Cough that just won't go away

[KrisM]

DH got a cold just over 2 weeks ago. It lasted about a week. Now, he's left with the cough. It's a dry, non-productive cough, but it just wont go away. It keeps him up at night, because it's worse when he lies down. Any ideas how he can get rid of it? Cough syrup and cough drops don't seem to be doing anything.

thanks.

[crayonblue]

DH and I are both dealing with this! I've been sleeping sitting up against a big pillow for several weeks now. DH is going to the doctor today because his cough is getting worse (mine has gotten a bit better). I'll post later when I hear what the doctor said.

I am wondering if it is because of the dry air. This all started when the weather got cold and we turned the heat on. I need to get the humidifier out.

[mudder17]

I had the same thing! Breathing the steam in a mug of mint tea really helped, although you could just add some Eucalyptus or Peppermint oil to a vaporizer or steaming water and do the same thing. Slippery Elm Tea is supposed to be great--but I just used a cough syrup made with Slippery Elm. And yes, sleeping slightly upright helps to decrease nasal drip and helps with the irritation of the throat. Oh, and one more thing if he's game, I found flushing my nasal pasages with warm saline to be extremely helpful.

I hope he feels better soon!

Eileen

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[KrisM]

I think you and Lana are on to something. I should get us a vaporizer. I forgot that he said he feels better after his hot shower. Our new house doesn't have a humidifier on the furnace, so it's a lot drier than our old place.

[AngelaS]

I was going to recommend a warm mist humidifier too. That's usually the most helpful for my girls. :D

[psophia17]

Have you tried Delsym? It's a cough suppressent, and I love it. My doctor told me to get it way back when I had bronchiall pneumonia (in HS), and I've been a fan ever since. It's a bit spendy, but one dose lasts 12 hours, and it really, really works. Plus it's safe for kids over a year, and it tastes good - like orange.

[nov04]

Does he has asthma?? He may need a ventolin/steroid combo like advair for a week to heal his lungs.

GL, hope he feels better.