Coughing is a normal thing that just about everyone does in their day-to-day life, but there are different kinds of coughs—some worse than others. One of the worst types you can have is a persistent cough, or a cough that just doesn’t go away no matter how hard you try. These coughs can be incredibly bothersome and even hurt your body, but thankfully, there are a few key things you can do if you have a persistent cough that will help you get rid of yours.
Check Your Home
If you can’t stop coughing, one of the first things you’ll need to do is inspect your home. There are a few different reasons why you may have a persistent cough, and one of the worst is radon in your home. A big sign you have a radon problem in your home is this chronic coughing, and if you don’t address the root cause, then those radioactive particles will continue making their way into your home. Too much radon exposure over time can dramatically increase the risk of lung cancer and other health issues, so if you have a persistent cough, check for radon sooner rather than later.
Test Home Remedies
If you have a cough that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, it may be time to test some different home remedies. These remedies can deal with the coughing itself as well as relieve the underlying condition that may be causing your coughing. To start, drink lots of fluids such as hot herbal tea or soup, as this can loosen the mucus in your throat. You should also try taking steamy showers or using a humidifier. Additionally, consider practicing some breathing exercises. When used together, these remedies can break up any mucus and clear your lungs.
Visit Your Doctor
If the home remedies aren’t working, it may be time to visit your doctor and see what the underlying cause may be. Persistent coughs are often symptoms of worse issues. A chronic cough could be a sign you have:
- Postnasal drip
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- A lung infection
If you’ve tried just about everything and you’re still coughing and coughing, then it’s time to visit the doctor. With their tools and expertise, they can not only find the true issue you’re dealing with but also provide you with a solution to recover.
If you have a persistent cough, taking action sooner rather than later is important. A chronic cough can continue hurting your body, but it can also signal that something worse is going on. If a persistent cough is keeping you up at night, take the necessary action to address the underlying condition and get yourself back on the road to recovery.