Coughing

Oh, that can be so frustrating! Of course, there are so many reasons you could be coughing, especially with COPD. However, you may want to think about a couple of things.
1. Staying hydrated. It's so important to drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated. It will help thin the mucous, which in turn will help the cough.
2. Control allergens. That may seem like an obvious thing to point out. But, having COPD can make you especially sensitive to allergens in the air, even if you weren't in the past. This can cause irritation in the airways and coughing.
3. Take your medication. Making sure you keep up with your medications as you should will decrease the chances of a coughing fit caused by you airways tightening, causing restriction that can cause coughing.
4. Don't smoke. That's another obvious one and hopefully one you don't have to worry about. However, remember second-hand smoke can be every bit as irritating.


Those were just a few things that came to mind immediately. I'll think a little more about it and if I come up with anything else, I'll let you know.


Best,
Lyn (COPD site moderator)