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I'm starting to get over my sinus infection (I can actually speak again), but now I have a cough that wakes me up multiple times during the night. I supppose the cough could be described as dry. Each time I breathe in, theres a tickling sensation in the back of my throat and I can't help but cough. Very annoying. Does anyone have a solution? I've tried honey, ginger tea, and even used cough drops. Help!

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N-Acetyl-Cystein, 600-1200 mg per day. That will probably fix it in few days or weeks. – majkinetor Dec 5 2011 at 14:28
I have this too.. except I wasn't sick it just started out of nowhere... gonna try the N-Aceyl-Cystein.... post if anything else works! – alzsunrise Dec 5 2011 at 14:58
It will work. Maybe not if you have asthma. You may want to tweak the dosage. – majkinetor Dec 6 2011 at 13:21

5 Answers

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Try a humidifier in your bedroom. The higher moisture in the air can help ease a dry cough. If you don't have one you can also close yourself in your bathroom and run your shower really hot until the bathroom fills with steam and breathe in that for a while before going (back) to bed.

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Hey, Kewpie, I didn't read carefully enough and repeated your shower advice below. I deleted mine--anyhow, the steamy shower has always helped me bring up the nasty stuff so I can sleep. – Nance Dec 6 2011 at 2:48
No problem, Nance. It wouldn't have bothered me either way. I think it can be a good thing when several people are saying similar thing sbecause it can give it more weight. And, I agree, steam always makes me feel better, too. – Kewpie Dec 6 2011 at 3:31
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I use sinus pills, like these from CVS pharmacy. They seem to stop the "post nasal drip cough." It's the only way I can sleep through the night. Just had this symptom as an aftermath of the cold I caught after Halloween, when I seriously fell off the Paleo wagon. http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=default&skuId=408565&productId=408565&navAction=push&navCount=1&no_new_crumb=true

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You might try a neti pot to reduce nasal irritation and resulting post nasal drop.

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Oh no, this is the worst. I've had this from time to time in the last three years or so. The cruelest part is that your coughing prevents you from getting the sleep you would need to stop coughing. It's a vicious circle.

I've never tried the neti pot. And I don't recognize some of the ingredients in those sinus pills, and so would be willing to give them a try, but I can say that every over-the-counter medicine I tried didn't work. Humidifying never really had much of an effect for me either. I think that if your sinuses are dripping into your throat then adding moisture to the air also won't help; in other words, what appears to be a dry cough may not in fact be a dry cough. (It might be, of course: you'll have to figure it out.)

After trying everything (including sleeping on my stomach on a mattress on the floor with my head hanging over the edge down onto a pillow) the only thing that worked for me was Vick's Vapo Rub. It's like having the good stuff from a cough drop -- menthol and eucalyptus -- going into your airways all night long, but without having to actually suck on a cough drop (which is generally impossible when you're sleeping, not to mention icky because of all the fructose and flavorings). And oh yeah you will also get camphor, which is totally medieval. It will also repel moths in case you have a moth problem in your bedroom.

I just read some skeptical claims about Vapo Rub, but I really think it is more than a placebo in my case.

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Vapo Rub is better than cologne. – Wcc Kamal Stabby fan Feb 14 2012 at 5:06
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While there are food items that help in eliminating mucus, there are also snacks that aggravate your condition. If you want to succeed on how to stop coughing, avoid sugar and junk food. By loading up on junk food you are making your body feeble and susceptible to diseases. Have fresh fruits and vegetables so that your immune system is sturdy and equipped. Avoid sweet foods because these may exasperate your tonsils more. Follow this tips on how to stop a cough.

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