What should I do if I have a persistent cough?
Feb 03, 2020
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
What to do for persistent coughing: For a prolonged cough, dietary remedies—such as rock sugar–steamed pear—may help suppress coughing. Other approaches include taking medications, performing acupressure, and undergoing nebulizer therapy to alleviate cough symptoms. Additionally, if the cough is allergy-related, allergen testing is recommended; corticosteroid medications may be prescribed under a physician’s guidance when necessary.
Coughing is extremely common in daily life. It can be triggered by numerous factors—such as the common cold, fever, “excess internal heat” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept), excessively dry ambient air, or airborne dust and pollutants. Coughing is a frequent respiratory symptom caused by inflammation, foreign bodies, or physical or chemical irritation of the tracheal or bronchial mucosa or pleura. So what should you do if coughing persists? Let’s explore some effective approaches.
What to Do for Persistent Coughing
1. Medication
Medications can effectively relieve coughing and represent the simplest, most direct, and fastest method for symptom relief. If coughing occurs, patients may take antitussive medications under medical supervision. These medications—containing either traditional Chinese herbal ingredients or Western pharmaceutical compounds—work by suppressing the cough center in the brain or inhibiting the cough reflex, thereby alleviating symptoms.
2. Acupressure
Acupressure can help alleviate coughing. One key point is the “Cough & Asthma Point” (Kechuan point), located at the intersection of the palmar surfaces of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. To stimulate this point, press firmly with the lateral side of the thumb until a mild sensation of soreness, numbness, or distension is felt. Repeat this pressure for three to five minutes to achieve an antitussive effect. Additionally, drinking ample water can significantly ease cough symptoms.
3. Dietary Therapy for Cough Relief
While coughing itself is generally not harmful, persistent coughing can become difficult to treat. Conventional treatment typically involves either Western or traditional Chinese medicine—but dietary therapy offers another highly effective option. For instance, stewed pear with rock sugar acts rapidly to suppress coughing. Both rock sugar and pear are considered cooling foods in traditional Chinese medicine; thus, consuming pear-and-rock-sugar decoction regularly helps relieve throat pain, suppress coughing, dissolve phlegm, and soothe the throat—especially during colds accompanied by sore throat and swelling.
4. Symptom-Based Treatment
For coughs caused by allergies, it is advisable first to identify the specific allergen(s) through appropriate testing—particularly in children. When necessary, oral corticosteroids and antiallergic therapies should be administered under physician guidance.
5. Localized Therapy
Ultrasonic nebulization inhalation may be employed, using primarily anti-inflammatory agents diluted with normal saline or distilled water. The typical duration of such treatment is 3–5 days.
The above outlines comprehensive strategies for managing persistent coughing. Dietary remedies—such as stewed pear with rock sugar—can provide effective cough relief. Additional options include pharmacotherapy, acupressure, and nebulization therapy. In cases of allergy-induced cough, allergen identification is essential, and corticosteroid therapy may be required under medical supervision. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
