Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 4-13-18

Health
Home Treatments
Calm a 'Wet' Cough
Calm a 'Dry' Cough
Why We Cough
It’s what you do when something bugs your throat, whether that's dust or postnasal drip. It also helps clear your lungs and windpipe. Many coughs, like those from cold and flu, will go away on their own. If yours comes from a more serious medical condition, you need to treat the cause.
Drink plenty of fluids – or use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer – to soothe an irri- tated throat and loosen mucus. Prop your head up on extra pillows at night and have a little honey before bed. Stud- ies show the sweet stuff can help ease a cough. Don’t give honey to children under 12 months, though.
Cough Medicine and Children
NEVER give this type of medicine to children under 4 years old, because it can have serious side effects. Ask your doctor before you give any of these products to children ages 4 to 6. They're safe after age 6. For children 1 and up, try 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey to help them cough up mucus.
If you’re coughing up mucus, look for medicine that says "expectorant." That loosens the gunk to help you get rid of it.
If you’re coughing up a lot of stuff, ask your doctor what the best medicine is for you.
Do Antibiotics Stop A Cough?
Usually, no. That’s because most coughs are caused by viral infections like colds or the flu, and will get better in a week.
Antibiotics only work on infections caused by bacteria. If your cough isn’t better after a week, see your doctor to make sure the cause isn’t a bacterial illness, like a sinus infection or pneumonia.
You may get one with a cold or the flu, or if you breathe in something irritat- ing like dust or smoke. Medi- cine that says "suppressant" helps stop your urge to cough. Plus, it can help you sleep bet- ter. Cough drops – or even hard candy – can stop that tickle in the back of your throat. Don’t give the drops to children younger than 4.
Coughs From Allergies and Asthma
Allergies can make you sneeze, cough, or both. An an- tihistamine medicine may help. Some newer ones at the drugstore won’t make you sleepy. If you’re also wheez- ing – where your breath sounds like whistling – you may have asthma. Go see your doctor.
What Else Causes Coughs?
If yours lasts longer than 8 weeks, a number of things could be to blame. Ongoing coughs can be caused by acid reflux, or gastroe- sophageal reflux disease – you may hear your doctor call it GERD. Coughs can be a side effect of ACE inhibitors, a kind of blood pres- sure medicine. They can be a symptom of whooping cough and even heart failure, too. You need medical care for all of these conditions.
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018