Treatments for COPD Cough

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, encompasses bronchitis and emphysema, two lung diseases characterized by inflammation of the airways and excessive mucus production which block airways, treatments for COPD aim to control symptoms of a cough, shortness of breath and anxiety and improve quality of life.

Bronchodilators
COPD treatment consists of primarily 3 different kinds of bronchodilators. Beta2-agonists relax airways to improve airflow. These bronchodilators may be short-acting and useful as rescue inhalers, such as albuterol, or long-acting such as moterol. Bronchodilators reduce airway spasm, a cause of COPD a cough.

Anticholinergics, another class of bronchodilators, achieve its smooth muscle relaxing effect by interfering with certain enzymes. Tiotropium is one anticholinergic that opens airways, relieves bronchospasm and lasts 24 hours requiring once-a-day dosing. The third class of bronchodilators is methylxanthines. Physicians use this class of bronchodilators less frequently because when metabolized by the liver, methylxanthines convert into caffeine which can cause toxic effects.

Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation relieving cough. The American Lung Association reports that corticosteroids prove most effective when used in COPD patients with chronic bronchitis. Bronchial inflammation and mucus production lead to a frequent cough. Corticosteroids may be used long-term or for brief periods of time when COPD exacerbations occur.

Expectorants

Treatments for COPD a cough include the use of expectorants. Expectorants loosen mucous making it easier for the patient to cough up and expel the secretions. According to the ALA, primarily patients with chronic bronchitis benefit from expectorant use.

Oxygen

COPD patients use oxygen to relieve symptoms. Coughing worsens when patients feel anxiety from being short of breath. The ALA reports approximately one million COPD patients to use oxygen therapy greater than 15 hours per day. Referred to as long-term oxygen administration, oxygen the not only relieves aggravating cough and anxiety symptoms but increases survival.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The use of pulmonary rehabilitation helps relieve a cough by improving lung mechanics. Pulmonary rehabilitation creates a fitness program for COPD patients to increase energy levels and endurance which improve lung function and enhance mental state. Greater airflow through the lungs reduces COPD symptoms to include a cough and improves the overall quality of life. 

Avoid Environmental Triggers

Avoiding environmental triggers like allergens and respiratory irritants make other treatments for relieving COPD a cough more effective. Patients with COPD need to avoid dust, pollen, chemical fumes and strong fragrances and smoke. The primary cause of COPD is smoking and many patients have difficulty quitting even when suffering from severe symptoms. Lifestyle changes may be difficult but the benefits outweigh the inconvenience.

Simple Management of COPD Related Cough

Give Up the Cloud

It should be understood that smoking is the worst thing a COPD patient can do. Not only does it cause exacerbation, it worsens a cough that comes with COPD. Cigarette smoke dries out vocal chords. To replace the lost moisture, the body reacts by producing more phlegm, which will block airways. Therefore, a person with COPD should stay away from cigarette and cigarette smoke. Even secondary cigarette smoke or smoke from a fireplace could harmful.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated is key. Drinking a lot of fluids helps loosen the mucus thus making it easier to cough it up. This reduces the urge to cough. It also keeps the throat well lubricated and clear of secretion.

Lemon and Honey
This is a great home remedy for a cough and cold. Not only is it rich in vitamin C, the honey contains some very important and essential elements. A glass of hot water, squeeze in some lemon and drop in a little honey, this simple concoction will help the patient sleep better because they will not cough too much. One may drop in a little ginger for a touch of spicy antioxidants. The patient may also try out other spicy items like peppermint, these thins out the secretions.

Diet

• Foods rich in vitamin D will help strengthen the respiratory muscles, recent studies have shown.
• Omega 3 foods like Avocado and antioxidant vitamins when combined together make for a good remedy for persistent coughing.
• Dairy may not cause the production of more mucus but it sure will thicken the existing. Thick mucus will be hard to cough up and will cause persistent coughing. Milk may coat the throat leading one to feel like they have phlegm stuck on the wall of the throat.
• Pineapples may just seem like a sweet fruit but they are rich in bromelain, which is a protein-digesting enzyme. Incorporating pineapples into the diet will cause a reduction in the production of mucus. Pineapple juice will also sooth a sore throat.
• Excess sodium causes water retention. Water retention will cause difficulty breathing and bring on a coughing fit so salt should be consumed in as little amounts as possible.

Humidifier
Before one can apply these home remedies, they need to be sure about the cause of the increased coughing. If it is due to dry air, a humidifier or vaporizer can come into play. Releasing a little moisture into the air will help keep the airways clear of secretions. It will also help the patient breath better. However, using a humidifier might cause a cough to worsen and therefore this remedy should be applied with caution and discussion with your physician or respiratory therapist.

Triggers
These are irritants that cause a coughing fit. It may be anything from strongly scented cleaning products to perfume, to dust. The patient should ensure they create distance between themselves and elements that may trigger their COPD symptoms.

Stay Upright

Keeping the torso elevated will help drain mucus. This is the same concept applied in postural drainage. This is whereby the patient keeps the lower body elevated and lets gravity drain sputum into the mouth, where it can be easily coughed up or just simply spat out.

This is a technique used mostly right before bedtime to clear up mucus to enable the patient to sleep better without the threat of secretion blocking airways. The sleeping position is also an important factor, as sleeping in a way that causes secretion to pool in the throat thus blocking the airways can cause a coughing fit. The patient should sleep on their side with the head elevated.

Stress

Anxiety and stress is an enemy to COPD wellness. Being in a state of restlessness may cause the symptoms of COPD to be worse. It is therefore important that one keeps calm not only for the peace of mind but also to keep coughing suppressed.

Apple Cider Vinegar
This does not taste great but drinking a tablespoon and swallowing really fast might be advantageous in clearing that cough that just won’t ease up. Mixing it with fruit juice makes it taste much better as well.

Humming
Humming is a great mood lifter. It may be a bit out of the box but it could work. The vibration from humming brings up the phlegm and voila, airways are clear.

Breathing Exercises

These are usually taught during pulmonary rehabilitation or at a regular doctor’s visit. A patient may opt for a combination of pursed breathing to reduce shortness of breath or belly breathing for a stronger diaphragm. Breathing exercises also help with other COPD symptoms like sleeping problems and wheezing.

Exercise
Regular physical activity is essential. Water-based exercises have been reported to be better for people with COPD as they require a little less exertion but still come with a lot of benefits. Yoga and tai chi are also great physical and spiritual exercises. The ability to tolerate physical activity is important to improve the quality of life and keep COPD symptoms suppressed. This also ensures the patient does not suffer shortness of breath and a coughing fit after minimal activity.
VapoRub

This is an age-old menthol based ointment for application on the back, throat and chest. It is effective in the suppression of a cough.

When all else fails, it might be time to try a medical or pharmaceutical intervention. This is of course after consultation with your physician. In fact, nothing health related should happen without the physician’s knowledge. Some things like a change in diet or jogging may seem harmless but could cause severe repercussions. Bronchodilators will be instrumental in helping reduce airway spasm. This is the sudden tightening of the respiratory muscles. Anticholinergics are also important as they relax the muscles by interfering with enzymes. The physician might also prescribe an expectorant or cough syrup for when a cough is too disruptive and persistent. Pulmonary rehabilitation is of utmost importance for patients with COPD. They are equipped with skills to help them breath better and more aware of triggers.

To improve the quality of life, there are some mechanical remedies for coughing and other COPD symptoms. Chest physiotherapy is an assisted exercise to help loosen thick mucus. This is usually combined with postural drainage. Positive expiratory pressure uses a device to help force thick and sticky mucus through the larger air passages so they can be expelled. High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation uses an inflatable vest to apply positive air pressure pulses against the chest. This action clears mucus and consequently, coughing.

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