My Mom has been taking cough drops for years, does anyone know if this is bad for you?

I agree with the honey suggestion - singers have used it for eons. If she enjoys the act of sucking on the cough drop there are sugar free, good tasting ones like honey and lemon from health food stores.

She may just feel more like she's taking medicine if she takes Vicks (therefore "doing something" and it's probably not all that bad, but having her throat checked to make certain there isn't a medical problem wouldn't be a bad move.

More likely, it's allergies or just dry air or even simply habit. But having a doctor check her out won't hurt. Just be prepared for the fact that if it's something serious, there may not be much that can be done anyway without making her life worse. At any rate, I'd discuss this with her doctor so that you feel more at ease.

We'd love an update on this to see how you both are doing.
Carol

I've always believed that if a person gets to a certain age and or their days on earth are short , let them eat whatever they want. When my dad was in hospice all he wanted was Apple pie. My feeling was at this point let him eat all the pie he wants.

My mother was having difficulty swallowing and feeling like she was choking. She started eating cough drops like crazy. When I finally got Mom to see her Doctor, the Doc ordered a barium swallow (where she drank a chalky liquid while the radiologist watched on computer). The radiologist said that Mom's esophagus muscle was not operating correctly thus prohibiting the digestive process. He explained it like this to me. The esophagus was something that happens that we don't have to think about. It was created that way. As we get older the muscles grow weaker in spots or all over. He said have you ever milked a cow? I said yes. The esophagus is just like that process. It is a pulling up and down process (he described it better of course) to remove the food/liquid thru to the intestines. Age can cause that to slow down and even stop in places of the esophagus therefore, choking, feeling of food stacked up in neck etc ensues. She had no other types of blockages,tumors etc. Referred to PCP for meds to help with that. PCP office still hasn't done that yet after several messages. When she gets her meds or whatever it is for this problem, I will let you all know if the cough drops stop. Hope this helps someone.

There must be something going on. My mother, 89, has also been taking coughdrops for the last few years. I actually order them for her in bulk because she only likes Vick's coughdrops and uses them almost every day. She takes it at night mostly, she says it keeps her from coughing at night and waking up and her throat gets sore. My mother does have a few throat issues, mainly a constricting of the throat area that she has to check out with the doctor now and then - once she had her throat physically stretched by the doctor. She checks it out once a year. She also has sinus problems pretty often. Her doctors give a bewildered look when we ask about the cough drops. We often get bewildered looks when it comes to my mother. Does your mother have problems swallowing food? That's another sign of throat constriction. I agree with GardenArtist that she should have her throat checked out specifically. It seems everything either shrinks up or stretches out as we get older.

Well, they do contain sugar, and if she's not brushing her teeth that often, that sugar isn't helpful for her teeth.

I'm wondering though if she has sinus drainage, allergic rhinitis, or some other ENT issue that causes her throat to be sore.

Can't answer the issue on relation to dementia as I haven't had any experience with taking something on a long term basis.

I would take her to an ENT doctor just to make sure there's nothing going on in her throat or sinuses.

A caution about menthol -- I've been told that it relaxes muscles which is great for stopping throat spasms but in some folks may lead to loose bowels too.

Good to hear you have an appointment for her. You're undoubtedly dealing with a lot overall (sorry to hear about her diabetes too, glad sugar free at least ). Hopefully the cause of this at least can be identified and remedied for her comfort and your peace of mind. Thoughts are with you and her.

I suppose you need to find out the reason. Maybe she just likes the taste, either that or her throat bothers her. Maybe her mouth is dry. It says to take every 2 hours and if sugar is a problem for her they have sugar free.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my question. Just a bit more information I asked my mom why she was using the cough drops and she said her throat hurts all the time. I will be taking her to the doctor in early August and I will ask him. She takes about a package a day good thing they are Sugar free because she also has diabetes. Besides, the cost I don't believe anything in excess is good for you. I will take to the doctor and see what he has to say.

4tbs of coconut oil and honey and two drop of clove liquid extract take a tsp when needed that helps my family when their throat is sore