what can you do at home
To speed up the disappearance of a period of coughing, there are gestures you can put into practice:
1. Rest well and with your head elevated
If the cause of your cough is a cold or allergies, sleeping with your head a little higher - for example, with an extra pillow - can help. When we sleep horizontally, secretions can accumulate in the throat and irritate it.
2. Stay hydrated
When we are sick, mucus can build up in our nose. Therefore, drinking fluids - which helps secretions become more fluid - is very important to reduce throat irritation and prevent coughing. It also makes it easier for the lungs to clear secretions.
3. Prefer hot drinks
This gesture can improve constipation symptoms, which include coughing, and promotes hydration. There are infusions that can help, such as honey and lemon (except for babies under one year old) or ginger - this root has anti-inflammatory properties and can calm a cough.
4. Make vapors
Inhaling vapors can help relieve a cough with mucus. Try, for example, taking a hot shower and, when the bathroom is full of steam, stay in the room for a few minutes. Afterwards, drink a glass of water to cool down and avoid dehydration. Alternatively, you can also fill a large bowl with boiling water and inhale the vapors.
5. Eliminate irritants from your home
Stop smoking and avoid smoky environments. There are those who are sensitive to perfumes and other fragrances from laundry detergents or household scents, which irritate the respiratory system and favor the production of mucus. If you have allergies, cleaning off mold, dust and pollen can help as these can trigger a cough.