Methods of Treatment
Two types of cough treatment exist: home remedies and medical treatment. The detailed information below should create a clearer picture with regards to the methods of cough treatment.
- A. Moisturize the air by using a vaporizer if humidity is below 50%.
- B. Drink plenty of fluids to help thin the mucus; drink warm tea and beverages, such as lemon juice, to help calm your throat.
- C. Use honey to soothe your throat (avoid honey in children younger than 2 years of age).
- D. Use cough drops to help moisturize and soothe throat irritation. (Avoid in children younger than age 7 to prevent choking.)
- E. Avoid fumes, pollutants, perfumes, and tobacco smoke.
- A. Antibiotics in case of pneumonia, bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis.
- B. Inhalers with bronchodilators to widen the airways and/or corticosteroids for patients with asthma and COPD.
- C. Antacids, such as proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and/or H2 blockers for patients with acid reflux.
- D. Trial of discontinuation or switching drugs known to possibly cause cough, such as blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors.
- E. Antihistamines and/or nasal topical corticosteroid spray for patients suffering from environmental allergies associated with postnasal drip.
- F. Expectorants (mucolytics) known to thin the mucus and loosen the secretions to easily cough them up. (These are not usually recommended for use in children.)
- G. Cough suppressants, which are not always indicated since cough helps to clear the airways. They could be used in cases of severe cough affecting daily activities and sleep disturbance. There are 3 categories:
- i. Dextromethorphan, which is related to codeine but not considered an opioid. It inhibits the cough center in the brain. It is sold over the counter (OTC) and is not addictive. However, in some cases it can cause mild drowsiness.
- ii. Benzonatate, which inhibits cough receptors in the lungs, making them less sensitive to irritation, resulting in cough. It is taken by mouth and considered a local anesthetic.
- iii. Opioids, which are the most effective drugs to suppress cough by inhibiting the cough center in the brain. Codeine and hydrocodone are the most frequently used cough medications for severe and persistent coughs. These have several drawbacks, such as causing constipation, nausea, and drowsiness, and they may be addictive. They should be used as a last resort if all other treatment regimens have failed and only for a very short period of time.