Coughing is known to be a process that helps in getting rid of the harmful substances from the respiratory tract. Although in most cases coughing is good for the body, it becomes uncomfortable when it is persistent and severe. However, a cough can easily be treated by making use of home remedies or over-the-counter medications. If your cough is very severe or persistent, it is recommended that you seek medical treatment from your doctor.

Symptoms of Cough
A person who is suffering from a cough might experience symptoms such as headaches, sneezing and fever. Fever is a clear indicator of the presence of an infection in the body. When it is accompanied by a persistent cough, it often indicates an infection in the respiratory tract. The affected people might also experience severe pressure in the area around the sinuses. This happens because of the build-up of mucous in these areas. This mucous tends to thicken and exerts pressure on the sinuses. This makes them painful and sensitive. In many cases, the patient might suffer from persistent sneezing. This is true in cases of seasonal allergies. Such allergies cause the problem of coughing and sneezing. Breathing difficulties are also common among those who are suffering from the problem of cough.

Home Remedies for Coughing
TREAT A COUGH WITH FLUIDS
Drinking lots of fluids is a great way to help relieve a cough, since fluids make the mucus easier to cough up. Warm liquids or water at room temperature work best. However, caffeine or alcohol should be avoided since they are diuretics, which cause you to urinate more often and actually lose more fluids than you gain.

INHALE STEAM AND AROMATHERAPY
A simple home remedy to help moisten your throat and loosen the mucus is to inhale steam. An effective way to do this is to fill your bathroom sink with hot water, and then drape a towel over your head while you lean above the sink. Inhale the steam from the sink for 5 to 10 minutes every few hours throughout the day. Adding 5 to 10 drops of certain essential oils to the hot water can also help stimulate your lungs to expel phlegm. Some effective oils are Thyme Essential Oil and Peppermint Oil.

USE A HUMIDIFIER TO TREAT A COUGH
During the winter, a cool-mist vaporizer or humidier is a great way to help thin the mucus that leads to coughing. The best time to use a humidifier is during the night while you sleep. Be sure to clean the vaporizer/humidifier often to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria.

FOODS TO HELP SOOTHE A COUGH
Some people have found that eating hot chili peppers, horse-radish, or other spicy foods can help loosen the mucus that leads to congested coughing. It is also important to avoid foods that lead to extra mucus production, such as meat, dairy products, and fried foods. Increasing your intake of Vitamins A, C and E is also beneficial, since they help to boost your immune system and fight off infections that lead to coughing/bronchitis.