Cough remedies: Treating different types of coughs

[6 MIN READ]

In this article:

• A cough can make you feel miserable. Several remedies can help soothe your cough in the comfort of your own home.  

• When your immune system is down, cough medicine may not be as helpful as you think.  

• Coughs can last a long time. It’s important to know which kinds of coughs and symptoms indicate it’s time to call your doctor.

Catching a common cold or another infection is part of being human. But you likely feel downright crummy when a common cold brings about a cough in addition to a runny nose. A cough can keep you up at night and interrupt your daily activities. There are different types of coughs with many different common causes. Here we share how to identify the type of cough you have and cough remedies that will help you feel better.

Why we cough

While a cough can be annoying, it often indicates that your body is doing its job.

“A cough is a natural reflex to protect our airways against harmful irritants, foreign materials and germs,” says Jason K. Ho, M.D., a family medicine physician at Providence Manhattan Beach Primary & Urgent Care. 

If something in your lungs or airways shouldn’t be there, nerves in your brain are triggered. These nerves tell your brain to cough. Your body coughs in an attempt to get rid of the irritation.

Common causes of coughs

People cough for many different reasons. Often, cold symptoms include a cough. Sometimes, there is no known cause. In rare cases, some medicines used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure can cause coughing. Common causes of cough include:

• Viral infections, such as a common cold, COVID-19, the flu, croup or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis or whooping cough
• Infection in the sinuses with post-nasal drip
• Allergens
• Asthma
• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), such as acid reflux
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Lung disease or cancer

Types of coughs and cough symptoms

There are many types of coughs. Sometimes, a cough is described by the sound they make. Examples of these sounds include:

• A “whoop”: Your cough may sound like this if you have whooping cough (pertussis).
• A wheezing sound: This can happen if you have asthma or an infection that blocks.
• A “bark”: People with croup often have a cough that makes this sound.

Dry cough vs. wet cough

Sometimes, a cough is described by the presence or absence of mucus or phlegm.

“A wet cough, or productive cough, generally is our body clearing mucus or phlegm from the lungs,” Dr. Ho says. “Most commonly, this is caused by a respiratory infection. Other more chronic lung issues can also cause a wet cough. Dry coughs do not produce any phlegm and are typically caused by irritants as seen with environmental allergies or with asthma. Dry coughs can also be due to mild respiratory infections.”

Acute vs. chronic coughs: When to be concerned

An acute cough is a cough that shows up suddenly and only lasts a couple of weeks. A couple of weeks can feel like a long time when dealing with a cough, but it’s typically not cause for concern.

“Coughs from even simple colds can last three weeks or more,” Dr. Ho says.

Coughs that last three to eight weeks are sometimes called subacute coughs.

A cough that lasts eight-plus weeks is considered chronic, or persistent. Dr. Ho says conditions such as allergies, asthma or GERD, if not treated properly, can result in coughs that last for months. Chronic coughs may be cause for concern.

“Certain medications can also have a lingering cough as a side effect,” Dr. Ho says. “Smoking is another common cause of chronic cough. A cough lasting more than a few months, especially one that is getting worse or accompanied by systemic symptoms such as ongoing fevers or weight loss, should be evaluated by a physician.”

Nocturnal coughs

A nocturnal or nighttime cough can make you feel really run down. 

“Nocturnal coughs often occur because of being in a prone position,” Dr. Ho says. “Post-nasal drip from allergies and infections and GERD can be worse when lying down.”

Sometimes an environmental issue can cause a nocturnal cough. For example, colder air during the night can worsen asthma. Additionally, open windows can trigger allergies.

“Using an extra pillow to prop the head up, running a warm humidifier, or taking meds for post-nasal drip or GERD before bedtime, can all help reduce nighttime coughing,” Dr. Ho says.

Soothing home remedies for a cough

When you’re feeling under the weather, all you really want is to rest at home and (quickly) feel better. Fortunately, many tried-and-true home remedies can help relieve a cough.

Hydration and warm beverages

When you have a cough, it’s important to stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Drink water throughout the day. Warm beverages like broth and ginger tea can help loosen mucus and phlegm.  

Steam and humidifiers

Sometimes, a warm, steamy shower or simply sitting in a steam-filled bathroom can help thin mucus and ease feelings of stuffiness. You also can add moisture to the air with a humidifier. Cool-mist humidifiers are safer and may be more effective for a persistent cough than warm-mist humidifiers or vaporizers. Warm-mist humidifiers and vaporizers use hot water and may be unsafe around children. If you use a humidifier, keep it clean to avoid mold and bacteria. Replace the humidifier’s filter regularly and don’t let water become stagnant. You may also want to consider using distilled water in the humidifier.

A spoonful of honey and herbal teas

Along with humidifiers, Dr. Ho recommends a teaspoon of honey to help soothe a cough and herbal teas, particularly turmeric tea. Some studies have shown that turmeric may help with certain respiratory conditions that can cause a cough.

Gargle with salt water

You may be familiar with gargling salt water for a sore throat or on recommendation from your dentist after a procedure. Gargling salt water can also help a cough by loosening phlegm and mucus. Add about half a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water. Any type of salt is fine. Any temperature of water is fine, although warm water will help the salt dissolve more quickly.

Cough medicines: Which one to use and when

When you’ve been coughing for days and can’t sleep, a cough medicine might be your first choice for relief. Many different types of cough medicines exist, including cough drops, cough syrup, prescription cough medicine, over-the-counter cough medicine, antihistamines and cold medicine.

There are two different types of cough medicine:

• Cough expectorant: This type of medicine helps thin and loosen mucus and phlegm, making your cough more productive. A productive cough brings up mucus and phlegm.
• Cough suppressant: This type of medicine actually works on your brain by blocking your natural cough reflex. Dextromethorphan is a common cough suppressant.

Although cough medicines may give mild relief, Dr. Ho says it’s important to understand that there is little evidence that these medications actually work against coughs.

“In general, I recommend against cough medications, but if the patient really wants to try something they can try OTC,” Dr. Ho says. “Prescription medication has not been shown to be any more effective than OTC ones. Many times you just need to be patient as your body works to fight off an infection.”

Studies have shown that menthol cough drops or hard candy also don’t affect the cough reflex.

An exception: If your cough is due to an underlying cause, sometimes you may need a prescription medicine to treat that cause.

“If there is a treatable cause (allergies, asthma, GERD, infection etc.), then meds addressing these specific issues can help reduce the cough,” Dr. Ho says.

Safe cough remedies for babies and toddlers

Hearing your baby cough can be distressing. Your heart may ache as you worry and wonder if you’re doing all you can to help your little one.

Natural home remedies for a coughing baby

If the cough doesn’t warrant a visit to the pediatrician, there are some things you can do at home to help provide comfort.

Humidifiers, hydration and gentle care

First, you can provide lots of fluids and opportunities for rest. Find low-key activities in a quiet space, such as gentle rocking, reading or some extra time watching a favorite show. You might try a cool-mist humidifier if you live in a dry climate. For a child 1 year or older, you might try a small spoonful of plain honey or honey mixed with warm water or sweet herbal tea.

When to see a doctor for your baby’s cough

Coughs are common in babies and toddlers, but sometimes, a cough should be observed by a pediatrician. Call your doctor if:

• After a few days, it worsens
• It lasts longer than four weeks
• There is a persistent fever
• Your child is having trouble breathing
• Your child is coughing up blood

When to seek medical attention for a persistent cough or chronic cough

Sometimes, a cough seems never-ending, and you can’t help but wonder if there’s something going on beyond a common cold.

“An unexplained cough lasting for more than a few months or accompanied by systemic symptoms should be evaluated first by a primary care physician and then possibly by a pulmonary specialist if needed,” Dr. Ho says.

Systemic symptoms that warrant a call to the doctor include:

• Fever
• Wheezing
• Phlegm that’s thick and green or yellow in color
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Fainting
• Chills

Cough red flags and when to call a doctor

Sometimes a cough requires emergency care. Seek emergency help by calling 911 or visiting your nearest emergency room if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Choking
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Phlegm that’s pink or bloody

Managing underlying conditions

Sometimes, a cough can indicate more serious respiratory conditions. Your doctor may refer you to a pulmonologist. A pulmonologist can diagnose and treat many respiratory conditions, including pneumonia, chest infections, asthma, emphysema, sleep disorders and more.

In general, coughs are a normal human experience that we all must suffer through occasionally. You can prevent coughs by:

• Washing your hands well and regularly
• Getting your flu, COVID-19 and pneumonia vaccinations
• Not touching your nose, mouth or eyes
• Trying to avoid people who are sick

Contributing caregiver

Jason K. Ho, M.D., is a family medicine physician at Providence Manhattan Beach Primary & Urgent Care.

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Related resources

Hunker down at home with a cold or flu

RSV, Flu & COVID: What you need to know

Whooping cough is still a health risk for children

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.