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A cough can be annoying and it can leave you feeling weak and irritable. But there are reasons why we cough, and it is prudent to not prevent or hold back a cough.

Benefits of Coughing

1. Here's why it is good to allow the cough to come through.
2. Keeping out Foreign Objects: Coughing is one way in which the body keeps out foreign objects from the throat and makes sure that they don't get ingested or block the air passages.
3. Signal Respiratory Exposure: A cough alerts you to respiratory allergens like smoke, dust, chemicals, or fumes.
4. Clear Excess Mucus: Coughing helps to clear out all the excess phlegm and mucus in the lungs and upper respiratory tract that can cause immense irritation.
5. Indicator of Diseases: Chronic coughs over a long period of time could also be an indication of a more serious disease including pneumonia, sinusitis, lung damage, postnasal drip, chronic lung disease, or asthma.

Best Cough Relief Tips and Remedies

Here are some best cough relief methods that you can employ to try and heal the problem and keep the cough at bay. These remedies are pretty safe and have almost negligible side effects. it will also be wise to inform your doctor about these remedies.

• Try having cough drops or warm drinks like honey in warm tea that help soothe your throat.
• A flu or cold causes postnasal drip due to an infection in the upper respiratory tract. So drink a lot of fluids as it helps in maintaining moistness in the mucus membrane and reducing postnasal drip.
• Get rid of irritants that cause sinusitis like smoke, aromatic bathroom sprays, and perfumes.
• Take a hot shower as the steam will help clear out the congestion.
• If all of the above remedies don't seem to help you, then cough remedies for adults include over-the counter medications like cough suppressants, decongestants, or cough expectorants. If your child is below the age of four, FDA advises against using cough syrups.

Coughing Etiquette

If you have a cough, it's important that you know coughing etiquette to avoid social embarrassment. Here's what you need to keep in mind.

• Avoid sneezing or coughing into your hands as all the germs will remain on them.
• Observe hand hygiene by washing you hands with warm water and soap or with an alcohol-based hand product after contact with respiratory secretions.
• Use tissue to cover your nose and mouth and get rid of the used paper immediately in a trash can.
• Avoid being too close to people when you cough.

References:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
2. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048515.htm
3. http://thorax.bmj.com/content/39/3/192.full.pdf

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.