A wheezing cough can be uncomfortable and very irritating. It can appear due to a variety of conditions, requiring specialized diagnosis by a doctor to find out what led to its appearance. Once you know the cause, the doctor will draw up a treatment plan according to your case; however, it is also possible to minimize wheezing by drinking more fluids, using home remedies, and taking over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed drugs.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using homemade techniques
Step 1. Gargle with water and salt
This helps to reduce some of the swelling in the throat, improving the cough. Gargling should be carried out with water and salt every three or four hours and throughout the day, to combat the problem.
To gargle with salt water, mix ¼ to ½ of 1 teaspoon of sea salt to a cup of hot water. Gargle this solution for 30 to 60 seconds and spit it out
Step 2. Suck on cough drops
They are useful for reducing the noise of wheezing coughs, but remember they won't cure the problem. Look for menthol lozenges, which cool the throat and airway.
Suck on a lozenge every two to three hours to relieve irritation and temporarily lessen your cough
Step 3. Use a humidifier
Keeping the air moist in the house can also help treat a wheezing cough, as it helps to improve it and release phlegm. When you're at home, turn on the device to prevent the air from becoming too dry.
- Another option is to drop a few drops of an essential oil into the humidifier water, making the steam even more beneficial. Try using camphor, ginger, mint or eucalyptus.
- If you don't have a humidifier, taking a hot shower will make your airways wetter, calming your noisy cough. Before going to sleep, take a hot bath to relax and reduce coughing at bedtime.
Step 4. Get plenty of rest
Rest is essential for the human body to be able to recover from any type of illness, so plan ahead and rest a lot. It may be necessary to take a day or two off work to be able to relax enough. At night, sleep at least eight hours to recover better.
If necessary, take a few naps to supplement your sleep
Step 5. Whenever you leave the house, wear a mask
Irritating environmental agents may also be “culprits” for wheezing coughs, such as pollution, chemicals and smoke. When you suspect they are getting worse or causing your cough, wear a mask whenever you are exposed to irritants.
Cigarette smoke can be very uncomfortable for people with a cough and wheezing. If you smoke and are suffering from a cough, try stopping and treating it. A doctor will be able to recommend good methods and programs to help you fight the smoking habit
Step 6. Eat smaller meals
If wheezing cough is a side symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, eating less at each meal of the day may be helpful. Avoid heavy meals and opt for smaller, more nutritious dishes to reduce reflux and associated coughing.
Do not eat around bedtime. It is recommended that the person not eat for three to four hours before bedtime
Method 2 of 3: Increasing Fluid Consumption
Step 1. Drink lots of water to speed up your recovery
During this period, drink eight to ten glasses of 240 ml of water a day; if desired, introduce one or two glasses of juice as part of your daily fluid intake. However, water should make up the majority of fluids taken.
Step 2. Drink herbal teas
Herbal teas can also help you get more fluid; some also have therapeutic benefits. Prepare a cup of tea by pouring 1 cup of boiling water and 1 teaspoon with an herbal tea (or tea bag). Allow the tea to sit for five minutes and then remove the leaves or bag from the water. Drink a few cups of herbal tea every day; some of the recommended ones are:
- Red elm;
- Garlic;
- mint or mint;
- Ginger;
- Cayenne pepper and black pepper (just a dash of each!).
Step 3. Mix hot water with honey and lemon
Drinking a mixture of hot water and honey can help to soften phlegm and reduce coughing. Lemon juice is a good choice as it contains vitamin C.
Remember that babies under one year of age cannot consume honey
Step 4. Eat soups and broths
Both contribute to the daily amount of fluid you should consume, as well as help with coughing. The hot liquid can soften the phlegm in the throat and lungs, which is making the cough worse.
Have chicken soup, vegetable soup or a simple broth
Step 5. Make a latte with milk and mix with turmeric
This is a traditional home remedy for colds and coughs, so give it a try. Mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric into 1 cup of warm cow's milk.
If you don't like cow's milk, mix turmeric with almond, rice or hemp milk
Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Know when to see the doctor
In some situations, it may be necessary to seek specialized treatment immediately, especially in cases of failure to use homemade methods, after using them for a few days. See the doctor when you notice:
- Thick, greenish-yellow phlegm;
- A wheeze at the beginning or end of the breath;
- Any strange sounds when coughing (not just wheezing) and difficulty breathing at the end of the cough;
- Fever greater than 38°C;
- Short breath.
Step 2. In case of severe symptoms, go to the emergency room
Sometimes a cough may be present with other signs that require immediate medical attention. When presenting the following signs, seek emergency care:
- Asphyxia;
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing;
- Phlegm with blood or pink in color.
Step 3. Ask your doctor what medicines you can take to fight your cough
There are several over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed remedies that can reduce wheezing; always consult a professional before taking anything, as the doctor will have to diagnose the right medication for you. Some of the most common ones for coughing are:
- Antihistamines: recommended for allergic coughs.
- Cough medicines: are used to fight coughs caused by colds.
- Decongestants: help to improve coughs when there is sinus congestion.
- Expectorants: help when the patient has thick phlegm, which is not eliminated by coughing.
- Inhaled bronchodilators or beta agonists: these are useful for patients who cough due to asthma.
Notices
- Still, it's important to see a doctor when you notice that you have a cough and wheezing. Both signs can indicate a more serious condition, such as an allergic reaction, asthma, pneumonia, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
- When the wheezing is caused by a mass such as a goiter or a mediastinal tumor, surgical removal may be necessary.