A lingering cough after a cold can be irritating and exhausting. Use these tips to get rid of your residual cough.
What Causes a Lingering Cough
One of the most common causes of a chronic cough is a postnasal drip caused by allergies or a cold. Plus, your airways can remain sensitive and inflamed after a cold or respiratory infection, leading to a lingering cough. This post-viral cough can last several weeks but should gradually improve.
Allergies can trigger chronic coughs, especially pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. Identifying what you’re allergic to, avoiding it, and receiving treatments should alleviate your cough.
If your cough is accompanied by wheezing or shortness of breath, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional. You could have asthma.
Acid reflux disease (GERD) can trigger a nagging cough. Lifestyle modifications and prescription medications can help manage GERD and provide coughing relief.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs the airflow from your lungs. COPD also includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
High blood pressure medication is known to cause a chronic cough in some people. See a doctor if you’re experiencing a lingering cough and are on blood pressure medication. They might switch medications to cure the cough.
How to Get Rid of a Chronic Cough
A stubborn cough is frustrating, whether it’s a lingering cough after a cold or another reason. So here are some home remedies to try to rid yourself of the nuisance and get back to feeling better:
- Stay hydrated: One of the simplest yet effective remedies for a lingering cough is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to soothe your irritated throat, keeps your respiratory system moist, and thins the mucus in your throat. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
- Use a humidifier: Dry air can exacerbate your cough. Consider using a humidifier or spending time in a steamy bathroom to add moisture to the air. This can help alleviate throat irritation and reduce coughing.
- Honey and warm liquids: Another natural remedy for cough relief is drinking warm liquids infused with honey. Prepare a cup of herbal tea or warm water with honey to help soothe your throat and reduce coughing.
- Gargle with salt water: Mix a teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargle with it several times a day. Saltwater gargles can provide temporary relief by reducing inflammation and soothing your throat.
- Cough drops & hard candy: Sucking on cough drops or any hard candy can soothe an irritated sore throat, easing a lingering dry cough.
- Avoid smoking or second-hand smoke: Breathing in smoke or smoking, in general, can irritate your lungs and worsen the cough.
Medications to Try
You can try several over-the-counter medications to cure your lingering cough after a cold. Cough suppressants can provide temporary relief by reducing the urge to cough. Look for products containing dextromethorphan (DM) as the active ingredient. However, cough suppressants won’t cure the underlying issues causing the cough.
Other medications, like antihistamines, can relieve the pain of a chronic cough. Harvard Medical School explains antihistamines decrease mucus discharge and widen the airways, making breathing easier. Look for medications with brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine.
Decongestants allow more air to pass through, drying out your nasal tissue and minimizing the mucus draining in your throat, which can cause a lingering cough.
If you’re experiencing a productive cough with mucus, consider using expectorants. These medications help loosen and expel phlegm, allowing you to clear your airways more easily. Look for medicine that lists guaifenesin as an ingredient.
If you see a doctor, they may prescribe corticosteroids, asthma medication, antibiotics, or acid blockers for acid reflux.
When to See a Provider
While most persistent coughs are harmless and will resolve on their own, there are situations where medical attention may be necessary. You should consider seeking medical help if:
- Your cough lasts for more than a couple of weeks.
- You experience severe chest pain or difficulty breathing.
- High fever, chills, or night sweats accompany your cough.
- You cough up blood or notice any other concerning symptoms.
If treatments aren’t working and the doctor is unsure what is causing the residual cough, they may perform tests like X-rays and CT scans. The Mayo Clinic says chest X-rays can detect pneumonia and other lung diseases. While an X-ray of the sinuses can reveal a sinus infection.
Visit Your Local AFC
Help resolve your chronic cough with a convenient visit to AFC in Prince MS. Our experienced providers can help you determine if it’s cold vs. allergies or another issue causing the cough. No appointment is required, and our clinics offer extended hours to work with your schedule. Find relief by finding a location near you.
