Another suggestion... I encourage my kids to sip something when they start coughing, it seems to help keep the throat from becoming further irritated.
We mix 1/4 cup Lime juice (Real Lime brand) with 1/2 cup of sugar to 2 quarts of water. It's not bitter, cuts the phleum, doesn't sour the stomach and still tastes fine warm or cold. Also works good for fasting.
If you have forced air heat, change the filter more often in the winter, check the bag on the vacuum for moldy smells & change it more often. If you have indoor wood heat, before you vacuum up around the burner, get a long hose for the vacuum, put it outside the door, and then vacuum (the ash is so fine, it'll penetrate most bags and really get airborne).