How Does Speech Therapy Helps Chronic Cough?
- Kelli Humphrey
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Have you ever experienced that constant tickling sensation making you feel like you need to cough? It may seem to come at the worst time such as sitting in a quiet space at work, or trying to have a conversation with someone. For some individuals, this is a constant occurrence. No matter what you do, you just cannot seem to overcome that tickling sensation in your throat. While many assume there is no cure, there are actually strategies and tools that can be implemented to overcome this nagging sensation.
What is Chronic Cough?
Chronic cough typically refers to a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks. It can be caused by an underlying medical condition including lung diseases, allergies, medications, or irritants (e.g. smoke, chemicals), or be idiopathic meaning there is no direct cause (American Lung Association). Over time, a hypersensitivity from excessive coughing could develop leading to increased sensation or irritation in the larynx, causing increased reflexes to cough. Excessive throat clearing can have the same effects as chronic cough. Coughing or throat clearing causes the vocal folds to abruptly shut, therefore, if this action is repetitive, it can lead to harmful outcomes. Chronic cough can have negative effects on a person’s overall well being including feelings of embarrassment or shame, reduced participation in social activities, or physical symptoms including hoarseness or pain.
Role of Speech Language Pathologist in Cough Management
Why speech therapy?
Speech language pathologists possess anatomical knowledge of oral (mouth), pharyngeal (throat), and respiratory structures as well as provide treatment, often overlapping, between voice and respiration. Speech language pathologists can provide voice therapy and strategies for overcoming chronic cough including cough suppressant strategies, vocal hygiene tips, and ways to reduce laryngeal tension.
Cough Suppressant Strategies
Cough suppressant strategies refer to things that can be done to prevent the initiation of a cough. When that tickling sensation begins, it can be useful to try one of the following as opposed to immediately letting the coughing spell begin.
Take a few sips of water or another liquid
Suck on a throat lozenge or chew gum
Complete an “effortful swallow”
Swallow with force as if you were trying to swallow a whole grape; this can be done with your saliva or a sip of liquid
Breathing exercises
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach
Take a deep breath in through your nose, focused on expanding your stomach out
Exhale through your mouth, focused on pulling your stomach back in toward your spine
Repeat as needed
Pursed Lip Breathing
Breathe in slowly through your nose for about 2 seconds
Purse your lips as if you are blowing out a candle
Breathe out slowly through pursed lips for about 4 seconds
Vocal Hygiene Practices
Vocal hygiene refers to a set of practices, and recommendations to maintain healthy voice habits, and reduce harmful behaviors. Harmful behaviors, including vocal abuse or misuse, are things that can cause the vocal folds to close together with too much force, potentially leading to strain or pain. The goal is to increase vocal hygiene while reducing or eliminating vocal abuse/misuse.
Vocal Hygiene Tips
Staying hydrated by drinking water continuously throughout the day
Decrease use of drying agents including caffeine, alcohol, and antihistamines
Avoid airborne irritants including smoke, chemicals, paints, and cleaning supplies
Vocal Abuse & Misuse
Avoid yelling, prolonged loud talking, speaking when sick, whispering, and excessive throat clearing
Attempt voice pacing if needing to talk for long periods of time (e.g. 30/10 rule: speak for 30 mins, take a 10 min voice rest)
Maximize your environment for success including being face to face with your communication partner at an appropriate distance
Reduce background noise if possible to avoid straining voice
Reducing Laryngeal Tension
The larynx, also known as the voice box, houses our vocal folds and is responsible for essential functions including speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Various things, including voice disorders, excessive speaking, excessive coughing/throat clearing, sickness, acid reflux, and irritants/allergies, can cause irritation or inflammation of the larynx. Laryngeal relaxation techniques can help to reduce laryngeal tension including breathing exercises, chant talk, and resonant voice therapy.
Client Success Stories at Insight Speech
At Insight Speech, we are proud to have clinicians specializing and voice and swallow function to help clients resolve chronic coughing. One recent success includes a client suffering from a chronic neurogenic cough for years. In just 6 sessions, they learned methods to minimize the cough as well as strengthen their voice.
"I lived with this cough for a long time and searched for ways to eliminate it.
Now I have those exercises to practice to help minimize the cough"
Conclusion
Chronic cough can be a frustrating, and isolating experience leading to reduced quality of life, reduced participation in desired activities, and reduced participation in conversations. While many patients assume this is something that they will always have to deal with alone, there are resources and techniques that can help overcome these daily frustrations.
Speech language pathologists are trained professionals with expansive knowledge of anatomy and physiology of voice and respiratory structures who can personalize treatment approaches to assist with management of chronic cough. If you or a loved one are experiencing chronic cough, voice changes including strain, pain, reduced loudness, or hoarseness, reach out for an evaluation with one of our clinicians today.
The clinicians at Insight Speech and Swallowing Therapy in New Jersey brings individualized expertise and care to address your voice needs in office and virtually.
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