The holidays are no time for sickness. But sure enough, every year it seems like a cough seems to crop up just as the season gets underway!

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah doesn’t want you to spend the holiday coughing up a storm, which is why we want to share some tips on how to treat your cough and find relief as soon as possible.

Why Does a Cough Occur?

Also known as “tussis,” a cough occurs when a person is trying to clear his or her throat due to an irritant, extra mucus, a foreign particle or another object.

The cough can happen either as a reflux or be done deliberately when trying to remove a foreign particle from the throat.

Causes of a Cough

• Acid reflux
• Acute sinusitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Common cold
• COPD
• GERD
• Non-allergic rhinitis
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Postnasal drip
• Pneumonia
• Smoking

Can a Cough Be Prevented?

While you can’t really prevent a cough from occurring in the first place, there are ways you can keep it from sticking around for a while. Try using a humidifier in your bedroom while sleeping, as well as drinking hot coffee or tea with honey to help soothe your throat.

Treatment for a Cough

• Take antibiotics, if prescribed.
• Try cough medicine or other OTC meds.
• Drink lots of fluids, especially water.
• Breathe in steam from a hot shower.

Still suffering from that lingering cough? Visit AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah today to ensure your cough isn’t a symptom of a another medical condition.