add moisture into the air and be particularly helpful in cough-variant that are from an irritate or dry cough. It is an easy home remedy to help soothe the respiratory system.
Chicken soup and different bone broths - this nostalgic natural remedy can help to soothe a sore throat, strengthen the immune system and provide soothing relief to any type of illness.
Gargle with salt water - take warm water and dissolve salt in it. salt is an anti-microbial and can help to soothe symptoms while killing any pathogens that are causing the symptoms.
Anti-virals - various remedies with anti-viral properties such as raw honey, saltwater and different herbs can be used in home treatment of a cough of viral origin whether a chronic cough or a dry cough or acute bronchitis.
immune-boosting supplements such as vitamin C - help to support infections from bacteria and viruses by decreasing their duration and mounting the bodies defences, so this doesn't happen again
Avoid cough triggers - learning about and avoiding triggers in conditions such as asthma and allergies can help to decrease the duration of the symptoms and prevent flare-ups. This can include smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke in non-smokers.
Cough drops - store-bought cough drops can be a fast-acting way to help relieve the pain associated with a sore throat or cough. They will not help with the underlying cause but can help soothe the throat symptoms and pain at the moment, making them a good resource when things are bad.
Over-the-counter medicines - such as cough syrup can also be helpful in some cases to soothe the symptoms of a cough especially if a nighttime cough is preventing sleep.
Medications - depending on the cause medications such as ACE inhibitors (for heart concerns), decongestants (for allergies and rhinitis), cough medicines and cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan can be helpful cough remedies when necessary.
How to stop dry cough?
One of the main ways to stop a dry cough is by moistening and soothing the dry tissue as well as removing any irritants or allergies that may be causing this irritation.
A humidifier can be used to help moisten the air in a room, soothing the respiratory tissue.
Certain herbs that are demulcents and mucoprotectant can help to soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes decreasing symptoms associated with dry coughs. These include Mullein, Colt’s Food, and Licorice.
How to stop phlegm cough?
There are different herbs and natural substances that help the body to break up the phlegm or mucous and then expel it. These can help to decrease the cough. Some of these include thyme, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), Mullein, Elecampane, Ephedra, Colt’s Foot, Cacao, Wild Black Cherry, Opium Poppy, Licorice, Horehound, and Indian Tobacco. While most of these herbs are quite effective and safe such as Thyme others such as Opium Poppy, Ephedra and Indian Tobacco can be dangerous and should only be used with the direction of a health care practitioner.
The main reason for the cough in this situation is to try and remove the phlegm that is irritating the respiratory system. There are many different reasons why this phlegm is building up in the first place and the main way to reduce the phlegm for good is to treat the reason why the phlegm is building up. This could include allergies, respiratory infection etc.
How to stop coughing at night?
There are various herbs and natural remedies that can help with the symptomatic relief of a cough at night. Anti-tussive and cough suppressant herbs help to temporarily relieve coughing or suppress the cough reflex. These herbs include mullein, colt’s foot and many more. Any herb such as thyme that generally soothe the respiratory tissue can also help to decrease coughing at night. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil into a room can also help to decrease symptoms of coughing at night by soothing the throat, providing antimicrobial benefit and calming the cough reflex. Eucalyptus should never be taken internally.
How to stop coughs for babies and toddlers?
Babies and toddlers need to be treated with caution as they are much more sensitive to interventions for a cough than adults are. Some herbs and natural remedies taken in small doses can be appropriate as well as some different medications. It is important to consult a health care provider when you are unsure about how to support babies and toddlers with a cough.