A nervous cough is a cough that is not associated with irritation of the cough receptors.
Impaired sensitivity of the pharyngeal mucosa occurs as a result of malfunctions of the cough center located in the brain.
Psychogenic cough is a consequence of neurological disorders, and not changes in the respiratory system. It appears in people with a mobile type of nervous system - irritable, suspicious, emotionally unstable.
Why does neurological (psychogenic) cough occur in adults?
The act of coughing is a complex protective mechanism necessary to clear the airways of allergens, foreign bodies and excess phlegm. The cough reflex begins with specific receptors that are located in the tracheobronchial tree and larynx. Excitation from them is directed to the cough center in the medulla oblongata and the area along the axis of the brain stem - the neurons of the reticular formation.
Malfunctions of the cough center and vagus nerve lead to changes in the sensitivity of cough receptors located in the pharynx. The result is a cough.
In 8 out of 10 cases, the true cause of the symptom is pharyngeal neurosis, which is provoked by:
- Mental disorders. Psychological discomfort caused by frequent stress and emotional upheaval disrupts the functioning of the central nervous system and cough center. Excessive suspiciousness and emotional lability lead to the fixation of unpleasant sensations. Therefore, excessive excitability of pharyngeal receptors persists for a long time.
- Diseases of the pharynx. Often the cause of cough is prolonged (chronic) ENT diseases - laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis. After suffering from inflammation, the habit of coughing remains.
According to statistics, in 10% of cases chronic cough occurs due to nervousness.
A dry cough of a psychogenic nature is 3 times more likely to be detected in people over 20 years of age. Malfunctions of the central nervous system and cough center occur against the background of:
- chronic fatigue;
- constant stress at work;
- anxiety before an important event;
- domestic quarrels;
- mental disorders;
- emotional shock.
Psychogenic cough in adults occurs when the lungs are hyperventilated due to rapid breathing. The reason is non-standard situations, accompanied by strong feelings and fear.
Does a nervous cough occur in children?
A neurological cough in a child is associated with direct stimulation of the corresponding areas of the brain. It occurs against the background of neurosis - a disorder of nervous activity of a psychogenic nature. Nervous coughing is more common in children with:
- phobias;
- emotional-mnestic problems;
- obsessive-compulsive disorders.
If the functioning of the cough centers is disrupted, a small child or teenager complains of a non-productive, obsessive cough. It is often combined with rapid shallow breathing and increased heart rate. Triggers (provocateurs) of cough are:
- family troubles;
- fear of a strict parent;
- problems at school;
- intellectual overload;
- conflicts with teachers or classmates;
- hormonal changes during puberty;
- increased anxiety of the mother or father;
- worries about upcoming exams.
Like an allergic cough, a psychogenic cough is not accompanied by a high temperature or fever. Therefore, it is not easy to find out the cause of the symptom on your own.
Coughing is one of the ways parents manipulate.
Often used by children who do not want to go to kindergarten or school. Over time, this becomes a habit, then coughing no longer occurs at the will of the little manipulator. And sometimes a neurotic cough develops as a result of a mirror effect when a child observes sick household members.
Characteristic symptoms of a nervous cough
A neurological cough does not manifest itself with other symptoms of acute respiratory infections - nasal congestion, rhinitis, body aches, and loss of appetite. Due to the absence of inflammation in the ENT organs, sputum is produced in a normal volume - up to 100 ml per day. Therefore, a nervous cough is unproductive (it is dry) and ringing.
Those suffering from pharyngeal neurosis additionally complain of:
- rapid breathing;
- sore throat;
- dry mucous membranes;
- feeling of a lump in the throat.
Nervous cough attacks recur in stressful situations. It is enough to touch upon a topic that is unpleasant for a person, and they make themselves felt again. Over time, annoying symptoms become the cause of complications:
- insomnia;
- depression;
- hypochondria.
Nervous cough is not treated with the standard set of drugs for acute respiratory infections - mucolytics, antiseptics, antibiotics.
Symptoms subside during moments of relaxation, so attacks never occur during sleep.
Diagnostics
Without an instrumental examination, it is very difficult to distinguish a nervous cough from an allergic or infectious one. When examining the patient, the doctor notes that there are no signs of inflammation in the throat or enlarged lymph nodes. The key to recognizing the disease is the discrepancy between complaints and the actual clinical picture.
Symptoms and treatment of cough caused by nervous strain are determined by doctors of related specializations - otolaryngologists, neurologists, psychiatrists.
Before making a diagnosis, the doctor excludes somatic diseases - cystic fibrosis, nodular goiter, postnasal drip syndrome, laryngitis, etc. Therefore, they are appointed:
- pharyngoscopy;
- MRI of the brain;
- esophagoscopy;
- Ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
- CT scan of the neck.
Neurology deals with the study and diagnosis of diseases caused by disorders of the nervous system. If the cough is caused by pharyngeal neurosis, treatment will be prescribed by a neurologist.
Treatment of nervous cough
Treatment of psychogenic cough attacks is a difficult task, which is not always solved by taking medications. Sometimes, to get rid of a nervous cough, a change of job, psychotherapy, or the use of decoctions based on soothing herbs is enough. If a small child is faced with a problem, parents should do everything to improve the microclimate in the family.
Psychotherapy
Cough from nerves is treated by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. The doctor’s task is to identify and eliminate traumatic causes. In mild cases, they are limited exclusively to conversations. But if the cause is neurosis, they resort to additional pharmacotherapy.
The patient must realize that the cause of the pathological condition was nervous overstrain, an intense rhythm of life, and a difficult atmosphere at home or at work. During classes, much attention is paid to:
- mastering calm breathing techniques;
- overcoming panic attacks;
- relaxation.
For nervous cough attacks in children, it is recommended to tightly wrap the chest with sheets. The method is based on distraction therapy, due to which the child simply forgets about the usual cough due to discomfort.
Pharmacy drugs
For phobias, depression, increased anxiety and panic attacks, antidepressants are prescribed:
- Sertraline;
- Imipramine;
- Citalopram;
- Fluoxetine;
- Amitriptyline.
Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder are prescribed daytime tranquilizers:
- Mebicar;
- Alprazolam;
- Gidazepam;
- Phenazepam.
Antipsychotics are recommended for hypochondria:
- Thioridazine;
- Restful;
- Tiapride;
- Betamax;
- Tiaprilan;
- Sulpiride.
A nervous cough in a child is treated comprehensively using mild sedatives:
- Stressitis;
- Sonomedin;
- Valesan;
- Melaton;
- Nervonorm.
Additionally, psychostimulants Glycine, Semax, Mesocarb are prescribed, which stimulate brain activity.
Before treating children with sedatives or nootropics, you should consult a neurologist or pediatrician. Self-prescription of medications is dangerous due to side effects and deterioration of well-being.
Decoctions and tinctures of medicinal herbs
To remove nervous cough in adults, traditional medicine is used. The following have a calming and anti-anxiety effect:
- peppermint;
- jasmine;
- hop cones;
- pharmaceutical chamomile;
- lavender;
- thyme;
- valerian;
- Melissa;
- motherwort.
Folk remedies for nervous tension:
- Motherwort tincture. 15 g of herb is poured into 1.5 liters of vodka. Infuse in a sealed glass container in a cool place for up to 2 weeks. Take 1 tbsp. l. up to 3-4 times a day.
- Herb tea. Mix 1 tsp. chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm. Pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. Drink instead of tea up to 3 times a day.
If you don’t want to bother with preparing decoctions, buy herbal tea at the pharmacy.
Lifestyle change
Nervous cough in children is more difficult to cure than in adults. They often resist treatment, so symptoms become more severe at first. To get rid of the problem, you need:
- minimize gaming on the computer;
- limit TV viewing;
- normalize sleep and wakefulness;
- exercise;
- do not drink caffeinated drinks before bed;
- avoid quarrels and stressful situations.
People prone to nervous breakdowns should reconsider their diet. It includes foods with a high content of magnesium and pyridoxine - walnuts, green vegetables, spinach, peanuts, etc.
Relaxation methods to relieve an attack
To stop a cough attack caused by nervousness, you should:
- retire to a room;
- drink a cup of herbal tea;
- mentally detach yourself from problems;
- turn on relaxing music to relieve stress.
Aromatherapy using essential oils is recommended.
Fine motor skills distract you from worries and worries. So in stressful situations, many people start knitting, embroidering, drawing, etc. If all else fails, use daytime tranquilizers that have a moderate muscle relaxant effect (Gidazepam, Alprazolam, Xanax).
Water treatments
Hydrotherapy is one of the effective ways to combat psycho-emotional stress, the consequences of a nervous breakdown and psychogenic cough. To achieve a relaxing effect it is recommended:
- add thyme or lemon balm decoctions to the water;
- take baths at water temperatures up to 40°C;
- Perform the procedure daily half an hour before bedtime.
Cough caused by nervous tension is a problem faced by both adults and children. To cope with it, you need to eliminate traumatic factors, take sedatives, and, if possible, undergo psychotherapy.
Source: https://tden.ru/health/kashel-na-nervnoy-pochve
Nervous cough
Causes
People who suffer from a cough for no reason often wonder whether the cough may be due to nervousness and how to treat this illness in adults. People who are overly emotional are most susceptible to psychogenic coughing.
A gusty, loud cough often puts a person in an awkward position in front of others. The main cause of this symptom is stress. When a person is in a nervous situation, he begins to cough.
Anticipation of an exciting event, a nervous situation - such factors can be a catalyst for the appearance of a psychogenic cough.
The main symptom by which the type of cough is determined is a change in circumstances. When a person calms down and finds himself in a familiar environment, this symptom goes away. This psychological disease, unlike viral diseases, does not affect appetite or sleep.
Upon examination, the doctor does not find any changes in the organs of the person’s upper respiratory tract. A nervous cough in adults can occur in a patient who has suffered a complex pulmonary disease. After recovery from the disease, he will cough as usual during stressful situations. This symptom can occur in people who are constantly anxious.
A nervous cough is a serious problem that requires you to see a doctor. Only a specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
Most often, neurosis in an adult, manifested in the form of a cough, can occur in people who experience emotional overload. This phenomenon is called hyperventilation. This process occurs in the presence of psychosomatic disorders. Children and adolescents suffer from nervous cough. The reasons may be the following:
- tense atmosphere at home or at work, school;
- the need to do what you love;
- conflicts, stress, loneliness.
Finding out the cause of a neurotic cough is quite difficult. If you don't do this, you may not be able to get the treatment you need.
Read more - psychosomatics and cough.
We recommend reading: Cough in a child due to nervousness.
Symptoms of psychogenic cough in adults
An emotional disorder such as a nervous cough is not much different from a cold, but it also causes trouble for a person. The beginning of the appearance of this symptom is an emotionally difficult situation.
These include the following problems:
- oppressive atmosphere in the family or work;
- a person is forced to do something he doesn’t like, for example, speaking in front of a large audience;
- stress experienced during a session at an educational institution, conflicts with relatives or friends.
Nervous cough in adults, like any other ailment, has its own characteristics. It's dry and loud. When diagnosing people suffering from this symptom, various mental disorders are noted: hysterical personality type, loss of voice, nervous tics.
Many people suffering from this disorder do not even know whether the cough is due to nervousness. They ignore this phenomenon and do not try to find out the cause of the disease. Such negligent attitude towards health can lead to additional disruptions in the body.
How to diagnose and treat neurotic cough
Could a cough be caused by nerves? Many people find it difficult to answer this question. Perhaps most of us suffer from a nervous cough without even knowing it. To identify the presence of such a malfunction, you need to take a closer look at what time and under what circumstances you begin to cough. The problem of having a psychogenic cough lies in the patient’s consciousness.
The best solution to avoid such a symptom is to ensure that the person is calm and stress-free. Of course, it is impossible to create greenhouse conditions for a person under which he will not worry. You should use sedatives, for example, valerian tincture.
Also, don’t forget about your daily routine. A person should get enough sleep and lead a healthy lifestyle. If a coughing attack cannot be avoided, you should try to distract the patient from the cause of nervous tension. Only a specialist can determine a person’s condition at the time of such a cough.
The doctor will recommend that you attend special psychotherapeutic courses that can eradicate the problem. You can do yoga, arrange relaxation procedures for yourself in the evenings. There are many instructional videos on the Internet that can help you learn yoga from scratch.
It would be a good idea to enroll in professional courses that teach meditation and body awareness.
A sign of a nervous cough in adults is your psychological pressure that you need to get rid of. Often people suffering from social phobia experience this symptom.
Try to make friends if you are lonely, and communicate more often with work colleagues or classmates.
Establishing communication with others will help you develop resistance to stress, as you will feel support and attention from a large number of people.
Treatment of nervous cough
Doctors recommend rehabilitation of the patient using sedatives. These can be herbal infusions or pharmaceutical preparations that have an effect on the psyche.
Constant use of herbal-based sedative medications will bring the patient’s state of mind back to normal. As a result of completing a course of treatment, difficult life situations will be perceived less painfully by a person.
Neurological cough should disappear over time.
During coughing attacks, you can use breathing techniques. Breathe deeply, while inhaling and exhaling gradually. This technique is aimed at calming and relaxation.
As long as there is constant stress and problems in the life of a person suffering from a psychogenic cough, his condition will not improve. In some cases, long-term treatment with a psychotherapist may be necessary. Nervous cough requires thorough treatment.
Sedatives for nervous cough
Nervous cough can be treated using traditional medicine. Such means will be the most effective.
- An alcohol tincture based on motherwort. You will need 15 grams of herb, which you need to pour boiling water over and let steep for 25 minutes. Next, you need to strain the resulting drug through a sieve and add a teaspoon of medical alcohol to it. Take one tablespoon of the tincture before meals 4 times a day.
- Aromatherapy for psychogenic cough. Prevention of cough attacks will be more effective if you inhale the aromas of soothing plants. It's a good idea to make a small pillow of chamomile, lavender and other herbs. It can be placed next to your head all night.
At the pharmacy you can buy sedatives with a mild therapeutic effect, which contain medicinal herbs:
- Sedavit.
- Novo Pasit.
- Phytosed.
Nervous bronchospasms cause mental problems. Folk remedies will help you maintain peace of mind, and at the same time, eliminate coughing attacks.
Soothing tea
A good way to relieve a neurological cough is to drink soothing teas. Medicinal herbs can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription. They are absolutely safe for humans and have no side effects. Soothing teas can be prepared 3-5 times a day. Not only will they calm your nerves, but they will also help you sleep soundly at night.
Tea should be prepared in the following proportions: pour 15 grams of herbal mixture into 200 milliliters of boiled water and leave for 30 minutes.
What herbs should you use:
- collecting heather, valerian and motherwort helps eliminate a coughing attack, as well as calm the nervous system;
- valerian stops excessive excitability of the central nervous system;
- thyme will help relieve stress.
Drinking tea is much more pleasant than taking medications. This pleasant procedure will help you get rid of feelings of fear and anxiety, and also ensure sound sleep. After restoring mental balance, the psychogenic cough should disappear.
Relaxing baths
A positive feature of such an ailment as neurological cough is that there is no need to take pharmaceuticals with a number of side effects and do unpleasant procedures.
During the treatment of neurological cough, you can take relaxing baths as a cure for this symptom. It's better to swim before bed. After taking a bath, you will be able to completely relax and fall asleep soundly.
Soothing infusions or sea salt should be added to the bath.
Chamomile decoction will help relieve nervous tension and eliminate the symptoms of psychogenic cough. Valerian tincture will help relieve convulsive conditions. Lavender will help restore the functions of the central nervous system and improve blood circulation.
Psychotherapy
A person’s emotional state is the main cause of coughing attacks without a cold. An effective method of treating neurological cough is psychotherapy. To establish psychological balance, you need to find harmony in your soul.
If you have a hobby, devote more time to what you love. Reading a fascinating book or watching an interesting film will have a positive impact on your state of mind.
Your main task to successfully combat the symptoms of a psychogenic cough is to maintain emotional calm.
Consequences
The human body is a complex system that directly depends on the emotional state of a person. Diseases come from the nerves, therefore, having constant stress will not do you any good.
Neurological cough leads to negative consequences. It appears due to excessive physical stress on the body. Coughing attacks may attack you before bed if you are worried about the coming day.
Frequent coughing causes chest pain.
Prevention
In order not to get additional diseases due to nervousness, you should take care of your psyche.
For prevention, you can use sedatives and maintain a calm emotional state with the help of traditional medicine.
Gymnastics will also help you maintain a stable emotional state. The only therapy for a nervous cough is the absence of stress and positive emotions.
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Source: https://nasmork.net/kashel-na-nervnoj-pochve/
Nervous cough
Cough › Types › Nervous cough
Nervous cough is a fairly common phenomenon in both children and adults. Moreover, it is not always caused by severe stress.
There are enough factors contributing to its appearance without this. A doctor can determine the cause of such a cough and prescribe treatment.
But first, a person should listen to himself, evaluate the symptoms and think about what can be changed in his lifestyle now.
A nervous cough can be either voluntary or unconscious. Although it is believed that only a voluntary cough indicates that a person is trying to attract the attention of others, counting on certain indulgences and concessions, in fact, such a desire may also be subconscious. This means that a person is simply not ready to voice his psychological problems.
They may be associated with dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, with stress, with conflicting relationships in the family. A nervous cough in such cases is a signal that a person is trying to hide behind an illness from what is bothering him, wants those around him to sympathize with him (unfortunately, in some families only illness can cause a warmer attitude).
In addition, unconscious coughing in adults may be a reflex phenomenon. For example, a person has suffered a serious respiratory illness, and even after recovering for a long time, the corresponding center in his brain may receive signals that cause him to cough.
Nervous cough often occurs in people who experience high physical and psycho-emotional stress for a long time.
Very often, the reasons that cause such a reflex reaction include:
- fear of loneliness and a feeling of uselessness, not being in demand;
- frequent quarrels in the family;
- anxiety before exams, especially among high school students;
- forced need to do unloved work.
Sometimes a cough can be a mirror reaction in a sensitive person to the illness of others.
In any of these cases, it is quite difficult to determine the cause of the cough. Symptoms may also vary, so your specialist will need to do more testing to rule out other conditions and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Signs by which a cough of nervous origin can be recognized
A nervous cough in itself is not a disease; it is rather a sign that something is wrong in the body. Some call this condition an anxiety disorder, others call it vegetative-vascular dystonia, and the debate about this continues.
However, there are symptoms that are an objective reality, and in the absence of concomitant diseases and after a comprehensive diagnosis, they indicate that this is a cough of nervous origin.
These include:
- increased cough with strong emotions, sometimes it occurs so often that it can be called constant;
- dry throat, frequent sore throat, although this sensation may be felt somewhere lower, already in the chest;
- every deep breath is accompanied by coughing;
- in some cases, the cough is accompanied by shortness of breath or wheezing in the chest, although this symptom is not specific to this disease.
It is interesting that all of these symptoms can manifest themselves both in combination and individually. In addition, they can occur regularly, or they can be quite rare. Sometimes they manifest themselves actively in the most stressful situations, and sometimes they precede anxiety states, that is, they become a sign of its approach.
In rare cases, the stress signal itself is absent, but the cough is present. The intensity of the symptoms of cough may vary; attacks can last for quite a long time, with a break of about an hour. An important symptom is that a nervous cough often disappears at night when a person sleeps peacefully, and during the day it manifests itself intensely.
The mechanism of nervous cough
Source: https://kashelb.ru/vidy/kashel-na-nervnoj-pochve.html
Nervous cough - how to get rid of spasms
Cough is a symptom of many diseases. If it does not transform into a wet productive form for a long time, doctors recommend undergoing an examination of the body. Sometimes constant coughing indicates problems with the nervous system, overwork, or prolonged debilitating stress. In this case, the main type of treatment is taking sedatives from conservative and traditional medicine.
Reasons for appearance
A nervous cough can be voluntary, artificially caused by a healthy person. Most often, children resort to this trick.
They remember that during a cold they were surrounded by care and affection. Therefore, to attract attention, the child coughs in the presence of his parents.
The reflex is fixed in the subconscious, and throat spasms appear even in adulthood with feelings of melancholy and loneliness.
Children are also characterized by a “mirror cough,” in which they unconsciously copy the actions of adults. Coughing in a child is observed in families where one of the parents has a problem with the respiratory system.
A nervous cough can be caused by anxiety. Teenagers often cough before an exam, a first date, or meeting a friend's parents. Adults cannot control their breathing before speaking in public, an important meeting, or making a serious decision.
Prolonged stress and dissatisfaction with one’s life also cause nervous coughing attacks. Doctors identify the following causes of coughing:
- forced performance of unpleasant duties;
- intimate life with an unloved person;
- unfavorable atmosphere at home or at work;
- a feeling of unrealized internal potential;
- inability to communicate with a loved one.
Despite the absence of pathogens or allergens, a nervous cough can lead to the development of diseases. During times of stress, a person experiences shallow, rapid breathing. If this condition lasts for a long time, little oxygen enters the blood, and the mucous membranes dry out and become rough. As a result, the likelihood of contracting a viral and bacterial infection increases.
Symptoms of a nervous cough
A nervous cough has characteristic features. Despite frequent recurring attacks, the patient has no symptoms of an inflammatory process in the respiratory system (high temperature, redness of the tonsils, enlarged lymph nodes).
A nervous cough has special symptoms:
- absence of wheezing and sputum;
- loud barking sound;
- increased attacks during excitement;
- cessation during sleep and quiet environment;
- lack of response to antitussive medications.
The psychological or nervous nature of the cough is indicated by accompanying symptoms:
- frequent mood changes;
- sleep disorders;
- increased sweating;
- irritability, tearfulness;
- apathy, fatigue.
In this way, the body indicates an unstable mental and emotional state of a person.
Diagnostic methods
First of all, the doctor makes sure that there are no inflammatory processes in the organs of the respiratory system. To do this, he examines the patient’s throat, palpates the lymph nodes, and listens to the bronchi and lungs. To confirm preliminary findings, the doctor may prescribe laboratory procedures:
- urine and blood analysis;
- radiography;
- examination of a throat smear.
Next, the patient is referred to a neurologist or psychotherapist. During a conversation, a specialist identifies the main problem that leads to a nervous cough.
Drug treatment
After sessions with a psychotherapist, many people decide to make drastic changes in their lives - transferring to another team at work, leaving an unloved partner, reducing physical or mental stress.
To get rid of a nervous cough, children are transferred to another class, allowed to change sections or completely abandon extracurricular clubs, and reduce the pressure on the child because of grades and academic achievements.
During this period, it is useful for children and adults to follow a daily routine. Patients need to sleep 8 hours a day, eat easily digestible food, and walk in the fresh air. Avoid watching political programs, action-packed and scary films.
To stabilize the mental state of the body, the doctor may prescribe medications.
- Antidepressants (Venlafaxine, Trazodone) normalize the level of hormones in the blood. As a result of increasing the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine, a person’s mood improves, anxiety decreases, and a taste for life appears.
- Neuroleptics (Clozapine, Quetiapine) reduce the speed of transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, not only the central nervous system relaxes, but also the human muscles. The patient loses the spasm, the feeling of a lump in the throat, and the desire to cough.
- Tranquilizers (Diazepam, Tofisopam) suppress the part of the brain associated with the emotional state. After taking them, the patient feels much calmer. Mood swings, irritation, aggression, and tearfulness disappear.
Remember, psychotropic drugs cannot be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. Only a doctor can understand which remedy will help you overcome stress in order to get rid of a cough due to nervousness. These medications are taken under the strict supervision of a specialist. The patient is prohibited from changing the dosage on his own or abruptly refusing treatment.
Herbal therapy
In case of prolonged stress, doctors recommend stopping drinking coffee and strong tea. You can replace these drinks with decoctions of medicinal herbs. Many of them have a pleasant taste and light aroma.
Herbal teas with a calming effect relieve spasms, increase stress resistance, and improve sleep quality. In addition, warm drinks soften the mucous membrane of the throat and extinguish inflammatory processes caused by coughing due to nervousness.
The most effective sedative medicinal plants include:
- valerian, chamomile;
- lemon balm, mint;
- ginseng, fireweed tea.
All these herbs can be bought in a pharmacy in dried form and brewed tea according to the instructions on the package.
Sedative drugs are made from medicinal plants.
Combined drug "Novopassit"
The medicine comes in the form of tablets, syrup, and oral solution. It is made from lemon balm and St. John's wort leaves, valerian root, hawthorn flowers and black elderberry. Indicated for insomnia and neurological disorders, which manifest themselves as fatigue, irritability, and nervous cough.
Capsules "Fitosed"
The composition of the drug includes hawthorn and coriander fruits, hop cones, motherwort and lemon balm leaves. After taking the capsules, the excitability of the central nervous system decreases, the heart rate normalizes, and the quality of sleep improves. As a result of the general stabilization of a person’s mental state, hand tremors, headaches, and nervous coughs disappear.
Tablets "Valersen + magnesium B6"
The main substance of this drug is valerian root extract. In addition, it contains mint leaves, lemon balm, vitamin B6, and magnesium. When combined, these components reveal themselves brighter and enhance each other’s effects. The medicine helps to cope with prolonged stress, fatigue, and nervous disorders.
In addition to taking sedative medications, yoga, swimming in the pool, and various methods of relaxation help restore peace of mind. After the end of therapy, the nervous cough goes away on its own. To prevent relapse, it is necessary to monitor physical and mental stress, observe a work and rest schedule.
Source: https://stop-kashel.ru/kashel-na-nervnoj-pochve-kak-izbavitsya-ot-spazmov/
Nervous cough and methods of dealing with it
There are many causes of cough - acute respiratory infections, pleurisy, lung diseases, heart failure, etc. The cough reflex is innate.
When it appears, it is often not evidence of a serious illness. But if you cannot get rid of the cough in 3 weeks, you need to consult a doctor for diagnosis.
In this article, we will consider nervous cough in adults: the reasons for its occurrence and methods of treatment.
The main causes of nervous cough
If the examination revealed no pathologies of the upper respiratory tract or internal organs, and all tests were also normal, then cough syndrome developed against the background of mental stress.
Attention: This disease cannot be treated with medications. You can get rid of a neurogenic cough by eliminating the irritant. If this is impossible, then you will have to change your own point of view on the problem.
Causes:
- Stressful situation;
- Tense anticipation of a significant event (not necessarily bad);
- Problems at work;
- Scandals, disagreements, tense family situations;
- Worries about your own illness or the illness of a loved one;
- Unstable financial situation;
- Constant physical stress.
Cough neurosis can appear in people who have suffered a complex pulmonary disease. In this case, it is an acquired reflex - a person coughs out of habit.
Nervous cough occurs in people who, for some reason, are trying to evoke compassion from others, trying to get their attention to themselves with an unconsciously generated disease.
The list of reasons could go on for a long time. From the above it follows that any mental stress can cause a neurogenic cough.
Symptoms of cough neurosis in adults
A nervous cough is always dry. It is also called unproductive, because it does not perform any protective function to eliminate the irritant (non-existent in this case).
Main symptoms:
- The disease is accompanied by attacks of loud, frequent dry cough. It has been compared to the bark of a dog or the cry of a goose.
- In a calm mental state and during sleep, the cough does not appear.
- It is observed for a long time - months, years.
A cough occurs when the cough center located in the brain is irritated by an impulse coming from nerve endings.
These nerve endings are connected not only with the respiratory organs, but also with many other internal organs, with the diaphragm, some parts of the brain, etc.
Therefore, cough can occur in diseases unrelated to the respiratory system, for example, during excitation processes in the central nervous system.
Important: It is possible to prevent a coughing attack that has already begun in adults. To do this, it is enough to be distracted by doing some interesting and enjoyable activity.
Methods to combat the cough reflex
Since such a cough in adults is a sign of a nervous disorder, all measures are aimed at stabilizing the patient’s mental state.
Medications
A person suffering from neurosis experiences unreasonable anxiety, cannot relax, is concentrated exclusively on his problems, and is depressed. Therapy can be carried out with antidepressants. The duration of treatment is 3-12 months. It should be noted right away that taking sedatives is an undesirable measure.
These medications are prescribed in special cases, since they have a number of negative qualities:
- Side effects – nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, etc.;
- The occurrence of allergic reactions;
- Addiction to drugs;
- The cough returns when the medication is stopped, because the person’s problems remain the same.
There are medications that reduce neuromuscular excitability by regulating the metabolism of calcium and magnesium in the body. These include vitamin D2 and calcium D3. The treatment period is 1-2 months.
It has been established that increased neuro-reflex excitability may be associated with magnesium deficiency. Magnesium ions have neurosedative and neuroprotective properties. Stress caused by physical or mental fatigue is accompanied by an increase in the need for magnesium in the human body.
In this case, magnesium is lost in the urine due to the fact that increased levels of adrenaline and norepinephrine activate its release from cells. Therefore, magnesium-based drugs are used to treat, among other things, cough neurosis.
Magnesium inhibits excitation processes in the cerebral cortex, which leads to a weakening of the clinical manifestations of neurogenic cough.
Advice: A calm psychological environment at home and at work helps to get rid of a dry nervous cough. The effect will be consolidated by creating comfortable living and working conditions. It is also very important to plan your regimen correctly. Periods of physical and mental work should alternate with periods of rest.
Non-drug methods
A non-drug approach to treating dry nervous cough is preferable. The treatment is carried out by a psychotherapist.
It includes the following components:
- The doctor explains to the patient that a nervous cough is not associated with any disease of the internal organs. Convinces the patient that the disease is curable, that a person can cure himself by getting rid of nervous tension;
- Recommendations are given to reduce the consumption of coffee, alcohol, and quit smoking;
- The patient is subjected to breathing exercises based on regulating the frequency and depth of breathing. A good effect is achieved by abdominal breathing, through which the “inhibitory” Hering-Breuer reflex is activated. In this case, muscle and mental relaxation is observed;
- The doctor teaches the patient to maintain the desired ratio between inhalations and exhalations. Exhalation should be 2 times longer than inhalation. During training, a person must get rid of rapid breathing, which leads to hyperventilation and associated dizziness, muscle spasms, coughing and other unpleasant symptoms. Breathing exercises are carried out in a comfortable environment that provides maximum relaxation;
- The patient is shown autogenic training exercises aimed at relieving physical and mental stress;
- Conversations with a psychotherapist help develop methods for eliminating the annoying problem. For example, a psychologist or psychotherapist suggests how you can improve relationships with loved ones and work colleagues, change your point of view on the world around you and yourself;
- The use of the biofeedback method (BFB), in which, through instruments and computer technology, a person sees on a monitor or hears (a sound signal) the reaction of his body to stress.
When an attack occurs, breathing into a bag helps to eliminate hyperventilation. In this case, the person inhales the air that he just exhaled. As a result, the level of oxygen in the blood decreases, the level of carbon dioxide returns to normal, the person calms down, and the nervous cough stops.
Folk remedies for dry nervous cough
Neurogenic cough will go away faster if, in combination with relaxation techniques, you take soothing decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants:
- Purchase a valerian-based drug at the pharmacy in the form of an alcohol infusion or tablets. It will reduce the excitability of the central nervous system, relieve neurotic symptoms;
- Brew 1 tsp. thyme in a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid. Infusion time – 15-60 minutes. Drink the infusion as you would regular tea;
- Peony alcohol tincture will help reduce anxiety and overcome dry nervous cough;
- There are specialized soothing herbal preparations. They include valerian, motherwort, heather, thyme and other herbs.
Prepare infusions and decoctions according to the instructions, follow the proportions. Do not exceed the recommended dose and duration of treatment.
Baths with a water temperature of 37 ºC help relieve mental and physical stress. Add decoctions of chamomile, sage, motherwort, valerian rhizomes, and fragrant rue.
A nervous cough cannot be ignored and considered an insignificant manifestation of the body. And it is also a mistake to reproach yourself for your own imbalance - this will only worsen the problem.
Diseases of the nervous system can be treated with complex methods, an important part of which is working on your emotional state. It often happens that a person cannot find a way out of a situation on his own. In this case, you should contact a specialist. In this case, see a psychotherapist or psychologist.
As a result of joint work aimed at identifying the causes of neurosis and ways to get rid of the irritant, it will be possible to overcome the disease.
Source: https://MyKashel.ru/u-vzroslyh/kashel-na-nervnoj-pochve.html
How to get rid of neurological cough in a child and an adult: doctor’s advice
A cough that appears is primarily considered a sign of a respiratory disease, but it also has other causes. An unusual but important diagnostic symptom may be a nervous cough. It is psychosomatic in nature and is almost resistant to drug therapy.
There can be many causes of cough; only an experienced doctor can find out the true cause.
Body-brain connection
“All diseases come from nerves” is a fair statement. This problem is studied by the science of psychosomatics - a study at the intersection of medicine and psychology. The occurrence and course of some somatic diseases is closely related to psychological factors and the functioning of the nervous system. Particularly in-depth research is looking for connections between bodily ailments and deep-seated mental and spiritual problems.
The psychosomatic cause of asthma, migraines, and autonomic disorders manifested by panic attacks has been studied. Nervous cough in adults and children is a symptom of mental disorders.
Manifestation of neurological cough
Psychosomatic cough in children and adults appears due to a disorder of mental activity. The immediate cause of the symptom is irritation of the “cough center” - the area of the cerebral cortex responsible for the coughing process.
But if normally this mechanism is intended to cleanse the respiratory tract of foreign substances, foreign bodies, and pathogenic organisms, then a nervous cough in children and adults occurs without these reasons.
There are no symptoms of respiratory disease.
Characteristic symptoms of psychogenic cough in adults and children:
- Specific ringing sound and paroxysmal character. A nervous cough is compared to the cry of a goose or the barking of a dog.
- A neurological cough is dry, because there is no inflammation in the respiratory tract and no mucus is produced.
- It worsens in stressful situations, when mental activity is dominated by excitation processes. So, a nervous cough in a child begins due to serious academic loads, in anticipation of exams, and a nervous cough in adults begins because of problems at work, quarrels.
- At the same time, without worry, psychogenic manifestations recede, symptoms of nervous cough do not appear in children and adults in a calm environment, in sleep.
- There are no other signs of respiratory diseases: inflammation of the mucous membranes, nasal congestion, fever. Nervous cough has no physical cause.
Understand that coughing from nerves is quite difficult
Causes of psychogenic cough
Symptoms of nervous cough accompany mental disorders and disturbances in the mechanisms of impulse propagation along the nerves. It occurs in people who feel constant stress, excitement, and anxiety.
Similar symptoms can be caused by:
- Stressful home or work environment;
- Quarrels with loved ones, loneliness;
- Waiting for exams;
- Engaging in an activity that causes disgust;
- “Mirror effect” when loved ones are ill.
Negative emotions provoke irritation of the cough center, but the manifestation of symptoms is also possible when experiencing powerful joyful sensations. The nervous system is equally activated in such situations, the excitement affects the cough center.
Thus, a nervous cough in children and adults “out of habit” is typical. It begins with somatic cough manifestations, as a symptom of severe lung disease, which reflexively becomes established during the course of the illness. The disease passed, but the symptoms remained.
Psychogenic cough attacks are sometimes a “bad habit”, with the help of which the patient evokes sympathy from others. Beginning as a conscious simulation, they eventually become reflexively fixed in the psyche.
Diagnostics
Neurological cough in a child or adult patient is diagnosed by excluding diseases of the respiratory system and taking a medical history.
If the manifestation of a symptom worsens when the patient is excited and disappears in a calm environment, this indicates a psychogenic nature.
Symptoms of a nervous cough disappear if a person gets carried away with an interesting activity, forgetting about his problems.
The diagnosis is carried out by a professional doctor. Only a qualified psychotherapist will take into account the symptoms and indicate how to treat nervousness. Self-medication aggravates the situation, masking the true causes of the disease, making it difficult to determine the etiology. An experienced doctor will discover in the conscious or unconscious layer of the patient’s psyche a pathological substrate that causes a cough reaction.
It is important to distinguish the symptoms of a neurological cough in a child and begin timely treatment of possible mental disorders.
Parents should monitor their child's emotional state from an early age
Treatment of cough from nerves
Since this symptom is a superficial sign of a nervous disorder, in itself, it is practically not treated.
To influence the immediate cause of coughing attacks, medications are prescribed that affect the cough center in the medulla oblongata of the brain. Drugs of this type can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Sedatives and antidepressants are used.
It is necessary to create conditions for the recovery of the nervous system. The patient and his entourage can relieve and even cure a cough from nerves on their own. It is necessary to create a calm and friendly environment, to be distracted by positive activities that cause a surge of positive emotions.
A major role in stabilizing the functioning of the nervous system is played by the daily routine, which involves alternating periods of work and rest to avoid overexertion.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine and herbal medicine are used in the treatment of nervous disorders, but this must be agreed with the doctor.
- Water infusions of thyme, valerian officinalis, and motherwort have a sedative, calming effect and strengthen the nerves. As a result, nervous symptoms, including cough, disappear.
- Alcohol tinctures of medicinal herbs have a positive effect on the psyche, but use in children should be carefully dosed.
- Relaxing baths with herbal infusions will put the nervous system in order.
- Mastering relaxation techniques and meditation helps to gain control over nervous reactions.
An unconventional but effective treatment method is hypnosis. By immersing the patient in a hypnotic trance, the psychotherapist will discover the underlying cause of nervous disorders and eliminate it.
Real experts will help you find spiritual balance
Children's nervous cough
A nervous cough in a child is not uncommon. The child's psyche is being formed, it has not yet settled down, it remains mobile. Children are emotional, react violently to events, dramatize, have a hard time withstanding criticism and stress, so they may develop a cough due to nervousness.
Cough can be caused by:
- intense study;
- conflicts in the family and with peers;
- upcoming public speaking (matinees, educational conferences);
- exams;
- sudden fear (watching a horror movie).
Psychosomatic symptoms are expressed during puberty, when a serious restructuring of the child’s body and psyche occurs. When the psyche is formed, they disappear on their own.
During coughing attacks in children, it is important to correctly determine the cause of the disease so as not to miss a developing infection or nervous disorder.
Careful observation of the child and identification of the situations in which they arise will help diagnose nervous cough attacks. If there are no other symptoms of respiratory diseases and a restful night's sleep is not interrupted by attacks, this indicates a nervous cause.
Treatment of a neurotic cough in a child includes a visit to a child psychologist who will help cope with the problems. It is these problems that require the close attention of parents, and coughing attacks are a desperate signal for help.
- You should not scold your child if he continues to cough. It is better not to focus on this fact.
- Children with nervous system disorders (and healthy children too) benefit from moderate intensity physical activity - a sports section.
- Reduce the time your child spends watching TV and in front of the computer.
- Eliminate foods containing caffeine (chocolate, tea) from your diet. They will be replaced by magnesium-containing products - nuts, green vegetables.
You can alleviate the manifestation of nervous disorders in a child with soothing herbal preparations, herbal teas, and massage.
The human psyche and body are closely connected and influence each other. In the light of the development of psychosomatics, the Soviet slogan “A healthy mind in a healthy body” is being revived again, and vice versa, accordingly.
Source: http://nasmorkoff.ru/treatment/kak-izbavitsya-ot-nevrologicheskogo-kashlya-u-rebenka-i-vzroslogo-sovety-vracha/