10 Ways To Get Rid Of A Cough And Soothe Your Throat Fast, According To Doctors
Whether you’ve been dealing with a simple throat tickle for a few days or a lingering cold, you might be searching for ways to get rid of a cough in five minutes, and I don’t blame you.
But just so you know, a cough isn’t always bad, it’s a reflex that protects our airways and lungs against irritants like dust, germs, and mucus. And occasional coughing is completely normal, according to the American Lung Association.
That said, a cough isn’t necessarily something you should just shrug off. “[A] cough has many causes, ranging from a common viral illness to asthma or seasonal allergies to more significant health problems, such as chronic lung conditions, congestive heart failure, or even cancer,” says Michael Hanak, MD, an assistant professor of family medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Now, some people may develop a cough after becoming infected with COVID-19. A COVID cough is dry and persistent, according to Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital. It is typically accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pains, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath.
Meet the experts: Michael Hanak, MD, is an assistant professor of family medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Keri Peterson, MD, is an internal medicine doctor and WH advisor.
However, there are also less serious causes of coughing. Certain medications could be to blame, says Dr. Hanak. Environmental triggers like dust, mold, or other pollutants could be a contributing factor as well, either through lung irritation or postnasal drip. Acid reflux is another potential trigger.
Given that a cough can be a sign of a condition or totally harmless, when should you see a doctor? “When a cough is present for more than two weeks, it is reasonable to contact a health care provider for additional testing or recommendations,” notes Dr. Hanak.
In the meantime, if you’ve just started hacking, you can try to soothe your throat with these remedies.
1
Gargle With Salt Water
A simple way to ease a cough is with salt water. "Salt can kill bacteria," says Keri Peterson, MD, an internal medicine doctor and WH advisor. "It's also soothing." However, salt doesn't kill viruses, so it may not help you heal your cold or cough faster, Dr. Peterson explains.
To try this at home, mix half a teaspoon of table salt with eight ounces of warm water.
2
Sip On Ginger Tea
Ginger is well known for its power in calming an upset stomach. Turns out, it can also work wonders for a cough.
“Ginger has been found to be helpful in reducing cough and alleviating sore throat, and ginger lozenges are widely used for this purpose,” Dr. Hanak explains.
The root also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are beneficial in treating a variety of conditions, he adds. Brew some ginger tea by using a teabag or pouring hot water over some fresh slices.
3
Consider Heartburn Meds
Pepcid, Prilosec, or other antacids can relieve acid reflux and nix any associated coughs, notes Dr. Hanak.
If you find it to be a chronic issue, making certain dietary changes may help, such as avoiding citrus, chocolate, high-fat foods, onions, and tomato-based food products, and incorporating high-fiber foods into your diet, like brown rice, celery, lettuce, melon, oatmeal, and root vegetables (think: potatoes).
You may also want to drink lots of water and keep your portions small at meals if your coughs are due to reflux, says Dr. Hanak.
4
Add Honey To Your Drinks
Coughing, but also craving something sweet? You're in luck! “Honey has been found to be helpful in alleviating cough, either on its own or as part of a cup of tea,” says Dr. Hanak. In fact, honey might relieve cough symptoms better than no treatment, diphenhydramine, and a placebo, a 2018 study found.
It's soothing to the upper airways, taking that throat tickle away, Dr. Peterson adds. "It's also anti-inflammatory so it helps with inflammation—honey's great."
5
Enjoy A Hot Bath Or Shower
Besides helping you de-stress after a long day, soaking in a hot bath can ease common cold symptoms like congestion, coughing, and sinus pressure, says Dr. Peterson. (A shower works just as well, FYI.) "The steam opens up the airways really well and it soothes," she says.
Alternatively, you could try a humidifier, which adds moisture to the air around you and can work in the same way.
6
Hydrate
Hydration is important on any given day, but it can be especially crucial when you have a cough. “Staying well-hydrated can help thin mucus in the back of the throat, which can lead to mild improvement in a cough,” explains Dr. Hanak.
7
Grab A Lozenge
Another quick and easy at-home remedy to stop a cough in its tracks? A lozenge, like Ricola lemon mint drops, says Dr. Peterson.
8
Try A Nasal Spray
If your cough is a result of allergies, try Flonase or Nasonex paired with a daily allergy pill such as Allegra, Claritin, or Zyrtec, per Dr. Hanak.
"Treating allergy symptoms is a common method of resolving postnasal drip and related cough," he says. "This is especially true when a cough is most apparent laying flat or first thing in the morning."
A cough can be seasonal or year-round, so paying attention to the timing will allow you to predict and prevent it, he adds.
9
Use A Neti Pot
To tame a cough caused by a postnatal drip, Dr. Hanak and Dr. Peterson suggest using a neti pot, which can wash out any debris or mucus from your nasal passages. “Clearing mucus from the nasal passages can be helpful in reducing post nasal drainage, thereby improving cough,” Dr. Hanak explains.
This irrigation device can provide relief for people with allergies and sinus infections, in particular, and Dr. Peterson uses one herself. "They flush out germs, the salt kills the bacteria," she says.
But remember to use a neti pot with sterile water to make sure there's no bacteria or other contaminants in it. To ensure it's safe, boil water and refrigerate it or buy distilled water, Dr. Peterson says.
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10
Pick Up Cough Medicines
You also may want to give OTC medications a shot, especially if you've already tried everything else. Antitussives are cough suppressants and can block the cough reflex, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. They "inhibit the cough center in the brain," Dr. Peterson adds. Then there are expectorants, which thin mucus to help get it out, she says.
When in doubt, ask your pharmacist or primary care physician, and always remember to check the expiration dates. Dr. Peterson recommends Delsym and Mucinex DM.