Remedies for coughs

Coughs are potentially a disaster when you are wishing to speak in all areas of business. It is awful if you are on the phone and have a coughing fit; presentations and public speaking engagements could be embarrassing if you start coughing, and as for meetings: you cause a disturbance in the meeting and aren't able to listen effectively. We have also heard radio and TV presenters suffer with coughing fits that result in an awkward pause.

Coughs are mainly a protective reflex to remove foreign ­bodies, mucus or irritants such as dust from the respiratory tract, explains Alyn Morice, professor of respiratory ­medicine at the University of Hull, and one of the country’s leading experts. ‘But persistent coughs can also be caused by viruses and ­infections,’ he says. He recommends that if you have a persistent cough for eight weeks or more, you should visit your GP.

This blog doesn't cover symptoms of coughs; coughs that almost become a nervous reaction or medical remedies. However, it is important to consider the physical outcomes that could affect your effectiveness to speak. These include:

• Having a husky voice.
• Having a sore throat
• Tiredness due to not sleeping
• Having a voice that becomes very quiet
• Other symptoms such as achy abdominal muscles due to coughing.
• Generally feeling poorly with other flu like symptoms

When we cough, we put a lot of pressure on our larynx and over time this swells up - causing a husky voice. If we have an infection in our larynx, it can swell up and mucus can surround this area. These all result in the voice becoming more husky, and even difficulty speaking.

It is really important to take care of your voice when you have a cough; Paul O'Grady mentioned on his radio programme last weekend that he had 'Panto Voice'. He had suffered 'flu during the run and returned to work whilst he was still ill: he didn't want to let down his fans. As a result, he had a cough, sore throat and very husky voice. There are plenty of casualties in the theatre and opera world where individuals have returned to performing when they are still suffering from coughs - resulting in long term damage.

Obviously most areas of business work do not require such usage - unless you are training or doing extensive speaking, but it is important to take care of your voice if you have a cough.

• Try to avoid dry environments, dusty environments and those that irritate your throat so that you cough.
• Remember to drink a lot of fluids (not alcohol), since it is easy to become dehydrated.
• Gargle with a salt water solution 3 times a day, to cleanse your throat and manage any infection.
• Go to a pharmacist who will recommend the correct cough mixture for your cough.
• We recommend you take a night cough mixture at night, which will allow you to sleep better.
• At night, use 2 or more pillows to keep your head up higher. We have found this helps with night coughs.
• Steam your throat with a bowl of very hot water with eucalyptus oil in (take care); breathe this in with a tea towel over your head. Repeat twice a day.
• Avoid using your voice where possible; text, use emails and letters and write notes!
• If the cough symptoms persist for 8 weeks or more, go to your GP.

For more information on Executive Voice go to http://www.executivevoice.co.uk