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

Sounds like she may have allergies which can cause itchy sore throats. An OTC allergy medicine would probably help. Don't think it has anything to do with dementia.

As some have said, it may be nothing they can do anything about, but it may be serious, or it may be something that can be easily treated (e.g., with anti-reflux treatment or dilation) to make her more safe/healthy or at least more comfortable. Unfortunately people often put off dealing with throat issues until it's too late, just managing the symptoms in a way they would never "let it go" in any other part of their body. Sometimes the problem is actually much further down (esophagus), but it still feels like it's in the throat. I urge you to talk to her Primary doctor and an Otolaryngologist (ENT) as a start for the pain. They'll ask about eating habits, her meds, the pain's progression, past surgeries, maybe do a barium swallow test (which helps show things that aren't supposed to be there, not just if her swallow is ok). You don't say how old your mom is, but many things in aging as early as your 40's and certainly after 65 could be causing the problem, and many can be treated to make her more comfortable. And agree as others mentioned that sugar in the mouth all the time is bad for blood sugar and the oral cavity (even if all someone has is dentures), so it's best to address the root cause for many reasons. Hope this helps. Wish you luck. I'm glad your mom has you. So many of this we just learn along the way by noticing "little" things and asking questions. Then asking again.

My mother was has been sucking on strong mints or cough drops as long as I can remember. I think it was partly because she enjoyed it, but since I have become her caregiver I notice that she sometimes is bothered by GERD (acid reflux). Might be worth considering.

You could also make your own cough drops, using natural sweeteners such as stevia.

There's also honey and lemon tea - just a tsp. or Tblsp. of each in hot water makes a nice soothing drink. It's also calming and relaxing, at least for me. Might be a better nighttime substitute than purchased cough drops.

Amitebird, there is validity for using cough drops as a throat moisturizer, especially in the warmer, sometimes drier, rooms that elders seem to prefer.

Add a humidifier to increase the moisture content and see if that makes a difference in the need for nightly cough drops.

Oh GiGi didn't know that. Good info wouldn't want that side effect have enough to deal with...lol

I just have to chime in here because my mom's been sucking on cough drops for years. For no apparent reason except maybe because my dad does use them occasionally because he does cough, so maybe mom just wants to imitate him. I'm not sure but I always thought it was bizarre- but most likely just the dementia- another odd symptom of it...

In some foreign countries, cough drops are eaten like candy. My husband's family in Thailand think I'm being silly when I offer them for sore throats or coughs. They eat them every day. My daughter's in-laws are the same way in Egypt. Maybe she just thinks it's candy, or just likes the taste, or sucking sensation.

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.

She most likely is addiction to having them in her mouth. It's funny but we can get addicted to just about anything. My husband is addicted to lip balm. He can't stand dry lips, uses it constantly, then I hear a report about it on TV news they said it is a problem for many. I agree mom should have ENT checked and if she has sugar issues by all means make sure sugar free ones. As to having them in her mouth at night as amitebird's mom well this is a serious choaking hazzard. See if there are some kind of meltaways maybe in children's section, but I almost choked to death on a cough drop when I had a bad cold and went to sleep with it in my mouth, so please be careful. Having a tickle in the throat is so irritating my mom gets it all the time and she has acid reflux disease, so it could be connected to something like that also. Let us know how she's doing. Hope today is a good day for all. Ruth Anne

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.

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

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.