Causes and Treatments for a Lingering Cough

By Stepy Kamei

If you've been feeling under the weather, it makes sense that you might have an annoying cough accompanying your other symptoms as well. What's frustrating, and maybe even troubling, is when the cough lingers behind long after you've gotten over your other cold symptoms, such as the body aches, sore throat, etc. It's also always troublesome when you experience a cough with no obvious reason for its sudden appearance. It's important to keep yourself knowledgeable and educated when it comes to the nature of coughing. Keep on reading to learn more about why you may be coughing, or why a cough may be lingering for weeks even after you've gotten over an illness. You'll also pick up helpful tips regarding what you can do to take care of yourself and lessen the duration and severity of the coughing.

Coughing After a Cold

Still fighting off a lingering cough even days or weeks after you seem to have gotten over your initial cold? Doctors say that postnasal drip is more than likely to blame for that lasting tickle in your throat. The buildup of mucus that occurs as your body fights off an infection continues to drip into the back of your throat long after your worst symptoms are over, leading to a tickling sensation and the urge to cough.

There are plenty of over-the-counter remedies you can rely on in order to dry up the nasal cavity and reduce the urge to cough. You may want to try out a sinus cleanse as well.

Other Causes of Coughing

What if you haven't been sick recently, yet you find yourself with a persistent cough that just doesn't seem to let up? If you have been diagnosed with asthma, this may be the cause of your coughing. A secondary infection that occurs after an initial cold or flu can also be the culprit. Interestingly enough, stress can also cause a dry cough.

Be sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day in order to keep the throat lubricated and reduce the risk of coughing. Hot tea with honey is a great way to reduce inflammation caused by coughing and prevent further coughing fits down the line.

If your cough gets worse, interferes with your daily life, or just lasts a long time with no improvement, be sure to see your doctor to rule out anything more serious.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Richardson, Tex.