How to stop coughing spells...

Okay, just went through this. Sounds like he is trying to get an upper respiratory infection, or even the flu. That's what has been going around here. First thing I did was chicken noodle soup. I didn't feel well enough to make it homeade so I bought canned and added ginger, garlic and onions. I also drank lots of hot tea to which I added ginger and cinnamon. The hot tea was chamomile, which is soothing. If I'd had some horehound I'd have added it too. Elderberry syrup if you can find it. If not, it can be purchased in capsule form. Chapparel is another good herb. If it continues and becomes the flu, well, I hate to say it, but we had to have some tamiflu. My husband and I were passing it back and forth making it diffucult to get rid of. Again, let me say, people can be allergic to herbs. Just because it is natural doesn't mean it's safe for everyone.

You know - he may have the flu. A cold does not last this long usually! I am all for herbal remedies if possible and I do understand that it's tricky finding the right combination that works for each individual. Which is actually an advantage over traditional medicine that is a "one-size-fits-all" sort of approach! I think I may go study more about herbs...I might ought to figure out a way to get some chicken soup in his tube... he has trouble swallowing so I don't want to complicate that... thanks!!

He started with a cold last week and this just keeps lingering on. The coughing spells started a couple of days ago. He's only had a couple so far but they really wear him out. I think it seems like a tickle but I am not sure. It seems a little like maybe some sort of spasm too.. who knows.. I gotta keep trying stuff to keep it from happening again, or to make it stop quickly if it does happen again!

He has a head injury and cannot chew. He eats only pureed foods so far. He can drink thin liquids though. Maybe some ginger tea? Do you think that would help any at all?

I will do that .. he's better this morning..

If he can't chew, give him a few drops of the ginger juice, it'll not taste good but it'll take care of the coughing problem instantly. Later on you can give him ginger tea, that would certainly help.

Perhaps you are familiar with a brand called Panadol? Paracetamol is a mild analgesic. Here is a link with some info for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol so you see, not an herb but a medicine.

My son has a head injury and cannot use throat lozenges. But he can drink some liquids. I need to get some lemon. I have never heard of paracetamol. What is that? is it an herb or a medicine?

I think it started as a cold. My son in 28 but he has a traumatic brain injury so he cannot tell me if it is his throat that is itchy, or a tickle in his chest.. etc. When he first got congested last week I plugged in the humidifier so it's been going nonstop in his room for about a week now. I am just not too sure what it is now.. he also has asthma so that can be an influencing factor as well...

Oh goodness, sounds like it might be time to see the doctor. It's good you plugged in the humidifier, but if it's asthma, flu, or pneumonia, it's best to get this all checked out seeing it's already a week. I don't think I'd take the chance since nothing else is working for him. I hope it's nothing major for you but please get him checked out.

Herein lies the problem! He has Physicians at Home - they come when they get ready and they do not answer their phones!... ever! If he is not running a high fever they make you feel like you are stupid for calling and they basically make you feel like you should just wait until it's an emergency then take him to the ER - instead of bothering them - they almost say that!!

I remembered to put it on his feet this morning and it seemed to really help. I have been putting it on his chest but it didn't seem to help too much - but of course once the coughing starts not much helps at all..

If putting on his feet helps then you may continue to do so. This method I believe it just to give relief. I remembered once I was coughing and applied Vicks Vapor Rub on the underside of both my feet at night and cover with sock i slept soundly. I still took cough medication to heal the coughing.

What kind of herbal tea would you suggest? There are lots of herbs that could be used, but which one is best for coughing? The doctor here will not usually suggest any herbs or teas they just like to give more and more medicines.

Hmmmm... how I wish I remember. What I remember is a herbal tea that mixed with honey. The doctor told my mom and its been a long time, but there is another tea which my mom suggests to me when I have a cough. She told me to drink a Lagundi tea.

So far the breathing treatments seem to be helping. I am really afraid he will hurt himself coughing...I'm in Oklahoma so maybe some of the good spread down here too! lol! He has some codiene that I gave him tonight - hoping we sleep!Thanks!

Hope that codiene works well for your son. Hope you and your son have a good sleep too :)

Well I may need to just go get me a bottle of Tequila then! That way I can drink it when he starts coughing so badly and I am stressed because I don't know how to help him! He has a brain injury I am afraid I would get in trouble offering it to him!

That sounds like a very practical solution. I will try it out someday. Thanks for sharing barehugs :)

You know, I have actually heard that one! I usually do that when he gets a cold or his nose is stuffy. I put it on his chest last night and then again this morning - I will try to remember to rub it on his feet when I put him back in the bed this evening! Thanks for the reminder!

I did that to my kid last time and it worked. On another occasion when it didn't work, I took her to a doctor to get treated.

My son is 28 - but he has a traumatic brain injury and so I am caring for him 24/7. I think I will add some extra vitamin C - he is better this afternoon but the coughing spells are terrible on him. I started giving him breathing treatments every 4 hours today. I have just about decided it's the flu - he has all the symptoms except high fever - it's only a low grade. Since he is handicapped it is more difficult to get over things like that ...

Drinking lots of warm instead of cool water might help. To avoid unnecessary trial and error, however, consulting a doctor is a recommended option.

Thank you for your input. I'll have to check that out. My son is an adult though he is 28 but he has a traumatic brain injury and that is why I am caring for him. I'll go look up the recipe! Thanks!

Your son had better avoid fried and oily food too. Fried and oily food can aggravate his cough. Hope eagletrek2 recipe works well on your son.

You know - I really do believe in God's healing power - but since He has not healed the brain injury I have wondered if He even hears when we pray - why bother Him with the small stuff if He cannot handle the big stuff?

It is my belief that God always takes good care of us. We should always pray to Him and ask Him to help us find the best solution to our problem.

What's sleep? I put the vick's on his chest, but keep forgetting to put in on his feet - humidifier on and running..

True. You have to keep fit while caring for your ill son. Rest and sleep if you need.

I went ahead and started him on breathing treatments every 4 hours I hope that is going to help keep his airways open. He is not wheezing - but all gookey. I'll probably give him more meds tonight but I though I would let his body rest from them during the day although I need to give him some more pain meds - you know how you get so sore after all the coughing?

Yes our body will get sore all over if we cough almost non stop. It's good to consult a doctor if the cough persists.

You can give honey and lemon juice in equal parts until this concoction is ready. Just give it to him in a spoon, don't try to get him to drink a lemon "toddy". My granddaughter doesn't like lemon at all, but if she starts coughing when she's at my house and I don't have her medicine, I give her lemon and honey and it stops the cough almost immediately.

Hm.. that sounds interesting. How long will this concoction keep in the fridge? This might be something to keep on hand all the time - especially in the winter months. I think he is just having some asthma problems related to the cold he had last week. He is not running a high fever or anything although he was running one earlier this morning. I think he worked it up coughing so much...

He cannot gargle as he has a brain injury - but he can drink some honey and lemon. I have been wondering if he was just having a little tickle in his throat or in his lung when he coughs so much.

He is getting a little better. I did give in and take him to the doctor, he had bronchitis. He is slowly getting better, but eventually I am going to have to get some sleep! He is still coughing quite a bit but seems to be doing some better.

My son is getting better - but I have been giving him breathing treatments every four hours. I think he has that tickle in his throat..and then he gets upset when he coughs and it does not go away... hope you are better soon!

I had not heard of this remedy. I use tumeric in my cooking a lot so I have some on hand. Maybe I will try it - but I have heard that the milk is not good if you have asthma..

Thank you for the ideas! I may have to try these as it seems to be a common theme. I just have to figure out a way to get to the store so I can purchase some lemons.