Stop Cough Technique – Summary Notes

What is Chronic Cough?

• Definition: Cough persisting for 8 weeks or more.
• Symptoms: Often dry, with irritation/tickling sensation.
• Triggers: Talking, laughing, certain smells, sudden temperature changes.
• Impact: Common yet distressing.

Causes of Chronic Cough

• Post Nasal Drip:
  Excess mucus drips down the throat, causing irritation and a need to cough.
• Reflux (GERD):
  Stomach acid travels up the oesophagus, irritating vocal cords and provoking cough. Treatment may include lifestyle, dietary changes, posture care, and medication (consult GP).
• Asthma:
  Cough triggered by cold air or strong smells/chemicals; not always constant.
• Infections:
  Can persist after illnesses like colds.
• Medications:
  Certain drugs may cause cough as a side effect (consult GP if concerned).

Common Triggers

• Changes in air temperature
• Aerosols, sprays, perfumes, cleaning agents
• Pollen and dust
• Dryness
• Viral infections
• Physical exercise

Cough Cycle

• Dry or fast-moving air can irritate the throat.
• After coughing, tendency is to take deep breath in, which may worsen cough by further irritating the lungs/throat.

Stop Cough Technique

Goal: Reduce over-sensitivity of cough reflex; keep throat air warm and moist.

Steps:

1. At the first sign of a tickle, imminent or actual cough:
   • Put your hand over your mouth.
2. Swallow once.
3. Hold your breath for a few seconds.
   • When resuming breathing, take slow, smooth breaths for at least 30 seconds (keep hand over mouth).
4. Tell yourself you’re not going to cough.
5. Finally: Take a smooth, normal breath through your nose and remove your hand from your mouth.
6. Repeat process if tickle persists.

• For further hospital access information: visit AccessAble.

Source: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Reference No: 6386-1
Issue date: 1/3/21
Review date: 1/3/24