Severe cough and choking: how to alleviate the patient’s condition

A suffocating cough is a paroxysmal, severe cough that provokes oxygen deficiency. During forced exhalation, the respiratory muscles contract, which leads to a sharp increase in intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure. Blood flow to the heart decreases, so blood supply to the brain becomes insufficient. This is fraught with fainting and loss of consciousness.

Causes of suffocating cough in adults and children

If the cough is suffocating, the reason lies in infectious or allergic inflammation of the respiratory system. When the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the throat increases, any irritants - sputum, allergens, dust - provoke a cough.

Causes of suffocating coughing attacks:

whooping cough;
bronchial asthma;
emphysema;
tuberculosis;
allergic laryngitis;
laryngotracheitis;
postnasal drip;
asthmatic bronchitis.

When a paroxysmal cough appears, accompanying symptoms of an ENT disease are also identified. In children under 7 years of age, the cause of suffocating attacks is often stenosing laryngitis - false croup.

If there is no soreness in the throat, fever and snot, it is worth looking for the cause in diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The symptom occurs against the background:

heart failure;
cerebral atherosclerosis;
pulmonary heart;
vascular malformation.

A severe cough at night in an adult occurs with smoker's bronchitis and postnasal drip syndrome.

What are the dangers of frequent coughing attacks?

Do not put off visiting a doctor if you are bothered by a suffocating cough. Delayed treatment is dangerous:

oxygen starvation of the brain;
inguinal and umbilical hernia;
pneumonia;
stopping breathing;
fatal.

Bronchial spasm in bronchial asthma provokes prolonged suffocating attacks, which sometimes last for hours. The disease is complicated by pulmonary emphysema and cardiopulmonary failure.

Choking cough attacks during false croup lead to the rapid spread of infection, so it is complicated by tracheobronchitis and pneumonia.

What to do if a child or adult has a suffocating cough

Before you can get rid of coughing attacks, you need to determine their cause. After collecting anamnesis and visual examination of the throat, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests:

culture of sputum;
bronchoscopy;
spirography;
general blood analysis;
electrocardiography;
Ultrasound of the heart;
fluorography, etc.

After diagnosis, comprehensive treatment is prescribed, which includes:

taking medications;
physiotherapy;
diet.

To relieve symptoms, folk remedies with anti-inflammatory and sedative effects are used.

During the entire course of therapy, they maintain a drinking regime and maintain high air humidity in the room.

You should not self-medicate if you identify characteristic signs of bronchial asthma or stenosing laryngotracheitis in a child.

First aid

If a person has a cough with suffocation, you need to call an ambulance to your home. To stop the attack, first aid should be provided:

Give a comfortable position. The patient is asked to take a semi-sitting position. Place 1 or 2 pillows under your back.
Provide air flow. All the windows in the room are opened, and the clothes on the patient’s body are unbuttoned so that they do not constrict the chest.
Do foot baths. The feet are immersed in hot water to speed up the drainage of lymph and blood from the swollen mucous membranes of the throat and bronchi.
Give warm drink. For a suffocating spasmodic cough, milk with butter, weak green tea with honey are useful.

If the cough is caused by respiratory allergy, you need to give antihistamines - Clemastine, Fenkarol, Suprastin. For bronchospasms, bronchodilators are effective - Berodual, Atrovent.

Patients with asthma can use an inhaler with Symbicort, Salbutamol.

Tablets and syrups

Wet and dry suffocating cough in an adult is treated with drugs of etiotropic and symptomatic action. The former eliminate the cause of the attacks - infection, allergic reaction, while the latter alleviate the symptoms.

Etiotropic medications for suffocating paroxysmal cough:

antimicrobial (Macropen, Flemoxin, Azithromycin) – destroy bacterial infection in the respiratory tract, resulting in reduced inflammation and sensitivity of cough receptors;
antiviral (Arbidol, Cycloferon, Grippferon) – stimulate the body to fight infection, relieve inflammation;
antifungal (Fluconazole, Diflazon, Mikosist) – destroy or inhibit the proliferation of fungi;
antihistamines (Tavegil, Clemastine, Zyrtec) - remove inflammation, swelling and irritation of the mucous membranes.

Antimicrobial therapy is prescribed only by a doctor. Premature withdrawal from medications is dangerous due to the recurrence of infection and the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Tablets and syrups for symptomatic action:

antitussives (Omnitus, Codelac Neo, Glaucine) - suppress the functioning of the cough center or receptors in the pharynx, thereby eliminating a suffocating cough;
bronchodilators (Terbutaline, Atrovent, Salgim) - increase the lumen of the bronchi, relax their muscles;
mucolytic and expectorant (Lazolvan, Prospan, Mukodin) - thin the tracheobronchial mucus, facilitate its excretion;
glucocorticosteroids (Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone) - quickly eliminate swelling, therefore they are used for respiratory allergies.

For bronchial asthma, therapy includes beta-agonists - Ventolin, Fortulin. They effectively relieve asthma attacks, reduce swelling of the mucous membranes, and make breathing easier.

Inhalations

To relieve a dry, suffocating cough in a child and an adult, inhalations are useful. In case of narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi, swelling of the larynx and trachea, it is recommended to use nebulizers. These devices convert medicinal solutions into aerosols. Unlike steam-moist inhalers, they do not destroy medication components and do not cause burns.

Before treating a suffocating paroxysmal cough with inhalations, make sure there are no contraindications.

Nebulizer therapy is not used for pulmonary hemorrhages, status asthmaticus, uncontrolled hypertension and disorders of the vestibular apparatus.

Preparations for inhalation:

Berodual is a bronchodilator that is used to relieve suffocation in obstructive diseases of the ENT organs. For 1 procedure, adults are prescribed up to 2 ml of the drug, which is mixed with 3 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution (saline).
Fluimucil is a mucolytic that thins sticky sputum. For suffocating spastic cough, adults and children over 12 years of age are prescribed 40 drops of the drug per 3 ml of saline solution.
Ambrobene is a mucolytic and expectorant that accelerates the removal of mucus from the bronchi. Depending on age, for 1 procedure use from 1 to 3 ml of solution, which is mixed with saline in a 1:1 ratio.
Rotokan is a herbal anti-inflammatory drug recommended for acute respiratory infections. For 1 inhalation it is diluted with saline solution in a ratio of 1:40.
Pulmicort is a glucocorticosteroid that quickly removes swelling and inflammation. For 1 inhalation, up to 1 ml of the drug is used, which is mixed with saline in a 1:1 ratio.

Inhalations should be done daily 1 to 3 times for 5-7 days. On the recommendation of a doctor, therapy can be extended to 2 weeks.

Lollipops

To prevent attacks of choking when coughing, lozenges are useful:

Doctor Mom - softens the throat and reduces the sensitivity of cough receptors;
Falimint - anesthetizes the mucous membrane, kills microbial flora;
Linkas Lor – thins sticky mucus, makes breathing easier;
Anti-Sore throat – reduces sore throat, suppresses the proliferation of fungi and bacteria;
Faringosept - deodorizes the oral cavity, reduces discomfort in the throat, and prevents the growth of bacteria.

Lozenges are not given to children under 3 years of age, which is associated with the risk of aspiration - getting into the respiratory tract.

To relieve a child's suffocating spasmodic cough at night, children's lollipops are suitable:

Koldakt Lorpils – disinfects the oral cavity, eliminates soreness;
Strepsils – disinfects the mucous membrane, accelerates the regeneration of the epithelium;
Dr. Theiss Angi Sept - relieves inflammation, destroys microbial flora, prevents suffocating attacks;
Agisept – disinfects the oropharynx, stimulates the healing of mucous membranes.

Local therapy reduces the risk of a suffocating cough during sleep. You can dissolve no more than 5-6 lozenges per day.

Gargling

Treatment of suffocating cough should be comprehensive. To relieve inflammation from mucous membranes at home, try rinsing. Suitable medications include:

Miramistin is a broad-spectrum antiseptic that destroys fungal and bacterial flora. For 1 rinse, use no more than 15 ml of the drug.
Furacilin is an antimicrobial agent that accelerates the healing of the mucous membrane. For 1 procedure, dissolve 1 tablet in 250-300 ml of water.
Chlorophyllipt is an antimicrobial drug with eucalyptus that fights suffocating cough against the background of pneumonia and bronchitis. To rinse, mix with boiled water or saline solution in a ratio of 1:5.
Eludril is an analgesic that eliminates inflammation and microbial infection. For suffocating attacks 3 tsp. The solution is mixed with 150 ml of water.
Malavit is a herbal medicine that has an anti-edematous and analgesic effect. Suitable not only for rinsing, but also for sanitizing the nasal cavity. To disinfect the oral mucosa, it is mixed with saline in a ratio of 1:10.

To quickly get rid of a suffocating cough attack, rinsing should be done every 1.5-2 hours. After the procedure, do not eat or drink for 30 minutes.

Folk remedies inside

Choking cough in adults and children can be treated with alternative medicine. The recipe is selected taking into account the cause of the symptoms:

Plantain. 1 tbsp. l. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 3 minutes. Add 30 ml of melted honey to the strained broth. To eliminate a suffocating asthmatic cough, drink 50 ml of the drug every 3 hours.
Radish with honey. Radish juice is mixed with honey in a 1:1 ratio. For a sore throat, eat 1-2 tsp. every 1.5-2 hours.
Herbal collection. Mix thyme, St. John's wort, coltsfoot in equal quantities. 2 tbsp. l. boil in 350 ml of water for 2 minutes. To relieve a choking cough, drink ½ glass up to 5 times a day.

If choking attacks resume at night, drink a glass of warm milk with honey, tea with thyme and mint, or warm mineral water.

What else will help?

If an adult experiences a suffocating, spasmodic cough at night, you should take bronchodilators before going to bed. To facilitate the discharge of sputum in children, they resort to:

breathing exercises;
back massage;
foot baths.

For advanced obstructive bronchitis, oxygen therapy is indicated - a hardware procedure aimed at increasing the level of oxygen in the blood.

To quickly relieve an attack of bronchial asthma, use special aerosols based on orciprenaline or fenoterol hydrobromide.

When you need to go to the hospital urgently

A suffocating cough is an alarming symptom indicating damage to the respiratory system, broncho- or laryngospasms. You should immediately consult a doctor if new symptoms appear:

noisy breathing with whistling;
sputum streaked with blood;
labored breathing;
swelling of the veins of the neck;
pale skin;
muscle cramps;
excessive sweating;
disturbance of consciousness;
urinary incontinence;
fainting state.

A suffocating convulsive cough is a sign of diseases of the respiratory or cardiovascular system. To avoid irreversible consequences, you need to consult a doctor after the first attack.

Source: https://tden.ru/health/udushayuschiy-kashel

Dry suffocating cough: what to do, treatment and causes of attacks

A choking cough is a dangerous phenomenon that can be a sign of serious complications. To begin treatment, it is necessary to undergo an examination to determine the cause of the disease.

Symptoms

Regardless of the factor, symptoms of suffocation are accompanied by:

spastic (spasmodic) attacks, when you can only exhale and have difficulty inhaling;
a small amount of sputum or its complete absence - aggravates a dry cough and severely irritates the throat;
a feeling of tightness in the chest;
pale skin;
shortness of breath, which develops into lack of air;
wet cough with poor sputum discharge;
panic attacks of suffocation associated with the inability to breathe.

Causes

The symptoms of various diseases may be similar, and before starting treatment you need to know the exact diagnosis, which is made by the doctor after a full examination.

Pathologies that are most often accompanied by cough symptoms:

Bronchial asthma is characterized by whistling, which can be heard even at a distance. During asthma, a person has a desire to take a sitting position (this makes it easier to breathe), resting his hands on a table or the edge of the bed. Choking occurs more often in the evening.
Whooping cough is a manifestation of a dry, suffocating cough, sometimes lasting for several hours, and can provoke a gag reflex. Dangerous for children who have not been vaccinated against this disease.
Nasal drip syndrome (draining of mucus from the nose along the wall of the larynx into the trachea and bronchi) - occurs against the background of a chronic runny nose or sinusitis, accompanied by high fever, body aches, and regular expectoration of sputum. The disease is complicated if the patient prefers to sleep lying on his back.
Heart failure—difficulty coughing, wheezing, normal temperature. There may be shortness of breath, which gets worse when you try to lie down. Often bothers me at night. It seems that the patient does not have enough air, and dizziness may occur.
Allergic reactions - a dry, suffocating cough occurs when new drugs are prescribed, as well as due to irritation of the bronchioles, when the allergen enters through the respiratory tract and affects not only the nasopharynx, but also the lungs (dangerous because it can lead to edema).
Bronchial asthma
Foreign bodies entering the respiratory tract. For example, when a child swallows a small object, it blocks the airways and as a result, a spasm of the larynx occurs. After the cough stops, suffocation may occur - you must urgently call an ambulance.
Pneumonia - paroxysmal cough, fever, severe chills, chest pain when taking a deep breath.
Chronic bronchitis - coughing begins when inhaling, exacerbation occurs during physical exertion, especially in children.
Smoker's bronchitis - sore throat, difficulty speaking, short attacks of choking, turning into a prolonged cough, mainly occurs in the morning (appears after more than one year of smoking).
Tuberculosis - a suffocating cough, a period of rising temperature is possible, which persists constantly (symptoms can last more than three weeks).

When coughing attacks bother you all day long, this also indicates an acute infectious process: laryngitis, bronchitis or tracheitis.

You need to carefully monitor if signs of the disease appear in pregnant women - when coughing, the abdominal muscles tense, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriage. Taking any medications at this stage is undesirable, due to the risk of developing pathologies in the child. You also need to monitor infants, as a severe cough can quickly develop into pneumonia.

If a person begins to choke, call an ambulance immediately.

Diagnostics

Only a doctor can conduct an examination and make a clinical diagnosis.

Basic diagnostic methods:

X-rays of light

taking tests;
X-rays of light;
detailed anamnesis (medical biography of the patient);
clinical picture.

Therapy

After making a diagnosis, to eliminate the cause of the symptom, the doctor prescribes complex therapy. As an addition to basic drug treatment, the following recommendations will help cure cough:

air humidification, inhalation, gargling;
it is necessary to remove irritants (tobacco smoke, pollen, animal hair);
ventilate rooms more often (especially in case of infectious diseases);
drink plenty of fluids (preferably warm, not hot, as this can provoke a cough reflex);
distraction therapy (mustard plasters or hot foot baths, excluded in the presence of high temperature).

Taking medications

During the inflammatory process they act according to a certain scheme:

You can take any medications only as prescribed by a doctor.

Antibiotics are often used broad-spectrum or depending on the pathogen.
Mucolytics and expectorants - remember that you should not use them at the same time, as liquefied sputum can stagnate in the lungs.
Antihistamines - for allergies, by blocking histamine receptors in the body.

Do not forget about symptomatic therapy, for example, when a runny nose appears, use nasal drops, and at elevated temperatures, use antipyretic drugs.

When a suffocating cough is difficult to cure at home, hospital treatment is necessary. In the hospital, medications are administered through injections into a muscle or vein, which significantly speeds up the healing process.

Inhalation with a nebulizer

A nebulizer is widely used in everyday life. It is used for inhalation of steam, which is formed as a result of spraying the medicine with a compressor. A very effective method that quickly delivers the medication directly to the respiratory tract. During the procedure, it is recommended to breathe deeply; a feeling of runny nose may occur, but it goes away after the session is completed.

Contraindications to the use of the device are: elevated body temperature, nosebleeds or serious problems with the cardiovascular system. The drugs used in the device and the dosage are determined by the attending physician.

ethnoscience

Also, do not forget about traditional medicine, which can be a good addition to drug treatment, especially if the disease is at an early stage.

In order to quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms, you can use the following recipes:

Decoction of plantain leaves

Grind fresh plantain leaves, pour in 250 ml of water, bring to a boil. When the broth has cooled, add 100 g of honey and mix well. Take the prepared product 1 tsp. every hour during the day until symptoms relieve (helps with swelling of the airways and soothes the throat).
Black radish juice and honey are mixed in equal proportions. Take half a tablespoon warm 3 times a day (when sputum accumulation occurs).
Coltsfoot, chamomile, thyme and St. John's wort also soothe coughs: pour boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dry herb and leave for 24 hours. Drink warm 3-5 times a day.

You can purchase ready-made preparations in pharmacies. Treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist.

Prevention

A healthy lifestyle is the best method of prevention

adhere to a healthy lifestyle;
walks in the open air;
ventilate the room more often;
perform breathing exercises;
do wet cleaning;
remove allergens that provoke attacks;
add more vitamins to your diet;
For safety reasons, do not give children toys with small parts.

The human respiratory tract is quite sensitive and even a simple cold can cause complications. At the first cough and signs of malaise, you should consult a doctor.

Source: https://pulmohealth.com/bolezni/kashel/udushayushhij/

I’m choking from coughing: what to do if I can’t breathe when I cough

Often at an appointment, an otolaryngologist hears a complaint: I am choking from coughing.

A suffocating cough leading to vomiting may be a sign of the emergence of various diseases in the respiratory system or the transition of existing diseases to a more severe form.

The factors that cause a reflex reaction in the form of a cough in an adult or a child can be completely different: from viral infections to a foreign object getting stuck in the throat.

Causes of the pathological process

We focus on other factors that cause this pathology. There are many of them:

diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
acute or chronic disorder of the heart;
malignant neoplasms;
infectious diseases of the respiratory system (laryngitotracheitis, pharyngitisotracheitis);
allergic reactions of the body;
active and passive smoking;
occupational diseases.

Smoking is one of the causes of choking cough

Signs of a problem

In most cases, a suffocating cough is accompanied by all sorts of signs that become assistants in identifying the cause of the pathology. Eg:

A suffocating cough without mucus discharge that appears in the morning among heavy smokers does not indicate the presence of a disease in the body. The same is true if someone chokes or inhales dusty air.
Morning coughing attacks that cause you to choke may be the result of mild or chronic bronchitis.
Sputum production and fever, accompanied by a strong cough until short of breath, are often signs of inflammation of the larynx.
Painful sensations in the chest, shortness of breath, frequent night attacks of a suffocating dry cough that makes it difficult to breathe, as well as slight sputum discharge often indicate bronchial asthma in the body.
A cough that appears at night with attacks of suffocation may indicate problems with the heart, pulmonary diseases or whooping cough (in children). If the cough is accompanied by severe chest pain, such symptoms may be signs of the appearance of malignant tumors.
Acute infectious processes occurring in the respiratory system are the result of pharyngitis, laryngitis, or bronchitis. With these diseases, severe coughing attacks bother the person throughout the day.

Types of dry cough

A cough that does not produce sputum is called unproductive. There are two types of it: physiological and pathological. The first occurs during irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. The second is a consequence of the pathological development of the organs of the respiratory system. The duration of the cough is:

Spicy	For viral or colds, accompanied by general weakness, high fever and runny nose. An acute dry cough leading to vomiting can torment a person continuously for at least three hours.
Protracted	It can torment a person for more than two weeks, but in the end it won’t go away on its own.
Recurrent	Recurring almost every month and accompanied by attacks to the point of vomiting
Chronic	Treatment of such a pathology will fail until the causes of its occurrence are eliminated.

First aid

It would seem that there is a clear answer to the question of what to do if you are suffocating - consult a specialist. But it's not that simple. A severe cough is very dangerous, as there is a real risk of suffocation, so you need to be able to provide first aid to yourself or someone in need.

Tip: if the cough begins to choke, place your hand in a bowl of hot water. This will dilate the bronchi, making breathing much easier.

If you find yourself choking when coughing, steam or cold inhalations can provide temporary relief. The same can be achieved through medication. Coughing and expectoration will be made easier if you soften the mucous membrane by sucking on a candy, gargling with various tinctures, or drinking honey with warm milk.

Steam inhalation will help until the doctor arrives

General treatment recommendations

It is possible to defeat a dry cough if you go through all the stages of its treatment:

First of all, you need to contact your doctor, who will accurately diagnose the underlying disease and, based on the diagnosis, symptoms, as well as individual characteristics, prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Carry out actions aimed at moisturizing the mucous membrane, eliminating irritants.
Use anti-inflammatory medications and antiseptics.
Create conditions that favorably influence the restoration of the mucous membrane and sputum production.

Taking various lozenges and lozenges can soften the mucous membrane. If you inhale or gargle with various solutions, as well as medications, you can temporarily get rid of attacks during coughing.

Many people prefer traditional methods of treating pathology. For example, rinsing with medicinal plants or drinking various teas. This is enough to alleviate the condition, but does not eliminate the problem.

Cough and related diseases

It is useful to know how to treat a severe cough with concomitant diseases.

Treatment for asthma

This pathology in asthma can be effectively treated with the help of inhalations, which stop attacks and prevent bronchospasm. In addition, expectorant syrups and antibiotics are popular among asthmatics.

How to cope with heart failure

In addition to the main treatment, medications are prescribed that dilute sputum, relieve spasms, and also dilate blood vessels. Antitussive drugs are used. If, due to disturbances in the functioning of the heart, fluid has accumulated in the respiratory organs, you need to pump it out, and the cough will go away on its own.

How to treat cough due to malignant neoplasms

Cancers associated with the respiratory system are accompanied by tearing and suffocating spasms.

Since the condition of cancer patients is already severe, the problem should be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

If a doctor identifies a cold, it is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchi dilatators. If the cause of the cough is the spread of a tumor, then it is not always possible to remove it.

How to deal with this problem as a smoker

In smokers, cough usually occurs after physical activity or in the morning. In this case, it is possible to defeat it only by getting rid of nicotine addiction. You can reduce the force by carrying out the above-described prevention at home.

Fight against acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections

This is one of the most common causes of cough. There are many medications that help cope with this problem in acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections. They include various medications, as well as massage procedures and compresses.

Important! You should not self-medicate, so as not to end up in a hospital bed with various complications.

Treatment of an allergic reaction

First of all, it is worth removing the factors that provoke allergies. To do this, you need to be tested for the presence of the allergen and identify it. The cough will go away as soon as you stop interacting with the pathogen.

How to get rid of a foreign object

Inhaling a foreign object can cause you to choke and start coughing. When faced with this, you should immediately call an ambulance. The medical facility will carefully remove the foreign object from the respiratory tract.

But if the moment is critical, it is better not to hesitate and do the following: grab the choking person from behind and sharply squeeze his ribs with both hands. During a reflex exhalation, the air flow will bring the foreign object into the oral cavity.

To avoid re-entry, the object should be removed from the mouth immediately.

You should not relax after getting rid of the foreign body. Be sure to take the person to the hospital to rule out possible injuries.

Mandatory prevention

“I cough” and “I choke when I cough” are different concepts; the second can lead to vomiting.

That is why it is worth taking cough prevention seriously and eliminating any provoking factors: dust, mold, cigarette smoke, wool.

In addition, regular ventilation of the room, wet cleaning and consumption of large amounts of liquid will strengthen the immune system and also protect against acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections.

Finally

There are many reasons for the appearance of this unpleasant pathology. Often an allergic cough occurs in response to taking medications, so you should inform your doctor if you took medications the day before. Only a specialist will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective methods to combat a suffocating cough.

Source: https://stoporvi.ru/kashel/vzroslyy/zadyhayus-ot-kashlya-chto-delat.html

Choking cough - causes and treatment

One of the most difficult options for a patient is a suffocating cough. With it, a spasm of the bronchi develops and for a second or several minutes the person feels as if he is suffocating and cannot inhale air. Let's find out what diseases in adults this symptom may indicate and how to help yourself and a loved one in this case.

Spasm of the bronchi or larynx and a suffocating cough can develop both against the background of illness and under certain circumstances. The bronchial mucosa is lined with a special epithelium, the task of which is to protect the respiratory system from the penetration of foreign bodies.

Physiological

This type of cough against a background of relative health can occur when:

Foreign bodies entering the respiratory tract.

Fish bone, pea, food debris and other objects that accidentally fall into the larynx or bronchi. In this case, a spasm of the respiratory muscles develops and a protective cough reflex appears, which helps remove the foreign body from the respiratory tract.

This problem is often encountered by older people who experience atrophic processes and weakened muscle reflexes, as well as children.

Inhalation of pungent odors, gases, smoke.

When irritating substances come into contact with the mucous membrane of the bronchi and larynx, reactive swelling of the mucous membrane develops. This leads to a cough.

With prolonged stay in conditions with a specified concentration of irritating substances, for example, when working in hazardous conditions, chronic bronchitis may develop.

In addition to nicotine, tobacco smoke contains many impurities, most of which are many times more dangerous to the health of the bronchi and lungs than nicotine itself. Long-term smoking causes chronic restructuring of the mucous membrane and can lead to a suffocating cough.

Pathological

In addition, a suffocating cough in an adult can be caused by diseases of the respiratory and other systems. Most often it occurs when:

Chronic bronchitis and laryngitis.

The disease occurs in different forms, in which attacks of exacerbation alternate with periods of remission. Patients complain of a dry suffocating cough, chest pain, weakness, and shortness of breath. During the period of exacerbation, the situation worsens and symptoms of acute inflammation appear: the temperature rises, weakness and fever increase, and aches in the joints appear.

Bronchial asthma (cough variant).

This disease occurs in the form of attacks that torment the patient mainly at night. During an attack, a dry, painful cough develops, during which the patient experiences bronchospasms and breathing problems. After taking the drugs, the attack weakens, but after a while everything happens again. Attacks vary in severity: from mild coughing to severe attacks of suffocation.

Various types of tumors of the lower respiratory tract.

Tumors in the larynx or bronchi gradually increase in size, leading to disruption of the lumen of the respiratory tube and causing breathing problems. The patient is bothered by a dry hacking cough, which can give way to a suffocating cough as the tumor grows.

Diseases of the nervous system.

The cough reflex is controlled by the vagus nerve, which sends a signal to the brain to the cough center. If its innervation is disrupted at different levels, this symptom can develop. In addition to organic diseases, this type of cough can often be observed in people under stress, in patients with hysteria and in other neurological disorders.

Thus, when faced with a similar manifestation of the disease for the first time, there is no need to panic. A competent diagnosis will help you understand the cause of the symptom and, if possible, eliminate it.

Clinical picture and signs of the disease

Clinical manifestations depend on the cause and type of pathology. Other than coughing, what you should pay attention to:

Any inflammatory process in the respiratory tract can be accompanied by a cough. Even ordinary snot, flowing down the back of the throat, can cause suffocating spasms. In such cases, the disease is accompanied by other signs of inflammation: fever, weakness, aching joints, inflammatory changes in the general blood test, etc.
In asthma, the key symptoms are: attacks that usually get worse at night, shortness of breath, shortness of breath and cough. Such attacks last from several minutes to half an hour and go away on their own or after taking appropriate medications.
With allergies, an attack of suffocating cough begins immediately after contact with the causative allergen and is repeated with each new encounter with it. Moreover, bronchospasm can intensify with each subsequent contact and cause Quincke's edema (swelling of the soft tissues of the neck and larynx) and the death of the patient from asphyxia (suffocation).
With neoplasms, cough often appears when the tumor irritates sensitive nerve endings and grows into the surrounding tissues. There are no specific symptoms to suspect the disease in the early stages. Ideally, the patient should undergo preventive examinations and examinations once a year, which allow identifying the problem at the initial stages.

How to provide first aid to a patient

How not to get confused and provide first aid to yourself and your loved ones during an attack of such a cough. It largely depends on the reason that caused it.

Here are some general algorithms:

In case of poisoning by caustic gases, tars and other airborne toxins, the patient is provided with a maximum influx of fresh air: they are taken outside or windows and doors are opened. Remove outer clothing and loosen the shirt collar. If the patient is conscious before medical help arrives, you can offer him to drink strong tea with sugar or still mineral water. Such activities can relieve a coughing attack. If the patient is unconscious, then resuscitation measures are carried out (heart massage, ventilation, etc.).

In case of allergies, it is important to eliminate the causative allergen as quickly as possible and in the future try to prevent contact with it: carry out wet cleaning, ventilate the room, limit visiting the street during the flowering season of allergenic plants, etc. If an allergy attack occurs, the patient can take an antihistamine or use an inhaler with local hormones . In severe cases, hormones are administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

During an asthma attack, a whole first aid algorithm has been developed, which includes taking inhaled bronchodilators (Salbutamol, Berotek, etc.), inhaled glucocorticosteroids, systemic hormones, etc.
If a foreign body enters and the protective cough reflex is triggered, there is a chance that the foreign body will come out of the respiratory tract on its own. It is better not to remove fish and chicken bones stuck in the larynx yourself and not to try to push them deeper with pieces of bread crumb and other objects. A routine visit to an otolaryngologist, who will see the exact location of the bone and carefully remove it with instruments, will save the patient’s nerves, time, and health.

Asthma attack: First aid

The principles of self-hypnosis and breathing exercises will help relieve a cough attack during stress, hysteria or panic. In severe cases, painstaking work with a psychotherapist will be required.

Treatment approaches

In most cases, such a cough is associated with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. Treatment of suffocating cough of an inflammatory nature is carried out with the following drugs:

Antibiotics (penicillin group, cephalosporins, macrolides or fluoroquinolones) depending on the suspected pathogen.
Expectorant and thinning drugs (ACC, Bronchipret, Fluimucil, Ambroxol). They reduce the viscosity of mucus and help remove it.

Things to remember when using these tools:

for a dry cough, which occurs with influenza or ARVI, mucolytic drugs are not prescribed;
do not combine mucolytics and antitussives, otherwise liquefied sputum will stagnate in the lungs;
When taking these medications, you need to maintain a water regime, i.e. drink as much water, juice, compotes or fruit drinks as possible.

Antitussives (Codeine, Libexin, Glaucine, etc.). They suppress the cough reflex. They are actively used in the treatment of dry suffocating cough in adults.
Inhaled bronchodilators (Salbutamol). For obstructive bronchitis and ARVI with symptoms of bronchospasm, these medications can be prescribed.
Anti-inflammatory and decongestant (Erius, Ibuklin, etc.). These are drugs from different groups that suppress the inflammatory process and relieve swelling.

As auxiliary therapy methods, alkaline inhalations, magnetic laser therapy on the chest area and other physiotherapy are prescribed. Alternative medicine methods include teas and decoctions based on thyme, chamomile, St. John's wort and calendula. Mustard plasters and hot foot baths have a distracting effect.

Preventive actions

Prevention of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract is to adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Patients prone to diseases of the lungs and bronchi are recommended to undergo an annual course of preventive procedures in specialized sanatoriums (visits to salt rooms, mineral waters, etc.).

The key principle of prevention is to limit or eliminate the traumatic factor that causes a suffocating cough. To do this, you should diagnose its cause and select drug and non-drug treatment methods with the help of a doctor.

How to cure bronchial asthma at home?

Source: https://pneumoniae.net/udushayushhij-kashel/

Cough with attacks of suffocation

Mechanism of suffocation

The causes of suffocation and the mechanism of its development may be different.

In any case, under the influence of any factor leading to breathing problems, there is a change in the composition of the blood, an increase in the level of acetylcholine and histamine in it - factors that provoke a sharp strong contraction of smooth muscles.

At the same time, the tone of blood vessels decreases and the permeability of their walls increases, which leads to tissue swelling.

In some cases, the secretion of mucus by the bronchi also increases, along with an increase in the level of histamine, this causes an active influx of eosinophilic granulocytes into the allergy focus. Muscle spasm and swelling of the mucous membranes lead to difficulty breathing and other symptoms of suffocation. Regardless of the cause, the patient experiences a violation of gas exchange and normal ventilation of the lungs.

Causes of asthma attacks when coughing

There is such a definition as “cough asthma”. This condition can occur in people who smoke, after significant physical exertion, and with various diseases, for example, flu, sinusitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, etc. Attacks of suffocation when coughing can begin at any time, but more often this happens in the evening or night hours.

Another common cause of asthma attacks when coughing is allergies. This attack is accompanied by the following symptoms:

severe continuous cough;
swelling and redness of the laryngeal mucosa;
itchy skin and rashes;
heavy difficulty breathing;
signs of lack of air, etc.

This condition can develop under the influence of various allergens: household chemicals, pollen, dust; animal hair, medicines and other things. The onset of an attack is sudden and sharp in most cases.

Breathing quickly becomes harsh and labored. The patient begins to have a dry cough, which may produce white sputum. Then the cough intensifies, and an attack of suffocation develops.

It may be accompanied by shortness of breath and swelling of the larynx of varying severity.

Sometimes attacks of coughing and choking begin at night against the background of complete health. The reasons for this may be: chronic heart failure, some types of arrhythmia, excess body weight, bronchial asthma, thyroid disorders and other pathologies.

Another cause of attacks of choking and coughing can be severe nervous experiences and stress. Breathing disorders, a feeling of lack of air and panic can occur with psychosis, severe phobias, severe stress or nervous experiences. At the same time, the patient begins to have a dry cough, breathing becomes difficult, becomes whistling, and an attack of suffocation develops.

Main signs of suffocation

The main signs of suffocation include the following:

Dyspnea. It can appear against the background of allergies caused by various allergens: animal hair, dust, plant pollen, perfumes and household chemicals, and others. Before an attack of severe coughing with suffocation begins, a person usually experiences sudden shortness of breath, which quickly intensifies and turns into a lack of air.
Cough. Dry cough is especially dangerous. In this case, the person cannot cough up; sputum may be released, but, as a rule, it is very scanty.
Wheezing in the chest. During an attack, strong wheezing may be heard during breathing.
Chest pain and stiffness.
Increased breathing. An attack of suffocation is characterized by the inability to inhale and exhale air, a feeling of holding one's breath. All this can lead to panic, which aggravates the situation.
External changes. As a rule, during an attack of suffocation, the appearance also changes. The face turns pale, lips turn blue, speech becomes difficult or impaired.

Therapeutic measures

First aid for an attack of suffocation at home is as follows:

Call an ambulance.
Freeing the throat and chest area from constricting clothing;
Ensuring air flow.
Monitoring the patient’s condition: his temperature, respiratory rate, heartbeat.

Therapeutic measures are selected together with the doctor and may include physical therapy, drug treatment and traditional medicine.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy in the treatment of diseases that occur with severe coughing and asthma attacks is used quite often and gives good results.

During exacerbations of the disease, inhalations may be prescribed. They allow medications to be administered to the patient directly into the respiratory system. The most effective are electroaerosols and preparations generated by ultrasound. The use of inhalations helps improve the condition of the respiratory system and prevent recurrent attacks.

To restore the normal functioning of the respiratory system, the doctor may also prescribe magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, and ultrasound. Sometimes the patient is prescribed speleotherapy, aerosol therapy, electroanalgesia or electrosleep.

Drugs

To stop an attack of suffocation, doctors most often use Adrenaline. Its drugs are considered first aid for anaphylactic shock, shock, and severe suffocation.

The drug is administered subcutaneously, the dosage depends on the patient’s weight. If there is no improvement, adrenaline is reintroduced.

The effectiveness of this drug increases if asthmalysin is administered along with it.

Ephedrine is also used as a first aid remedy for choking in the form of subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. The time before the onset of action for this drug is half an hour, and the duration of action is 3-4 hours.

To prevent an attack from developing, you can take ephedrine tablets twice a day.

However, we must remember that it can cause side effects such as increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased excitability and increased sweating.

Eufillin is widely used in the treatment of diseases accompanied by coughing and attacks of suffocation. Its action is aimed at relaxing the muscles of the bronchi, contracting the diaphragm and improving the functioning of the respiratory system. In addition, this drug reduces vascular tone, lowers blood pressure and generally has a beneficial effect on the condition of the cardiovascular system.

In addition to the above drugs, the doctor may prescribe glucocorticosteroids: Flixotide, Pulmicort, Becotide, Nasobek, Aldecin and others. Complex treatment of cough and asthma attacks necessarily includes vitamins: ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, tocopherol, vitamin B12 and others.

Folk remedies

For attacks of choking and coughing, you can try using folk remedies:

Warm foot bath. The patient's legs are lowered into a basin of water, the temperature of which is about 40-50 degrees. You can add mustard powder to the water. You can also place mustard plasters on the patient’s chest and calves.
Warm milk with soda. A glass of milk is heated and mixed with a small spoon of soda.
Inhalation of smoke from wormwood, coltsfoot and nettle. Dried herbs are set on fire and the patient is allowed to inhale their smoke. It is not recommended to carry out such treatment in the midst of an attack, as this can lead to a worsening of the condition.
Cupping massage. Lubricate the back with Vaseline or massage cream and place a jar on it, slowly rotating it. The duration of this massage is about five minutes.
Onion compress. It is used to prevent seizures. To prepare a compress, you need to chop the onion and apply the resulting mass to your back. Cover the top of the compress with paper and a warm woolen scarf or handkerchief.
Medicinal herbs. During attacks of coughing and choking, you can take infusions and decoctions of herbs that help thin sputum and relax the muscles of the respiratory system, and also have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and expectorant effects. Such plants include: lungwort, wild rosemary, thyme, oregano, coltsfoot, elecampane, peppermint and others.

Possible complications

The consequences of an attack of suffocation are:

breathing rhythm disturbance;
oxygen starvation of muscles and tissues;
increased heart rate;
increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood;
deterioration of the respiratory system;
convulsions, confusion and loss of consciousness are possible.

Possible complications of suffocation can be divided into two groups: complications from the respiratory system and general complications.

The first group includes the following pathologies:

pneumothorax;
atelectasis;
status asthmaticus;
emphysema;
hyperinflation of the lungs and so on.

Extrapulmonary complications can manifest themselves in the form of disorders of the digestive system, functioning of the brain and heart, and other pathologies.