How to Manage an Annoying Cough

Learn how to manage an annoying cough with this article from Theraflu

Whether it's a dry cough, a wet cough, or a congested cough, any type of persistent chest and throat hacking can be a major pain. A less severe cough (or an “acute” cough) is one that lasts for less than three weeks, while a cough labeled “chronic” is one that lasts longer than eight weeks.⁴If you find that your cough is lasting longer than eight weeks, then you should contact your doctor. However, for those experiencing more “acute” coughs, there are some fast and easy tips to help you manage an annoying cough.

1. Try cough medicine

Instead of ignoring your cough and hoping for the best, treat yourself to new Theraflu Cough Relief. Theraflu Cough Relief has a 2-in-1 maximum strength formulation that provides effective relief for dry and wet cough. If you find that you’re experiencing an annoying cough at night, then Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Hot Liquid Powder Medicine may be the best option for you. Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Hot Liquid Powder Medicine offers powerful cough relief in a warm, soothing liquid.

2. Moisturize the air

Another way you can relieve that annoying cough is by doing something that may already be a part of your daily routine, such as a showering. More specifically a steamy shower can help ease your coughing, as the steam adds moisture to the air. As you breathe in, this moisture can help moisten your throat, which may help reduce scratchiness.¹ Another way to add moisture to the air is by running a humidifier throughout your house for added cough-relieving moisture.¹

3. Use honey in tea or water

Another way to help quiet an annoying cough is by using something you may have in your pantry at home: honey. Not only does it taste great, but honey can also help soothe a sore throat.² Adding honey to warm liquids like water or herbal teas has been proven to have modest benefits in reducing cough. According to one study⁵, children ages 1 to 5 were given a small dose of honey (2 teaspoons) to see if their coughing frequency diminished throughout the night. The results seemed to reduce the amount of nighttime coughing for these children and helped to improve overall sleep.⁵

A similar study⁵ was done with a group of healthy male adults, who were given 2 cups of water with buckwheat honey, black tea, black tea with sugar, or black tea with buckwheat honey. The results showed great effects as well, because honey contains antioxidant properties, which are great for your overall health.⁵ Next time you or your child have a cough during the night, try grabbing a tall glass of water or brew a cup of tea, adding just a small swirl of honey to help quiet that annoying cough.

A person sitting at a table is pouring honey into hot tea with a lemon slice in it

Another way to help quiet an annoying cough is by using something you may have in your pantry at home: honey. Not only does it taste great, but honey can also help soothe a sore throat.²

4. Drink plenty of fluids

A common suggestion for anyone feeling sick is to make sure to drink plenty of fluids, as it’s important to keep your body hydrated while feeling sick.⁶ This is true, too, for when you have a cough, as you may be losing bodily fluids.⁶ Therefore, drinking liquids like water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water are great choices, not only to help soothe your throat but to keep you hydrated.⁶ Liquids you may want to avoid when trying to get rid of an annoying cough are drinks with a lot of caffeine (i.e. coffee or energy drinks) and drinks that contain alcohol, as both caffeine and alcohol can cause dehydration.⁶

5. Rest as much as possible

Even if you feel like you can move about your daily routine with ease while managing an annoying cough, it may be useful to have some planned downtime to let your body rest.⁶ If you find that your cough becomes more severe during the night, then one of the suggestions above (i.e. adding honey to a glass of tea or using a Theraflu cough relief product) could help you rest easy at night.

If you find that your cough is lasting longer than a few days or weeks, then you may want to contact your doctor, as this could be a sign of a more serious condition. Be sure to keep these tips handy, so the next time a cough strikes, you’ll be ready to quiet that annoying cough.

References

1.    Mayo Clinic. Chronic Cough. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-cough/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351580 Accessed 5.22.2019.

2.    Mayo Clinic. Honey: An Effective Cough Remedy? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031. Accessed 5.22.2019.

3.    CDC. Coughing and Sneezing. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/etiquette/coughing_sneezing.html. Accessed 5.22.2019.

4.    Cough Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/basics/causes/sym-20050846. Accessed on 5/25/2021.

5.    Honey for Treatment of Cough in Children. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264806/. Accessed on 5/26/2021.

6.    7 Ways to Combat Coughs and Colds. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/7-ways-to-combat-coughs-and-colds. Accessed on 5/26/2021.

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How to Manage an Annoying Cough

1. Try cough medicine

2. Moisturize the air

3. Use honey in tea or water

Another way to help quiet an annoying cough is by using something you may have in your pantry at home: honey. Not only does it taste great, but honey can also help soothe a sore throat.2

4. Drink plenty of fluids

5. Rest as much as possible

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Another way to help quiet an annoying cough is by using something you may have in your pantry at home: honey. Not only does it taste great, but honey can also help soothe a sore throat.²