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Elevate the head of your bed. This will allow your sinuses
and nasal passages to drain better and not create that
"tickle" in your throat.
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Stop smoking. Passive smoke or other irritants, such as
chemicals, can be a cause. Household cleaners, new
carpeting, paneling and mattresses are some of the many
possible sources of chemical irritants.
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Drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water. This is
especially important if your cough is due to an illness.
Water is the best expectorant you can take and will help
thin the mucus and loosen the cough.
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Do not use over-the-counter expectorant cough remedies as
they just suppress the symptoms and do not address the
underlying problem. If you have the kind of cough with mucus
you want to get it out of your respiratory system, not
suppress it. Try one of the natural expectorant remedies
below.
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Try eating hot chili peppers, horseradish or other spicy
foods. They will help loosen mucus.
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During the winter, if your house is dry, use a humidifier
and a cool-mist vaporizer in your bedroom at night. This
will help thin the mucus. Be sure to thoroughly clean the
vaporizer, as it can harbor bacteria.
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Drink hot tea to break up the mucus and open and moisten the
airways.
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Cough drops or hard candy will help stop the tickle if you
have a dry cough and will moisten the throat.
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Avoid foods that increase the production of mucus, such as
dairy products, meat and fried foods.
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Hot packs placed on your throat and chest are very soothing.