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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Medical Symptoms Guide > Cough: Home Care & Treatment of Cough

Cough

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Home Care & Treatment

Prevention

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Cough: Home Care & Treatment

  • Cough lozenges or hard candy can help dry, tickling coughs. These should never be given to a child under 3 years old because of the risk of choking.
  • A vaporizer or steamy shower may help a dry cough by increasing the humidity in the air.
  • Drink extra fluids to help thin the secretions in your throat and make them easier to cough up.
  • Zinc lozenges may reduce the intensity of your cold symptoms, especially your cough.

Medications available without a prescription include:

  • Guaifenesin (like Robitussin), which may help you bring up phlegm. Drink lots of fluids if taking this medication.
  • Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan (Vicks 44, Robitussin DM) may lessen your cough. Although coughing can be a troubling symptom, it is usually your body's way of healing the underlying condition. Therefore, you may not want to supress the cough unless it is interfering with sleep or other factors important for healing.
  • Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, can be used to clear a stuffy, runny nose accompanying your cough, especially if you have postnasal drip. These should not be used if you have high blood pressure or for a child under six years old unless prescribed by your doctor.

Don't expect a physician to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies.


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Definition
Cough: Common Causes
Cough: Home Care & Treatment
Cough: Prevention
Call your Health Care Provider if
What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
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Review Date : 8/4/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Darrell N. Kotton, M.D., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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