How can you get rid of a nagging cough?

Question

Hi...I'm wondering if anybody here knows of any remedies to get rid of a nagging cough...I had the cold about a week ago..and it went away except for this nagging cough. I can't stop coughing..I stop coughing for a while..but then it comes back..and I can feel phlegm too...and I can't cough it out...what can I do about it..?

Answer 1

the main thing to getting rid of that cough is to get rid of the gunk that is still stuck in your chest.

try these things:

-take mucinex-it's an over the counter medicine designed to loosen up congestion so you can cough it up
-Robutessin DM (has to be the DM formula). it will also help loosen up chest congestion
-use a warm mist humidifier in your room at night-this will keep the air moist and prevent your throat from drying out which can cause coughing and will also loosen up congestion
-if you don't own a humidifier-turn the shower on in the bathroom to the hottest it will go. leave the bathroom (shutting the door on your way out) and let the water run for about 10-15 minutes. re-enter the bathroom and sit in there for as long as you can stand it to allow the steam to enter your lungs and help break up the congestion.

if after doing these things for about a week, you still have the cough and congestion-make an appt to see your dr.

colds generally take about 10-14 days to clear. after that it might be a sign of you having a more serious infection such as bronchitis (inflammation of the air tubes inside your lungs) and you will need antibiotics to clear it out.

hope you feel better soon

Answer 2

i have EXACTLY this same problem! except that when i get the cough, i sometimes throw up because the coughing is so bad.

you'll be happy to know, if you have the same thing that i get, that it's nothing serious. the last time i got it, i went to a doctor who told me that it's called a post-viral cough. the reason it happens is that when you get sick, mucus drips from your nose down into your lungs where it settles (gross, i know). once you get over the cold, the mucus is still in there and it causes you to cough.

the PVC can last up to 8 weeks but i think that's only in extreme cases. for me it lasts 1-2 weeks. there are a few things i've found that help:

(1) try heating up some water in a bowl or plastic measuring cup. the water shouldn't be too hot, like not boiling, but it should be fairly warm. put your face above the water and cover your head with a towel so the heat doesn't escape. breathe in the heat continuously. you should start to feel your nose get really runny. after a few minutes, blow your nose until the runniness is gone. this helps gets rid of some of the mucus.

(2) if possible, buy an over-the-counter cough medicine called delsym. it's like robitussin, only it contains three times the amount of dextromethorphin (the stuff that eases the cough) and it doesn't taste NEARLY as bad. you only have to take it once every 12 hours, which is nice, too. it won't completely get rid of the cough but it does help ease it somewhat. the medicine isn't always easy to find; try going to walgreens and asking someone in the pharmacy. if they don't have it, hopefully they should be able to tell you where to buy it.

one more thing...hopefully all you have is the PVC, but just in case, it can't hurt to consult a doctor. it could be a sign of something serious, so just in case, visit a physician just to make sure. good luck and believe me when i say...I FEEL YOUR PAIN! i hope you feel better soon!

Answer 3

Try this. If the phlegm is white in colour, crushed one whole garlic and steam it together with honey for one hour. Take two teaspoon of this steamed honey and mix it with warm water twice a day. If the phlegm is greenish or yellowish in colour then take one big apple, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and make a small hollow. Put two teaspoon of honey into the hollow and steam the apple for 30 minutes. Take the apple when it is still warm. Try this for a few days. Abstain from taking any cold drinks or chicken meat.

Answer 4

hi
ive had one of those lingering coughs after a cold some times lasting many weeks after
when you cough cup your hand around your mouth
not too tightly but the back pressure it causes will help bring up the phlegm and ease any discomfort
also ive used Covonia medicine in the past see chemist and i found that helped
but you should see your doctor if it persists and you are getting out of breath.

Answer 5

You might have an infection, which might only get worse without medication. You should see your doctor. While you're waiting for your appointment, it wouldn't hurt to drink a glass of water two or three times a day, to which you have added two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons of honey. Tastes kind of like... apple cider. Vinegar kills bacteria. Can't say it will for sure get rid of your infection if that's what you have-- it might help-- it wont hurt.

Answer 6

Divorce her... oh,you said "nagging" cough, oops, sorry, okay, try this... ole southern recipe and reason I like whiskey, (I'm sure),, microwave a shot glass full of 1 shot whiskey, a shake of lemon juice, a glob of honey and stir... microwave only for 20 seconds on low,, until warm. Should do the trick,, if not,, repeat about 4X,, and you won't have anything "nagging" you..

No pain my friend~I'm only here to help ya know. Hope you get to feeling better!

Answer 7

salt can dry up a cough though its not healthy to eat lots of salt. take a decongestant/cough suppressant. if you cough and phlegm comes up, makes sure you spit if out so its not right back in your throat

Answer 8

rid nagging cough: https://bitly.im/c11/how-can-you-get-rid-of-a-nagging-cough

Answer 9

Drink warm water, coffee hot, or Alka Seltzer cold and sinus. Will help choose one.

Answer 10

Go to the doc, he'll give you a perfect cough medicine for your situation.