FreeMD® Upper Respiratory Infections Home Care: Cough

Upper Respiratory Infections Home Care: Cough

Home treatment of a cough in adults with an upper respiratory infection includes:

Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
Stop smoking
Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
Raise the head of your bed at night and sleep on your left side: this minimizes acid reflux.
Use throat lozenges.
Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

Cough medications:

Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

Cough medication precautions:

A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce your ability to fight the infection.
Cough medicine can cause drowsiness. Do not take cough medication if you plan to drive or operate machinery.
Avoid alcohol.
Do not take cough medication if you take sedatives or medication for depression.
Talk to your doctor before you take cough medicine if you have asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease or high blood pressure.