Protracted cough in an adult: why it happens and how it can be treated

Cough is familiar to every person, because it is accompanied by many diseases. It is under no circumstances recommended to ignore this symptom, especially if it has become protracted.

There are a number of serious diseases characterized by this symptom. Therefore, if the cough does not go away for a long time, you need to see a doctor.

It is divided into:

1. dry (no discharge);
2. damp or wet (with secretion).

Classification and reasons

There is a classification of cough according to its duration. It is defined as acute by specialists if it lasts no more than two weeks. If it does not go away longer than this period, then we can talk about a protracted process.

The presence of cough for more than one month may indicate a subacute phenomenon. If after such a time it does not stop, then it is considered that a chronic (protracted) cough has developed.

It can occur for a variety of reasons, and one of the first places is infection. Under its influence, a strong inflammatory process occurs. When the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is irritated, it causes the production of a special secretion, usually called sputum. This condition is difficult to treat and requires long-term observation by a specialist.

What is important is not the cough itself, but how quickly and successfully it is possible to recover from it. If we are talking about a common cold, hypothermia or flu, then it will be possible to get rid of this unpleasant condition in about ten days of drug therapy. In this case, correct and accurate identification of the disease is very important.

It is very important not to put off visiting a specialist. The sooner treatment begins, the less likely the process will become chronic.

A persistent cough indicates progression of the underlying disease. It is a symptom of many serious diseases not only of the lungs, but also of the heart, blood vessels, and endocrine system. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the underlying pathology in time or identify its cause.

It also happens that after treatment, a cough does not cease to bother a person. Most likely, in this case, the inflammatory process has not been completely eliminated, the foci of infection have not been suppressed, or the mucous membrane has undergone significant degenerative changes.

If this does not happen, then the process takes a protracted form. She is already difficult to respond to therapy.

The most common causes of a persistent cough are:

• Bacterial infection;
• virus;
• fungus;
• allergic reaction;
• tracheitis;
• flu;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• emphysema;
• bronchial asthma;
• tuberculosis;
• oncological diseases of the respiratory tract;
• smoking;
• entry of a foreign object into the bronchi;
• whooping cough;
• silicosis;
• pleurisy;
• tonsillitis;
• cystic fibrosis;
• sarcoidosis;
• fibrosis;
• cardiopathology;
• sinusitis;
• pulmonary artery thrombosis;
• reflux esophagitis;
• side effects of certain drugs, etc.

All these diseases cause an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. It is often accompanied by infection and also irritates the centers of the brain responsible for coughing. As a rule, all these manifestations are associated with a sharp weakening of the body's defenses.

In this case, the underlying disease takes a protracted course, is quite difficult and is often accompanied by complications. The patient develops severe respiratory failure. It may be associated with a change in the structure of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, a mechanical or pathological obstruction in them, etc.

A persistent cough can also manifest itself in different ways. These can be severe attacks, periodic coughing, sore throat, etc.

It also happens that a cough itself becomes a complication after an illness. Most often, these complications are caused by influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy and whooping cough. In this case, the patient needs additional examination.

• If a dry cough does not go away, then “postzonal leakage syndrome” may occur.
• This term means an abundant accumulation of secretion in the lowest parts of the respiratory tract, from where it cannot come out even with significant efforts by the patient.
• Accumulating there, it greatly irritates the receptors of the internal cavity of the bronchi and alveoli.

What are the symptoms?

A persistent cough is usually accompanied by certain symptoms. They depend on the cause, manifestations of the underlying disease, as well as the presence of secretion.

The most characteristic manifestations of this condition are:

• Severe sore throat;
• copious sputum production;
• the content of blood, mucus or other inclusions in it;
• difficulty breathing;
• respiratory tract irritation;
• severe catarrhal symptoms;
• wheezing or whistling in the chest;
• dyspnea;
• headache;
• general weakness;
• malaise;
• temperature increase;
• chest pain;
• heartburn;
• urge to vomit;
• belching, etc.

Dry chronic cough

A dry cough is most often accompanied by severe bronchial irritation, chest pain, and shortness of breath. This is explained by the fact that the inflammatory process affected the lower part of the respiratory tract. If a dry cough does not go away, then immediate correction of its condition is required.

The patient constantly feels unwell, his performance suffers, and he cannot attend cultural events.

In addition, dystrophic changes in the mucous membrane, expansion of the lungs and chest, congestion in the pulmonary circulation, and a persistent increase in blood pressure occur.

In the absence of timely medical care, the cough quickly becomes chronic. It most often occurs with bronchitis, allergic reactions and influenza.

Wet chronic cough

A wet cough is marked by copious or scanty discharge, often with the patient having a severe runny nose, significant hoarseness, and bad breath. This condition occurs most often with long-term smoking, pneumonia, or lung abscess.

From this we can conclude: if a cough with phlegm does not go away for a month or more, we can already talk about a protracted process that requires urgent consultation with a doctor.

When people talk about a lingering wet cough, they most often talk about bronchitis. This disease is characterized by the fact that it affects the entire middle respiratory tract system. It is often complicated by infection, resulting in a severe cough. At first it is dry, and then with copious sputum.

Most often, bronchitis manifests itself in attacks, during which the patient is unable to breathe normally until the airways are cleared of mucus. They often lead to severe muscle tension, increased blood pressure or arrhythmia. Shortness of breath may also develop as a result of respiratory failure.

Prolonged cough causes many problems to the patient. We can say that it has developed after one or two months of continuous symptoms. If sputum comes out at the same time, then this is most likely a positive sign.

With prolonged and painful coughing attacks, hernia, hemorrhoids, and cerebral hemorrhages may occur.

Diagnostics

Therapy begins with establishing a diagnosis of the disease. If an adult’s cough does not go away for quite a long time, it is necessary to identify its cause.

A general examination of the patient, percussion, and auscultation are performed. A clinical blood test, general urine test, examination of sputum and throat discharge, and an allergen panel are prescribed. Usually PCR for tuberculosis is performed, Mantoux test.

The doctor refers the patient to fluorography, ultrasound, bronchoscopy, spirography, body plethysmography, spirometry, tousography, pulmonary function tests, biopsy and FGDS

These differential diagnostic methods allow the specialist to identify the underlying disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.

A microbiological examination of sputum and throat discharge is always carried out to determine sensitivity to antibiotics. This is very important, as it allows the doctor to fight specifically this type of pathogen. In addition, this allows you to avoid subsequent dysbacteriosis.

An experienced specialist can determine the diagnosis based on the characteristics of the patient’s cough.

• An abundance of secretions with a mild cough is observed with bronchitis and pneumonia;
• Whistling in the chest during coughing attacks, more often in the morning, occurs with asthma;
• A barking cough, with painful incessant attacks, occurs with whooping cough;
• Malignant neoplasms in the lungs are characterized by a frequent dry cough with a relatively small amount of secretion;
• With reflux esophagitis, the patient complains of heartburn, belching, pain in the upper abdominal cavity;
• Shortness of breath, accompanied by a dry cough, is more common with heart pathologies.

Treatment methods for persistent cough in adults:

The main task when treating a dry cough is to transform it into a wet one. What to do if the cough does not go away for a long time? Diagnosing a dry cough can be more difficult because there is no sputum produced.

Therefore, its causes are most often determined by instrumental and laboratory research methods.

When the disease is accurately established, concomitant pathologies are identified and the risk of developing possible complications is determined, the specialist prescribes:

• Antitussives;
• mucolytics;
• antibacterial agents;
• antiviral substances;
• antispasmodics;
• bronchodilators;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• immunostimulants;
• antipyretics;
• antihistamines;
• medications that promote the regeneration of damaged mucous membranes.

Inhalations are one of the main methods of treating persistent cough. They are carried out with steam, with which various essential oils enter the patient’s respiratory tract. Eucalyptus, chamomile, lemon, menthol.

These medications can significantly eliminate spasm of the mucous membrane, have a strong anti-inflammatory or antibacterial effect, activate blood circulation, alleviate a person’s condition, reduce coughing and improve overall well-being.

A specialist very often looks for a way to transform a dry cough into a wet one. The fact is that the discharge of mucus and pus clears the airways, and with appropriate treatment completely returns the patient’s ability to breathe fully.

For each type of disease, there is a specific set of pharmacological drugs. Most often, medications for wet coughs are used to significantly facilitate the patient’s expectoration.

In addition, the specialist prescribes antibiotics, enveloping agents, rinsing with disinfectant solutions, and herbal medicine. Mucolytic substances are also of great benefit.

Prevention

With proper treatment, a long cough in an adult gradually goes away. The patient makes a full recovery. Of course, it is necessary to observe measures to prevent relapse of the disease. These include:

• Complete smoking cessation;
• frequent exposure to fresh air;
• physiotherapy;
• air humidification;
• the need to dress for the weather;
• eating food at room temperature;
• stay with caution in smoky or dusty areas;
• large amounts of liquid drunk per day;
• balanced diet;
• taking vitamins;
• regular fluorography;
• observation by a specialist.

If the cough does not go away for a long time even after treatment, then a more in-depth examination should be carried out, since we are talking about cancer, emphysema, bronchial asthma, fibrosis.

Cough treatment – ​​Jozef Krinitsky

Source: https://pneumoniae.net/zatyazhnoj-kashel-u-vzroslyh-chem-lechit/

Protracted cough in an adult - causes and treatment

The main indicator of the success of therapy is the gradual elimination of unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

After several days of taking medications, gargling and applications, the manifestations of the pathological condition disappear, but sometimes the signs of the disease do not want to go away.

What should you do if you have a lingering cough that does not respond to medication? The answer to this question is in our article.

How to distinguish prolonged spasms from ordinary ones

Medical reference books indicate that a cough is a reflex contraction of the chest muscles that occurs as a result of irritation of nerve endings and inflammation of the mucous membrane. Thus, the body tries to get rid of the consequences of exposure to negative external or internal factors. In most cases, the unpleasant symptom disappears as the underlying disease is treated.

A lingering cough in an adult can be divided into two large groups – dry and wet. With nonproductive spasms, the patient complains of a sore throat and lack of relief after an attack. The discharge of sputum is considered a good sign. Removing bacteria from the lungs and respiratory tract significantly speeds up recovery.

How can you tell if your cough is persistent? There is a classification according to which uncontrolled breast contractions are called acute (less than 2 weeks), subacute (no more than a month) and long-term, chronic (more than 30 days).

Causes of chronic lingering cough in adults

First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the influence of negative external factors on a person’s overall health. There is such a definition as occupational hazard.

If a person works in production and is constantly exposed to dust, light particles of asbestos, talc, coal, then he can only get rid of a prolonged cough by changing his profession.

Respirators and other personal protective equipment only weaken the dangerous influence of the environment.

Bad habits. The risk of diseases caused by smoking should not be underestimated. Poisoning of the respiratory system with toxins causes a dry, unproductive cough. Often, adults with dangerous addictions are diagnosed with bronchitis, obstructive pulmonary disease and other chronic diseases.

Allergy. If a prolonged cough is accompanied by accompanying symptoms (runny nose, conjunctivitis), then it is necessary to check that the immune system is functioning correctly. An indicator of such a pathology is the exacerbation of attacks during the flowering period of plants (spring) or upon contact with animal fur.

Gastrointestinal diseases. A long, incessant cough may indicate pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. It is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist and be tested for esophagitis.

The pathology is often found in pregnant women in the 3rd trimester (the uterus puts pressure on the internal organs).

Heart cough. Improper functioning of the main “motor” of our body causes oxygen deficiency in the tissues. At the same time, the patient tries to take a deep breath, provoking spasms of the chest muscles. It is necessary to pay attention to such manifestations as arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, extrasystole.

Physical injuries. Sometimes a prolonged cough becomes a complication of mechanical damage.

Impact and strong pressure cause tissue swelling, which disrupts blood circulation and causes reflex muscle contractions. Burns (chemical and thermal) can also be added to this group.

Some adults manage to get severely burned with ordinary drinks and cause inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Oncology. Fortunately, such a cause of prolonged cough is identified very rarely, but the possibility of cancer cannot be completely excluded. To differentiate such a deadly source, it is necessary to undergo laboratory and hardware examination.

The most common source of lingering cough in adults is viral and infectious diseases. If the chosen treatment for such diseases turns out to be unproductive, then they become chronic, causing painful spasms for a long time.

Diagnosis and symptoms of chronic diseases

A prolonged, lingering cough in adults may be a consequence of prolonged exposure to negative external factors on the body. Smokers “kill” lung tissue with nicotine, while the mucous membrane provokes spasms with any change in air (cold weather, strong odors, smoke). It is not difficult to determine the cause of an unpleasant symptom.

Identifying the source of reflex breast contractions is quite simple in the presence of concomitant manifestations of the pathological condition.

Fever, unmotivated weakness, and headache indicate the appearance and development of a viral, bacterial or fungal infection of the respiratory system.

Do not worry if a lingering cough remains after treatment for bronchitis or pneumonia. Sometimes rehabilitation takes 4-6 weeks.

Separately, it should be mentioned the need to check for the presence of tuberculosis. Symptoms such as a prolonged cough, bloody sputum production, a prolonged increase in temperature to 37-37.5 ° C and weight loss should be a reason to immediately seek help from a medical facility.

It is somewhat more difficult to identify atypical diseases that provoke prolonged chest spasms. Such pathologies include helminthic infestation, drug poisoning, and allergic reactions to rare irritants.

Diagnostic procedures are prescribed by a doctor based on a medical history. Most often recommended:

• laboratory tests (blood, urine, feces, sputum tests);
• hardware examination (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT, ECG, fluorography);
• biopsy and FGDS (exclusion of gastrointestinal diseases and oncology).

Sometimes, to determine the source of a lingering cough in adults, it is necessary to undergo specialized procedures (tasseography, spirography, pulmonary function test).

Treatment of persistent cough in adults

There is no simple answer to the question of how to treat a persistent cough in an adult. Therapeutic actions are prescribed by a doctor after a comprehensive examination and identification of the cause of chest muscle spasms. Most often, complications of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections become the source of an irritating symptom. In this case, the specialist recommends antibacterial, antiviral drugs, and antispasmodics.

In the recipes of therapists there is a mention of various syrups and mixtures. It is important to accurately determine the nature of the contractions (dry, wet cough) and only then begin treatment. Mucolytics and expectorant mixtures help. The most popular are relatively safe, natural drugs. At the pharmacy you can buy “Libexin”, “Gerbion”, “Bronholitin”.

Many people successfully use traditional medicine recipes. After the approval of the attending physician, it is allowed to perform inhalations (evaporation from boiled potatoes, essential oils, mint, eucalyptus, tea tree), and apply compresses to the back, chest, and feet. Applications can be made at home from honey, cabbage leaves, dimexide. Rubbing with badger, goose or bear fat is beneficial.

General recommendations from doctors

You can reduce the risk of a prolonged cough by following simple advice from specialized specialists. The rules boil down to supporting general health and timely treatment of viral, infectious and bacterial lesions of the respiratory tract.

How to treat a persistent cough at home without using medications:

• periodically ventilate the room;
• provide comfortable humidity (steam generators, air conditioning);
• eliminate exposure to external irritants (household chemicals, dust, animal hair);
• perform breathing exercises (lung development is best done in the fresh air);
• take vitamin support complexes.

To prevent a long cough, you need to avoid hypothermia (dress appropriately for the weather), try to reduce contact with people during seasonal flu epidemics, and get vaccinated. It would be useful to periodically undergo fluorography to exclude the possibility of tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Source: https://stop-kashel.ru/zatyazhnoj-kashel-u-vzroslogo-prichiny-i-lechenie/

Causes of persistent cough

In cases where, after 3 weeks of adequate treatment of an acute respiratory process, the patient still has a cough, it is considered that there is a complication of the disease. It could be bronchitis or pneumonia.

In this case, there can be no talk of self-medication, but you need to seek help from specialists, since cough is often a symptom of such serious diseases as

1. Tuberculosis,
2. Bronchial asthma,
3. Oncopathology,
4. ENT pathology,
5. Disadvantages in the functioning of the cardiovascular system,
6. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract,
7. Thyroid diseases.

If the presence of cough persists for 3 months, it is considered to have become protracted (chronic). Chronic bronchitis is a favorable background for the development of a lung abscess or pleurisy, also accompanied by a cough.

A lingering cough is a symptom of complications not only of respiratory pathology. In addition, it comes to the fore in the symptoms of diseases of the ENT organs such as chronic pharyngitis and tracheitis.

The complaints of such patients include a sore throat, hoarseness, and a slight low-grade fever may be noted.

Methods for diagnosing respiratory diseases

This is important in order to develop the correct therapeutic tactics. Cough is only a symptom. To prescribe treatment aimed at eradicating the cause, it is necessary to correctly diagnose the disease. Research such as this will help with this.

• x-ray method,
• CT scan,
• sputum examination,
• general blood analysis.

Principles of treatment of prolonged cough

In cases where a prolonged cough is a symptom of a pathology of the cardiovascular system, endocrine system, or gastrointestinal tract, consultation with relevant specialists is necessary. Prescribing the correct treatment for these diseases will be enough to make the cough go away.

It can be either dry or wet, that is, with sputum. In diseases of the ENT organs and bronchial asthma, a protracted dry cough or with a small amount of difficult-to-separate sputum often occurs. But even in this case, treatment approaches will differ.

In cases of bronchial asthma, treatment will be aimed at relieving bronchospasm. Bronchodilators, often used in the form of aerosols, come to the fore here.

Medicines containing codeine are also important in the treatment of dry, persistent cough in adults. Drugs in this group are addictive, so they are used with caution, under the supervision of a doctor, and try not to prescribe them to children.

Many patients note the positive role of inhalations in the treatment of lingering dry cough. Alkaline-oil solutions used for these purposes can also be prepared at home. To do this, use soda mineral water, to which you can add anise oil and eucalyptus leaves.  

A good effect was obtained when prescribing distracting procedures, such as applying pepper plaster, mustard plasters, and warming rubs.

Following nutritional recommendations is also an integral part of treatment. Patients need to drink enough warm fluids. Preference is given to milk with mineral water or butter.

As for diet, it is recommended to refrain from spicy, salty, sour, spices, that is, irritating foods. Priority is given to the use of cereals and ground products.

Dry indoor air has a negative effect on the respiratory mucosa, so it is recommended to constantly ventilate or use a humidifier.

So, to the question of how to treat a persistent cough, there is no clear answer. First you need to find out the cause of its appearance and begin treatment for this disease. As for medications, it is necessary to proceed from whether the cough is dry or productive.

• In addition, we must not forget that drugs that inhibit the cough center are not prescribed together with mucolytics, that is, drugs that enhance the production and dilution of sputum.
• In the case of this symptom, it is important to start proper treatment as early as possible, without waiting until the course of the disease becomes chronic.

Source: https://pakpred.ru/proyavleniya/kashel/zatyazhnoj.html

A persistent cough in an adult or what to do if it does not go away for a long time

Cough is a representative of unconditioned reflexes. The symptom appears in cases of exposure to the airways by any irritants of an infectious or non-infectious nature.

Being part of the clinical picture of the disease, it stops a few days after recovery. There are times when a cough does not go away for a long time.

In such circumstances, we are talking about the transition of the disease to a chronic form - the patient’s condition requires immediate treatment.

Causes

There are several reasons for the development of a prolonged, lingering cough, which cannot be quickly identified in all cases.

Popular factors include:

• residual symptoms (after illness);
• smoking;
• allergy;
• working conditions;
• chronic illnesses;
• infections.

A residual symptom is the most harmless cause of an unpleasant phenomenon. The patient continues to cough after suffering from a cold for no more than 2 weeks.

Attention! If a symptom accompanies the patient for a month or longer, this may indicate a weakened immune system or a low-grade inflammatory process.

Smoker's cough

A lingering cough in a smoker occurs as a result of a person inhaling cigarette smoke containing carcinogens that discharge bronchial receptors. Over time, the chemical in cigarettes leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the bronchi and alveoli.

What physiologically explains the need for the manifestation of an unconditioned reflex in a smoker? The mucous membrane of the bronchi and lungs is covered with small cilia, the main task of which is to protect the organs from dust and maintain a healthy state of the system. When a person smokes for a long time, the barrier “fuzz” dies, the columnar epithelium turns into flat. In such a situation, the organs are cleansed of harmful plaque through coughing.

As a smoker's length of service increases, the degree of poisoning in the body also increases - the cough becomes incessant. The following symptomatic progress is observed: the person immediately does not pay attention to the rare, gradually increasing coughing, then a regular “morning cough” is observed, which is a harbinger of chronic bronchitis.

The smoker continues to cough during the day, evening and even at night. The clinical picture is complemented by a deterioration in the general condition, migraines, severe shortness of breath, and suffocation. Further exacerbation of the disease leads to oncology and heart disease.

Interesting! According to sociological research, in Russia more than 60% of men and about 22% of women like to smoke. Thus, 40% of the country's population are smokers. Almost half of citizens aged 18-44 smoke, most of whom became addicted to cigarettes before they came of age.

Harmful work

A persistent cough often worries workers in hazardous industries. Such a symptom is easy to identify - the accompanying factors are obvious. In addition, employees regularly undergo preventive medical examinations.

Workers in hazardous production processes have personal protective equipment. We are talking about respirators, bandages, masks and more. Another issue is that many employees neglect their work paraphernalia.

Persons in contact with wood, iron, fabric, paints and varnishes, as well as hairdressers and nail service workers are at risk. During work, small particles of material settle on the lungs, provoking a prolonged cough that will not go away in a month, two or even three. In the absence of proper treatment, the symptom leads to the development of bronchial asthma and other pathologies.

What to do if the cough of a person at risk does not go away for a long time? There are two ways out: change jobs or always use special protective equipment.

Chronic diseases

Very often the lingering symptom described is a consequence of a chronic disease. Depending on the type of chronic disease, the patient may suffer from a dry or wet cough.

According to a prospective study conducted by Richard S. Irvin in 1990, an unpleasant phenomenon began to accompany about 54% of respondents due to postnasal drip syndrome.

28% of people had persistent cough due to gastroesophageal reflux. 7% are due to an advanced form of bronchitis, 31% to bronchial hyperreactivity.

In 12% of individuals the symptom was caused by other causes.

The last group of respondents includes people suffering from chronic diseases not related to the respiratory system:

• heart failure - the chest may hurt, symptoms of oxygen starvation may appear;
• gastritis (against the background of increased acidity);
• helminths - parasitic organisms can affect any organs, even the lungs.

The same group of respondents includes 28% of people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, accompanied by coughing attacks at night, when the patient is in a supine position.

Attention! There is no way to cure such a cough. The symptom will be suppressed, then worsen again during the period of relapse of the disease. Remission can last up to six months, sometimes no more than a month. The solution is that therapy should be aimed at chronic pathology.   

Infectious diseases

If in the above cases the body temperature of a coughing patient remains normal, then with viral diseases it increases.

The clinical picture may be supplemented by:

• yellowish, green or reddish sputum discharge;
• wheezing, wheezing during breathing;
• blood residues in expectorated secretions;
• severe shortness of breath;
• pain in the sternum at the moment of sigh;
• coughing attacks at night;
• sharp, dry cough, choking.

Important! If an adult’s cough does not go away for a long time, one or more of the above symptoms are observed, it is necessary to promptly consult a doctor, take a test (or several), and, if necessary, undergo a diagnostic examination.

Oncological diseases of the respiratory organs

A prolonged cough may indicate the presence of a tumor. The clinical picture of the symptom depends on the location of the formation and the severity of the disease. The most common form of the disease is a tumor in the lung area from the large, main bronchus.

First, the patient complains of a dry cough, sometimes it is paroxysmal. Over time, sputum with bloody discharge appears. The main symptom is severe shortness of breath and pain in the sternum. The process of cancer growth is accompanied by blockage of the bronchial tube and the entire lung. Breathing weakens, wheezing and whistling appear.

Interesting! In Russia, lung oncology occupies a leading position among cancer diseases. Men are more often among the patients; every 4th tumor in the stronger half of society occurs in the respiratory system; in women this figure is 12.   

How to treat a persistent cough in an adult?

Depending on the patient’s condition and the results of laboratory tests, specific treatment is carried out.

The primary goal of therapy, if the cough does not go away for a month or more, is to transform it from a long-lasting nonproductive one to a wet one.

To do this, the patient is prescribed expectorants - a type of drug that helps remove mucous secretions from the respiratory tract. Representatives: Bromhexine or Ambroxol.

To further stimulate expectoration you will need to use:

• mucolytics;
• cysteine ​​medications;
• proteolytics.

At the same time, a wet cough is treated with antihistamines or antifungal drugs - it depends on the nature of the symptom. In the absence of sputum, they resort to the use of medications with codeine, warming ointments for rubbing the chest.

The patient can also be treated by inhalation using a special device - an ultrasonic or compression inhaler. If such equipment is not available, an adult can use improvised means.

Decoctions of elderberry, raspberry branches, linden flowers, and sage can be used successfully as medicine. You can also be treated with aromatic oils (mint, eucalyptus, menthol), which, when inhaled, have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

A fairly effective therapeutic method is very simple: pour water (temperature 40 degrees) into a shallow bowl and add a few drops of oil. We bend over the liquid, covering our heads with a damp cloth. We inhale the vapors. The duration of the procedure is from 5 to 7 minutes.

The disease can be cured by inhalation with soda solutions and alkaline mineral water. Treatment should be continued for no more than 10 minutes. In the case of a dry cough, such a measure is contraindicated: the soreness and cough will intensify due to intense drying of the mucous membrane.

If a cough does not go away for quite a long time in adults, folk remedies will come to the rescue:

• thyme infusion. Pour 2 tablespoons of dry herb into a glass of boiling water and heat in a water bath for 1/3 hour. We decant the liquid, cool it and drink the infusion a day, dividing it into 3 doses;
• tricolor violet. Pour 1 tablespoon of the plant into 250 ml of boiling water. Next, prepare the decoction according to the above-described scheme, take it in the same way;
• decoction of linden flowers . Cook 3 tablespoons of raw materials in boiling water (250 ml) for 20 minutes. Cool, strain and drink 3 times a day.

Attention! Before using folk remedies, you should consult your doctor.

What to do and which doctor to go to if an adult’s cough does not go away for a month?

A cough for a month or more is an alarming signal that excludes the possibility of using self-medication methods. This applies to both cases of a single manifestation of a symptom and a pronounced clinical picture.

In such cases, you should contact a general practitioner - therapist. You can consult a pulmonologist.

This is followed by clinical tests, x-rays and further diagnostic measures as research results become available.

Conclusion

A prolonged cough often indicates a developing pathological process in the body. A symptom is a consequence of both external and internal factors. The clinical picture of the disease varies depending on the specific case.

Under any circumstances, a persistent cough is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Advice from specialists regarding the problem under consideration boils down to thorough monitoring of well-being, manifested symptoms, refusal of self-medication and, especially, unauthorized taking of medications.

Source: https://MyKashel.ru/vidy/zatyazhnoj-kashel-u-vzroslogo.html

How to treat a persistent cough in an adult

Causes of persistent cough in adults

Sometimes patients stop taking medications prescribed by the doctor at the first improvement, especially antibiotics, then the cough can become protracted.

Another cause is smoker's bronchitis.

The danger of a long-term cough is that it becomes chronic. This can happen as a result of bronchitis, cancer, heart or lung pathology. A prolonged cough is accompanied by wheezing, heartburn, chest congestion, and hemoptysis. Sleep is disturbed, dizziness, increased sweating and urinary incontinence occur.

Adults often do not take this symptom seriously, and this can lead to serious consequences. Only a doctor can find out the cause and prescribe treatment.

Treatment of persistent cough in adults

The first step when visiting a doctor is to conduct examinations to rule out pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma, and lung cancer. If the cause is established, cough suppressants based on menthol, honey, and codeine are prescribed.

A persistent cough can be treated at home. This is only permissible if it is not a symptom of a dangerous disease.

Boil ten onions and a head of garlic in a liter of milk until softened. Then add two tablespoons of honey and strain. Drink twenty milliliters every hour.

Take twenty-five grams of rose hips, wormwood, pine buds, yarrow and add one and a half liters of water. Boil for ten minutes and leave for a day. Strain and add one hundred grams of aloe and befungin juice, two hundred and fifty grams of honey and one hundred and twenty-five grams of cognac. Take a teaspoon three times a day half an hour before meals.

Add three drops of birch tar to one hundred grams of warm milk and drink on an empty stomach in the morning and before bed. Continue the course until complete recovery.

Treat yourself with a compress. To do this, heat a tablespoon of honey, flour, dry mustard, vodka, aloe juice, and interior fat in a water bath. Place gauze on your back. Lubricate the bronchial area with the mixture, put another layer of gauze, polyethylene and cover the top with a scarf. Fix and leave overnight.

For dry cough, eat a large onion three times a day with meals. Soon the mucus will begin to come off well.

Do inhalations with essential oils of lavender and marjoram.

Gargle throughout the day every three hours with a soda solution. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt or soda in a glass of warm water and add three drops of iodine.

To treat cough, massage sessions are additionally prescribed.

The room needs to be humidified. Hot and dry air dries out the mucous membrane of the nose and respiratory tract, which leads to mucus stagnation. Try not to get too cold and during periods of widespread illness, avoid visiting crowded places. Stop smoking during the treatment period.

Protracted dry cough in an adult

A dry or unproductive cough is often a sign of colds: tracheitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, acute viral respiratory disease. It comes in two types:

1. With a barking cough, a sore and sore throat occurs, and the voice disappears. This is typical for viral diseases or as a reaction to mechanical irritation of the mucous membrane;

2. Paroxysmal cough occurs more often with bronchitis and tracheitis. You may feel chest pain and difficulty breathing.

With this cough there is no sputum. An inflammatory process forms in the throat, excess mucus occurs, and a sick person wants to clear his throat.

The doctor prescribes antitussive drugs. Their action is aimed at relaxing the pharyngeal mucosa and reducing bronchial spasms. To get rid of a strong cough, sedatives are used to control it.

Prolonged, wet cough in adults

A wet cough occurs due to the accumulation of sputum in the lungs of the trachea. It often occurs after a dry cough and brings additional discomfort. He needs to be treated immediately. The lungs will begin to be cleared of sputum, which contains a large number of pathogenic bacteria.

When a wet cough does not go away for a long time, it becomes chronic. To thin the sputum, medications are prescribed that make it less viscous and remove it from the body.

They are resorptive and reflexive. The first ones are made on the basis of iodides and sodium. The second are based on plant substances.

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Protracted cough in an adult: how to treat, main causes and symptoms

• The attending physician will tell you how to treat a persistent cough in an adult after a full diagnostic examination and identification of the causes.
• The main symptoms of a prolonged cough include coughing throughout the day and sudden coughing attacks with the discharge of viscous sputum.
• Causes:

• infectious specific inflammation (rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, pleurisy);
• nonspecific inflammation (chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis);
• allergies (hay fever, bronchial asthma, alveolitis);
• occupational hazards (dust, cotton wool, asbestos, talc and others);
• smoking (smoker's bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema);
• pathology of the cardiovascular system (arrhythmia, extrasystole, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, cor pulmonale);
• diseases of the digestive system (diaphragmatic hernia, tracheoesophageal fistula, gastroesophageal reflux disease);
• injuries (chemical, thermal, foreign objects of the respiratory tract and esophagus);
• neoplasms (cysts, polyps, tumors, metastases).

Types of cough are divided into dry and wet.

According to duration they are distinguished:

• up to two weeks (acute);
• from 2 to 4 weeks (protracted);
• from 4 to 8 weeks (subacute);
• more than two months (chronic).

In order to understand how to treat a persistent cough in an adult, a diagnosis is carried out, which begins with an examination by a pediatrician or therapist, rhinoscopy and auscultation of the lungs.

The diagnosis is made after the first visit; a persistent cough develops after a cold and is the first symptom of chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, for example, bronchitis.

A chronic wet cough indicates constant pathological inflammation of the bronchi or lungs, and worsens in a supine position. Sputum culture identifies the causative agent of the cold and allows you to start taking antibiotics in time for correct treatment. If you are faced with a disease such as a persistent cough, your doctor will help you determine how to treat it.

Most often, treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause of the cough, restoring the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract to prevent coughing.

Methods of drug therapy, warming physiotherapy and folk remedies (onion, potato decoctions) are used.

It is advisable to treat cough in children according to the recommendations of Dr. Komarovsky, following the medication regimen.

Cough prevention has several directions. Prevention of seasonal cough during acute respiratory viral infections and respiratory infections is aimed at limiting contacts during the epidemic, regularly taking immunoprophylactic drugs, and performing routine vaccinations according to the vaccination calendar.

The Mantoux test makes it possible to identify tuberculosis infection in the early stages and begin early specific therapy, which significantly reduces the risk of exacerbations. Prevention of smoker's cough and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is complete cessation of smoking.

With prolonged smoking of cigarettes, cigarettes or cigars, irreversible sclerotic processes occur in the bronchi, reducing the elasticity of the tissue. The harmful effects of tar and nicotine with a long history of smoking negatively affect lung tissue, stimulate the production of viscous yellow sputum, and are also one of the leading causes of lung cancer.

Why an adult’s cough does not go away: general recommendations for long-term cough and basic principles of treatment

Blood tests, sputum culture, as well as instrumental and functional research methods allow us to differentiate allergic and infectious diseases, foreign bodies of the upper respiratory tract and esophagus.

Drug therapy includes specific antiviral or antibacterial treatment after sputum culture while taking expectorants and sputum-thinning drugs. The appropriateness of therapy is determined by the severity of the inflammatory process based on test results; in severe cases, hospital treatment is required.

The question of why an adult’s cough does not go away requires preventive measures aimed at:

• to give up smoking;
• general strengthening procedures;
• increasing the immune properties of the body;
• allergen removal;
• frequent wet cleaning.

In case of allergic bronchitis or asthma, bronchodilator drugs in the form of inhalers help restore the lumen of the airways. They are used for prolonged productive cough, as well as for exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases. Sometimes people are faced with the problem of why an adult’s cough does not go away when treated with medications.

In such situations, folk remedies are recommended that have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on acute viral or bacterial damage to the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, reducing the production of sputum and mucus. Certain herbal infusions, for example, oak bark, affect the intensity of the inflammatory process, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes at the site of infection.

Warming procedures, such as compresses, heating and inhalations, are aimed at increasing the outflow of mucus, cleansing the upper and lower respiratory tract, and relieving inflammation of the mucous membrane. Inhalation of active substances and essential oils has a protective effect on the bronchi, restoring the mucous membrane and expectorant effect, and sputum production.

Dry cough after ARVI: causes, methods of treating dry and wet cough

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