What can cause a cough?
Most cases of cough are caused by a cold or flu. However, especially in cases of persistent cough, other causes may be involved, such as:
Certain medications (such as some antihypertensives)
Smoking
Gastroesophageal reflux
Allergies (e.g. "hay fever")
Infections, such as bronchitis
Presence of mucus in the throat
Lung cancer (although it is rare for coughing to be due to these more serious types of illnesses)
What can you do at home
To speed up the disappearance of a period of coughing, there are gestures that 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 - may 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 avoid coughing. Furthermore, it also makes it easier for the lungs to eliminate secretions.
3. Prefer hot drinks
This gesture can improve cold symptoms, which include coughing, and promotes hydration. There are infusions that can help, such as those based on honey and lemon.