How to Stop a Dry Cough

It happens when you're in an important meeting and everyone turns to stare. That nagging, irritating dry cough draws everyone's attention to your plight as you continue to disrupt the meeting with your coughing frenzy. Fortunately, there are some simple, all natural remedies that will help to stop a dry cough and take the scrutiny off of you.

What causes a dry cough to occur in the first place? The causes of a dry cough vary from allergies, asthma, a viral infection, exposure to chemicals or other foreign matter, as well as excessive smoking. Here's how to stop a cough quickly and effectively:

A natural tea-based cough remedy

Prepare a cup of warm tea with a squirt of lemon and a tablespoon of honey. The honey in the tea will help to coat your irritated throat and enable you to stop coughing.

Take a warm bath or shower

The steam from a warm shower helps to hydrate your irritated throat passages stopping the cough. Stand in the shower for at least ten minutes and breathe in the warm steam. This can be quite therapeutic.

Hot milk and honey can stop a stubborn cough

Prepare a steaming glass of milk to which you've added a tablespoon of honey. Drink this slowly before bedtime to prevent nighttime coughing. The warm milk can also help you to sleep if you have insomnia.

Keep a package of peppermint candies in your pocket and chew on one at the first sign of cough.

Add some humidity to your home

Dry coughs tend to be exacerbated by dry air. Invest in a good humidifier to increase the humidity in your living quarters. Not only can this stop your cough, it also may reduce your risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections.

Discover the power of vinegar to stop a cough

Add several teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Drink this slowly when you feel the impulse to cough come upon you. Vinegar helps to reduce the inflammation in your throat and upper respiratory tract, which can help to prevent coughing.

Use fresh ginger to stop a cough

Ginger can be a very effective cough remedy. Peel a small piece of fresh ginger and chew on it slowly. Your impulse to cough should slowly disappear.

Drink lots of water

If you're in a situation where you'll be talking a great deal, always have a glass of water by your side. Sip it whenever you take a break from talking. This can help to keep your throat passages moist and reduce irritation.

Knowing how to stop a cough can help you avoid embarrassment when you're with an important client, speaking at an important meeting, or at a social event. Keep these tips in mind and you'll have fewer coughing spells to deal with in the future.