Cough during colds and its treatment based on productivity

Most colds occur along with a cough, which can be either dry or wet (with copious sputum production). The intensity of cough during a cold is usually average, but there are also severe situations that lead to damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and hemoptysis.

At the same time, even the slightest cough, which may seem like a trivial matter, needs to be treated. There are often cases when even the simplest cough is complicated by pneumonia or fibrous lesions of the bronchi.

Why does a cough occur when you have a cold?

Cough during acute respiratory infections is a normal physiological reaction of the body to the introduction of infectious agents into the respiratory tract. Simply put, this is an autonomous defense system of the body, the work of which indicates an active infectious process in the pulmonary system.

The mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is lined with small receptors that react to any foreign substances. Moreover, receptors are divided into two types: mechanical and chemical. That is, some receptors respond to mechanical effects, while others respond to chemical ones.

Cough with colds in women

Usually, with the flu, a cough appears precisely because of the reaction of chemical receptors that respond to pathogenic flora. In this case, the function of cough is quite obvious: evacuation of infection from the respiratory tract.

A cough associated with the action of the immune system is also possible. When it works, during a cold, sputum is formed containing living and dead microorganisms (both pathogenic and protective). The purpose of coughing in this case is to remove accumulated sputum along with the microorganisms present in it.

There is also a pathological cough that occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged. With a common cold, such a cough is impossible; it is usually caused by more serious diseases (measles, mononucleosis, rubella).

Does a cough always occur with a cold?

The presence of a cough during a cold is not necessary, but it is observed in most cases (about 80%). Children especially often suffer from it when they have a cold due to the specifics of their immune system and the body’s lower resistance.

Cough due to colds in men

Often, with acute respiratory infections, a “false cough” may appear, caused by an infection not of the pulmonary system, but of the throat. A sore throat causes a sore throat, which provokes it.

There is a high risk of coughing during colds in elderly patients, smokers and patients with chronic lung diseases. Almost always, cough appears in bedridden patients, due to the lack of normal ventilation of the lungs and general weakening of the body due to physical inactivity (immobility).

Types of cough

There are several types of cough:

1. Wet (with expectoration of sputum).
2. Dry (unproductive).
3. Protracted.

The dry type of cold cough is the most annoying and unpleasant for most patients. A severe dry cough in some cases can lead to small tears in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and even hemorrhages in the eyes.

Its nature during colds is different, but the most common causes are the following complications of ARVI:

• laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx);
• tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea);
• allergic reaction (children usually suffer from colds);
• bronchitis;
• pleurisy;
• pneumonia.

Cough with colds in children

The wet type is tolerated more easily by patients and only in rare cases leads to mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract or eyes. When you have a cold, a wet cough can occur as a natural course of the disease (when half-life products from the actions of the immune system are simply eliminated), or as a result of complications of a cold:

• pneumonia;
• acute bronchitis;
• in rare cases - lung abscess.

A persistent cough can be of any type, either wet or dry. Its distinguishing feature is its duration. This way it persists even months after a cold, which requires immediate medical attention to rule out serious diseases of the respiratory system.

Can a cough persist after a cold is cured?

Treating a cold may not have any effect on your cough. There are often situations when, after the resolution of an acute respiratory infection, it torments the patient for several more weeks or even months.

This is often due to the patient having chronic lung diseases or bad habits (for example, smoking). Also often the cause is a specific strain of cold infection, which only indirectly affects the upper respiratory tract, settling in the bronchial system.

The presence of a cough after healing from a cold may not always indicate something serious. Meanwhile, if such a symptom remains for more than two weeks after a cold , or steadily progresses (becomes stronger), you need to immediately consult a doctor for medical help.

How to deal with a cough when you have a cold? (video)

Traditional methods of treatment

Getting rid of cough using traditional methods of treatment is quite simple. Moreover, this is the method of treatment that doctors often offer, since in most cases a common cold cough does not require the use of aggressive and very dangerous medications.

The most popular and effective way to combat it is to use honey. The simplest recipe in this case is this: you need to add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water and, after mixing the liquid, drink.

This method also helps to get rid of a cold cough very well: you need to boil 4 cloves of garlic in 350 milliliters of milk. You should drink the resulting medicine 50 milliliters three times a day. It is not recommended to drink this drink for patients suffering from stomach ulcers or gastritis.

Medicinal treatments

If traditional methods of treatment are ineffective, drug therapy approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) will help get rid of the problem.

List of cough and cold medicines

In this case, medicines for the treatment of cough are divided into the following groups:

1. Drugs for extinguishing attacks (with a narcotic effect): Codeine, Demorphan, Codipront, Ethylmorphine hydrochloride.
2. Drugs for extinguishing attacks (without narcotic effect): “Glauvent”, “Sedotussin”, “Sinekod”.
3. Preparations for dry cough: “Libexin”, “Levopront”, “Glecidin”.
4. Drugs with expectorant, bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects: “Stoptussin”, “Protiazin”, “Bronholitin”, “Lorraine”, “Butamirate”.

It is quite obvious that children and elderly patients should not take drugs with a narcotic effect, since such drugs can damage the heart and central nervous system. Moreover, if a child is sick, you need to select medications only with a pediatrician.

The same rule applies to patients of other categories. Even with the mildest cough, prior consultation with a doctor is required!

Source: https://fragmed.ru/prostudnye/kashel-pri-prostude-grippe-orvi.html

Cough with a cold in an adult: treatment of dry and wet cough

One of the very first and main symptoms of a cold in adults is a cough. Of course, treating a cold should not be limited to just getting rid of this symptom, because an integrated approach is required.

However, treatment of cough due to a cold in an adult is also necessary to minimize possible complications and consequences of the disease, as well as to prevent damage to the upper respiratory tract.

It is always important to get competent advice from a specialist, and then proceed directly to treatment, the features of which will be described below.

Cough is the most common symptom of a cold

Causes

As you know, with colds, not only a cough appears, but also some other symptoms - runny nose, sore throat, dizziness, etc. All this is the body’s protective reaction to those viruses that managed to penetrate inside.

Coughing is a reflex action, during which a sharp release of air occurs, followed by contraction of the respiratory muscles. At this time, the receptors of the trachea and larynx are irritated, as a result of which a dry or wet cough occurs.

No one is immune from this phenomenon, because even if all precautions are taken, a person can get sick with acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections, this is especially true in the winter. However, you should definitely treat cough and other cold symptoms to prevent further development of the disease.

It is worth understanding that a cough can appear not only with colds, it may be due to increased acidity of gastric juice, certain inhibitor medications, smoking, bronchitis or even lung cancer, so if such a symptom is present, you should immediately consult your doctor.

Dry cough with a cold

As a rule, it is with this type of cough that any cold begins. Initially, it is a dry, non-productive cough, in which mucus and sputum are not produced. This phenomenon is characterized by the following symptoms:

• labored breathing;
• presence of wheezing;
• the cough has a “barking” character;
• especially frequent at night;
• Body temperature may rise.

With a dry cough, there is wheezing, it is difficult to breathe, the cough has a “barking” character

This type is very tiring for many people, because it lasts for several days and depletes the human body and its immune system. It is this that causes headaches, insomnia and even some nervous disorders.

Wet (wet) cough

Wet discharge, called productive discharge because it releases mucus from the bronchi, is also a common symptom of a cold. Most often, the symptom appears after the dry type and indicates that the disease is at the treatment stage. At the same time, it is important to get rid of phlegm, in other words, to make the mucus cough up.

We also advise: After getting a flu shot, you have a fever: what to do?

How to cure this symptom?

Cough due to colds in adults is treated in different ways: this includes treatment with medications, special exercises for the respiratory tract, folk remedies, drinking regimen and appropriate air humidity.

If you have a dry or wet cough, you should consult your doctor.

First, you need to understand the basics of treatment so that the methods used below are effective:

1. You need to understand that during ARVI, the human body loses a large amount of moisture, so additional fluid will be required to restore its normal level. In addition, herbal teas and natural juices help thin mucus, as a result of which a person begins to cough up unnecessary mucus.
2. It is important to constantly stay in a room where the air humidity is at the proper level and helps to liquefy the mucus. Dry air, in turn, negatively affects the condition of the mucous membrane.

At the same time, it is important to visit an experienced doctor, who will also give useful tips and recommendations on what can be done to quickly get rid of mucus discharge due to colds.

Medicines

Treatment of dry or wet cough during a cold in an adult is often done with the help of centrally acting antitussive medications. Preparations of this type include substances that help thin the mucus in the nasopharynx, destroy pathogenic bacteria, and relieve irritation.

Sinekod is just one of many antitussives used today to treat coughs.

• Medicines to get rid of coughing attacks: Sinekod, Glauvent. The main task of medicines is to reduce the frequency of attacks; they contain many natural ingredients.
• Expectorants: Thermopsis, Sodium iodide, Licorin, Doctor “Mom”, etc.
• Mucolytic agents: Mucaltin, ACC, Mukobene, Sodium benzoate. Their main task is to liquefy mucus and remove it from the human body.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs with an expectorant effect: Sinupret, Prospan, Ascoril, etc. The drugs help thin the mucus that accumulates in the upper respiratory tract, and also stop inflammatory processes.

Remember that the use of any of these drugs must be agreed with your doctor.

Treatment with folk remedies

Among other things, cough can also be treated with folk remedies, but be careful what you use. It is possible that some products are contraindicated for you personally or may cause an allergic reaction. It is imperative to consult with a specialist to avoid possible troubles.

1. Steam inhalations based on herbs. Allows you to achieve an expectorant effect.
2. Gargling with decoctions of medicinal plants that help clear the respiratory tract of mucus.
3. Vegetable syrups, using water with soda and salt.
4. Black radish, tea with lemon and honey, figs with milk - all these products also help get rid of cough.

Steam inhalation allows you to achieve an excellent expectorant effect

Treatment of cough in an adult, as a rule, does not last very long if it is initially correctly prescribed and carefully followed by the patient. If the disease does not go away and your health only worsens, seek medical help immediately.

Source: http://GrippTips.ru/simptomyi/orvi-u-vzroslyih/lechenie-kashlya-pri-prostude-u-vzroslogo.html

Cough with a cold: treatment with proven remedies

Cough is often one of the symptoms of a cold. Usually a cold is treated comprehensively, but sometimes separate cough therapy may be required. Most often, they try to treat this unpleasant symptom immediately, since it can cause a cold to become chronic, and in addition, the cough itself can damage the throat and respiratory organs.

Causes of cough during a cold

At its core, a cough is the body’s protective reaction to various viruses that get inside during a cold. This is a reflex action, during which the lungs are sharply thrown into the air, and the muscles contract. Then the receptors located in the larynx and trachea are irritated, and it is this fact that provokes a dry or wet cough.

Hypothermia and low immunity greatly increase the risk of developing a cold, and, consequently, cough. To prevent the disease from developing further, treatment should be started immediately.

Types of cough with a cold

The cough that develops with a cold is divided into two main types - productive (when coughing occurs) and non-productive (that is, dry).

Unproductive

As a rule, a cold begins with a dry cough, which is otherwise called unproductive. With this type, mucus and sputum are not produced. A dry cough is accompanied by difficulty breathing, wheezing in the lungs, more frequent attacks at night, and sometimes an increase in temperature.

The cough itself has a barking character. Attacks can last for several days, which depletes the body and immune system of the patient. And in general, this symptom is quite tiresome, as it can cause insomnia and headaches.

In rare cases, a prolonged dry cough can provoke nervous disorders.

Productive

A wet cough, otherwise called a productive cough, appears when mucus begins to secrete from the bronchi. It also often accompanies a cold. It sometimes happens that a cough turns from dry to wet. This is exactly the result that they try to achieve when treating cough.

This transition means that the patient is on the way to a cure for cough. In this case, it is very important to help cough up mucus and try to ensure that there is no sputum left in the body, because it contains pathogenic microorganisms.

Over time, the attacks turn into rare mild coughing, and then the disease goes away completely.

Methods of drug treatment

Coughing is a rather tiresome phenomenon that can significantly deplete the body. Therefore, specialists often resort to drug treatment.

Basically, for this treatment, different drugs are prescribed depending on the type of symptom, but there is a group of drugs that help equally well with both dry and wet coughs.

These include: prospan, bromhexine, hebiot, pectoral.

For dry cough

To treat this disease, a specialist can prescribe the following types of drugs: antitussives, combination drugs, herbal-based breast preparations, various syrups.

• Antitussive drugs suppress the cough reflex itself, so by the way, they are not recommended for use at the onset of a cold, as this can cause stagnation of mucus in the nasopharynx, due to the fact that there will be no way to remove mucus from the body. Accumulated exudate will greatly increase the risk of complications. Examples of antitussive drugs: broncholitin, codelac, terpincode, glycodin.
• The combined remedies improve the general condition of the patient's body during a cold, and also accelerate the transition from a dry cough to a wet one. These drugs are considered quite safe for the body, so some of them are even given to children. Examples of such drugs: codeine, rengalin, licorice extract, thermopsis extract.
• Cough syrups reduce the frequency of attacks, due to the fact that the main substances of drugs of this type envelop the mucous membrane of the throat and reduce irritation. Examples of syrups include a drug such as Doctor Mom, as well as licorice root syrup.
• Breast preparations based on herbs are suitable for both inhalation and preparation of infusions. Most often they contain herbs such as licorice root, sage, calendula, and plantain.

Bronholitin is used to treat dry cough due to colds.

For wet cough

In this case, the main task is to make sputum more liquid and facilitate its removal from the body, as well as improve the general condition of the patient. If you have a cough with mucus, then taking antitussive drugs is strictly prohibited, as they will cause stagnation of mucus and can lead to complications.

• Most often, patients with a wet cough are prescribed mucolytic drugs, which thin the mucus and make coughing easier. Basically, all cough tablets of this type are of plant origin and therefore do not harm the body. However, it is important to remember that children can sometimes be allergic to the herbal components of some products. Mucolytics include: ACC, ambrosan, mucosol. For expectorants: mucaltin, cough syrup Doctor Mom, Travisil.
• To treat adults with productive cough, homeopathic ointments are often used. They warm up the respiratory tract, and medicinal substances from ointments quickly penetrate the body through the skin.

Ambrosan is used to treat wet cough due to colds.

Traditional methods of treating coughs and colds

Folk remedies have also proven themselves well in the fight against cough. However, before using them, it is still advisable to first consult with a specialist. The use of folk remedies can be either an independent treatment or used in combination with drug therapy.

For dry cough

The main task in treating a dry cough is to transform it into a wet one, so that the accumulated secretion with pathogenic microorganisms can be eliminated naturally. For these purposes, traditional medicine offers many recipes.

1. One of the most effective remedies is black radish with honey. It is used for both dry and wet coughs. To prepare the product, you need to wash the vegetable, cut off the top and remove the core. A little honey is poured inside the resulting hollow radish. The whole thing is covered with paper on top, and the radish is immersed in water for 6 hours. The resulting liquid inside is poured into a glass of water and drunk 1 tablespoon before meals. By the way, in this case one radish can be used several times, adding a new portion of honey each time you prepare it.
2. Dry cough in children can be effectively treated with figs. To prepare this medicine, you need to mix a couple of fruits with milk, heat the mixture, bringing it to a boil, close the lid and let it brew. When the composition has cooled, you can drink it warm, a glass a day.
3. In addition, formulations based on onions and honey help with non-productive coughs. Milk with butter and soda solutions are also quite effective.
4. Here is one of the simplest and most delicious onion-based recipes: peeled and chopped onions are fried in a frying pan in butter. You need to add honey to the resulting mixture and you can take it. Recommended dosage is 1 tablespoon 2 or three times a day.
5. Another simple recipe based on onions: take a couple of onions, peel them, chop them, mix with 300 g of sugar. Pour water over all this and cook for 3-4 hours. The resulting mixture must be cooled. Add a teaspoon of honey to it and pour the mixture into a bottle. This cough remedy for colds is taken after meals, so that the dose per day is 5 tablespoons.
6. Warm milk with honey always helps to significantly alleviate such an unpleasant symptom as a cough. If the cough due to a cold is severe, you can use baked milk. Drinking milk with soda will also be effective, but only adults can drink it, since soda is harmful to a fragile child’s body.

Black radish with honey is one of the folk methods for treating dry cough and colds.

For wet cough

For a productive cough, inhalations have a good effect, which can be carried out either using a special nebulizer device, or simply using a container with hot liquid, over the steam of which you have to breathe.

There are many options for inhalation mixtures. Here is an example of one of them: mix saline and mineral water in half, then drop a couple of drops of pine essential oil.

It is important to remember that inhalations for the treatment of coughs and colds are only allowed for adults and children over 4 years of age.

• Also, for colds and coughs, compresses on the chest, compositions based on ginger, honey, warm milk at night, herbal teas, radish juice, viburnum, inhaling the aromas of onions and garlic, previously cut in half, and more help well.
• If traditional medicine does not produce noticeable results within a few days, then it may be worth turning to drug therapy.
• In addition to all of the above, there are also many recipes that have proven themselves in the treatment of productive cough.

1. For example, using sage infusion is very effective. It is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l. sage pour 250 ml of boiled water. Let the solution sit for 25 minutes, then strain and mix with milk. The product is ready, it should be drunk warm, at least 4 times a day.
2. An infusion of flax seeds also helps to get rid of a productive cough quite quickly. To make it you need 2 tsp. pour flax seeds with water (250 ml), boil the mixture for 10 minutes and let the resulting decoction brew. You should drink this mixture throughout the day, adding a little honey each time.
3. Various infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs, especially linden flowers, help well. In order to prepare a medicine based on linden blossom, you need to take half a tablespoon of birch buds, mix with a tablespoon of linden flowers, add 250 ml of water and boil for 5 minutes. The resulting broth is filtered and cooled. The finished mixture must be drunk a day, divided into 4 doses. Immediately before taking, add half a teaspoon of aloe juice and a little honey to the decoction.

An infusion of flax seeds is one of the folk methods for treating a wet cough due to a cold.

Prevention

Various measures aimed at strengthening the body’s immunity have proven themselves to be effective in preventing cough.

This includes hardening, proper nutrition, giving up bad habits (smoking and alcohol abuse) and, of course, playing sports. It is also important to prevent hypothermia and limit contact with people with colds.

It is the immune system that determines how long a cough during a cold will last. And people with good immunity rarely get sick.

Hardening is actually not just about running barefoot in the snow or swimming in an ice hole in winter. It's worth starting small - for example, by walking barefoot for a few minutes a day. You can walk around the house or go outside.

Another hardening measure that even beginners are allowed to use is a contrast shower. At first, the cold and hot water in it may differ quite slightly in temperature. Walking in the fresh air will also be very useful, regardless of the weather.

But it is important to dress for the season before going out to prevent hypothermia.

Morning exercises or walking in the fresh air are suitable as sports activities. Morning jogging, swimming, and various breathing exercises will also be useful.

To do this, it is important to eat healthy and varied, and reduce the consumption of foods containing carcinogens.

And if there are not enough nutrients, you can additionally take various vitamin and mineral complexes.

Source: https://zdorovie-legkie.ru/kashel-pri-prostude-01/

Dry Cough for Colds (Diagnosis, Treatment)

A key sign of colds is a cough. A dry cough during a cold brings a large number of unpleasant symptoms, including irritation of the respiratory tract. It worsens at night and in the evening. There are many methods to combat the dry phenomenon. Treatment of colds is mandatory in order to eliminate complications in the form of a protracted illness.

Cold

What is a cold? A viral disease that is transmitted by airborne droplets. You can reduce the risk of illness by frequent walks, a healthy diet with vitamins, and regular dust collection. With a cold, the disease causes inflammation of the blood vessels and epithelium of the mucous membranes of the nostrils.

Dry cough with a cold in adults is characterized by the main symptoms:

• discomfort and irritation of the throat;
• sneeze;
• dry nasal congestion.

24 hours after infection, the following symptoms can be observed:

• changes in mucus production by the inflamed nasal mucosa;
• a cold causes a cough;
• increased flow of tears;
• feeling of hoarseness.

Discharge from the nasal cavity and attacks are signs that persist for a long time, even after a course of therapy. Colds and dry cough may be present with fever. Symptoms are especially noticeable at night.

A doctor should be contacted at the first manifestation of symptoms, since lack of treatment means that a dry cough during a cold can cause the pathology to worsen. After treatment, you need to start restoring your immune system.

Causes

Why does a dry cough appear during a cold? This is a protective response, with the help of which the respiratory system is cleansed of mucus, dust, and pathogenic bacteria. At first the disease is dry and painful, however, after a couple of days the pathogenic secretion - sputum - begins to leave.

The doctor will prescribe tests and the following examination:

• Advanced blood test.
• If the doctor suspects pneumonia in a patient, then an X-ray examination is necessary.

Examination of sputum to identify pathogenic microorganisms with modifications to the X-ray image and X-ray examination of the chest organs.

Causes of dry cough during colds

• Acute respiratory viral diseases.
• Prolonged lung disease, asthmatic attacks, irritation of the respiratory system from chemicals - spasms in the bronchi and an allergic attack.
• Syndrome of inflammation of the nasal mucosa and maxillary sinuses.
• Children's infectious diseases - diphtheria, croup.
• Inflammation of the serous membranes covering the lungs and forming the pleural cavity.

Source: https://kashlya-net.ru/kashel/suhoj-kashel-pri-prostude

How to quickly cure a cough due to a cold

A cold or acute respiratory infection is almost always accompanied by such an unpleasant symptom as a cough. This is a natural reaction to the inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

• In this way, the body tries to get rid of the mucus and pathogenic microbes that have appeared.
• At first, with a cold, the patient experiences a sore, burning and dry throat, and then these symptoms develop into a cough.
• The cough can be dry or wet, depending on the amount of phlegm present in the throat and respiratory tract.

Proven and reliable helpers in treating coughs at home are MED2000 nebulizers, which are non-steam inhalers designed specifically for adults and children. With their help, you can effectively treat both dry and wet coughs.

How to quickly cure a cough due to a cold? To do this, there is a whole range of effective folk remedies that will help cure this disease at home.

Glycerin, honey, lemon

The following recipe with glycerin, lemon and honey gives a good effect in treating cough: you need to take a medium lemon, pierce it in several places with a fork and throw it into boiling water for 5 minutes. Cool the lemon, cut it in half and squeeze it into a 250 gram container. Take 25 gr.

pharmaceutical glycerin and add to juice. Then, add uncandied honey to the top (if the honey is candied, you can melt it in a water bath). Mix everything well. Use 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day for 20 minutes. before meals, or after meals 2 hours later.

This recipe is also suitable for children, in which case the dose should be halved.

Black radish

A recipe with black radish and honey will help you quickly cure coughs in children and adults: take a larger black radish and cut off the top of it (don’t throw it away, it will come in handy).

Then you need to cut a hole of suitable size inside and fill it with 2-3 tablespoons of uncandied honey (in extreme cases, use sugar).

This “product” needs to be placed with the bottom part in a cup of cold water and covered with a previously cut “lid” on top. After two hours the medicine is ready. Adults take 1 tablespoon, children 1 teaspoon.

Potato

Burnt sugar

Burnt sugar with milk will help cure a dry cough: take a tablespoon of sugar “not to the brim”, hold it over a gas burner, when the sugar melts and turns brown, pour it into a saucer with milk. The resulting “caramel” must be kept in the mouth until completely dissolved.

Oat decoction

For a dry cough that turns into bronchitis, a decoction of oats will have a softening and expectorant effect. To prepare it you need 2 tbsp.

Mix tablespoons of unpeeled oats with the same amount of raisins and pour in 1.5 liters of water. Cook over low heat, covered, or simmer in the oven until half the liquid has evaporated.

Add 1 tbsp to the strained broth. a spoonful of natural honey. Take several times a day.

Inhalation

Inhalation with eucalyptus oil and soda is an effective remedy for treating cough. Take a kettle half filled with water, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil and a teaspoon of baking soda, and bring to a boil. Place the kettle on the table and wrap the spout with a bandage or paper napkin. Inhale the steam from the kettle for 5-7 minutes.

To quickly cure a cough, it is advisable to use the above recipes in a comprehensive manner, for example, use a cough remedy made from glycerin or radish during the day, and inhale it at night. Be sure to drink a warm drink: for example, rosehip infusion or linden tea.

You can gargle with decoctions of sage and chamomile herbs. If the cough is dry, use coltsfoot decoction as an expectorant.

Source: https://100trav.su/lechenie-zabolevanij/kak-bystro-vylechit-kashel-pri-prostude.html

Cough with a cold

The cause of cough is irritation of the respiratory tract - bronchi, trachea, larynx.

This is a reflex, jerk-like reaction of the body to irritants, which may be foreign objects that have entered the respiratory tract, as well as sputum. At the moment of coughing, the respiratory muscles contract sharply, and air is expelled from the respiratory tract with a more or less strong push or series of pushes.

There are two types of cough - physiological (which is a natural reaction to a foreign object entering the respiratory tract) and pathological (which is one of the symptoms of the disease).

The main purpose of coughing as a reaction of the body is to clear the airways of phlegm, as well as inhaled crumbs and other foreign bodies.

The intensity of a cough during a cold can vary and primarily depends on the cause that caused it. A severe cough during a cold can be wet (that is, accompanied by the removal of phlegm from the respiratory tract) and dry (in which the phlegm does not come out).

The duration of a severe cough during colds usually varies from a week to one and a half to two months. In most cases, a severe cough accompanies the acute phase of the disease.

Coughing up blood with a cold

The appearance of blood in the sputum expelled during a cough is a reason to pay closer attention to your own health.

On the one hand, the one-time appearance of traces of blood in the sputum only indicates a rupture of a capillary in the respiratory tract.

However, even a small amount of blood in the sputum expelled when coughing is a reason to take a fluorography or x-ray of the lungs to rule out pneumonia or other dangerous diseases.

Dry cough with a cold

A dry cough during a cold is the most burdensome for the patient. It worsens in the evening and at night; the patient may notice hoarseness in the voice, and in some cases its complete disappearance.

With colds, a dry cough becomes wet within a few days, which indicates the natural process of getting rid of phlegm.

If a dry cough is accompanied by a high temperature, there is a high probability that we are talking about laryngitis.

Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) can also manifest as a dry cough. As a rule, it is accompanied by pain when coughing and even breathing; there may be a feeling of suffocation and lack of air.

A convulsive cough with noises in the lungs may indicate whooping cough.

Since cough can be a symptom of various diseases, to prescribe treatment, you must consult a doctor to find out the cause. Self-medication (usually aimed at eliminating the symptom) in most cases is fraught with exacerbations.

However, whatever the cause of the cough, the first tip for treatment is to drink plenty of fluids. First of all, warm liquid soothes an irritated throat. Secondly, the body’s water balance is stabilized, because with any disease, dehydration can become one of the most dangerous complications.

• Drinks for coughs include mineral water, as well as warm teas, infusions of medicinal herbs, and fruit drinks.
• In addition, it is recommended to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, especially bananas and citrus fruits.
• For a dry cough, medications are usually prescribed that thin the mucus and promote its rapid removal from the respiratory tract.

How long does a cough last for a cold?

It is believed that the duration of colds is usually 10-14 days. However, it is extremely difficult to determine the duration of a symptom such as cough. A cough may appear earlier than all other cold symptoms, and last longer than others - up to a month and a half.

Most colds are caused by a viral infection. The quality (dry/wet) and duration of the cough depend on the type of virus (and there are more than 200 of them).

How to treat a cough with a cold?

First of all, you should decide on the purpose of treatment and the quality of the cough. If the cough is dry, and the goal of treatment is to get rid of the cough for a while in order to sleep or have an important meeting, then you can use antitussives. They reduce the intensity of the cough itself, but do not contribute to treatment; on the contrary, they interfere with the natural removal of mucus from the respiratory tract.

If the cough is dry, and the goal of treatment is recovery, then the approach should be different. First of all, it is not medications that will help you, but plenty of warm drinks.

It is abundant drinking, additional humidification of the air in the room where the patient is and maximum rest that best contribute to the degeneration of a cough into a productive, wet one (in which phlegm is coughed up).

To humidify the air in the room, you can use special humidifiers (or the corresponding air conditioner function), or put a damp cloth on the radiator, or put water in an open pan in a warm place (natural evaporation will increase the humidity of the air).

As for a wet cough, you shouldn’t stop it - its presence, like an increase in body temperature, indicates the body’s fight against the disease, namely, the removal of mucus from the respiratory tract.

Antibiotic for colds and coughs

Antibiotics can only be used in the treatment of colds and coughs as prescribed by a doctor. As a rule, antibiotics for children are prescribed intramuscularly.

It should be remembered that products of natural origin are no less powerful than those synthesized artificially. Thus, one of the most powerful natural antiseptics is viburnum. It is very effective for coughs, colds of various natures, bronchitis, sore throat and even pneumonia.

However, it should be borne in mind that one of the side effects of taking viburnum (as well as such a truly fantastic cold remedy as garlic) is a decrease in blood pressure.

By the way, garlic also has contraindications, in addition to low blood pressure - diseases of the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.

Raspberries (fresh and in the form of jam) contain natural salicylic acid, which helps reduce elevated body temperature and also promotes the rapid removal of phlegm.

Colds and coughs during pregnancy

Colds during pregnancy are a slightly greater problem than in normal conditions, since most antiviral drugs cannot be used during this delicate period.

They can damage the delicate body of a child in the womb.

Therefore, treatment of colds during pregnancy, firstly, should be carried out under the close supervision of a doctor (to avoid complications), and, if possible, with natural remedies.

There are, in turn, quite a lot of such funds. For example, one of the strongest natural antiseptics, with a composition close to human blood plasma, is honey. Its action is complex, it helps fight viruses and bacteria, is anti-inflammatory, antifungal. In addition to honey, you can also use onions and garlic - excellent natural antiseptics.

Therefore, you should not abuse these products, because even if consumed indefinitely, they may have side effects - for example, stomach pain (onions, garlic), high blood pressure (onions), swelling and rashes (honey).

Cough with colds in children

The appearance of a cough along with other signs of a cold in a child is a reason to seek medical help from a pediatrician or general practitioner.

In some cases (if the child does not have chronic diseases, and the parents have significant parental experience), it is possible to self-medicate for some time with folk (and only folk!) remedies. For example, this is plenty of warm drinking (fruit drinks, compotes, herbal decoctions and teas), home regime, restriction of movement, replenishment of the diet with foods rich in vitamins.

If the cough does not go away, or if it is a debilitating dry cough, the doctor may prescribe medications to help clear mucus from the lungs as quickly as possible.

If the cough is caused by influenza, whooping cough, pleurisy and a number of other diseases, the doctor prescribes non-narcotic antitussives and expectorants.

If the cause is pleurisy and whooping cough, aggravated by complications and chronic diseases, we can talk about prescribing narcotic antitussives, the principle of which is to block the cough reflex.

Such drugs are prescribed extremely rarely and for a short time, since they have many contraindications and side effects.

Source: https://medportal.by/medinciklopedia/simptomy/grud/kashel-pri-prostude.html