How do you treat a persistent hacking cough?

Lifestyle and home remedies

  1. Drink fluids. Liquid helps thin the mucus in your throat.
  2. Suck on cough drops or hard candies. They may ease a dry cough and soothe an irritated throat.
  3. Consider taking honey. A teaspoon of honey may help loosen a cough.
  4. Moisturize the air.
  5. Avoid tobacco smoke.

What does it mean when you have a persistent cough?

The cough may be dry or productive, in other words, you may or may not cough up mucus (sputum). The cough may also be referred to as “chronic,” “lingering,” or “nagging.”

What to do if you have a chronic cough?

In the meantime, you can try the following, recommended by the American Lung Association, to help ease your chronic cough: 1 cough drops or hard candy. 2 honey. 3 vaporizer. 4 steamy shower.

What kind of tests can you do for a persistent cough?

Other tests which may be recommended include: Allergy tests Pulmonary function tests to screen for lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema Esophageal pH testing to test for present acid reflux as a possible cause of a persistent cough Bronchoscopy to check for foreign bodies or evaluate your airways for a tumor

Is it bad for a nonsmoker to have a lingering cough?

A lingering cough is also a worry for nonsmokers. Fortunately, benign problems are responsible for most chronic coughs in nonsmokers. Benign or not, persistent coughing can cause worry, embarrassment, exhaustion, and more. That’s why chronic coughs should be diagnosed and treated before they linger too long.

How to prevent continuous and persistent cough problem?

10 home remedies for chronic cough in children and adults Stay hydrated. Gargle with warm saltwater to help cleanse the throat and rid it of mucus. Elevate your head with extra pillows at night to ease a chronic dry cough. Inhale steam in a shower, or use a cool-mist humidifier to relieve dry cough. Cough drops may soothe an irritated throat. Do not smoke or use tobacco products.

What is the treatment for persistent cough?

Treatments that a doctor may prescribe or recommend for persistent cough according to Mayo Clinic include: Antihistamines and decongestants . Inhaled asthma medications which reduce inflammation and open airways. Antibiotics if your persistent cough is caused by a bacterial infection. Acid blockers.

What are the symptoms of persistent cough?

A chronic cough can occur with other signs and symptoms, which may include: A runny or stuffy nose. A feeling of liquid running down the back of your throat (postnasal drip) Frequent throat clearing and sore throat. Hoarseness. Wheezing and shortness of breath.

What is persistent cough a symptom of?

A persistent cough may be the result of asthma. Asthma causes constriction of the airways, and patients typically experience coughing from time to time. Sometimes the cough becomes chronic, and in certain cases referred to as cough-variant asthma, it is the only symptom.