Smoker’s cough is a common issue which many smokers experience regularly. It is a type of cough that lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks. It occurs not only in serious smokers but also in individuals who live around smokers for a long time. The cough often becomes worse in the morning, and symptoms tend to lessen in the daytime.
In its early stage, the cough caused by smoking may be dry and may not produce phlegm, particularly in people who have smoked for a short period of time. However, in long-term smokers and those who smoke with greater frequency, it can become a wet cough with phlegm. Some other symptoms that may occur along with smoker’s cough include difficulty in breathing, coughing up blood, wheezing, unreasonable weight loss and hoarseness, which may appear if the respiratory system is injured more severely. These symptoms can also be a sign of lung cancer or other serious diseases, so be sure to visit a doctor if any of these problems develop.
As a general rule, the function of the tiny hair-like structures in the lungs known as cilia is to protect the respiratory system from toxins, but smoking can paralyze the cilia. Thus, the lungs need to try their best to get rid of toxins in other ways, and coughing is the body’s attempt to accomplish this.
Smoker’s cough creates many undesirable outcomes. Strong and constant coughing can become painful. The sound from the constant coughing can disturb and concern people around the smoker. Cigarettes can cause a lot of health concerns, so if you have a cough that lasts a long time, you should get it checked out by a doctor. Don’t ignore the signs of serious smoking-related diseases.
To stop an uncomfortable smoker’s cough, here are some suggestions that you can use to reduce irritation and temporarily block the cough.
1. Water
Drinking water brings plenty of benefits for health. Water is a simple and effective home remedy for temporarily relieving a cough. It can help you to clear the phlegm and breathe easier. In addition, drinking enough water will preserve the fluid balance of the body and prevents dehydration as well. Recent studies recommend that drinking 7 to 8 glasses of water can help smokers improve their cough condition.
2. Salt
Gargling with salt water is a good way to ease a cough. Salt water has bactericidal and antiseptic effects. Therefore, many people use this remedy for coughs, especially for those connected with smoking.
How to use:
- Dissolve one to two teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water. Gently shake the glass to help the salt dissolve completely.
- Gargle for 30 seconds with the salt water. Perform this two to three times per day until the cough is soothed.
3. Honey
In one study, honey was shown to ease nighttime coughs as well as or better than dextromethorphan, an over-the counter cough remedy. Moreover, honey contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, and consuming honey may block the accumulation of mucus and destroy bacteria.
How to use:
- Eat honey in its raw form 3 to 4 times per day.
- Or, soak honey with several slices of lemon. Keep it in your mouth until your condition improves.
4. Garlic
Garlic is a natural antibacterial and antioxidant that can help improve the body’s immune system. It also contains nutrients such as phosphorus, vitamin C, and iron. Its natural properties can help the body fight viruses and avoid coughs.
How to use:
- Take some garlic cloves and squeeze them.
- Mix them with a glass of milk and boil this mixture until half of the initial mixture remains.
- Next, purify the mixture and add sugar if you want.
- Use this mixture two times per day for several days.
5. Green tea
Drinking a glass of hot tea every day is considered an efficient remedy to control coughing fits. Antioxidant compounds present in green tea may help your body reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
6. Essential oils of ginger and lemon
The essential oils extracted from ginger and lemon possess wonderful pharmaceutical value. They can sooth and warm the respiratory tract. Therefore, it can assist in easing the uncomfortable feelings a continual cough can cause.
You can use these plants in the following ways:
- Directly chew some raw ginger slices to trigger your mouth to produce saliva, which will help you get rid of the mucus in your throat.
- Cut a bulb of ginger into thin slices. Heat them with a small amount of water and filter that mixture, then mix it with some lemon juice. Take a tablespoon each time and consume 4 times per day.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular remedy for stomachaches. In addition, turmeric can increase the human body’s resistance to illness because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thus, it supports recovery from flu and from coughs, including smoker’s cough.
How to use:
- Boil water, add ginger root and continue boiling the mixture for a moment, then pour milk into that mixture and stir it carefully.
- When the mixture cools, add honey and turmeric starch.
Featured photo credit: Brittany Colette via unsplash.com
