How to get rid of a cough quickly depends on the cause and severity of the cough. If it is still classified as mild to moderate, the cough can be overcome by doing some simple ways , starting from increasing fluid intake to consuming medical drugs sold in pharmacies.
The occasional cough is a normal occurrence. This is the body’s natural response to clear the respiratory tract of foreign substances that can cause irritation.
However, a cough that occurs continuously can be a sign or symptom of many health conditions, such as allergies , viral infections , or bacterial infections .
If not dealt with immediately, a persistent cough can interfere with activity, make the body tired, and cause discomfort. That’s why it is necessary to get rid of cough quickly so that the cough can be resolved immediately.
How to Get Rid of Cough Quickly
The cough will go away on its own in about 1-2 weeks. However, coughs can be treated immediately when they first appear so that they do not linger and interfere with your activities.
Here are some ways to get rid of a cough quickly:
1. Increase fluid intake
One of the ways to get rid of a cough quickly and easily is to increase fluid intake. Drinking water , especially warm water, is proven to be effective in relaxing the throat and thinning mucus, making it easier to expel.
In addition, consuming at least 8 glasses of water per day will also prevent the throat from becoming dry and irritated. Thus, even cough can be overcome.
2. Consume natural cough medicine
Some preparations from natural ingredients, such as ginger , peppermint , and chamomile , can also be used as a natural cough medicine. This is because the ingredients are effective in relieving coughs caused by inflammation in the throat.
In addition to using those three ingredients, another way to get rid of a cough quickly is to consume honey before going to bed. You can consume honey directly or mix it into a cup of warm tea or warm water.
3. Maintain humidity and clean air
Keeping the humidity and air clean can be one of the ways to get rid of cough quickly. This is because dry and dirty air can trigger allergy symptoms, including coughing.
Therefore, if you have an allergy to dust, animal fur, or pollen, make sure to always keep the air clean in the home environment. Some of the ways are by changing bed sheets, cleaning the floor, and cleaning the windows of the house routinely.
You can also turn on a humidifier in a room or other area of the house, if the humidity in that location is low. This is done to keep the air you breathe moist, so that the cough phlegm becomes thinner and the cough subsides.
4. Soak in warm water
Soaking or taking a warm shower can help relieve the cough you suffer from. This is because the steam produced from warm water can moisten the upper airways, as well as dilute the mucus.
To get the maximum benefit from this one way to get rid of cough quickly, you can soak in warm water for 5 minutes.
5. Gargle with salt water
The next way to get rid of cough quickly is gargling with salt water . Gargling with salt water can reduce coughing by easing irritation in the throat and diluting the mucus that causes coughing.
To get rid of a cough in this way, you simply dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Then, gargle with the solution.
6. Quit smoking
Smoking can damage the part that cleans mucus and dirt in the lungs. This is why active smokers usually have a prolonged cough. As a way to get rid of a cough quickly, you should stop smoking, including electronic cigarettes ( vape ), and avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
7. Consuming medical drugs
If the previous method of getting rid of cough quickly is not effective to overcome cough, you can consume one of the cough medicines that are sold over the counter at the pharmacy. A number of cough medicines that you can get without a doctor’s prescription.
Those are some ways to get rid of cough quickly that you can do. If after trying some of the methods above but the cough does not improve for more than 3 weeks, or the cough is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, wheezing , or other symptoms, do not delay to see a doctor .
