Preventing a cough
Prevention is better than cure and preventing a cough means preventing the underlying condition that causes the cough. Cough itself can be a symptom of a wide range of things - a reaction to an irritation in the airways, an infection, a response to environmental factors such as cigarette smoke etc. Learn more about the causes of cough.
The key to cough prevention is a healthy immune system. Your body has a natural defence system that helps you fight off bacterial and viral infection and resist the damaging effects of environmental irritants. A balanced diet, adequate exercise, sufficient sleep and a healthy lifestyle help maintain a well-functioning immune system.
Your airways are important organs and need particular care. Cigarette smoke is one of the greatest causes of damage to the delicate mucus membranes that protect the lungs and bronchi, so stopping smoking is a very positive step to cough prevention. Regular aerobic exercise is also important.
