stop coughing fits: 8 helpful tips

What is a cough?

Coughing fits can be a real nuisance and even a source of embarrassment, especially when they occur in public. Persistent coughing not only causes discomfort but can also strain the lung tissue. So, what can you do to control a coughing fit?

These eight tips can help you manage the urge to cough and potentially prevent or reduce coughing fits. You can also combine these methods if you frequently experience coughing fits.

1. Drink Still Water or Lukewarm Tea

Keeping your mucosal membranes moist is crucial in preventing irritation that can lead to coughing. It’s important to stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids to maintain the moisture in your mouth and throat.

When you feel the urge to cough, take a sip of still water (preferably not too cold), lukewarm herbal tea, or any non-fizzy drink. This can help suppress the cough.

2. Suck on Sweets or Chew Gum

Chewing gum or sucking on sweets stimulates saliva flow, which helps keep your throat moist. If you feel a tickle in your throat that triggers a cough, this tip can be very effective.

3. Breathe Out Against Resistance

To prevent a cough, try breathing with pursed lips or through your fist. These techniques, known as stenosis breathing, involve exhaling against resistance, which slows down the speed of exhaled air and protects the bronchial tubes from collapsing.

If the urge to cough becomes overwhelming, cough into your fist, the back of your hand, or a tissue. This can help reduce the duration of the coughing fit.

4. Hold Your Breath and Take Short Breaths

When you feel a cough coming on, hold your breath as long as you can to resist the pressure building in your lungs. Then, take short, shallow breaths. Repeat this cycle until the urge to cough subsides. Once you feel stable, take a deep breath to test your airways. If necessary, repeat the shallow breathing technique.

5. Avoid Triggers

Certain situations or conditions can make you more prone to coughing. Avoiding these triggers can help reduce the frequency of coughing fits:

• Stress and rushing around
• Talking quickly
• Overheating (e.g., dressing too warmly during exercise or in high room temperatures)
• Cold, dry, or damp air (especially in winter or autumn)
• Air pollution (e.g., passive smoking, pollen, dust, or stuffy air)

Be mindful of what tends to trigger your coughing and try to avoid these situations when possible.

6. Use Breathing Aids During Therapy

During breathing physiotherapy, using a breathing aid like the PARI PEP system can help you exhale against resistance, preventing the collapse or restriction of your lungs. This can reduce the likelihood of congested bronchial tubes triggering a cough.

7. Inhalation Therapy

Coughing can become more frequent in winter due to central heating or after exposure to air pollution (like Sahara dust, exhaust fumes, or dust). Inhalation therapy with a nebulizer can help moisten your lungs and clear out trapped dirt particles in mucus, reducing the likelihood of coughing fits.

8. Consult a Doctor

If you experience consistent coughing fits, it’s essential to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause. Your GP or a pulmonary specialist can prescribe appropriate respiratory therapy to manage your symptoms effectively.

About Rita Kieselmann

This article was written in collaboration with Rita Kieselmann, an experienced physiotherapist and respiratory therapist who has been working in this field since 1974. Her expertise lies in treating children and adults with chronic respiratory diseases.

Rita Kieselmann is the founder of the Physiotherapy working group in the Mukoviszidose e. V. (Cystic Fibrosis Association in Germany) and has developed several self-help techniques for clearing mucus, such as modified autogenic drainage

A Quick Review

Coughing fits can be disruptive and uncomfortable, especially in public. These 8 tips can help you manage and reduce coughing fits: stay hydrated, suck on sweets or chew gum, breathe out against resistance, hold your breath and take short breaths, avoid triggers, use breathing aids, try inhalation therapy, and consult a doctor for persistent issues

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