Coughing

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COUGHING

Coughing is such a niusance, interrupting your sleep, disturbing your work, drawing unwanted attention in class and meetings. In a way coughing is worse than sneezing. And when your simple sniffle envolves into an infuriating, roof rattling, throat tickling, phlegm-producing cough, you want relief and fast. Coughing occurs for a reason: It's your body's reflex, designed to rid your lungs or airways of foreign material or mucus.

Be still my throat

Put on the kettle

A cough with a tickle needs hot tea to settle it down. To coat your throat, sweeten your cup with some honey and breathe in some steam while it's brewing, she advises.

Create a steamy situation

Another way to give your airways the humidity that they crave is to use a vaporiser.

Have a piece of candy

Suck on sugarless hard candy or licorice.

Know when to leave well enough alone

If your cough is bringing up phlegm, doctors would call it a productive cough. If you can't sleep, take cough medicine just before bed. And don't swallow phlegm-your body is trying to get rid of it.

Keep the liquid flowing

Even if your cough is the last remnant of a cold, drink plenty of fluids-including chicken soup-will thin the mucus in your airways and lungs. Drinking plenty of fluids-including chicken soup-will thin the mucus in your airways and lungs.

Consider taking an antacid

If your cough comes on suddenly at night, it may be caused by gastroesophageal reflux, or a backing up of jusices from your stomach. Taking an antacid before bed might help. Also try raising the head of your bed and cuting out food and alchohal for a few hours before you retire for the night.