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Constant coughing in an adult: causes and treatment approaches

Constant coughing lasting more than 1-2 months in adults and children indicates problems with the respiratory system. If a slight cough is accompanied by severe shortness of breath, periodic temperature fluctuations, and increased fatigue, the patient must undergo an examination to determine the cause of the pathology.

Causes of constant coughing

A cough is a reflex response of the body to irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract by accumulated mucus, dust, and foreign particles.

Brief periodic coughing is normal. But sometimes a child or adult constantly coughs for a month or more.

This symptom may indicate pathologies of the respiratory system. You cannot ignore it; you must consult a doctor so that he can recommend what to do.

The reasons for the development of frequent coughing do not always lie in pathologies of the respiratory system. Often the symptom occurs against the background of heart and vascular diseases or gastrointestinal problems . The main causes of cough in adults and children have some similarities and significant differences.

In children

In a child, coughing can be both pathological and physiological in nature. Physiological cough is typical for infants, and it is associated with teething or an insufficient level of formation of the swallowing reflex. This cough goes away on its own over time.

Young children also tend to have a rare, short cough in the morning. Babies have more viscous sputum in the bronchi, so it often accumulates overnight, and the child tries to clear the airways by coughing.

Constant coughing in a child can be caused by the following factors:

  • consequences of untreated acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections;
  • allergies to food or cosmetics (dry allergic cough accompanied by watery eyes and runny nose);
  • stress or prolonged nervous strain and associated muscle spasms;
  • Chronical bronchitis;
  • small foreign bodies in the respiratory tract;
  • too dry air in the child’s room;
  • disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: reflux of acid into the esophagus (this cough is accompanied by heartburn, belching, pain in the epigastric region).

IMPORTANT! A separate type of pathology is a psychogenic nonproductive cough, which has a metallic sound and manifests itself during wakefulness. At night, while eating and talking, this cough disappears.

In adults

  • Constant dry coughing in adults is always evidence of pathological processes in the body .
  • This cough cannot go away on its own, so it is recommended to seek help from a specialist to diagnose the problem.
  • Coughing can be caused by the following problems:
  • work involving inhalation of harmful substances or dust;
  • allergic reaction to food or household chemicals;
  • untreated or chronic diseases of the respiratory system (COPD, tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy);
  • disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • chronic diseases of the nasopharynx: laryngitis, tracheitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitis;
  • diseases of the spine;
  • pathology of the thyroid gland;
  • pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
  • emotional stress;
  • malignant neoplasms in the respiratory organs or esophagus.

IMPORTANT! A constant cough plagues experienced smokers. Tobacco smoke irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory system and causes increased sputum production. The body tries to clear the air ducts, which is manifested by a constant cough.

Associated symptoms

A persistent cough is especially dangerous if it is accompanied by additional symptoms:

  • apathy and decreased performance;
  • insomnia and constant feelings of anxiety;
  • periodic increases in temperature;
  • chest pain;
  • general weakness and body aches;
  • excessive sweating;
  • loss of body weight with a sufficiently high-calorie diet;
  • redness or bluishness of the skin;
  • enlarged lymph nodes;
  • hoarseness of voice.

All these clinical manifestations indicate serious problems in the body. Rapid deterioration of the patient's condition is a reason to urgently consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

  1. The diagnosis of the disease is based on an analysis of the patient’s complaints and clinical picture data.
  2. The doctor finds out the circumstances of the onset of coughing and the nature of their manifestation during the day, analyzes the accompanying symptoms.
  3. Depending on the initial diagnosis, the following examinations are prescribed:
  • general examination and sputum culture;
  • general and biochemical blood test;
  • allergy tests;
  • tuberculin test;
  • bronchoscopy;
  • gastroscopy;
  • X-ray and CT scan of the chest;
  • OFD.

IMPORTANT! Often, doctors at public clinics neglect a full examination of the patient during initial treatment, as a result of which some undetected pathologies become chronic. To avoid such a development of events, it is advisable for the patient to undergo examination on his own initiative at a paid diagnostic center.

Treatment

The course of treatment for pathologies depends on the nature of the problem identified during a diagnostic examination. It will not be possible to eliminate the cough directly if the disease that is its cause is not cured The treatment complex consists of taking medications, physiotherapy, and relieving symptoms using traditional methods.

Medication

Depending on the nature of the identified pathologies, the doctor prescribes the following groups of drugs:

  1. Antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection in the body: Clarithromycin, Azithromycin, Cephalosporin, Erythromycin;
  2. Antiviral when a viral infection is detected: “Remantadine”, “Kagocel”, “Arbidol”, “Tsitovir”;
  3. Antitussives: “Pentoxyverine”, “Glaucin”, “Butamirate”;
  4. Mucolytics to thin and facilitate the removal of sputum: Ambroxol, Acetylcysteine, Pulmozyme;
  5. Anti-inflammatory drugs in the presence of respiratory diseases or bronchial asthma: Fluticasone, Berodual, Pulmicort, Beclomethasone;
  6. Antihistamines for the development of an allergic reaction: Zyrtec, Cetrin, Loratadine, Claritin.

Psychogenic cough is treated with antipsychotics. If pathologies of the heart or blood vessels are detected, appropriate medications are prescribed. Cough associated with gastrointestinal diseases can be calmed by taking antacids: Maalox, Almagel, Omeprazole, Phosphalugel, Rennie. Drugs that restore gastric and intestinal motility are also effective: Cerucal, Motilium.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic procedures are used as a complement to drug treatment for cough. Patients are prescribed:

  1. Massage. Relaxes smooth muscles, promotes the removal of mucus residues from the respiratory tract.
  2. UHF exposure to the chest area by radiation of thermal electromagnetic waves. Under the influence of rays, blood circulation and lymph flow increase, as a result, inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane are relieved. UHF irradiation improves the psychophysiological state of the patient and has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system.
  3. Magnetotherapy . The procedure several times increases the effectiveness of drug treatment, relieves inflammation, swelling, and increases the body's resistance to adverse factors and viral infections.
  4. Electrophoresis. The procedure promotes better penetration of medications into the tissues of the respiratory system, stimulates the removal of mucus from the bronchi
  5. Halotherapy is the effect of salt air on the air ducts. The procedure effectively relieves inflammation and swelling, has a general strengthening effect, and restores respiratory function.
  6. Mud and paraffin wraps . The purpose of these procedures is to activate blood flow in the capillaries, stimulate metabolic processes in the body and restore the nutritional capacity of tissues.
  7. Quartz irradiation . Quartz rays sanitize the respiratory system, completely destroying viral and bacterial infections. One sector of the chest is irradiated in one session.

Traditional methods

Traditional methods of cough treatment, proven over centuries , will not replace drug treatment, but will serve as an aid in getting rid of this unpleasant symptom.

The following tools have proven themselves to be effective:

  1. Warmed milk with the addition of butter and honey (1 tsp per glass), pork or goat fat (1/2 tsp). The product softens the mucous membrane of the respiratory canals, relieves spasms, and eliminates cough.
  2. Inhalations with soda, eucalyptus, chamomile, essential oils of tea tree, lavender, citrus.
  3. Decoctions of chamomile, coltsfoot, mint. 2 tbsp. l. herbs are poured into 500 ml of boiling water, left for 2 hours, taken 3 times a day before meals, 50-100 ml.

 Prevention

The main preventive measure that prevents the development of many diseases is maintaining the body’s immunity at the proper level. Giving up bad habits, a balanced diet, adherence to work and rest, a physically active lifestyle - these are the conditions that will help make the body strong, capable of resisting infections, viruses and bacteria.

To prevent diseases of the respiratory system, you should also adhere to the following recommendations:

  • dress appropriately for the weather, preventing hypothermia and overheating of the body;
  • avoid gatherings of large numbers of people during influenza and ARVI epidemics;
  • maintain cleanliness and optimal humidity levels in the living space;
  • Consult a doctor promptly if symptoms of a cold or other illness appear.

Constant coughing over a long period is rarely a harmless symptom. Most often, this is a sign of a disease developing in the body, which must be diagnosed in time and properly treated.

In the video you will learn more about psychosomatic diseases of the respiratory system

Source: https://bronhit.guru/simptomy/kashel/postoyannoe-pokashlivanie-u-vzroslogo.html

Persistent cough in an adult, provoking factors, methods of treatment

Compared with their ancestors, modern people are more often susceptible to various diseases accompanied by cough.

A persistent cough in an adult, the causes and symptoms of which, according to doctors, may be associated with changes in the causative agent of infectious diseases and other pathologies of the respiratory tract, increasingly forces people to seek medical help.

Take, for example, the same H1N1 influenza virus. A few years ago it simply did not exist, and now it has come to a pandemic. Another reason for an increased cough is a weakened immune system. This leads to complicated cough, bronchitis and/or pneumonia.

Hence the conclusion - cough must be treated.

What causes a cough?

In order to answer this question, it is necessary to understand the essence of cough. Cough is a protective reaction of the body that clears the bronchial tree of foreign objects.

When the cough receptors are irritated, a deep breath is taken and after a jerky exhalation, the bronchopulmonary tract is cleansed.

If the cough is acute, which lasts less than three weeks, then the main reasons leading to irritation of the corresponding receptors are:

  • acute bronchitis;
  • congestive heart failure;
  • pulmonary embolism;
  • pneumonia;
  • ingress of foreign bodies and other factors.

Therefore, it is necessary to differentiate the cause of this acute complication. In case of chronic persistent dry cough in an adult, the causes of the disease may be due to obstructive pulmonary pathology, bronchial asthma, and so on. A constant and prolonged cough causes a lot of inconvenience to a person:

  • insomnia appears;
  • headache;
  • general weakness and weakness of the body;
  • there is a change in the usual way of life.
Read also:  Treatment of cough at home in adults: basic techniques

What do you need to know before taking cough suppressants?

Important! First of all, it is necessary to determine the productivity of the unconditioned reflex, that is, the presence or absence of sputum in the patient.

For a non-productive (dry) cough, in which the intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles hurt, it is possible to use direct antitussives.

However, the range of direct-acting pharmacological drugs is quite limited. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the true cause-and-effect relationship of the occurrence of a constantly dry cough in an adult.

What to do in this case? Naturally, consult a doctor.

If the cough is productive, that is, with the production of sputum, then the scheme of medical treatment is fundamentally different. The goal is not to suppress the reflex, but to make an adult’s constant cough with sputum as effective as possible, that is, to promote the rapid discharge of bronchial secretions.

How to treat a cold cough?

First of all, for colds and coughs, drinking plenty of warm fluids is useful, as it removes toxic substances remaining from infectious agents from the body. It would be a good idea to steam your legs and rub your feet. The fact is that hypothermia of the legs leads to spasm of the vessels of the upper respiratory tract, thereby opening the gates of infection, and warming procedures trigger the reverse process.

On a note! If an adult has a constant cough without fever, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system.

To do this, you need to walk in the fresh air at an average pace to avoid shortness of breath. As for the treatment of the cough itself, the main thing here is to help the body remove accumulated phlegm from the bronchi. For these purposes, a group of pharmacological drugs was created under the general name - mucolytics.

Whooping cough is back

It would seem that this acute airborne anthroponotic bacterial infection has lingered forever in the last century. However, more and more often, with a biochemical laboratory examination of the causes of chronic cough, the diagnosis of whooping cough is determined.

This is especially true for older people, whose immune systems weaken over the years. Thus, the so-called paroxysmal “barking” cough, which causes spasm of the respiratory system, is increasingly being detected in people of this age category.

Bordetella pertussis is a pertussis bacterial bacillus that can penetrate the body of an elderly person. How to recognize whooping cough in an adult?

The general course of the disease lasts approximately one and a half to two months, and is conditionally divided into three stages:

  1. The catarrhal period (10-14 days) is manifested by a prolonged non-productive cough without fever. The symptoms of the disease are very similar to those of an acute viral infection. However, all medications are ineffective, and the cough becomes more intense and paroxysmal.
  2. The paroxysmal period, which can last for a month or more, is characterized by specific symptoms. At this stage, it is possible to accurately differentiate the nature of the cough and adequately carry out therapeutic measures aimed at preventing possible complications. The treatment regimen is selected based on the results of laboratory tests.
  3. Gradually, the number of attacks of prolonged dry cough decreases, which indicates recovery. This period is preceded by long days of grueling treatment.

How to prevent whooping cough in older people? The most effective way to avoid infection is revaccination for an adult. It should be remembered that whooping cough is a very dangerous disease.

It is no coincidence that the WHO (World Health Organization) classifies the disease as one of the most dangerous diseases of the 21st century. Every year, up to 250 million people worldwide die from pertussis infection.

At the first signs of the disease, paroxysmal cough is treated with antibiotics and antihistamines, which relieve inflammation in the mucous membrane.

On a note! Prevention of the disease will be the creation of a humid air environment for older people, since dry air is very dangerous for the mucous membrane, this aggravates the symptoms of the disease and weakens the general condition of a person.

Specific causes of cough

What can provoke a persistent cough in an adult without fever? The reasons for the manifestation can be very different:

  • Increased stomach acidity may not always result in heartburn. In 40% of cases, acidity is increased, but there is no heartburn. What's going on? When acidic contents are thrown into the esophagus, cough receptors can come into play, which, when irritated, cause a cough. The approach is this: if a chronic dry cough manifests itself, but there is no cold, then you can safely take a pill that reduces stomach acidity.

  • Allergies to household dust, pollen, pet hair and other harmful atmospheric components may be accompanied by a constant dry cough.
  • Perfumes and cosmetics, as well as household chemicals, can negatively affect the respiratory tract, causing a constant and prolonged non-productive cough, without obvious symptoms of colds and fever.
  • Long-term use of medications to stabilize blood pressure can cause a side effect in the form of a persistent dry cough.
  • After prolonged physical activity, a so-called cardiac cough appears, which does not produce sputum, and the body temperature is normal. All this is explained by a malfunction of the left ventricle when stagnant processes occur in the lung.

  • Often, a prolonged cough appears in people with helminthiasis. Using the respiratory system as a transit base, parasites enter the lungs through the bloodstream to carry out their biological cycle.
  • A psychogenic dry cough can occur during nervous tension or in a stressful situation.
  • For chronic respiratory diseases such as sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, dry and prolonged cough without signs of cold inflammation - this is a completely normal phenomenon that requires urgent radical or conservative treatment.
  • Diffuse or nodular abnormalities of the endocrine system can affect the trachea, causing a constant cough reflex without increasing the temperature of the body.
  • A dry cough without fever in some chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract causes a reflex reaction.

A smoker's cough is a separate issue and a cause-and-effect relationship between the irritated mucous membrane of the bronchial tree.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes a narrowing of the bronchi, which accumulates a large amount of viscous bronchial secretion, which does not clear well from the mucous membrane, causing a long, incessant cough of unproductive properties.

A disruption in the body's oxygen supply leads to a feeling of suffocation and a feeling of faintness. Why is a smoker's cough dangerous? The thing is that vital human organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, and brain do not receive enough oxygen.

This leads to the progression of the intellectual functions of the body, that is, the person becomes dumber. Such people begin to have problems with blood supply, for example, the development of obliterating endarteritis, a chronic disease of the arterial vessels of the legs, which leads to necrosis of living tissue, that is, to gangrene.

The therapeutic and preventive effect of a lingering dry or wet cough will be compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and a healthy lifestyle without habits harmful to the body.

Take care of yourself and always be healthy!

Source: https://antirodinka.ru/pochemu-voznikaet-postoyanniy-kashel-u-vzroslogo

Persistent cough in adults: causes and treatment

Cough is a natural reaction of the body to the presence of factors that irritate the inner lining of the respiratory organs.

This symptom can be protracted, but in most cases disappears as the patient’s condition normalizes. A persistent cough is always an alarming symptom associated with many reasons.

To get rid of an annoying cough, you need to find out the nature of its origin together with your doctor, undergo the necessary examination and treatment..

Causes of constant coughing

The following can lead to frequent, continuous coughing:

  1. Long-term smoking.
  2. Inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract.
  3. Tuberculosis.
  4. Allergic reactions.

Prolonged coughing can be associated with pleurisy, regular contact with harmful substances, pathologies of the heart, and gastrointestinal tract. In children under 3 years of age, the disorder is often associated with the presence of small objects in the respiratory tract.

Frequent coughing attacks without sputum in infants are generally normal and are caused by the natural reaction of the respiratory system to dust or dirt. This cough is called physiological. It is considered as a pathology when the baby’s general condition worsens and negative symptoms such as high body temperature, pain, and redness in the throat are added.

There are throat and chest coughs. The reasons for the development of these types of syndrome and the accompanying symptoms are not the same.

Smoker's cough

This condition develops as a result of many years of regular smoking. The appearance of the symptom has the following mechanism:

  • after tobacco smoke is ingested, tars and other harmful substances settle in the tissues of the respiratory organs;
  • mucus is actively secreted as a natural defense for the affected membranes;
  • an excessive amount of such secretion prevents complete ventilation of the lungs;
  • as a result, a cough occurs, aimed at clearing the respiratory tract of a large amount of mucous masses.

A smoker's cough tends to get worse in the morning. The urge to cough often occurs immediately after waking up. 90% of people who have had a bad habit for more than 2 years are susceptible to the disorder.

Pathology develops regardless of what type of tobacco products is preferred. Cigarettes of any strength and brand, their electronic analogues, and hookahs contribute to the deterioration of health.

Cough in inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract

Inflammatory processes developing in the respiratory tract can be called the most common cause of a lingering cough. Pathology can be caused by:

  • pharyngitis;
  • bronchitis;
  • laryngitis;
  • tracheitis;
  • sinusitis;
  • sinusitis;
  • whooping cough

Most often, a prolonged cough syndrome manifests itself after the main symptoms of the disease have been eliminated (sore throat, elevated body temperature, intoxication).

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A persistent, multi-week cough that occurs after an infectious disease often indicates insufficient effectiveness of the therapy, or a severe weakening of the body’s immune defense.

Throat cough

A distinctive feature of a throat cough is that it appears not in the chest, but in the throat. The disorder occurs during the process of inhaling air through the nose or mouth. In this case, the patient experiences an unpleasant tickling sensation, causing coughing.

Smokers and people susceptible to chronic diseases of the nasopharynx are prone to the development of this type of cough syndrome. Pathology develops with frequent tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis.

The listed diseases lead to the accumulation of pathogens on the tissues of the nasopharynx, causing body resistance, increased mucus production, and an attempt to get rid of the infection by frequent coughing.

A persistent cough that originates in the throat is a serious reason for mandatory examination by an otolaryngologist and appropriate therapy.

Chest cough

A prolonged, unproductive cough coming from the chest often indicates the development of tracheitis. With this disease, the infection affects the area between the bronchi and larynx. In some cases, the pathology occurs independently, in others it is caused by tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis.

A distinctive feature of tracheitis is the preservation of satisfactory well-being of the patient. Exacerbation of the disease and the manifestation of attacks are observed at night, and are absent during the daytime.

Tuberculosis

A persistent, persistent cough may be a sign of a developing tuberculosis infection.

When affected by Koch's bacillus, in addition to constant coughing, other symptoms are observed - chills, loss of body weight against the background of the usual diet, hemoptysis, increased body temperature (most often in the evening).

At the initial stage of the disease, the cough is dry and unproductive. Then it becomes wet and proceeds with sufficient sputum production.

If you suspect the development of tuberculosis, it is important to undergo a medical examination as soon as possible. Failure to consult a doctor in a timely manner is fraught with rapid progression of the disease and transmission of infection to healthy people.

Allergy

A cough of an allergic nature occurs periodically and can bother the patient for at least 3 weeks. Exacerbations most often occur in spring or winter and are associated with the presence of plant pollen in the air or inhalation of cold air.

Distinctive features of a cough that occurs against the background of allergies are suffocating attacks, a minimal amount of sputum, absence of chills, body aches, high body temperature, and sore throat.

Taking mucolytics and other drugs aimed at activating expectoration does not bring relief. Antihistamines prescribed by a doctor can improve the patient's condition.

What other diseases cause a prolonged cough?

Other diseases that can provoke a prolonged cough without sufficient sputum discharge include:

  1. Inflammation of the lungs, which has an acute or chronic form.
  2. COPD
  3. Sarcoidosis.
  4. Lungs' cancer.
  5. Pneumothorax.
  6. Bronchiectasis.
  7. Thrombosis in the bronchopulmonary system.
  8. GERD (acid reflux).

Frequent dry cough may be due to the presence of heart diseases - ventricular fibrillation, repeated myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, asystole, cardiac asthma. Childhood diseases that cause long-term cough syndrome are whooping cough and croup. Both pathologies can provoke incessant convulsive coughing, accompanied by barking sounds.

How to get rid of a constant cough

To cure a patient who is tired of constantly coughing, it is necessary to find out the exact cause of the unpleasant syndrome. It is problematic to independently establish the source of the disorder, which requires mandatory consultation with a doctor and medical diagnostics .

After passing the necessary tests, undergoing fluorography and other types of procedures, the patient is prescribed appropriate medications. To enhance the main course, the doctor may recommend effective and safe traditional medicine.

Drug treatment

In the case of the bacterial nature of the pathology, a course with antibacterial drugs is carried out - Sumamed, Azithromycin, Amoxicillin. The viral origin of cough requires the prescription of Acyclovir, Arbidol, Amiksin. If it turns out that constant coughing is caused by a fungal infection, the patient is prescribed Nystatin, Ketoconazole, Amphotericin.

The transition of a dry cough to a productive one is facilitated by the use of mucolytics and expectorants:

  • Bromhexine;
  • Lazolvana;
  • Flavameda;
  • ACC;
  • Mucaltina;
  • Marshmallow root.

Antihistamines are indicated to combat allergic cough. Patients with this pathology need to be prescribed Claretin, Suprastin, Loratadine, Zitrek.

If the patient has an increased risk of developing throat spasms, the specialist recommends a course of corticosteroids. Such conditions involve the use of Betamethasone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone.

The drug course of treatment is often supplemented by procedures in the form of paraffin therapy, electrophoresis, and UHF. Such methods are allowed if the patient does not have purulent or bloody impurities in the sputum.

Folk recipes

There are many folk recipes that help treat a person from an annoying dry cough:

  • composition of honey, butter and cocoa;
  • decoction of hyssop herb;
  • drink with birch tar.

To prepare a product based on a bee product, you will need to combine:

  • honey, butter, sugar, rendered lard, aloe juice (100 g each);
  • cocoa powder (50 g).

After mixing all the components, the resulting composition is brought to a boil, then cooled and placed in the refrigerator. Take daily before bed, diluting 1 tbsp. l. product with 200 ml of hot milk.

To prepare a decoction of hyssop herb, 2 tbsp. l. dry plant is combined with 500 g of boiling water, boiled for 10 minutes, then kept in a dark place for 20 minutes. The drug is drunk three times a day, half an hour before meals. The course is at least 2 weeks.

To eliminate coughing in an adult, birch tar (2-3 drops) is mixed with 100 g of warm milk. The mixture is consumed in the morning on an empty stomach and at night. Therapy is continued until there is a marked improvement in well-being.

With the development of frequent painful attacks, inhalation therapy is used. For the treatment of adults and children over 3 years old, make a soda solution, herbal decoctions, and use Borjomi mineral water.

Source: https://pulmono.ru/drugie/kashel/prichiny-poyavleniya-postoyannogo-kashlya-i-sposoby-borby-s-patologiej

Causes of cough without a cold in an adult - constant coughing

The vast majority of people believe that cough is a characteristic accompaniment of colds. It is for this reason that it is not customary to perceive coughs and colds as separate components, which is a mistaken opinion.

Meanwhile, the nature of the appearance of a cough without a cold in an adult can be quite variable, and ARVI is often not even in first place on this list. It often happens that a cough appears involuntarily and is provoked by some irritant acting on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

Quite a variety of irritants can serve as provocateurs for this symptom, ranging from foreign objects to serious diseases.

Prolonged cough in an adult without a cold or fever - definition of a symptom

The symptom itself is quite dangerous and in any case makes you wary, especially if it has a chronic form.

In the case when this symptom is not of a cold nature, there is its own logical interpretation and causes of occurrence, which the doctor pays attention to when prescribing therapy.

There is an acceptable norm at which a healthy person coughs no more than 20 times a day, the rest should raise alarm bells and be a reason to contact a specialist. Find out why dry cough and chest pain occur by following the link.

If we are talking about the most common cold, then effective treatment can eliminate the cough in a short period of time, no more than two weeks. With proper therapy, an initially dry, debilitating cough becomes wet, alleviating the patient’s general condition.

The causes in the morning in an adult without a cold are of the following nature - respiratory tract diseases or lung disease. It often occurs when stomach acids enter the esophagus, accompanied by heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth.

This case is characterized by attacks in the evening and at night.

A frequent manifestation occurs in experienced smokers; this occurs due to damaged lungs and an irritated esophagus. In this case, the body finds it quite difficult to get rid of the cough.

Smokers experience bouts of this symptom immediately after waking up in the morning, which are accompanied by sputum production. This condition is standard for people with nicotine addiction, both in passive and active smokers.

In this case, there is only one way to get rid of an annoying cough - quit smoking.

A cough without a cold is a rather serious manifestation that can signal diseases of various natures.

Basic forms

There are two main forms of cough without cold:

Productive and night cough attacks

A productive or wet cough is a cough that is accompanied by the release of characteristic sputum from the bronchi. The peculiarity of this form is that this cough helps protect the body from viruses.

Usually wet occurs after dry in two to three days. This fact is the main confirmation that the patient is at the stage of recovery. There are often cases when a wet cough can indicate a certain stage of development of serious illnesses. Often these are diseases such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.

A wet or productive cough can be periodic or constant. Depending on the way it is expressed, it can be strong or weak. The mucus produced during a cough is usually thick or thin. Green sputum without fever is also found.

Before starting treatment for wet in an adult, you should consult a doctor.

If blood is present in the sputum secreted, we can talk about the presence of a serious disease, such as tuberculosis. In addition, the patient may have Goodpasture's syndrome, pulmonary thromboelia, or bronchiectasis.

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Unproductive

Unproductive or dry is not accompanied by the release of sputum from the respiratory tract. And due to the lack of secretions, the mucous membrane is subject to greater irritation. A special feature of this cough can rightfully be considered its reflex nature.

A nonproductive, prolonged cough with a whistling sound is considered more serious than a productive cough. This form of cough is possible with sinusitis, laryngitis, and rhinitis. It can also last for two to three days or several weeks in those who recently suffered from influenza.

In cases where a cough, especially a non-productive one, does not disappear for more than two weeks, and its nature is unknown, the patient must consult a specialist.

A cough is only a symptom of a disease, to determine which it is necessary to consider other manifestations. In cases where a cough is not a characteristic sign of a cold, we can talk about the following reasons:

  • Bronchospasm.
  • Bronchial asthma.
  • Allergy.
  • Effects of dust on the respiratory system.
  • ACE inhibitors, used to reduce blood pressure.

Factors that provoke a cough may be more serious, for example:

A cough without a cold is often a common symptom of asthma. The patient's condition worsens when inhaling strong odors, cold air, pollen or smoke.

If the cold does not go away, then regular coughing accompanies allergic rhinitis. Additional symptoms of the disease are rash, tearing, nasal congestion, sneezing, and often headache.

The most dangerous allergens are considered to be food; plant pollen; animal hair; book dust. Allergies are fairly easy to diagnose.

Attacks appear immediately at the moment of close contact with the allergen.

In order to prescribe treatment for cough, it is necessary to determine the causes of its occurrence and the disease itself, which is characterized by these symptoms.

Possible diseases, symptoms and signs

The appearance of a cough informs a person that the body is sick and requires effective therapy. There are a number of different diseases characterized by the presence of such a symptom. Such ailments can rightfully include:

  • The initial stage of laryngitis.
  • Bronchial asthma.
  • Emphysema.
  • Smoker's Qatar.
  • Entry of a foreign body into the respiratory tract.
  • Serious lung cancer.
  • Aortic aneurysm.
  • Tuberculosis at different stages.
  • Disorders of the nervous system of the body.
  • Allergic reaction to dust and chemicals.

It is almost impossible to diagnose the disease by cough alone, which is why it is necessary to seek help from specialists.

Diagnosis and treatment methods

In order to have a sufficient picture of the disease and prescribe a course of treatment, it is necessary to undergo an examination.

Diagnostics

Initially, you need to consult a therapist who will refer you to another doctor who specializes in the suspected disease. During the diagnostic process, the specialist will take into account certain points:

  • Time of onset of coughing attacks.
  • Form of cough: productive or non-productive.
  • Additional changes in well-being.

Next, the cough must be classified according to the duration of its occurrence:

  • Acute – up to 2 weeks.
  • Protracted – up to 4 weeks.
  • Subacute – up to 2 months.
  • Chronic – more than 2 months in a row.

Quite often there are cases when accompanying symptoms are not taken into account or are not found at all, for example, loss of appetite, constant drowsiness, general weakness of the body.

A non-productive cough without signs of a cold in an adult is usually associated with lack of sleep or stress.

Additional effective methods include hardware diagnostics (X-ray, CT, electrocardiography), laboratory blood/urine tests.

It is also necessary to take into account the likelihood of disorders associated with the nervous system. For mental disorders, cough medicines do not help, even if they block the reflex. In this case, consultation with a neurologist or psychotherapist is necessary.

If the cough is not accompanied by other symptoms characteristic of a cold, then it is necessary to conduct a series of special studies aimed at determining the diagnosis.

Treatment method

Cases of prolonged or acute cough without other signs of colds require special monitoring by a doctor. Consultation with a specialist should be carried out immediately if the following manifestations occur:

  1. Heat.
  2. Blurred consciousness.
  3. Change in speech.
  4. Cardiopalmus.
  5. Swelling of the limbs.
  6. Pain when swallowing and breathing.

Traditional therapy and prevention of dry cough with whistling

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Experienced doctors strongly do not recommend using traditional medicine recipes to eliminate coughs without signs of a cold.

Household medicine can significantly alleviate some symptoms, but there is no way to get rid of them, much less cure the cause.

In this case, it is important to understand that each individual medicine for a particular type of cough has characteristic features. For non-productive forms, antitussives are prescribed; for productive forms, mucolytic and expectorant drugs are prescribed.

To speed up recovery, a potential patient must normalize work and rest schedules, quit bad habits, especially smoking, and adjust their diet. In addition to traditional medications, antivirals, antihistamines and antibiotics are prescribed.

A cough without characteristic signs of a cold in an adult worsens in the dark, and to alleviate the condition, the following measures must be used:

  • When a cough without a cold is caused by tobacco smoke, it is necessary to ventilate the room, drink warm tea or a glass of water.
  • In case of an allergic cough, be sure to exclude all possible contacts with a potential allergen: ventilate the room, on the contrary, close the window to prevent pollen from entering, gargle with a salty solution and wash your hands with it.
  • In case of significantly more frequent attacks, you should always have a mint candy with you.
  • For diseases of the throat cavity, it is recommended to drink plenty of warm water, as well as maintain humidified, fresh air in the room.

Following basic prevention rules will help prevent coughing. When a cough is already present, it is important to get effective treatment.

A cough is just a symptom of a disease, both cold and other, that is, a cough without a cold. In most cases, it appears together with other symptoms, the identification of which will help in determining the correct diagnosis.

To determine the disease, it is necessary to have an idea of ​​​​the form of its course. There are a number of possible illnesses associated with coughing. It is necessary to understand the importance of observation by a specialist for effective therapy.

In any case, it is better to take preventive measures to avoid coughing than to treat the symptom itself in the future. Find out more about acute bronchitis here.

Constant cough

Cough is a very unpleasant symptom of a number of diseases of the nasopharynx and lungs.

It is often difficult to understand the true reasons for the systematic appearance of an unwanted reflex; this can be done through a comprehensive diagnosis.

general description

By cough, doctors mean the process of forced exhalation of air through the mouth, caused by involuntary contraction of a number of muscles of the respiratory system, mainly due to irritation of delicate receptors.

The main role of cough is to clear the airways of foreign substances, as well as to prevent airway obstruction. With a constant dry cough, no sputum is produced, i.e. it is considered unproductive.

Often, before the reflex is activated, the throat begins to sore.

A constant cough for no apparent reason is a symptom of any respiratory tract disease, occurring in both open and hidden forms.

Causes and possible diseases

There can be many reasons for a persistent dry cough. We list the main ones:

  1. Tobacco smoking. Heavy smokers, even those without serious lung diseases, periodically experience the urge to cough. Nicotine and tar irritate the receptors, which in turn provoke coughing attacks. In summer, a smoker's cough is usually weak and intermittent, but in winter seasonal exacerbation begins.
  2. A dry cough is caused by a classic cold: a weakened immune system cannot cope with its functions and passes the disease into the bronchi. The result is acute bronchitis, which becomes chronic if not treated promptly. With prolonged bronchitis, a constant dry cough does not disappear: improper treatment can aggravate the situation, the structure of the bronchial walls begins to deform and the person develops asthma, pneumonia, and even gets a lung abscess.
  3. A persistent dry throat cough with severe soreness in the throat is caused by chronic pharyngitis - it, like other serious diseases, should preferably be treated in a hospital setting.
  4. This involuntary reflex is also caused by tracheitis, laryngitis and inhalation of harmful substances.
  5. A very prolonged and severe spasmodic cough, accompanied by discomfort, pain in the side, shortness of breath and fever, is usually a symptom of pleurisy.
  6. A separate case can be considered a classic constant dry cough at night: during the day this reflex practically does not manifest itself, but at night it torments the patient until the morning. The causes of this condition may be whooping cough or bronchial asthma.
  7. Along with a cough, do you have a constantly elevated temperature, sweating, sudden weight loss and chills? Then undergo fluorography as soon as possible - there may be tuberculosis in the lungs!
  8. that continues for months without fever, a clear deterioration in health and the absence of other symptoms of the disease indicates that you have an allergy or the beginning of the development of a malignant neoplasm in the chest cavity.

Types of persistent cough

An accurate diagnosis of the disease that causes attacks of dry cough can only be correctly made by a doctor based on a comprehensive diagnosis, but if necessary, the severity of the possible cause can be assessed by the type of this reflex:

Source: https://kgkb6.ru/prostuda/kashel-bez-prichiny-u-vzroslyh-besprichinnyj-bez-priznakov-prostudy-neprohodyashhij-suhoj-bez-temperatury-u-cheloveka-postoyannoe-pokashlivanie.html

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