5 anti-coughing tips

• Dairy products are particularly associated not with the overproduction of mucus as the myth goes, but with phlegm becoming thicker. A subgroup of the overall population does seem to experience increased production and seem to benefit from the elimination of diet.
• Choose foods full of vitamins and minerals to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to support a strong immune system. The dark leafy greens including kale and spinach are nutrient powerhouses with a low overall calorie count.
• Salads made with the addition of, a little horseradish, watercress or garden cress may help. Delicious, healthy and traditionally known as antitussive and expectorant, it may help manage symptoms. Certain ingredients also contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds and bioflavonoids such as quercetin that help stabilize mast cells, key players in the allergic response.

It could be beneficial to always keep a glass or a bottle of water on hand. Water soothes the respiratory tract and thins the mucus, allowing it to dissolve better. When an acute coughing attack strikes as you battle cold or flu, drinking a fluid can help soothe the irritation now present in the throat. While the myth of two litres a day is just that, it is a rough guideline to follow.

A tickling cough is often triggered by irritation of the mucous membrane due to environmental factors such as smoke, air-conditioning, poorly ventilated rooms or dry air. Therefore, ventilate your home, hang water containers over radiators to generate humidity and keep the home dust free. The dynamic air flows created by throwing open the windows around your home also help mimic the air flow found in nature, to which your body and mind respond well to.

Cough tends to get worse at night and humans can thank gravity for that. When our positions change from standing and walking to lying down, mucus collects in the back of the throat. The body reacts to this accumulation automatically by making us cough to try and expectorate the potential blockage.
To defy the action of gravity, you can make your head rest higher with an extra pillow. That may help prevent the mucus from accumulating.

Sniffling often progresses into coughing, and to have a cough syrup at home can come in handy, depending on whether it is a dry cough or not. If you need acute care, it's worth a visit to your primary care provider to determine the best course of treatment for your individual situation.