How to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one: diagnosis and therapy

Most over-the-counter drugs from pharmacies are designed to remove phlegm, that is, they only treat wet coughs.

Not knowing how to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one, people use these drugs for other purposes. This step, at best, does not bring relief; at worst, it complicates the further course of the disease.

Before treatment, you need to determine the type of cough. This can be done based on a number of specific signs.

Causes of productive and non-productive cough

Dry and wet coughs have different natures.

1. Dry cough is a reflex and occurs due to irritation of cough receptors, nerve endings located in the throat and trachea.
2. Wet means productive. It occurs due to the accumulation of fluid (sputum) in the lungs, bronchi and trachea. In this case, a reflex also occurs, but it works for the benefit of the lungs: the accumulated mucus is thrown into the pharynx and oral cavity, and is subsequently washed off with saliva or spat out.

How to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one

It is possible to diagnose dry and wet cough in children and adults without prior preparation.

In this case, you will have to rely on the coughing sensations, as well as your own hearing.

For wet type:

1. There is wheezing in breathing. They arise due to the movement of sputum.
2. After coughing, a lump of mucus forms in the throat, which you want to spit out or swallow. Sputum discharge is the main sign by which it is determined whether a person has a dry or wet cough.
3. The productive type causes a feeling of relief after an attack. It becomes easier to breathe, and the urge to cough again occurs after a few minutes. During the rest period, there is no sensation of scratching in the throat if there is no inflammation there.

How to recognize dry type:

1. Similarity to barking - by this sign you can recognize the type of cough by ear.
2. The absence of sputum is a key sign by which non-medics can distinguish between the two types of cough.
3. After the attack, the feeling of a sore throat occurs again. There is no way to stop, the attack lasts several minutes. In severe cases, the process stops only after fainting due to the inability to breathe normally during the attack.

Pediatricians tell parents how to determine what type of cough a child has. However, a preliminary consultation with a doctor does not guarantee an accurate self-diagnosis. This is due to poorly formed reflexes in a child two years old or younger.

For any cough in a newborn or infant, be sure to show it to a pediatrician - he will not only determine the type of cough the child has, but also select treatment in accordance with age.

A child should not self-medicate, since most pharmaceutical drugs are contraindicated under the age of 3 years.

What diseases are there different types of cough?

The most common reason why dry and wet coughs occur is pathology of the respiratory system. These include:

• Inflammation of a viral, bacterial, parasitic nature in the respiratory tract.
• Bronchial spasms occurring due to chronic diseases, excessive sensitivity of the bronchial tree, allergic reactions.
• Exchange disorders. They are provoked by bad habits, work in the chemical, metallurgical, heavy industries with harmful working conditions.

The type of cough depends not only on the disease, but also on its stage, severity of the condition, and concomitant pathologies. Dry cough occurs when:

• asthma;
• foreign body entering the windpipe;
• infectious process without pus;
• laryngitis at an early stage;
• tracheitis;
• tumors in the lungs;
• heart failure;
• osteochondrosis of the thoracic and cervical spine.

Wet appears when:

• laryngitis and bronchitis before recovery;
• pneumonia;
• purulent formation in the lung.

The presence of sputum is taken into account by the doctor when collecting anamnesis. However, even a doctor is unable to understand from one cough what disease one is dealing with.

Therefore, diagnosis includes donating blood for analysis, x-rays, and bronchoscopy. It will not be possible to diagnose pathologies without these methods.

Treatment approaches

Doctors take into account the difference between a dry cough and a wet one. Based on these data, the following is prescribed:

1. Drugs to suppress the reflex in dry skin - Oxeladin, Codelax, Panatus. Most medications are prescription drugs because they contain codeine and other opioids.
2. Preparations for thinning sputum when wet - Travisil, Ambroxol, Lazolvan. Taking medications speeds up the cleansing of the lungs from pathogenic microflora and the products of its activity.

For bronchitis and laryngitis, it is recommended to take medications that transform dry into productive - Gedelix, Mucaltin, Travisil.

Source: https://tden.ru/health/kak-otlichit-suhoy-kashel-ot-vlazhnogo

Cough diagnosis: how to recognize a “bad” cough and when it should not be ignored

We often hear the expression “bad cough.” It can refer not only to dry cough, but also to other types that indicate certain problems in the body. We'll tell you how to distinguish the type of cough and when you need to be wary and urgently visit a doctor.

Most often, cough accompanies viral diseases: influenza, colds, ARVI. With proper home treatment and the absence of other painful symptoms, it goes away on its own within a week or two. The most common and common types are dry and wet coughs, followed by those caused by completely different problems.

Dry cough

How to determine. It mainly occurs at the very beginning of the disease and, if left untreated, can develop into a more serious stage because the infection goes deeper into the respiratory tract. This cough is paroxysmal in nature. It starts abruptly and ends abruptly, reminiscent of barking. There is a burning sensation, irritation, and the presence of a foreign body in the throat. Often appears at night.

How to treat. With a dry cough, the main thing is to reduce the cough reflex and thin the sputum. In addition to special medications, inhalations are very useful, which will soften the mucous membrane and cause phlegm to come out. It is also recommended to drink more warm liquids, tea or milk with honey are especially good.

Wet cough

How to determine. A dry cough develops into this type if treated correctly. A wet cough is also called productive because it brings relief and the result of the cough reflex is visible.

This cough is accompanied by a runny nose and a feeling as if something is stuck in the throat. It may appear on its own, without a dry cough stage. In this case, it lasts a very long time and often leads to severe inflammation of the nasopharynx.

How to treat. If the irritation is caused by sinusitis, a disease associated with acute inflammation of the nasopharynx, antibiotics may help. In cases of colds, expectorants.

You can also relieve the condition with a salt solution. Drip it into your nose 3-4 times a day, remembering to turn your head.

This way the solution will reach its destination - into the nasal sinuses, and if you tilt your head back - it will flow straight into the stomach.

"Acid" cough

How to determine. A loud, hoarse cough accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth. Basically, it appears after late or night meals: if you eat and go to bed, acid from the stomach penetrates the esophagus, rises to the throat and irritates the mucous membrane. This cough may be a sign that something is wrong with your stomach.

The reflux of acid into the esophagus is called acid (or gastroesophageal) reflux. According to statistics, about 10% of people of different ages encounter it.

In case of acid reflux, it does not work and releases the contents of the stomach back.

How to treat. It is necessary to reduce the acidity of the stomach. This can be achieved by taking special medications or diet. People suffering from heartburn should avoid large portions, fatty foods and late dinners, and be careful with coffee. Particularly severe cases of reflux may require surgery.

Smoker's cough

      How to determine. This is a frequent, causeless cough, accompanied by shortness of breath and sometimes blood. It may also be accompanied by chest pain when breathing, shoulder pain and weight loss. This type of cough usually indicates to doctors that there is an infection in the lungs. Often found in long-term smokers.

How to treat. Follow your doctor's recommendations; hospitalization may be required. Such infections are treated with antibiotics and procedures.

Townspeople cough

How to determine. Persistent but infrequent cough. Accompanied by a small amount of sputum. Typically more intense in the morning. Other signs include whistling and a feeling of tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing (especially when sitting). It intensifies during the cold seasons - winter and autumn.

It may be a type of bronchitis or emphysema. The common name for these diseases is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. They usually affect people over 40 who live in large cities with poor ecology. Some cases of COPD are also associated with smoking, and up to 10% of patients inherit COPD.

How to treat. It is impossible to completely get rid of this type of cough. But you can slow it down: don’t smoke and protect yourself from passive smoking. Exercise as much as possible or learn to play wind instruments to increase your lung capacity. Certain medications, physiotherapy, heating, saunas and steam baths also help to expand the airways.

Asthmatic cough

How to determine. Loud cough with wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Worsens at night when you are lying down - phlegm accumulates faster in the respiratory tract. May be caused by asthma.

About 10% of those suffering from this disease do not even suspect that they are sick. It seems to us that an asthmatic is constantly suffocating and immediately uses a special balloon. This is not always the case.

Symptoms may include coughing and difficulty breathing, which can be caused by any, even minor irritant - dust, strong odor, pollen, and so on.

Contact with irritants causes the muscles lining the airways to contract, restricting air flow, causing inflammation and sometimes swelling.

How to treat. Treatment of asthma is usually symptomatic. That is, when you have difficulty breathing, a special steroid spray can help you, which relaxes the walls of the airways and makes breathing easier.

 Chronic cough

How to determine. Dry, very strong, but painless. Occurs rarely, but can last up to 10 minutes. Its duration can be measured not only in months, but also in years.

Up to 15% of cases of chronic cough do not even have any obvious cause. They are not caused by any disease, but by increased sensitivity of the respiratory organs themselves.

Any speck of dust that gets into the throat can cause a prolonged cough.

How to treat. It is impossible to completely get rid of increased sensitivity. Regular throat tablets with menthol will help you forget about your cough for a while. Only a doctor can prescribe specialized medications for you.

When a cough indicates serious and dangerous illnesses

Britain's Public Health Service has warned that up to 80,000 Britons could have lung cancer without knowing it. Doctors have announced four symptoms that you should not ignore and immediately go to a specialist.

• The cough lasts more than three weeks.
• Blood or mucus is released along with sputum.
• When coughing, the shoulder or area under the shoulder blade hurts.
• You feel short of breath.

Prepared using materials: tvojlor.com, aif.ru, segodnya.ua

Source: https://mag.103.by/novosti-kompanii/46993-diagnostika-kashlya-kak-raspoznaty-plohoj-kashely-i-kogda-jego-nelyzya-ignorirovaty/

How to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one

In general, the differences between wet and dry conditions in children are the same as in adults, but they also have their own characteristics.

A wet cough in this case is characterized by:

• cyclical attacks that stop not only when taking antitussives, but also in a natural way;
• not very loud, but persistent;
• sputum begins to leave closer to the morning and in large quantities, as a result the child may wake up with a mouth and nose full of mucous discharge;
• In young children, the wet appearance can provoke attacks of suffocation.

• A dry cough is characterized by a constant course and with significant irritation of the mucous membranes, the attacks turn into a “barking” form.
• Exacerbation of the dry type can occur several times during the day when a child goes from cold to warm.

Every attentive mother who cares about the health of her baby should know how to distinguish a dry cough from a wet cough in a child. The cough reflex is a protective reaction that occurs in the body due to irritation of cough receptors.

This process is very important for removing unnecessary contents such as dust, smoke and other irritants from the respiratory tract.

If such a process is not treated in a timely manner, it can drag on for a long time due to the fact that the mucus will become denser and it will be more difficult to remove it.

This painful process can occur in a child regardless of the time of year. Sudden changes in air temperature can cause a decrease in the body's natural defenses, which can result in a cold with all its symptoms and consequences. The immune system of children is vulnerable to external factors because it is not yet fully formed.

If sputum stagnates in the bronchial tree, an inflammatory process begins to develop. Over time, complications may include bronchitis or pneumonia. This phenomenon can occur not only due to a cold. This is the body's natural defense against external irritants. The cough can be dry or wet.

These types differ in that with a dry cough, an inflammatory process occurs in the mucous membranes of the larynx and pharynx, while a wet cough is characterized by an abundance of mucus in the bronchi.

Treatment of a dry cough consists of the use of sedatives and antispasmodic drugs, and the wet type is treated with expectorants.

It is very important to be able to distinguish between these two types for successful treatment of the disease.

A dry, or nonproductive, cough is one of the first symptoms of many viral or infectious diseases (for example, bronchitis or pharyngitis). It can be forced, but the sputum is not separated.

This happens because during a cold, inflammation develops in the pharynx and larynx, an excessive amount of mucus is produced and there is a constant desire to cough. The cough reflex is not accompanied by mucus secretion; it is strong, hysterical, and painful.

A dry cough appears due to colds and infectious diseases of the respiratory system.

When a cold begins, the child feels a sore throat and this type of cough appears. After some time (3 - 4 days), the dryness decreases, the cough becomes wet, as the body produces sputum. Then the mucus secretion slows down and the cough can become dry again. The reasons for the development of such a process are:

1. Influenza: during it, a dry and hoarse cough appears, gradually turning into a wet one.
2. Cigarette smoke.
3. Dry indoor air.
4. Harsh chemical irritants, for example, paint with a strong aroma, various solutions.
5. An occasional dry cough throughout the day may indicate infectious diseases such as laryngitis (dry and barking), whooping cough (with spasms and whistling) or measles.
6. Allergic reactions.
7. Tracheitis.
8. Pharyngitis.
9. Pleurisy.

A dangerous type of cough is caused by a disease that causes swelling of the trachea and larynx (false croup).

Depending on the type of reason for which such a reflex occurs, it can appear during the day or only at night, have a barking or annoying character, and the mucus does not separate. Such a process can be paroxysmal, exhausting the child’s body and ultimately not bringing results in the form of sputum discharge.

Source: https://tolktv.ru/tonzilit/otlichit-sukhoy-kashel-vlazhnogo/

Dry and Wet Cough Differences (Treatment)

Cough occurs for various reasons. And, probably, there is no such person who would not face the disease.

Cough attacks can be different - dry or wet. Dry and wet cough have differences, but they are not significant. Types of cough differ in symptoms and treatment methods. It is very important to be able to distinguish between symptoms in order to reliably select the necessary therapy.

Coughing is a symptom of other, more serious diseases. And when colds appear, we start treating just one symptom and completely forget that it is necessary to identify the cause of the disease, and only then begin serious treatment.

It will disappear only if the correct therapy has been selected.

When you have a cold, at first a dry cough appears, but soon it becomes paroxysmal. And if the causes are not eliminated in time, it will become wet.

Features of dry cough

Dry cough is a disease that can occur in a free form, or can be a serious sign of other diseases. It does not produce phlegm and cuts the throat. It is quite nasty, cuts the throat and causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient. It is usually activated at night, when the patient has already fallen asleep. After the attack has calmed down, it is impossible to sleep, because there is terrible pain in the chest area, it is simply torn into pieces.

How can you distinguish one type of cough from another?

You can tell the difference. Symptoms vary. The main thing is to correctly determine the cause and know the differences.

Dry and wet cough differences in adults:

• It is very difficult to clear your throat;
• In the throat, as if everything was itching;
• It has a paroxysmal character;
• It vaguely resembles a dog barking;
• It usually occurs in the evening and at night, during sleep;
• The attack lasts quite a long time.;
• During an attack, vomiting is possible.

Based on the characteristics of a dry cough, you can quickly determine the type of cough that is present in the patient. This means relieving symptoms and getting rid of the causes of its occurrence.

Dry coughing is quite a nasty phenomenon. A coughing attack can last for several hours, and does not stop for a minute. It begins to hurt very much in the chest area and the pain does not go away for a long time. The patient becomes very exhausted

Features of a wet cough

A wet cough is a type of cough that produces sputum. It does not bring the patient such torment as happens with dry skin.

There are differences between a dry cough and a wet cough in a child, but they are not very different from the reasons for its appearance in adults. This is not always a cold that becomes chronic. Perhaps it's just an allergic reaction.

Features of a wet cough:

• After the attack has passed, the person feels better. Because expectoration occurred;
• It occurs at any time;
• The attack does not last long;
• When listening, you can hear wheezing. Sometimes shortness of breath occurs;
• Very often it is accompanied by high fever. This happens because the body is sick and inflammation is very active in it.
• If it becomes wet, then this is a happy bell. This means the disease is coming to an end. Sputum is removed from the diseased body and recovery gradually occurs.

Causes of cough

Coughing brings a lot of trouble and inconvenience. The patient cannot sleep, eat normally, his chest hurts and his throat is torn. in a word - sheer torment. At such moments, only one thought arises, how to quickly get rid of this problem and return to the normal rhythm of life.

The causes of dry cough are different:

• Laryngitis. And in the early stages;
• Tracheitis;
• Bronchitis. If bronchitis has progressed to the chronic stage, then the presence of this type of cough is a common occurrence;
• Asthma, perhaps even chronic;
• Foreign object;
• An infection that provokes inflammatory processes;
• Tumors that are in the lung.

Causes of wet cough:

• Laryngitis. Stage of recovery;
• Bronchitis. Again in the recovery stage;
• Pneumonia. The sputum produced when you cough will be different from normal sputum. It resembles rust;
• Lung abscess. Sputum contains pus.

There are many reasons why wet cough occurs. There are often cases when a wet cough appears out of the blue even during a normal runny nose.

Of course, during a protracted illness, he talks about a speedy recovery. But you shouldn’t hope for this and under no circumstances should you give up treatment.

The earlier treatment was started and the more actively it was carried out, the sooner the patient’s recovery will occur.

Treatment of dry cough and wet

Whatever the symptom, it definitely and urgently needs to be treated. To get rid of an unpleasant symptom, you need to correctly identify the cause of its occurrence.

If a dry cough occurs during an allergy, then you can get rid of it with the help of antihistamines. You must follow the diet prescribed by your doctor. Avoid contact with allergens and drink as much water as possible. Inhalations are simply necessary, they will soften it.

If a dry cough occurs as a result of a foreign object entering the body, you will not be able to get rid of it on your own.

You need to urgently visit the hospital and the doctor must conduct a thorough examination. If surgical intervention is not necessary, then the doctor prescribes medications that stimulate the production of sputum.

Gradually it will become moist and the foreign body will leave the body along with sputum.

Doctors often prescribe the following medications to combat dry cough:

• Antibiotics. They are simply necessary. Especially if, in addition to a dry cough, there is a fever and inflammatory processes occur in the body;
• Antiviral drugs. They will help then if the disease is just beginning. In the later stages of the disease, these drugs will not help and taking them is useless;
• Inhalations. They are prescribed to relieve attacks. They are especially effective for various types of asthma.
• If a person coughs due to worms, then it only needs to be dealt with with special treatment.

For oncological diseases, he is treated only under the guidance of an oncologist. Treatment in this case differs from conventional treatments.

In addition to medicines, herbal infusions will be very effective in this case. But this aspect must be discussed with your doctor in advance.

For a wet cough, expectorant medications are prescribed. To get rid of phlegm faster.

Medicines

Any treatment will not be complete without taking medications. Without them, the treatment process will take a long time and complications are possible.

Medicines for dry cough are prescribed by your doctor. Typically, these drugs are aimed at softening coughing and tickling, and then transferring it to a wet state.

Drugs prescribed for dry cough:

• Codeine;
• Oxeladin;
• Mukaltin;
• Linkas;
• Codelac and others

Medicines for wet coughs thin the mucus in the lungs and bronchi. It leaves the body much easier and more painlessly. Doctors mainly prescribe medications that are made from natural ingredients.

Medicines that are effective for wet cough:

• Travsil;
• Gedelix;
• Dr. MOM;
• Ambroxol;
• Lazolvan and many others.

Home Recipes

Traditional medicine always helps to get rid of many ailments. Of course, you should not self-medicate; you should in any case visit a doctor and discuss this treatment method with him.

Also, do not forget that traditional methods of treatment are effective only if they are combined with medications. And in this case, it is impossible to do without consulting a doctor.

Doctors do not neglect traditional methods of treatment; on the contrary, they very often prescribe infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs along with medications.

Homemade recipes for dry cough are no less effective than medications. Elecampane, chamomile, plantain, St. John's wort, coltsfoot and other herbs.

You can make a decoction of chamomile extract and gargle. This will help relieve the soreness that usually occurs after an attack. Sea buckthorn oil or rosehip oil helps quite well.

The ideal remedy would be boiled milk with butter and bee product. It is advisable to drink it before bedtime. To soothe your throat and sleep peacefully. Wet can be cured with folk remedies. Homemade recipes for wet coughs are available in traditional medicine.

Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs will only speed up the patient’s recovery process. Herbs, if chosen correctly, will help remove phlegm and stop annoying coughing.

When preparing decoctions at home, it is very important to follow the dosage and not change the herbs. If you add a small amount of herbs, the decoction will not be healing. And if you shift it, you can get poison and get poisoned.

You also need to drink decoctions strictly according to the hour. Do not forget that decoctions and infusions are also medicine.

Medicinal mixtures can be purchased at a pharmacy, or you can collect them yourself. But if you are new to this business, then it’s not worth the risk.

Prevention

Prevention is simply necessary. This is necessary so that colds and colds do not bother you during the season of epidemics. Prevention of treatment of dry and wet cough is necessary to live a normal life and avoid the consequences of the disease.

Firstly, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and quit smoking. Alcoholic drinks and smoking weaken the immune system. Secondly, it is imperative to observe the rules of personal hygiene and eat a balanced diet. Third, wear seasonal clothing and avoid drafts.

Timely adoption of measures in the treatment of colds will allow you to quickly return to normal and avoid complications.

In any case, do not self-medicate. You will only prolong the disease and the treatment will take a long time. Do not neglect the prescribed treatment and prevention measures and be healthy!



Source: https://kashlya-net.ru/kashel/suhoj-i-vlazhnyj-kashel-otlichiya

How to distinguish a wet (productive) cough from a dry one?

Many people face the problem of recognizing a dry, wet cough. This is very important to do at the onset of the disease, since the variety indicates a diagnosis that requires fundamentally different treatment. Dry and wet cough are usually easily differentiated, but there are clinical situations that raise many questions in patients.

How to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one?

To understand the difference between a dry cough and a wet cough, you need to understand the occurrence of both symptoms.

Any cough impulse is a protective reflex of the respiratory tract. Receptors located in the nose, oropharynx, trachea, and bronchi are stimulated by various stimuli, the impulse is transmitted to the medulla oblongata, where the cough center is located. From this area there is an order to the respiratory muscles, a forced sharp exhalation occurs.

The cause of receptor irritation is most often sputum. Then we are talking about a wet cough. But such a symptom may sound like dry mucus if the mucus is thick, viscous, and cannot be coughed up. Wet mucus with difficult to cough up occurs in infectious diseases, when it can be distinguished by the accompanying symptoms of inflammation of the respiratory organs.

A dry cough causes irritation of the receptors with dry, cold air, pungent odor, allergens, dust, and foreign bodies in the respiratory tract. Typically, a dry cough reflex occurs without clinical signs of infection. But there is an exception - whooping cough. The disease is typical for children and is characterized by severe coughing attacks due to direct irritation of the cough center.

The main difference lies in the cause: a dry cough is of non-infectious etiology, except in rare cases, a wet cough is infectious.

Dry cough is

It is also called unproductive, since it does not produce mucus from the trachea and bronchi. The symptom has a purely protective function.

This type of cough occurs quite often and can be obsessive if there is constant contact with an allergen, tobacco smoke, polluted air, or dust.

The development of manifestations is usually combined with a certain factor and is not accompanied by concomitant symptoms. Treatment of a nonproductive symptom is quite complex and should be prescribed only with a correct diagnosis.

Associated symptoms will include fever, headache, drowsiness and other signs of intoxication. The attack is provoked by a sore throat, behind the sternum, wheezing, and in children, “gurgling” when breathing. In such cases, it is very important to take measures to thin the sputum, which will facilitate its removal.

Distinctive features of a wet or wet cough

This symptom is also called productive, as it is characterized by the production of sputum. Typically, excessive coughing up of mucus occurs during the height of an infectious pathology of the respiratory system, with chronic inflammation. Mucus can vary in color from clear to purulent, brown or red, depending on the pathology.

Typically, the manifestation begins to bother patients in the morning, when the mucus accumulated in the tract is coughed out. If a wet symptom is very disturbing at night, then most likely the problem is rhinitis or sinusitis. In this case, nasal mucus flows into the trachea and irritates the cough receptors; inflammation can spread down the respiratory tract.

What diseases does a wet and dry cough indicate?

A productive symptom occurs in acute and chronic pathologies.

It develops in the following cases:

1. Tracheitis.
2. Bronchitis is acute and chronic.
3. Pneumonia.
4. Bronchiectasis.

Dry occurs in pathologies:

1. Allergy.
2. Cough bronchial asthma.
3. It is normal if there are factors that irritate the receptors.
4. Foreign body in the respiratory tract.
5. Whooping cough.

During the formation of the inflammatory process, the stages of dry and wet cough can replace each other.

Main differences in treatment approach and goals

The main difference between a wet cough and a dry cough is treatment. If therapy is not prescribed correctly, unpleasant and dangerous consequences can develop.

Treatment for a nonproductive cough attack involves turning off the reflex response. This can be achieved by prescribing antitussives. The drugs lead to the suppression of the symptom, and it stops tormenting the patient.

The danger lies in incorrectly identifying the cause of the cough.

If it is a manifestation of a respiratory tract infection and the lumen contains thick sputum, then the prescription of antitussive drugs leads to stagnation of mucus and the spread of inflammation lower into the bronchi and lungs.

Treatment of a wet attack is aimed at thinning thick sputum and stimulating its coughing. Mucolytics and expectorants are suitable for this. Taking these drugs during a non-productive attack is not advisable, since mucolytics can lead to abundant mucus production and an increase in the cough reflex.

If it is impossible to distinguish exactly whether a dry or wet cough is bothering the patient, you can give the patient a warm drink for a while, ventilate the room, and humidify the air. This will eliminate the consequences of unreasonable prescription of drugs and give time for the symptom to manifest all its characteristics.

Conclusion

Of course, a doctor should be involved in recognizing the symptoms, but it is not always possible to contact him in time. It is better to avoid taking antitussives and strong mucolytics.

If, after fighting a cough on your own for several days, it does not go away, then you should contact a specialist, because sometimes, in order to distinguish an unproductive symptom from a productive one, it is necessary to prescribe additional examinations.

Source: https://MyKashel.ru/question/kak-otlichit-suhoj-kashel-ot-vlazhnogo.html

How to distinguish dry and wet cough

Such a common symptom as cough occurs in many diseases. Its origin can be varied - infectious, allergic or other. If pathology occurs, it is necessary to understand the difference between dry and wet cough. By correctly identifying the difference between them, it will be possible to carry out effective treatment and prevent the development of complications.

Dry and wet cough - important differences

The second name for the pathologies under consideration is non-productive and productive cough. The first form of violation tends to be more complicated. Gradually, the dry type of syndrome turns into a wet form, but this process can take a considerable period of time.

The table below will help you understand dry and wet cough, how to distinguish these symptoms from each other:

Non-productive syndrome	Wet type of symptom
There is no mucus formation process	Mucus is produced in varying amounts
Sputum does not leave the respiratory tract	There is a discharge of bronchial secretions
Causes hoarseness, chest pain	Leads to shortness of breath, discomfort, wheezing
Worsens at night	Occurs periodically throughout the day
Present for 2-14 days, sometimes longer	May bother you for at least a month

Both types of disorders can occur with a rise in body temperature and a runny nose. Sometimes, against the background of pathologies, nausea and vomiting, abnormal salivation, and sleep disturbances develop .

Dry cough is more difficult to treat. Gradually it becomes moist, helping to remove viruses, bacteria or foreign bodies from the body. In the absence of quality treatment, the unproductive syndrome can quickly become chronic and provoke neuroses and heart failure.

If the problem is ignored for a long time, the risk of developing asthma increases - a dangerous disease that causes narrowing of the small bronchi (bronchospasm) and severe attacks.

Why does pathology occur?

Unproductive cough syndrome most often manifests itself against the background of various diseases:

• rhinitis;
• laryngitis;
• acute viral pathologies of the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• bronchial asthma;
• sinusitis.

If coughing is not accompanied by complete discharge of sputum, the reasons for this may be prolonged inflammation in the nasopharynx or allergies. In young children, pathology can occur after small foreign objects enter the respiratory tract.

In adults, a dry cough often occurs as a result of prolonged smoking. It is sometimes considered a side effect of therapy with certain medications.

It is important to know! Unproductive syndrome does not necessarily manifest itself in diseases of the respiratory system. In some cases, it is recorded against the background of gastric, cardiac, and liver pathologies.

A wet cough can develop in a person who has:

• bronchitis;
• ARVI;
• flu;
• pneumonia;
• tuberculosis.

The symptom worries people who have certain features in the structure of the respiratory organs. In addition, it is typical for it to appear during a sharp change in temperature.                      

Unlike the dry type of syndrome, the productive type of disorder does not occur due to allergic reactions. It also does not tend to develop due to diseases that do not affect the respiratory system.

Which syndrome is more dangerous?

The greatest danger is present during severe attacks of dry cough. This condition is accompanied by severe irritation that occurs in the nose and throat.

If coughing causes significant strain, hemorrhages occur in the organs of vision. Sometimes ear congestion occurs. With a tendency to frequent increases in blood pressure, an ongoing syndrome can provoke an exacerbation of hypertension and a significant deterioration in well-being.

Progressive pathology can be accompanied by spasms, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. With this form of disorder, the patient requires accelerated liquefaction of sputum and effective stimulation of its discharge.

Treatment options

When a syndrome appears, it is important to accurately determine its type. Only after this can you begin to treat cough, based on the use of pharmaceutical drugs and folk remedies.

Dry cough therapy

To cure non-productive syndrome, the following types of medications are used:

• mucolytics;
• antitussive medications;
• combined means.

Mucolytics include drugs that cause an accelerated transition of an unproductive symptom into a wet form. The main effect of medications is to liquefy viscous sputum. Among such drugs, Bromhexine, Ambroxol, ACC, Mucaltin, and licorice root syrup are effective.

Antitussives help relieve painful cough syndrome by acting on certain parts of the brain and inhibiting the cough reflex. Drugs from this group are represented by narcotic and non-narcotic products - Codeine, Libexin, Omnitus, Levopront.

Combination drugs for dry cough consist of several active components. Such medications provide dilution and removal of accumulated mucus, eliminate the inflammatory process, improve the general well-being of the patient and replenish vitamin deficiencies in the body. This category of medications is represented by Stoptussin, Halixol, Broncholitin.

Medicines for cough syndrome have a variety of release forms. For adults and adolescents, tablets or capsules are suitable. Syrups and suspensions are recommended for children .  

Wet cough remedies

Treatment of productive cough syndrome is carried out with the help of drugs that have expectorant properties. Such drugs cause faster evacuation of mucus from the bronchi and lungs, and also restore their normal functioning.

Therapy is often based on the use of:

• Bromhexine;
• Fluimucil;
• Bronchosana;
• Fluditeca;
• Libexina Muco.

Modern pharmacological companies also produce drugs prescribed to patients who have a dry and wet cough at the same time. These products include Doctor MOM, Joset, Stodal, Flavamed.

In addition to pharmacological products, non-traditional methods are widely used in the treatment of the syndrome. It is recommended to get your doctor's approval before using them.

All folk remedies for cough include completely natural ingredients and are suitable for use even in early childhood.

Prevention of violation

The risk of developing cough syndrome can be reduced thanks to traditional preventive measures:

1. Timely treatment of colds.
2. Avoiding hypothermia.
3. Good nutrition.
4. Proper hardening of the body.
5. Regular medical examinations and fluorography.
6. Quitting smoking.
7. Annual immunization against influenza and pneumonia.
8. Maintain good personal hygiene, frequent hand washing.

Dry and wet coughs can bother both adults and children. To prevent these pathologies from developing into serious diseases, it is important to consult a doctor at the first signs of deterioration in health, and also avoid the use of questionable medications.

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Source: https://www.tvoiguru.ru/zabolevaniya-dyhatelnoj-sistemy/suhoj-i-vlazhnyj-kashel-kak-otlichit/

How to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one

Many patients have a question about how to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one, since the approach to their treatment is somewhat different. However, the treatment regimen for cough depends not only and not only on its type, but also on the cause, accompanying symptoms, existing contraindications, and the patient’s age.

The cough reflex is a protective reaction of the body in response to irritation of the respiratory tract; it serves to cleanse them. A productive cough performs this function in the best possible way, while a long-lasting non-productive cough does not, and is therefore less favorable.

Cough can be either the only symptom (for tuberculosis, malignant neoplasms, bronchial asthma) or accompanied by other clinical signs (for colds). In any case, it must be treated by a doctor who will determine the primary pathology, since suppressing just one symptom cannot be effective.

How to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one

Cough duration is usually classified as follows:

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

Depending on whether sputum is produced, the cough is divided into:

• dry (unproductive) – sputum is not separated;
• wet (productive, wet) – sputum is separated.

• The table shows a number of differences between them:
• Cough attack does not bring relief
• Coughing brings relief
• Attacks can last a long time and occur frequently
• After coughing, the attack ends, attacks occur less frequently
• During an attack, pain in the chest, pain and a burning sensation in the throat may occur; after numerous attacks, the patient is bothered by pain in the chest caused by muscle strain
• A cough attack can be either painless or painful; after coughing, the pain does not bother you
• The attack occurs suddenly, there are no warning signs
• The patient feels the need to cough, often deliberately causing an attack
• Often accompanied by difficulty breathing
• Wheezing may be heard, and in rare cases shortness of breath occurs.

Types of cough and accompanying symptoms for various diseases

Cough attacks and their nature in different diseases have their own characteristics. The nature of the sputum discharge also depends on the disease.

With pharyngitis, the patient experiences soreness and a feeling of dryness in the throat, pain when swallowing, hyperemia and swelling of the back wall of the pharynx, fever, and weakness. In the acute form of the disease, sputum is usually not separated, and the dry cough is painful. In the chronic form of the disease, the symptoms are less pronounced; viscous sputum may be released during coughing.

Laryngitis and laryngotracheitis

In the initial stages of laryngitis, the cough is dry; after a few days, sputum begins to separate. Also noted:

• pain when swallowing;
• burning and dryness in the throat;
• headache;
• temperature increase;
• lethargy and fatigue.

Source: https://kgkb6.ru/kashel/kak-otlichit-suhoj-kashel-ot-vlazhnogo-u-detej-i-vzroslyh.html

How can you distinguish a dry cough from a wet one: the main differences

The appearance of a cough reflex during respiratory diseases is a normal, natural phenomenon. There are only two types: productive and unproductive. The main task remains to promptly distinguish a dry cough from a wet one, and then begin to treat the root cause.

The difference in therapy aimed at eliminating one type of cough is significant. The dry type is difficult to cure; it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and ensure timely replacement of the medication. This applies to both adults and young patients.

How to understand productive and unproductive

A cough occurs for a reason, but to cleanse the bronchi and respiratory tract from an irritant. Such an irritant, a provocateur of a reflex, can become:

• infections, smoke;
• bacteria, strong odors;
• foreign bodies;
• Food;
• dust, allergens.

Provocateurs begin to irritate the mucous membrane, enter the mucus, which is regularly produced by the bronchi, which leads to a reduction in muscle tissue. What we get as a result: the release of sputum with elements of an irritant (viruses, bacteria, infections) or chest sounds.

The first option is called productive, since the bronchi, with the help of coughing, independently try to clear themselves of unnecessary elements, but it does not bring much benefit. During cleansing, the mucous membrane experiences regular spasms.

Mucus, which should serve as a kind of protection, comes out in large quantities. There is practically nothing left to protect the bronchi. Also, a wet cough irritates the walls of the larynx more, causing severe inflammation.

Due to this, viral and infectious diseases are more difficult to develop. The faster you can determine a dry or wet cough, the less the inflammatory process, the lower the percentage of complications after recovery.

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By determining the type of cough reflex, you can determine the disease:

Dry (unproductive)
Wet (productive)

Viral infections	Inflammatory process of any complexity in the bronchi
Allergic reaction to all types, forms of provocateurs/allergens	Inflammatory process in lung tissue
Laryngitis	Bronchial asthma
Dry type pleurisy	Tuberculosis

Need to know! To distinguish a wet cough from a dry one, you should understand that during a productive cough, copious mucus will be noticeable along with the reflex. Its color can clearly indicate the provocateur, the disease.

Sputum disappears during treatment, but first changes color. To carry out effective treatment for dry cough, it is necessary to establish the cause. Sometimes this is not possible without additional diagnostics.

Productive cough

If this type is present, mucus discharge is mandatory. It can be of different consistency, color, and smell. Indicates the self-cleansing of the body through reflex actions. If before this a dry type of cough reflex was observed, then the transition to a productive form indicates the beginning of recovery. The following differences will help you determine:

• pain is absent or has become significantly less;
• during a spasmodic act, a lump of mucus comes out into the oral cavity. There is an immediate feeling of lightness in the sternum;
• breathing becomes easier, attacks are not characterized as prolonged;
• instead of a barking sound, a squelching sound is clearly audible, something like bubbling notes;
• appearance is possible at any time of the day.

When a wet cough appears, expectorants are used to thin the mucus and bring it out painlessly . The treatment process should be comprehensive, but should not include cough-up medications.

What is a dry cough

The differences between a dry type of cough and a wet cough have different characteristics. So a non-productive reflex can be caused by pathological reasons or physiological factors. Productive differs in that its nature of appearance is influenced only by pathology. Provoking factors will help you distinguish:

Physiology
Pathology

Smoke, smog	Flu, acute respiratory viral infection, acute respiratory infection
Strong odors: perfumes, paints and varnishes	Parawhooping cough, whooping cough
Cosmetics, perfumes	Oncology, reflux disease
Cold air, dust	Bronchitis
Foreign body in the throat	Laryngitis, tracheitis

By eliminating the irritant, the cough goes away quickly, well, without the use of drugs. This rule does not apply only to allergic reactions. In this case, you will need a special drug that produces sediment and removes the allergen from the body.

The norm for an adult is up to 10-15 cough reflexes per day. For a baby, the figure rises to 45-50. For a child from one to 9 years old, 30-40 cough shocks are considered normal.

Symptoms also help to distinguish a dry cough from a wet one. Distinctive signs will help you recognize the pathological process:

• there is no relief after the attack;
• after/during paroxysmal tremors, a feeling of pain in the chest;
• often causes a gag reflex;
• coughing occurs at night;
• the duration of the reflex reaches 5 minutes;
• the onset is always sudden;
• The characteristic sound is barking.

Symptoms of dry reflex cough

You can distinguish a dry cough in an adult and a child from a wet cough at home at the initial stage. Because the differences are significant. During an attack, it is enough to pay attention to the release of sputum.

Mucus accumulates, comes out during coughing, and can remain in the mouth. Pain occurs and is present simultaneously in both types. The sounds made by the patient also differ.

Determined in an adult

The importance of correctly determining the type of reflex in an adult, as in a child, is 100%. With the help of simple tips, choosing medications will not be difficult. There are many more reasons for the appearance of a non-productive (dry) type of cough reflex than in a baby.

The transition from acute to chronic form is rapid. And this is additional trouble. Accordingly, the therapy is different from that offered to children.

In addition, treatment becomes more complicated, accelerating the transition from one form to another, due to the human factor: reluctance to be treated, suppression of the cough reflex. Therefore, if the following symptoms appear, it is recommended to take care of your health without delay:

• tickling, burning sensation together with pain;
• barking sounds;
• difficulty breathing, as there is a feeling of poor air capture;
• attacks are sharp and prolonged.

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With a dry cough, the irritation of the mucous membranes is strong, which leads to a narrowing of the larynx and esophagus. Such phenomena become frequent causes of the gag reflex, difficulty breathing, and additional irritation of the nasopharynx.

Symptoms in a child

Most parents, when a child has a cough, say that it is difficult to determine the type on their own. But this is only if you do not know the symptoms inherent specifically in childhood. The baby is not able to accurately describe or indicate the sensations during the onset of a cough spasm.

Therefore, there is a detection technology. In practice it is not difficult. It is necessary to press your ear to the chest and listen well to the sounds made while the child inhales/exhales.

While listening, the baby should breathe deeply with his mouth open. With a wet cough, the sounds are clearly audible and are characterized as gurgling. The presence of wheezing is also an indicator of the productive type.

The dry type reflex is an indicator of the initial stage of the development of the disease, or is physiological in nature. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is worth eliminating the physiological factor.

With a viral, infectious nature of the cough, the inflammatory process originates in the pharynx/larynx. The presence of tickling is mandatory. Since a child from one to 6 years old will not be able to explain feelings, the parent should pay attention to the following:

• the child asks to drink frequently;
• weak salivation;
• attacks occur progressively;
• vomiting during coughing.

Only properly structured therapy can help eliminate an unpleasant symptom. The treatment regimen for dry cough involves several stages. Since it is necessary to transform the unproductive cough reflex into a productive form. Then help the body remove phlegm painlessly.

Source: https://kasheloff.ru/vidy/kak-otlichit-suhoj-ot-vlazhnogo