Dry cough: provoking factors and methods of symptom treatment

During a person's life, various ailments can affect them, such as colds, flu, and acute respiratory viral infections. It's quite unpleasant. However, if a dry cough is added to the disease, the situation can become painful. After all, sometimes such a symptom prevents the patient from speaking normally, eating, or even sleeping. How is dry cough treated in adults? Can folk remedies help?

Types of cough

This symptom refers to the body’s normal reaction to the penetration of an infection or other irritant into the respiratory tract. In such a situation, it becomes necessary to get rid of the source of the problem.

Therefore, a person coughs. If phlegm comes out with it, then it helps remove all the bad things from the body. If it is not there, then treatment of dry cough in adults begins with transforming it into a wet one.

For such purposes, mucolytic drugs are used.

Doctors classify dry cough into the following types:

1. Barking. It differs in its specific sound. This cough is accompanied by hoarseness, whistling, and shortness of breath. The decrease in respiratory function is quite noticeable.
2. Paroxysmal. With this type, a paroxysmal course is observed. The patient coughs for so long and so hard that the gag reflex is triggered. At the same time, a burning sensation is felt in the throat.
3. Chronic. Cough occurs periodically. This form is the most resistant to various treatment methods. As a rule, this type is characteristic of individuals who have bad habits (smoking).

Factors that provoke cough

It is important to understand what sources provoke this pathology. After all, the causes and treatment of severe dry cough in adults are interrelated. The following factors can cause an unpleasant symptom:

• allergic reactions;
• inflammation of the respiratory (upper) tract;
• heredity;
• nervous overstrain;
• dry air in the room;
• weakened immunity;
• smoking, alcohol;
• insufficient fluid intake.

Causes of the symptom

It is important to remember that cough in adults is often a symptom of a disease. Only a doctor can determine the causes and treatment of a severe dry cough. After all, this symptom may indicate the following ailments:

• bronchitis;
• laryngitis;
• tracheitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• whooping cough;
• tuberculosis;
• malignant formations;
• cystic fibrosis;
• helminthic infestations.

Why is diagnostics needed?

Most people think that they know how and what to treat a cough in an adult. The recommendation to undergo diagnostics only causes them bewilderment. However, it is very important to identify the true cause of the cough. After all, some medications are contraindicated for use under certain circumstances. Ignoring such a requirement often leads to serious consequences.

Therefore, if these symptoms occur, the best solution would be to consult a doctor. If necessary, the following examinations may be prescribed:

• chest x-ray;
• bronchoscopy;
• blood test (detailed);
• antibiotic sensitivity testing;
• immunogram;
• Analysis of urine.

Treatment with medications

Various medications may be prescribed to relieve cough. They are divided according to their spectrum of action. Some are aimed at suppressing cough receptors. Others are able to soothe an irritated throat and remove phlegm if it is present.

Medicinal methods of control depend on the cause that provoked a dry cough in an adult. Treatment for colds or inflammation of the respiratory tract is as follows:

1. Anti-inflammatory drugs - Doxycycline, Amoxil.
2. Antitussive medications - Codeine, Codterpin, Stoptusin, Gripex, Atusin, Mucodex, Libexin.
3. Antihistamines - “Loratodine”, “Claritin”, “Diazolin”, “Pulmolor”.
4. Mucolytic drugs - Ambroxol, ACC, Fluditec, Carbocysteine, Ambrobene.

It is very important to remember that antitussive drugs, which contain the substance codeine, are classified as semi-narcotic drugs. Therefore, they should be used very carefully. In addition, such drugs can inhibit a person’s reaction.

List of medicines for dry cough

Medicine does not stand still. Pharmacology is also developing rapidly. Today's market provides patients with a wide range of different drugs. Their diversity is sometimes perplexing.

Which medicine should I choose to overcome a dry cough in an adult? Treatment, if undertaken without the diagnostics recommended above, should not only help, but also - most importantly - not harm your health!

Let's look at some medications that have become very popular lately.

Antitussive "Sinekod"

The action of the drug is directed strictly at the cough center. Recommended for use in the acute phase of dry cough. And during pregnancy, this remedy is contraindicated.

Combined medicine "Gerbion"

The drug is based on natural ingredients. In addition to the antitussive effect, the product has antimicrobial properties. The drug is contraindicated in those individuals who have an increased sensitivity to the ingredients of the drug. It is recommended to be taken with great caution by diabetics. Side effects such as allergies are possible.

The drug "Bronholitin"

This remedy is distinguished by its ability to influence the cough center. In addition, the medicine has excellent antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties. It expands the bronchi, relieves swelling of the mucous membrane, improves breathing.

However, this drug is not recommended for patients suffering from heart failure.

Treatment of dry cough in adults with this drug may be accompanied by side effects such as tremor, insomnia, tachycardia, and nausea.

The use of folk remedies

Is it possible to eliminate dry cough in adults using home methods? The causes and treatment with folk remedies are, again, interconnected. It should be remembered that home methods can only help if the inflammation is localized in the upper tracts - the larynx and tonsils. When the lungs and bronchi are affected, folk remedies are usually ineffective.

During such treatment, a number of conditions must be met:

• bed rest;
• use of antihistamines;
• complex treatment with folk remedies.

Home therapy methods

Effective treatment of dry cough with folk remedies includes the following:

1. Use of mustard plasters, cans.
2. Using compresses on the throat area.
3. Drawing iodine grids.
4. Carrying out inhalations.
5. Drink plenty of fluids.
6. The use of decoctions of chamomile (pharmaceutical), wild rosemary, St. John's wort, oregano.
7. Using chest charges.

Folk recipes

It is considered optimal to use folk remedies in combination with therapy prescribed by a doctor. Only in this case will the treatment of dry cough in adults be most effective.

Let's consider several recipes recognized as the best weapon against this symptomatology:

1. A mixture of butter and honey. You will need 1 teaspoon of these ingredients. The butter should be softened, but not melted. It is recommended to consume the prepared mixture before meals throughout the day. It is advisable not to drink or eat for some time after taking the composition. In this case, the active substances will be able to linger on the mucous membrane of the throat, and therefore have a beneficial effect on the inflamed areas.
2. Radish and honey. One of the effective remedies. Cut off the top of a medium-sized radish. Carefully remove some of the pulp. Pour liquid honey into the hole formed in the root crop. Cover the radish with the cut top and put it in the refrigerator for one day. During this time, juice mixed with honey is formed in the cavity of the root crop. This composition should be used 1 tbsp. spoon three to five times a day.
3. Aloe and honey. For medicinal purposes, it is best to use a three-year-old plant. You will need to cut off three leaves. However, do not choose young shoots. Grind them up. To the resulting gruel you should add 2 tbsp. spoons of honey. And the same amount of red wine. This remedy must be used three times a day. A single dose is 1 tbsp. spoon. If desired, the product can be heated immediately before use.

Warning

Self-administration (without a doctor's prescription) of antitussives can be quite dangerous for the body. After all, some of the drugs described above can affect the central nervous system. In addition, their uncontrolled use sometimes leads to addiction.

Source: https://www.syl.ru/article/167151/lechenie-suhogo-kashlya-u-vzroslyih-medicamentami-i-narodnyimi-sredstvami

Dry cough in children and adults, causes, symptoms and treatment methods

One of the first symptoms of a cold in a child is a dry cough. It develops as a protective function of the body to cleanse the body of harmful microorganisms that cause inflammation and irritation of the trachea and bronchi.

This is the most unpleasant symptom that does not bring relief and causes a lot of discomfort. In children, a dry cough appears in the first days of illness and becomes productive 3-4 days after the start of treatment. The reappearance of a dry cough is possible before recovery, when the amount of sputum decreases.

The peculiarity of dry cough in young children is that it can appear even with a sufficient amount of sputum in the bronchi.

Unproductive coughing occurs due to weakness of the chest muscles and very viscous mucus, which is more dense than phlegm in adults.

The child is unable to cough up mucus; this is accompanied by a dry cough and the development of complications due to the accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms in the respiratory tract.

You can distinguish a dry cough from a wet cough by a characteristic sound - in the absence of mucus, a loud, annoying sound is observed, which is often called barking. Attacks of dry cough in a child, following one after another, weaken the overall health. Failure to control seizures leads to breathing problems and often causes respiratory failure in young children.

Features of the development of dry cough in adults

In adult patients, dry cough, like in children, more often occurs with infectious diseases of the respiratory tract. If the cough is caused by infections, then it goes away a few days after the underlying illness.

But if a dry cough does not go away for a long time in an adult, one can suspect the presence of severe pathologies, often not related to the functioning of the respiratory system. A prolonged cough may indicate heart problems, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic disorders.

In adults, the transition period from a nonproductive cough to a productive one is shorter due to the nature of the mucus - it has a less viscous consistency and is easier to clear. Also, the pectoral muscles of an adult allow one to cough well and remove sputum naturally, which reduces the risk of complications.

Adult patients more often develop a chronic dry cough due to exposure to negative factors such as smoking, inhalation of industrial dust and chemical fumes at work.

Causes of dry cough in children and adults

The appearance of a dry cough is facilitated by various factors - infectious, non-infectious, associated with the respiratory system and arising from disorders in other organs and systems.

The main causes of dry cough:

1. Colds and infectious diseases - ARVI, influenza, bronchitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis.
2. ENT diseases – sinusitis, sinusitis, persistent rhinitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis.
3. External factors - smoking, dry, too hot and polluted air.
4. Pathologies of the cardiovascular system - pulmonary embolism, heart failure.
5. Endocrine disorders - fibrous goiter, thyroiditis.
6. Gastrointestinal diseases - gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer, increased stomach acidity.
7. Malignant and benign neoplasms formed in the respiratory organs.
8. Long-term use of ACE inhibitors, for example, Enalapril.

Attention! A dry cough that occurs only in the morning is harmless and indicates a natural cleansing of the larynx.

The cause of a prolonged dry cough in adults can be an advanced stage of cirrhosis, nutritional dystrophy and kidney disease, leading to the accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity.

If a prolonged dry cough bothers a child only during the daytime and is the only symptom, then one can suspect that his psycho-emotional state is disturbed. Therefore, there is such a thing as a nervous cough.

Another reason why a lingering dry cough may appear is allergic reactions. Prolonged exposure to allergens on the mucous membrane leads to irritation and constant coughing.

Diagnosis and possible studies

Diagnosis of dry cough in children and adults is carried out according to the same scheme. Initially, the patient is interviewed and examined. The doctor palpates the lymph nodes, examines the larynx and listens to the patient's breathing.

For ENT diseases, acute respiratory viral infections and bronchitis, an examination and a general blood test are sufficient. If a bacterial infection is suspected, a swab is taken from the larynx to determine the pathogen.

If necessary, additional diagnostic methods are prescribed:

1. X-ray – necessary if pneumonia, tuberculosis, or neoplasms are suspected.
2. Bronchoscopy - performed to identify foreign bodies in the bronchi and take a biopsy.
3. ECG – confirms or excludes the presence of cardiac pathologies.
4. Peak flowmetry - assesses the state of airway patency.
5. Spirography is necessary for diagnosing bronchial asthma.
6. Endoscopy of the stomach is needed to exclude gastrointestinal diseases.
7. Tussography - allows you to identify the connection between cough and gastrointestinal diseases.
8. Computed tomography is prescribed for a variety of diseases in order to more accurately identify the localization of the pathological process that causes cough.

If you suspect an allergy, you need to consult an allergist and undergo tests: allergy tests, immunoglobulin levels, immunogram. If necessary, the patient is referred for consultation to a gastroenterologist, cardiologist or endocrinologist.

Treatment of dry cough in children

Treatment of dry cough will be ineffective if the mucous membrane is dry. Therefore, first of all, the doctor recommends regular warm drinks, ventilation of the room and humidification of the air.

Drugs are prescribed depending on the cause of the cough, but the treatment regimen always includes either antitussives, central or peripheral action, or drugs aimed at increasing the volume or thinning of sputum.

How can you treat a child's dry cough?

1. Antitussives – Libexin, Stoptussin, Codelac Neo, Levopront, Glaucine, Codeine, Omnitus,
2. Expectorants – Gerbion, Dry mixture, Althea syrup, ACC, Lazolvan, Mucaltin.

Attention! Most antitussives have age restrictions, so their use is only possible as prescribed by a pediatrician.

Children from 3 years of age are often prescribed lozenges or lozenges that soften the mucous membrane and have an antiseptic effect - Faringosept, Lizobakt, Doctor MOM, Strepsils. When coughing with inflammation in the oropharynx, children are prescribed gargling with Miramistin or Furacilin solution.

If a dry cough is caused by an infection, then antibiotics are prescribed - Augmentin, Flemoxin, Sumamed, Suprax, or antivirals - Anaferon, children's Arbidol, Tsitovir 3. Their use is necessary, since if the infection is not suppressed, it will spread further, and the drugs for cough will be ineffective.

Treatment of dry cough necessarily includes inhalation. In infants, this may be the only method of treatment, as it is the safest way to administer drugs, without the risk of damaging the mucous membrane of the digestive organs.

What solutions can be used for children?

1. Expectorants – Lazolvan, Ambrobene, ACC.
2. Against spasms - Berodual, Pulmicort.
3. To soften the mucous membrane - saline solution, Essentuki, Borjomi.
4. Antibiotics – Fluimucil, Dioxidin.

In childhood, physiotherapeutic procedures are required to speed up recovery. Electrophoresis with calcium chloride is most often used, less often - Dimexide, Magnesia, Iodine. Other methods of physiotherapy are inductometry, microwave therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, magnetic therapy, drainage massage.

Treatment in adults

The principles of treatment of dry cough in adults are practically no different from the treatment of minor patients. The main difference is that they can be prescribed stronger drugs, the same ones, but in an increased dosage and for a longer course.

What drugs can treat dry cough in adults:

1. Mucolytics and expectorants - Thermopsol, Carbocysteine, Ambroxol, Bromhexine.
2. Antitussives - Gripex, Libexin, Codelac, Gelicidin, Vicodin, Tusuprex, Sedotussin.
3. Combined - Tussin Plus, Bronholitin, Hexapneumin.
4. For inhalations - saline solution, mineral waters, Ambrobene, Gentamicin, Furacilin.
5. Lozenges - Strepsils, Travisil, Agisept, Neo-angin.
6. Gargles - OKI, Rotokan, Chlorophyllipt, Chlorhexidine.
7. Antibiotics – Amoxiclav, Flemoclav, Clarithromycin, Cefuroxime, Ciprofloxacin.
8. Antiviral - Kagocel, Arbidol, Remantadine, Ingavirin.

Physiotherapy is not always prescribed for adults. In many cases, the patient’s body is able to cope with the disease on its own or with the help of drug therapy, but in case of advanced inflammatory processes, ultraviolet irradiation, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, SMT, and inductometry are prescribed.

Traditional treatment of dry cough in children and adults

Treatment of dry cough with traditional methods is effective and can be used for both adults and children. But before treatment, it is necessary to know exactly the cause of a dry cough in order to aggravate the patient’s condition.

The most effective method is inhalation with medicinal herbs, but steam procedures can only be performed at normal body temperature. Plants such as chamomile, sage, calendula, St. John's wort, and eucalyptus are suitable for inhalation.

To carry out the procedure, bring 1 liter to a boil. water and add a handful of the selected plant. When the broth has cooled to 45-50°C, you need to bend over the pan and cover with a towel.

spoons of soda, or breathe in the vapors coming from potatoes boiled in their skins.

You can treat a dry cough with compresses:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of dry mustard, flour and liquid honey, wrap in gauze, apply to your chest and wrap yourself warmly.
2. In 1 l. stir 100 g of table salt in warm water. Prescribe gauze, apply it to the chest, put plastic on top and lie under a blanket.
3. Heat a small amount of olive oil, add 3 drops of fir or eucalyptus oil. Rub into the chest, wrap with gauze and plastic on top, wrap warmly.
4. Rub bear, badger or goose fat, previously melted, into the chest. Place cotton cloth and polyethylene on top and dress warmly or lie under a blanket.

In the treatment of dry cough with traditional methods, drinking plenty of fluids plays an important role. It is beneficial for children and adults to drink heated milk with the addition of soda and butter or honey. You can also drink tea with raspberries, lemon, ginger, alternating with cranberry and lingonberry juice.

Possible complications and consequences

If a dry cough does not go away and torments the patient for a long time, then there is a risk that the inflammation will go down and spread to the bronchi and lung tissue. Therefore, the most common complications are bronchitis, pneumonia and pleurisy.

A long dry cough in adults and children can lead to the development of bronchial asthma. Therefore, if attacks of difficult cough last more than 3 weeks, you need to consult a specialist.

When children have a dry cough, there is a lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Therefore, weakened children have a high probability of short-term loss of consciousness. A one-time faint does not pose any particular danger other than injury, but if you feel unwell on a regular basis, neurological problems may arise.

A severe dry cough left untreated can become chronic, which will complicate further therapy and lead to a decrease in immunity. Therefore, you need to start drug treatment as early as possible.

Prevention

Prevention of dry cough involves strengthening the immune system and eliminating all possible provoking factors.

What to do to avoid dry cough?

1. Take multivitamins.
2. Avoid hypothermia.
3. Carry out wet cleaning regularly.
4. Ventilate living and working areas.
5. Stop smoking and protect children from tobacco smoke.
6. Drink enough fluids.

To prevent the development of complications, you need to start treating dry cough at the first manifestations. You cannot stop treatment at the first signs of improvement; you need to complete the course. You need to see a doctor after recovery to make sure that the disease has completely gone away and not subsided.

Source: http://lor-24.ru/gorlo/suxoj-kashel-u-detej-i-vzroslyx-prichiny-simptomy-i-metody-lecheniya.html

Causes and treatment of dry paroxysmal cough in an adult without fever

Cough is a natural defense of the body, with the help of which it is freed from foreign particles in the lumen of the bronchi. A cough occurs reflexively due to a sharp spasm of the respiratory muscles with the release of air from the lungs.

It is considered a physiological process if a foreign body, liquid or food particles enters the bronchi. But if it develops against the background of infection with the development of colds, it is considered a pathological process.

A particular feeling of discomfort occurs due to the development of a dry cough. In most cases, it has a paroxysmal nature with the absence of sputum production.

Specifics of paroxysmal cough and predisposing factors

A paroxysmal cough can occur as a result of foreign matter entering the windpipe in the form of food particles, dust, smoke or simply dry air. This manifestation is considered natural (physiological). In this case, it goes away on its own after the airway lumen is cleared.

Any type of cough (dry or wet) is a reflex reaction of the body, it occurs independently, and its occurrence cannot be controlled. The biomechanism of its occurrence is explained by irritation of cough receptors, which are localized on the surface of the larynx, trochea, bronchi and pleura.

Unlike a cough due to natural causes, a pathological one develops as a consequence of inflammatory processes in the respiratory organs that are associated with the penetration of pathogenic microflora.

The main types of pathogens that provoke the development of dry cough:

• Influenza and parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus infection.
• Bacterial damage as a result of staphylococcal and streptococcal infections.
• Fungal infection of the genus candida.
• Legionella and mycoplasma.

Provoking factors that trigger the appearance of paroxysmal dry cough can be:

1. Various types of allergens (pollen, household chemicals, house dust and cigarette smoke).
2. Cold drinks and air.
3. Mucous contents in the nasal passages.
4. Emotional turmoil (as a result of worries or strong feelings of joy).

Source: https://vdohvidoh.com/kashel/pristupoobraznyy-sukhoy-kashel.html

Methods for treating dry cough

To select an effective method to solve the problem of how to cure a dry cough, it is necessary to identify the cause that causes this condition.

Respiratory system diseases

Most often, the cause of a dry cough is associated with pathological changes occurring in the respiratory system.

A dry cough reflex is one of the symptoms of these diseases, along with chills, fever, nasal congestion, and sore throat. Due to the inability to clear the throat after debilitating attacks, chest pain appears.

The causative agents of pneumonia can be of different nature - viruses, bacteria, fungi. This disease can provoke allergic reactions. The onset of the disease is acute - temperature up to 40°C, painful lingering dry cough, shortness of breath.

•         Pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis

A painful dry cough with the development of an inflammatory process on the mucous membranes of the pharynx (pharyngitis) or larynx (laryngitis) is one of the key signs. Inflammation of the trachea is characterized by paroxysmal, difficult coughing, sometimes leading to vomiting and severe pain in the chest.

A serious examination is necessary if a dry cough does not stop when taking medications for a month or more. This may be a sign of the development of pulmonary tuberculosis, which is dangerous due to the risk of infecting others.

Other negative impacts

When characterizing the causes of dry cough, we can identify several factors that are not related to pathological changes in the body.

A sudden attack of dry cough can be caused by inhalation of dust, fairly large solid foreign bodies or food particles entering the respiratory tract. If you cannot clear your throat, a complication in the form of inflammation gradually develops.

•         Unfavorable environment

Reasons for the manifestation of paroxysmal dry coughs, such as the presence of chemical fumes with a pungent odor in the surrounding air, are most often observed in production workshops of a similar profile. Workers who spend long periods of time in an excessively dusty atmosphere are also at risk. At home, household chemicals, washing powders, varnishes, paints, etc. pose a danger.

Often the causes of long-term, chronic dry cough lie in nicotine abuse.

This may be inflammation of the serous membrane of the lungs (pleurisy), bronchial asthma, the development of malignant neoplasms, whooping cough, measles.

Atypical pathological factors

There are atypical causes associated with pathological processes occurring in the body that provoke attacks of dry coughing:

•         irritation of cough receptors when gastric juice refluxes into the esophagus;
•         penetration of helminths to the lungs and bronchi through the bloodstream;
•         allergic reaction;
•         taking certain medications, such as ACE inhibitors, prescribed for hypertension;
•         cardiovascular diseases.

In such situations, it is important to establish the initial causes, since when prescribing treatment for a dry cough of this nature, you will need to consult doctors specializing in specific diseases.

Cough in children

The nature of children's dry cough is identical in provoking factors to adult types, but requires very careful monitoring.

Particularly dangerous for babies are a variety of small objects that they instinctively put in their mouths or try to push into their noses.

Childhood diseases are common - whooping cough, measles, various colds that cause debilitating attacks. The doctor prescribes treatment for dry cough after a detailed examination and necessary examination.

Diagnostics

With an extensive list of provoking factors, only a competent preliminary diagnostic examination will make it possible to establish a diagnosis.

The primary examination is carried out by a therapist, making a conclusion which specialist needs to be contacted for further treatment for a dry cough. If a pathology of the respiratory tract is detected, then you will need to contact an otolaryngologist.

Tuberculosis is the specialization of a phthisiatrician. A gastroenterologist deals with diseases of the digestive system, and a cardiologist treats cardiovascular diseases.

Before treating a specific disease, the symptom of which is a dry cough reflex, in most cases an additional examination is required, including several diagnostic measures:

•         auscultation - listening to internal organs directly with the ear or using a stethoscope;
•         percussion - analysis of sounds that appear when parts of the body are tapped;
•         general analysis of urine and blood;
•         blood sampling for biochemical analysis;
•         fluorography, radiography;
•         bronchoscopy;

To exclude the possibility of developing bronchial asthma, respiratory function tests are prescribed - research measures of external respiration functions. If there is a suspicion of the development of cardiovascular pathology, an ECHO-CG is performed - ultrasound examination of the heart, ECG.

To identify the condition of the stomach and intestines, the FEGDS procedure - fibrogastroscopy - is indicated. ELISA, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA), performed in conjunction with stool examination, will help identify helminthic infestations.

Sometimes, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to use the RNGA technique - indirect hemolytic agglutination, which allows one to detect even minor traces of the presence of parasites in the body.

Possible complications

A cough does not occur without a reason; it usually means that some pathological process is developing in the body. It can go away on its own only in exceptional cases, if the external stimulus that provoked its occurrence disappears.

In other situations, it is necessary to carry out treatment aimed at the identified disease, otherwise there is a risk of complications. Laryngitis and pharyngitis can take a chronic form. Untreated colds can cause other more serious pathologies of the respiratory system and negatively affect the cardiovascular system.

A smoker's cough or a cough caused by an allergic reaction can cause the development of bronchial asthma.

A complication of pneumonia is a lung abscess, leading to pulmonary hemorrhage and the development of purulent formations in other nearby organs. In order not to get complicated forms of other diseases, a sign of which is a dry cough, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Drug therapy

The basis of treatment for dry cough is to take dosage forms prescribed in full accordance with the diagnosis. If colds are identified, then the goal is to obtain an expectorant effect. In such a situation, it is not advisable to treat the cough, since it is necessary to remove phlegm.

Mucolytics are prescribed in the form of syrup, as well as tablets - Stoptussin, Libexin, Erespal. tablets, Gerbion syrup, Gedelix show good results . When ARVI develops, the therapeutic complex must include antiviral drugs - Amiksin, Arbidol, Genferon, Tsitovir-3.

The following varieties have good effectiveness - Lavomax, Ingavirin, Tiloron, Kagocel. To reduce high fever, if necessary, use antipyretic medications - Paracetamol, Ibuprofen.

If the bacterial nature of the disease is revealed, the doctor prescribes antibiotics - Lincomycin, Sumamed, Fuzidin, Amoxiclav . , Avelox, Cefpirom, Rulid, and Roxilor have high antibacterial effectiveness

Antihistamine medications - Ebastine, Cetirizine, Desloratadine - can cope with allergic coughing. Included in the list of effective antiallergic drugs Erius, Xizal, Bamipin.

If intestinal parasites are detected, all household members need to take special tablets - Vormil, Nemozol, Pyrantel, Dekaris . According to indications, Helmintox, Vermox can be prescribed. If pathologies have been identified that make it possible to understand why painful attacks of dry cough occur, then it is necessary to develop a treatment regimen aimed at getting rid of a specific disease.

Physiotherapy

To treat a dry cough, the doctor usually recommends undergoing physiotherapeutic procedures in parallel with medications. They help strengthen the immune system, speed up recovery, reduce inflammation, and reduce pain. The following types can be prescribed:

•         electrophoresis;
•         UHF;
•         warming up;
•         inhalation.

There are special massage techniques performed in the chest area. Acupuncture and breathing exercises can help.

Folk remedies

Remedies from the treasury of folk wisdom serve as a complement to drug therapy. Select varieties that help soften dry cough and facilitate sputum discharge.

Inhalations

•         Using potato broth

Using a brush, wash four medium potatoes from dirt. Boil them in their skins, pouring two liters of water.

Remove from the stove and breathe in the healing steam, covered with a towel.

If a decision is made to enhance the healing effect by adding three drops of essential oil - tea tree, eucalyptus - to the decoction, then the potatoes are first removed and only the liquid is used for inhalation.

To prepare the solution, dissolve a teaspoon of soda in hot water (400 ml). It is convenient to carry out inhalation by pouring liquid into a kettle of a suitable solution and inserting a paper tube into the spout. The inhaled steam goes directly to the throat, making the process more effective.

Drink heavily and frequently (a glass approximately every five hours) with a variety of beverages

Dilute a tablespoon of raspberry jam in a glass of boiling water cooled to approximately 40°C.

Brew green tea. Wait until it cools down to a warm state. Add two slices of lemon and a teaspoon of honey to the glass.

Pour a handful of dried linden flowers into a thermos and pour in three glasses of boiling water. After 30 minutes, you can drink tea, adding a tablespoon of raspberry jam to the glass.

Three teaspoons of fresh or thawed berries are ground with a teaspoon of sugar. Stir in warm, pre-boiled water – 0.5 liters. The following varieties of berries are especially beneficial - black currants, cranberries, lingonberries.

•         Milk and mineral water

Hot milk – 200 ml with the addition of Borjomi – two tablespoons helps to expel phlegm more quickly.

Per liter of water you will need 100 g of dried fruits, which are thoroughly washed. First of all, put pears and apples into boiling water. After half an hour, add three tablespoons of sugar and add prunes and apricots. After boiling for 10 minutes, add dried apricots and raisins. After five minutes, pour a tablespoon of orange juice into the compote and remove the pan from the stove.

Fresh viburnum berries (a tablespoon) are ground, transferred to a glass or porcelain cup. Pour in a glass of boiling water and leave for a quarter of an hour. When drinking, sweeten the drink with a teaspoon of honey.

Mustard plasters

When giving recommendations on warming up with mustard plasters, the doctor must indicate their location - the chest or back. Mustard plasters purchased at the pharmacy are immersed in water at a temperature of about 45°C for several minutes and then applied to the desired area of ​​the body. Cover the patient with a towel and blanket. The average procedure time is 15 minutes.

If the burning sensation is severe, stop it earlier. Having removed the mustard plasters, carefully wipe the reddened skin with a dry towel and apply a thin layer of Vaseline oil. The patient is wrapped warmly and given warm honey or raspberry tea to drink. You can get up in an hour.

Additionally, for dry cough, mustard plasters are placed on the feet or calves and woolen stockings or socks are put on top.

The premises are subject to daily ventilation and wet cleaning.

Other methods

Helps soften the mucous membranes, making coughing attacks less sensitive, daily consumption before meals of a tablespoon of honey combined with soft butter in equal volumes.

At night, it is recommended to drink a glass of warm milk, previously boiled with fresh figs (three fruits are enough). A good result is shown by inhalation, for which a pinch of cloves is poured into boiling water (250 ml). Coltsfoot has a quick expectorant effect.

Grind the leaves (a tablespoon) and leave for half an hour in a glass of boiling water. Drink up to four times after straining one tablespoon at a time.

The beneficial effects of radish are known. Carefully cut a hole in the root vegetable, pour in honey, and cover with the cut top. A day later, the resulting healing juice begins to be taken a tablespoon three times a day.

Preventive actions

Following simple preventive measures will help avoid the appearance of a dry cough or reduce the number of relapses:

•         dress according to weather conditions, avoiding hypothermia;
•         take walks in the fresh air more often;
•         start treatment procedures at the first signs of a cold;
•         maintain a balanced diet;
•         practice including active physical exercise in your daily routine;
•         conduct a fluorographic examination annually;
•         wear a protective mask if the concentration of harmful substances or dust in the surrounding air is exceeded.

Knowing that a dry, debilitating cough can be a sign not only of a cold, but also of other diseases or the negative influence of external factors, will allow you to be more attentive to such a symptom and promptly seek medical help.

Source: https://lor-uhogorlonos.ru/simptomy/lechenie-suhogo-kashlya.html

Cough: Causes, risk factors, symptoms

Coughing is a spontaneous reflex. When things like mucus, germs, or dust irritate your throat and airways, your body automatically responds by coughing. Like other reflexes such as sneezing or blinking, coughing helps protect your body.

1. Coughing is an important reflex that helps protect the airways and lungs from irritants.
2. Sometimes the cough is normal. It helps clear the throat and airways of germs, mucus and dust.
3. A cough that is persistent or associated with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, mucus production, or bloody sputum may indicate a more serious medical problem.

Your throat and airways are equipped with nerves that sense irritants. Once stimulated, they send a signal to the brain.

The brain, in response, sends a signal back to the muscles of the chest wall and abdomen to quickly and vigorously inhale deeply and expel the irritant. This response is almost instantaneous and very effective.

A cough can move air and particles out of your lungs and throat at speeds of about 50 miles per hour.

How does a cough affect your body?

Occasional coughing is a normal healthy function of your body.

The throat and lungs typically produce small amounts of mucus to keep the airways moist and have a thin coating that acts as a protective barrier against irritants and germs you may inhale.

An infrequent cough helps mobilize mucus and has no harmful effects on your body. Coughing also allows you to quickly clear out any unwanted particles you accidentally inhale.

As you get older, the muscles involved in coughing tend to lose strength, and your cough may not be as effective as it used to be. This can cause mucus to build up and ineffectively remove irritants from your throat and airways. This may put you at higher risk of lung infections, which is commonly seen in older people.

While an occasional cough is normal, a persistent cough (one that doesn't go away) is not normal and should always be diagnosed by a doctor.

A cough associated with other symptoms such as runny nose, acid reflux, shortness of breath, chest pain, increased mucus production, colored or bloody mucus is most likely an indicator of ongoing illness and requires medical attention.

How serious is the cough?

How severe a cough is depends on what is causing it. Some coughs last a very short time and go away on their own, while others may persist until the cause is identified and treated.

Cough is a common symptom of non-serious conditions such as the common cold. It's also important to know that very serious illnesses and conditions such as pneumonia, a blood clot, and fluid in your lung can also cause a cough.

People who have a history of smoking, chronic lung diseases such as COPD or asthma, seasonal allergies, acid reflux disease, lung cancer and chronic infections such as tuberculosis may have a chronic cough.

Cough is a symptom. We can classify a cough by duration (how long it lasts) and by other special features:

• Acute cough: sudden onset and lasts up to 3 weeks.
• Subcutaneous cough: lasts from 3 to 8 weeks.
• Chronic cough: lasts more than 8 weeks.
• Productive cough: cough than inflammation of sputum.
• Dry cough: A cough that does not produce phlegm.
• Night cough: A cough that only occurs at night.
• Chemopsis: Coughing up blood.

A cough may be the only sign of illness, or it may appear with symptoms of certain diseases of the lungs, heart, stomach and nervous system. Some of the symptoms that usually occur when coughing are:

• Irregular breathing
• Decreased exercise tolerance (easy fatigue)
• Wheezing or whistling in the chest
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Heartburn
• Weight loss
• Fever and chills
• Night sweats
• Difficulty swallowing or coughing when swallowing

These are common causes of acute or short-term cough:

• Upper respiratory tract infections: This is the most common cause of acute cough. Throat infections are almost always caused by viruses. They are usually associated with fever, sore throat and runny nose. This group includes colds, viral laryngitis and influenza.
• Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes a cough that makes a high-pitched "scream" sound.
• Hay fever (or allergic rhinitis): This common allergic condition can mimic the symptoms of a cold. It is usually associated with a dry cough, sneezing and runny nose. Allergies usually occur in the environment.
• Inhalation of irritants: Acute exposure to some vapors can inflame the throat and airways and cause coughing.
• Lower respiratory tract infections: These are infections of the respiratory tract below the throat that usually cause cough and fever. They may affect the airways (bronchitis) or travel further into the lungs (pneumonia). Lung clot (or pulmonary embolism). This is a potentially life-threatening condition in which blood clots travel, usually from the leg veins, to the lungs, causing sudden shortness of breath and sometimes coughing.
• Collapsed lungs (or pneumothorax): It is caused by deflation of the lung. This may be spontaneous or due to chest trauma. Most often in smokers with a history of emphysema, signs of mild collapse include sudden chest pain, dry cough and shortness of breath.
• Heart failure (or pulmonary edema): A weak heart can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, causing coughing and worsening shortness of breath.
• Post-nasal drip (or upper airway cough syndrome): This condition manifests as a dry cough caused by a chronic drip of mucus from the back of the nose to the throat. This usually occurs after a recent infection or ongoing exposure to an allergic trigger.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux (or GERD): This is also commonly known as acid reflux disease. The acid in the stomach returns to the esophagus. This can potentially leak down the throat, causing irritation and a dry cough. This is usually associated with heartburn.

Chronic cough

Some causes of chronic cough include:

• COPD: The air and lungs become inflamed, causing a chronic cough with phlegm and shortness of breath.
• Asthma: Asthma can cause a sporadic dry cough. This may be a sign that your asthma is not fully controlled. Sometimes coughing only occurs in certain places, such as the workplace or school.
• Medicines: ACE inhibitors (medicines for high blood pressure), may cause a dry cough.
• Chronic lung infections: Some lung infections can cause a chronic cough.
• Tuberculosis, a highly contagious infection of the lungs, can cause fevers, night sweats and coughing, sometimes with blood).
• Lung cancer: Cancer that starts in the lungs or spreads from other organs can cause coughing, sometimes with blood.

Risk factors for developing chronic cough are:

• Smoking: Current or past smoking is a major risk factor for chronic cough. It is caused by direct inhalation of cigarette toxins or secondhand smoking (breathing cigarette toxins into the air).
• Allergies: People with allergies have an increased risk of developing a cough when exposed to a specific allergic trigger.
• Environment: Some workplaces may contain irritants that can be inhaled and cause coughing. High areas of contamination or the use of coal for cooking or heating may also increase the risk of coughing.
• Chronic lung disease: People with asthma, bronchiectasis (enlarged airways), COPD, and previous scarred lung infections are at increased risk of developing a cough.
• Female gender: Women have a more sensitive cough reflex, which increases the risk of developing a chronic cough.

Most coughs go away on their own once the respiratory infection is cleared with or without special treatment. A cough that does not go away will require medical attention.

One of the most important things about a cough is to determine whether the cause is an acute illness or a more serious illness. Fortunately, the vast majority of acute causes of cough are mild upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold.

Warning signs associated with cough that may indicate a more serious illness or condition include:

• Irregular breathing
• Chest pain
• Facial swelling
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Fast breathing
• Fever

Your doctor will take a detailed history and perform a physical examination to find out the cause of your cough, order any necessary tests, and begin treatment. Be sure to record your cough and bring a list of all medications you take, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your cough and lifestyle:

• When did the cough start?
• Cough with phlegm?
• If there is mucus, what is the consistency and color?
• Is there blood?
• What causes a cough?
• Have you been in close contact with people with any respiratory infections such as colds, tuberculosis, pneumonia or whooping cough?
• What medical conditions do you have?
• Do you have any allergies?
• What do you do for a living? What is your workplace like?
• What do you do in your free time from work? Have you traveled recently?
• Do you smoke cigarettes or marijuana? Do you use recreational drugs?

Physical exam

At the doctor's office, they will take your vital signs, including your temperature. They can check your oxygen levels by attaching a small, painless clip to your finger. Your doctor will look at the back of your throat and ears when necessary. They will listen to your lungs and heart with a stethoscope, and may also look at your legs and skin.

Tests

Your doctor may decide to do additional tests, which may include:

• Chest X-ray: a quick and easy picture of the chest.
• Blood sample: to find out if your body has an infection.
• CT scan of the chest: a better image of the chest.
• Chest spot: Usually done with a long cotton swab.
• Phlegm sample: collected after a deep cough
• Spirometry: You will be asked to exhale heavily and quickly into a small plastic device to measure how well you exhale.
• Methacholine test: A standard asthma breath test that is often used to evaluate asthma cough.

Treatment for cough depends on its cause. For example, over-the-counter medications can help reduce symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, while more serious conditions such as exacerbations of COPD or asthma usually require inhalers and other treatments.

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Source: https://www.md-help.ru/116-lung/spravka/kashel/381-chto-takoe-kashel.html