coughing

[bazzard]

I just can't stop coughing. I do not want to take any more medication. Any tips, please? I've tried honey and lemon, sucked sweets and sugar cubes and poured fruit juice down my throat.

[Clanad]

Obviously, no diagnosis can be made at distance, but, if you find the coughing increases when you lay down and especially if you are experiencing a stuffy nose or sinus drainage, try spraying, several times a day, with a simple saline solution available at any drug store . It's made especially for this and contains no medication. The brand I use (here in the U.S.) is called "Oceans". Most coughing as well as sore throat, I've learned, is caused by sinus drainage and if you can keep them well irrigated it should help. Best of luck...

[heathfield]

An 'old wives' remedy is to suck some butter, if you're up to it!

[bazzard]

Thank you. Someone once told me to get some butter balls and coat them with coarse sugar. The butter would melt as it went down the throat and the sugar would scratch the infected area. I think I'd prefer to have a cough!

[Andyvon]

I wonder how long you've been coughing for Bazzard?

If it's only a short time then it may just be something like an infection that clears up quickly. But if it's been more long term then you might need to tackle the cause. It could be some medical condition but it could also be an allergy. I also know some people struggle with certain types of central heating which can make the air very dry. That causes them to cough so they need a humidifyer.

[bazzard]

Thank you for your answer - about 3 weeks.

[heathfield]

The sugar would certainly make the butter taste better!

[heathfield]

Meant to add after seeing Andyvon's comment on central heating and dry air...I've experienced incessant coughing from that, and got almost instant relief at night by lying in bed with a hot wet face-cloth or towel over my face and breathing in moist air from it. Worked very well.

[bazzard]

Will try this tonight, thank you