Causes

Most coughs are caused by postnasal drip, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or smoking.

• Postnasal drip is mucus that runs down your throat from the back of your nose. This may be the cause of your cough if you have allergies or sinusitis or if you have recently had a cold.
• Asthma is a common cause of chronic cough in both children and adults. In some people with mild asthma, a cough may be the only symptom.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused when acid from your stomach backs up into your throat. If you also have heartburn and your symptoms are worse at night, this may be the cause of your cough.
• Smoking. Chronic cough is common in smokers. Twenty-five percent of people who smoke half a pack of cigarettes a day have a chronic cough, as do more than 50 percent of people who smoke more than 2 packs a day. Many smokers have chronic bronchitis, which causes a chronic cough.
• Other causes. Coughing is a side effect of some blood pressure medications. It can also be a sign of lung disease or cancer. See your doctor if you don’t know what’s causing your cough, if it’s getting worse instead of better, or if it lasts for more than 3 weeks.

Treatment

Coughing can be useful because it helps clear mucus and foreign material from your airways. It should only be suppressed if it interferes with sleep or if your doctor determines it’s not serving any useful purpose (such as coughing caused by medications).

Expectorants are medications used to thin cough secretions and make a cough more effective. Suppressants are medications intended to reduce but not eliminate coughing.

Depending on the cause of your cough, treating the underlying condition may be the most effective way to stop your coughing. For tobacco smokers, the most effective way to stop coughing is to stop smoking. Talk to your doctor if you need help.

Self-Care

• Rest with your head elevated.
• Drink plenty of clear fluids, such as juice, soup, or water, to relax the airway.
• Inhale warm, moist air. Because using steam vaporizers can cause burns, the recommended method for inhaling steam is standing in a hot shower or sitting in the bathroom with the hot water on. If you use a cool air vaporizer, it should be emptied and cleaned properly and frequently, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use lozenges or hard candy to soothe an irritated throat.
• Use over-the-counter cough suppressants with dextromethorphan only if your cough interferes with sleep or other activities.
• Avoid antihistamines, which dry secretions and make them thicker. If you have chronic health problems, don’t use decongestants.
• Avoid alcohol, canned aerosols, sprays, powders, and smoke from tobacco and fireplaces.