Why does a cough persist after quitting smoking and how to deal with it

When smoking, a person's lungs come into contact with more than 500 chemicals. Most of them are toxic. Resins, soot and poisonous gases accumulate in the alveoli and cause changes in the functioning of the respiratory system.

In an attempt to get rid of them, the body provokes coughing attacks. The negative consequences are reversible; it is enough to give up the addiction. However, recovery is happening gradually. A person suffers from cough even after quitting smoking.

To eliminate an unpleasant symptom, you need to help the body cleanse itself.

How cigarettes affect the respiratory system

Tobacco smoke damages the mucous membranes of the mouth, larynx, trachea, and bronchi.

There are several traumatic factors:

• temperature - the epithelium suffers from minor burns;
• resins - settle in the lungs and disrupt oxygen metabolism;
• carcinogens - provoke mutations;
• nicotine - constricts blood vessels and reduces the level of oxygen saturation in the blood;
• poisons - lead cells into a “faint state”, causing their necrosis over time.

The lungs are a self-cleaning organ. The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are covered with ciliated epithelium, consisting of many microscopic villi (cilia). Their movements evacuate the mucus out. All cigarette toxic substances are eliminated along with the secretions, but this does not always happen.

Chemical compounds have nerve-paralytic properties. They reduce the sensitivity of receptors in the bronchi.

Nerve endings gradually lose sensitivity to pressure and irritation, and cilia lose their ability to move. Due to contact with toxins, the epithelium produces more mucus. This is how the organs are protected from foreign substances.

With reduced cilia activity, sputum remains in the bronchi along with harmful substances dissolved in it.

Over time, the mucus cakes and becomes thick. Due to pressure, protective mechanisms are triggered, but the viscous secretion is poorly removed. Hence the smoker's cough. Toxic substances increasingly poison the body, disrupt the functioning of the immune system, which leads to chronic pathologies of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Causes of cough syndrome

If a person stops smoking, the flow of toxins stops. However, the body has yet to get rid of harmful compounds that have accumulated in the bronchi during active smoking.

The functioning of receptors, blood vessels and ciliated epithelium is restored gradually. Without the influence of smoke, more pulmonary secretion is produced than when smoking. At first, the amount of thick mucus exceeds the ability of the mucous membranes to remove it. This increases the load on the lungs. A person who gives up cigarettes develops a severe cough.

Cleansing the respiratory system

The reflex is designed to remove all accumulations of mucus from the bronchi. Given its thickness, this is not so easy. Contractions of smooth muscles are ineffective at first, since the cilia cannot yet promote the movement of mucus and crusts that appear on its surface. A person who has quit smoking is bothered by a dry cough.

Under the influence of natural regeneration mechanisms, cilia with receptors are “reanimated”. The sensitivity of the latter increases, and the villi regain the ability to move. The cough intensifies, and sputum gradually begins to separate.

If the smoking habit is defeated, the cleansing process is activated. The sputum is well released, particles of resins and soot come out. However, this takes a long time - several months or years.

Exacerbation of existing diseases

Nicotine is a soft drug. When smoking, it is integrated into metabolic processes and speeds them up. When you quit smoking, your metabolism slows down. This is associated with a temporary decrease in immunity. A person becomes susceptible to infections and other unfavorable factors (hypothermia, lack of nutrients).

The natural decline of protective functions leads to an exacerbation of chronic diseases acquired due to smoking. Quitting tobacco is accompanied by rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis - inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis - when the lower part is affected.

Changes in the larynx and trachea lead to coughing attacks, because phlegm also accumulates on the membranes of these organs and crusts form. With inflammation, swelling of their walls is observed, which makes breathing difficult and accompanied by painful sensations.

A person who quits smoking develops a severe cough only at first. The further the addiction is in the past, the easier and faster the body’s recovery occurs.

Manifestation of withdrawal syndrome

During life with a bad habit, the body adapts to the regular supply of nicotine, tar and other substances.

When you quit smoking, not only your metabolic rate and immunity suffer, but the functioning of all internal organs is somewhat disrupted. It is difficult for a person to wake up and maintain concentration.

He becomes lethargic and gets tired quickly. The psycho-emotional state is labile, the mood is changeable, apathy occurs.

The totality of all symptoms is called withdrawal syndrome. Without nicotine stimulation, cells work slower and unproductively. Organs (including respiratory organs) need time to adapt to life without tobacco. After restructuring they will work even better.

Problems with innervation

Receptors “shocked” during smoking become accustomed to severe irritation. Until complete recovery, they will not respond to moderate intensity stimulation. Hence the temporary pause between the smoker's cough and withdrawal symptoms.

When exposed to tobacco poisons, some endings die. Others are in a "dormant" state. The restructuring of nerve cells takes longer than the regeneration of mucous epithelium. Therefore, after giving up a bad habit, there is even more mucus in the lungs than before.

Manifestation of allergies

A bad habit negatively affects the immune system. Its suppression against the backdrop of quitting smoking is a kind of protest of the body to the deprivation of doping. When tissues get used to working without stimulation, protective reactions resume. However, their mechanism may be disrupted, because long-term exposure to carcinogens does not always pass without consequences.

For a former smoker, the risk of autoimmune diseases increases. The body begins to recognize some of its own cells as foreign. Other substances that previously did not cause violent reactions are also perceived as a threat.

Smoking and quitting the habit are associated with an increased risk of acquiring allergies. A person develops sensitivity to pollen and certain foods. A dry cough becomes a symptom of hypersensitivity of the body.

What consequences may there be

Symptoms should disappear over time as the body recovers. This is possible if the systems have not been significantly damaged by smoking. However, constant contact with toxins is fraught with irreversible changes and the development of pathologies. Then the regeneration process becomes more difficult and requires medicinal support.

After giving up cigarettes, the body’s rehabilitation progresses “with difficulty.” Against the background of withdrawal syndrome, diseases appear. So the allergy can reach its peak and, with the next contact with the provocateur, end in bronchial asthma or swelling of the laryngeal mucosa.

Increased production of sputum when the cough reflex is suppressed leads to obstruction (blockage of the bronchi). This is fraught with gas exchange disorders, the development of pneumonia and even tissue necrosis.

Bacteria accumulate in thick mucus, which increases the risk of pneumonia and the development of purulent-septic processes (abscess). Constant trauma to the trachea when smoking leads to atrophy of the mucous membranes. They become covered with small ulcerations. Injured cells can degenerate into malignant ones. As immunity decreases, the risk of cancer increases.

The body’s recovery from smoking must be monitored and adequately responded to emerging symptoms. In case of alarming signals, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Consultation is necessary if there is a cough with blood or pus in the sputum, difficulty breathing, or increased body temperature. With such symptoms, go to a therapist or pulmonologist.

How long does a cough last after quitting smoking?

The recovery time for the lungs and other organs depends on the length of service of the smoker, the intensity of smoking, and the doses of nicotine that entered the body. It is impossible to calculate how long rehabilitation will take. It also depends on individual characteristics.

Table - Duration of cough persistence in months after quitting smoking

Number of cigarettes/experience	1‒2 months	Up to 6 months	About 1 year	More than 5 years
Until 3	1	2	3	4
10‒20	2‒3	3‒4	3‒4	5 or more
Over 20	2‒3	3‒4	6‒8	12 or more

This does not mean that a person will suffer from a severe cough for the specified time. Most likely, attacks will appear in the first 3-4 weeks. Then they will begin to weaken and turn into a slight cough with sputum production. With good immunity, a former smoker can get rid of the symptom in 1–2 weeks or not experience it at all.

Full recovery of the body depends on the degree of damage that cigarettes caused to it. The average value for active smokers with five years of experience is 3 years. This is exactly the time it will take to cleanse the lungs, blood, and restore the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. The body of a heavy smoker with more than 10 years of habit experience will take much longer to recover.

Methods of therapy

With the help of medications and other methods, you can speed up the recovery of the respiratory system and get rid of cough faster. To do this, it is better to undergo an examination and consult a doctor. Knowing what exactly the bad habit did to the lungs, it is easier to predict the body’s reaction to quitting cigarettes, to anticipate and relieve symptoms.

With the help of treatment, you can also speed up the removal of mucus and tar from the bronchi, activate their restoration, relieve swelling of the mucous membranes and related problems.

Medication

If you have a smoker's cough, you should not take antitussive medications. They block the corresponding center in the brain, further reducing the sensitivity of bronchial receptors. This makes it difficult to remove mucus and resins accumulated in it.

Treatment is appropriate only with medications that transform the cough from dry to wet. It is allowed to take anti-inflammatory drugs. The presence of a component with a bronchodilator effect in medications is welcome. This prevents cramping and makes it easier for mucus to come out.

To eliminate cough, take syrups and tablets. The form of the drug does not affect the result. Doctors prescribe:

• Erespal is a drug with an anti-inflammatory effect, has a beneficial effect on the mucous membranes of all respiratory tracts;
• Ascoril is a drug with a mucolytic and a substance to eliminate bronchospasm;
• Herbion with primrose or ivy - stimulate the production and discharge of sputum, prevent inflammatory changes, normalize local immunity of the mucous membranes;
• Alteyka, Mukaltin, Altemix - medications based on marshmallow, soften irritation, stimulate the excretion of bronchopulmonary secretions;
• Bronchipret is a herbal preparation for the restoration of the lungs and trachea, helps in the treatment of chronic diseases.

If the cough is associated with allergies or swelling, antihistamines (Loratadine, Suprastin, Tavegil) must be prescribed. During attacks, you can suck lozenges and lozenges based on sage and Icelandic moss.

Folk

Non-traditional methods of cough elimination are used in addition to drug therapy. To combat bronchitis, laryngitis and smoker's tracheitis, steam inhalations over potatoes with the addition of essential oils or decoctions of eucalyptus, sage, and chamomile are recommended.

Such products soften cough by moistening the airways. They thin the mucus and make it easier to remove. When using inhalation therapy, it is important to monitor body temperature and follow safety rules so that hot steam does not add to the cough.

Traditional methods of treatment include rubbing with animal fats (goose, badger, goat), turpentine, and alcohol. Doctors recommend replacing them with classic pharmacy herbal balms (Eucabal, Dr. Theiss), which are officially recognized as effective.

When quitting smoking, it is recommended to drink warm milk. This product itself stimulates the cleansing of the lungs and softens the throat.

To improve medicinal qualities, useful mixtures are used:

• with cocoa butter;
• figs;
• soda.

Milk-based drinks are taken warm up to 5 times a day. They help get rid of night attacks.

Conclusion

Cough after smoking occurs due to the activation of the cleansing mechanisms of the lungs. To make the symptom disappear, you should consult a doctor and take special medications.

You need to agree with your pulmonologist on folk remedies that will be used as auxiliary therapy. If impurities of blood or pus appear in the sputum, or the person’s temperature rises, treatment should be stopped and go to the hospital.

The reason for a second consultation is the presence of a reflex 3 months after quitting smoking (active and passive).

Source: https://prikashel.ru/vidy/kashel-posle-otkaza-ot-kurenija.html

How long does a cough last after quitting smoking?

After giving up cigarettes, a former smoker begins to experience unpleasant symptoms. Cough is one of them, and its treatment depends primarily on the type of attacks and the factors that provoke them.

Causes of cough after quitting smoking

Smoking cigarettes one after another, a person inhales many toxic substances that settle on the walls of the lungs. There are several thousand harmful compounds in tobacco smoke, the following are considered especially dangerous to the body:

• nicotine;
• hydrocyanic acid;
• arsenic;
• toxic poison;
• carbon dioxide;
• poisonous resins.

All of them gradually fill the lungs, and the protective mucus covering the bronchi from the inside does not cope with its functions. In healthy respiratory organs, numerous cilia, when irritated, create waves, which is why a cough occurs. But when consuming tobacco, toxins paralyze the eyelashes, as a result of which the lungs lose the ability to cleanse themselves.

When a person quits smoking, the pollution of the bronchi stops, and the lungs gradually begin to function normally. Numerous cilia begin to clear the bronchi of mucus accumulated during smoking, resulting in a very strong, sometimes painful cough. It may be accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

The cough itself when quitting smoking is caused by several reasons:

1. Inflammatory processes against the background of reduced immunity. Cough irritates the mucous membranes in the lungs and respiratory tract. As a result, a recent smoker will suffer from bronchitis, sore throat, pharyngitis and other diseases. In these cases, a severe cough is accompanied by high fever and weakness.
2. Withdrawal syndrome, or nicotine withdrawal. Quitting cigarettes causes not only psychological, but also physiological symptoms that can hardly be called pleasant. Stopping the intake of new doses of poison, to which the body and brain are accustomed, disrupts the functioning of all body systems accustomed to nicotine. During withdrawal, a smoker experiences many unpleasant symptoms, including coughing, even if he is completely healthy.
3. Disturbed innervation. In this case, the cough is caused by a disruption of the nerves in the larynx or irritation of the area in the brain responsible for the body's cough response. This is accompanied by numbness, tingling or a feeling of heaviness in the larynx.
4. Allergy. It's not a reaction to nicotine at all. Quitting smoking and gradually cleansing the body of toxins inevitably lead to a weakening of the immune system. As a result, any allergic reactions in the patient worsen. The risk increases if he already has a predisposition to allergies.

When the lungs are cleared of harmful substances, the cough naturally intensifies. Such attacks are practically not treatable with conventional expectorants.

Cough options

The symptom itself is a sign of the lungs being cleansed of toxins. It also causes damage to weak blood vessels and irritation of the laryngeal mucosa. If a cough is left untreated for a long time, the consequences will be serious:

• attacks of suffocation;
• Chronical bronchitis;
• inflammatory processes;
• migraine;
• emphysema.

Regardless of the type, the symptom must be eliminated to avoid complications.

With sputum

a wet cough with expectoration of mucus from the lungs appears the first time after quitting cigarettes. During this period, the lungs are actively cleansing, but there are still too many fluids in them.

such a cough is very strong and will continue until the respiratory organs are completely cleared of toxins inside.

dry

If the cough is dry without coughing up mucus, it may be caused by the following reasons:

1. cilia in the bronchi are not restored, or the process is too slow.
2. The mucus is very thick, which is why the body cannot remove it.
3. there are throat diseases.

dry cough is usually painful, with each attack there is a feeling that it is “tearing” the larynx. To get rid of it, it is necessary to identify the cause and begin timely treatment.

how long does cough last after smoking

It is impossible to say for sure how long the cough will last when you quit smoking. It depends on many factors. The timing is affected by:

1. Smoking experience.
2. Number of cigarettes.
3. Individual characteristics of the body.
4. The rate of restoration of cilia in the bronchi. Their work resumes more slowly, in contrast to the processes responsible for the secretion of epithelial mucus.

If smoking was occasional, most likely there will be no cough at all. Or it will last no more than 2-3 days.

Heavy smokers will have a much more difficult time; with a long history, the cough can persist for 12 months or more. If a person has been tarred for about 10 years, then it will take 3 years for the lungs to fully recover.

Over time, coughing attacks gradually weaken. The most difficult period occurs in the first few months after quitting cigarettes. With proper treatment, severe painful attacks will be replaced by occasional coughing, which practically does not bother you in everyday life.

How to help your lungs clear nicotine faster

In addition to the medications prescribed by the doctor, the lungs will need other help. It is easy to provide at home. What can you do to speed up the clearing of toxins and mucus from your airways:

1. Drink more fluids. Drinking at least 2 liters of clean water per day will speed up the thinning of mucus in the lungs and ease the cough.
2. Do breathing exercises. Simple exercises with alternating inhalations and exhalations at different intensities will help with mild forms of cough.
3. Eat more fiber-rich foods. Coarse fibers remove waste and toxins from the body faster. There is a lot of fiber in cabbage, beets, tomatoes and dried fruits.
4. Strengthen immunity. This can be done both by taking vitamin-mineral complexes and by increasing the amount of garlic, ginger, onion and honey in the diet.
5. Go to the bathhouse to breathe in the vapors of medicinal herbs. Do inhalations with eucalyptus oil or essential oils of coniferous trees. Inhaling aromatic vapors will help phlegm leave the lungs faster, and a good hot bath will speed up the process of removing toxins from the body through sweat.

The listed methods will be much more effective if combined with drug therapy. Any medications must be prescribed by a doctor taking into account the diagnostic results.

When to see a doctor

You should consider visiting a specialist if the cough is too strong and is accompanied by high fever, chest pain, and blood comes out of the lungs along with phlegm.

Too long, for which nothing helps, is also a reason to be wary: it may be a symptom of serious diseases that require immediate treatment.

To identify the cause of the cough, you will need to undergo a full examination. It includes:

• general blood analysis;
• blood biochemistry;
• fluorography;
• sputum analysis.

In addition to the therapist, you need to visit a pulmonologist.

Treatment of cough after quitting smoking

If the attacks are solely the cause of clearing the lungs of harmful substances, treatment will require expectorants in the form of tablets, aerosols or syrups. If there are complications, the following are prescribed:

• antibiotics;
• anti-inflammatory;
• painkillers;
• antiallergenic drugs.

If the cough is caused by a specific disease, treatment is primarily aimed at the latter. In addition to classical drug therapy, in consultation with your doctor, you can use popular folk remedies to treat cough:

1. Warm milk with honey. Considered an expectorant and emollient. There are restrictions only in case of individual intolerance to the components.
2. Inhalation with essential oils. Breathing in the vapors of mint, eucalyptus or pine is very beneficial. Inhalations soften phlegm and relieve cough symptoms.
3. Honey with black radish juice. The mixture must be taken for 3 months. The daily dose of the product is 40 g. Drink honey and juice twice a day before meals.
4. A decoction of thyme with dandelion juice. To prepare one serving you will need 1 spoon of dried thyme per 100 ml of boiling water and 20 ml of dandelion juice, which is added 10 minutes after brewing the herb. The decoction is drunk warm twice a day.

Any traditional medicine recipes should be used only with the permission of the attending physician. Thoughtless use of herbal infusions can lead to severe allergies, and in some cases to poisoning.

Invalid methods

In order for treatment for a smoker’s cough to be successful, in no case should you:

• start “tarring” again;
• take medications without a doctor’s recommendation;
• do nothing if symptoms are severe;
• self-medicate.

An integrated approach under the guidance of a specialist will help you recover without harm to your health.

Conclusion

A smoker's cough is a constant companion for those who have just quit a bad habit. The most severe attacks occur in the first months after quitting cigarettes and in most cases require medical intervention. With timely treatment using drug therapy, cough and accompanying symptoms will go away faster and without complications.

Source: https://sigaretazlo.ru/zabolevaniya/kashel-posle-otkaza-ot-kureniya.html

How long does a dry and wet cough last after quitting smoking and how to treat it?

Having coped with smoking - one of the most monstrous habits in terms of negative effects on the body - a person often gets a new problem: quitter's cough. He may be much stronger than before.

This is one of the most unpleasant moments of recovery, because it may seem that the situation has only worsened, that it is enough to return everything back (start smoking again) to get rid of the disease.

Serious temptation must be overcome ! The entry of toxins into the body must be stopped forever, otherwise the disease can develop into more terrible ailments, sometimes acquiring fatal forms.

Why does cough occur after quitting smoking and how to deal with it? This article will be devoted to the answers to these questions.

What does a smoker's cough mean?

What is a cough? This is a protective procedure of the body that allows you to remove poisons, resins, soot, dust from the respiratory tract - everything that can lead to problems. In a healthy body, the so-called epithelial cilia are tiny mobile parts of the mucous membranes. Their movement causes a cough, which removes unnecessary fluids.

In smokers, the work of eyelashes is blocked . The toxins contained in smoke paralyze their work, and coughing, especially in the morning, may stop after smoking one or two cigarettes.

This is an imaginary and very dangerous reassurance! The resulting fluids (sputum), and with them toxins, carcinogens, etc., remain inside the lungs, causing terrible destruction to the body.

Why does it appear after throwing?

After quitting smoking, the body recovers slowly.

Epithelial cilia also gain mobility, but a huge amount of sputum has already accumulated in the respiratory tract, and the cilia get to work with double, and sometimes triple, force.

This causes the cough to become stronger and more mucus to be produced. Read more about the causes of cough in our other article.

In general, a person may feel worse for some time, but this stage must be completed for the body to fully recover.

If treatment involves the use of medications, then their use must be coordinated with the treating specialist. Self-medication can lead to even greater problems .

Why do some people not have this symptom?

If the smoking history is short, if the amount of toxins entering the body is small, then quitting smoking may be accompanied only by mild forms of cough, which will go away on its own in a few days. There are cases of complete absence of this unpleasant symptom.

However, if tars have already been deposited in layers in the respiratory tract over many years, then the likelihood of coughing is high . In some cases, the body is not able to get rid of all the consequences on its own and will need help.

The absence of a cough after quitting cigarettes can be an indicator of both positive processes and, unfortunately, extremely negative ones.

The positive ones include:

• short experience as a smoker , and, therefore, toxins did not have time to accumulate;
• strong immunity , which did not allow the body to disrupt its work - everything unnecessary was eliminated in a timely manner and did not accumulate in the respiratory tract.

A negative consequence of the absence of a cough is poor recovery of lung function . If a person has smoked a lot for a long time, i.e. accumulation of toxins has occurred, and their elimination has not begun after withdrawal, this may mean that the epithelial cilia are still blocked and mucus is still in the respiratory tract.

Coughing, although unpleasant, is a positive process, indicating an attempt by the body to cleanse itself. Its absence in experienced smokers who have given up this habit should be alarming!

How to understand which case is occurring : strong immunity or lack of recovery of the body? In the second case, in the absence of cough, other symptoms may be observed:

• wheezing in the lungs;
• dyspnea;
• chest pain (constant or with strong inspiration);
• fast fatiguability;
• general poor health.

If at least one of these phenomena occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor.

In some cases, the mobility of the cilia is not restored immediately and a cough may appear even after several months. On the other hand, if no negative symptoms are observed and the cough does not appear within a year after quitting smoking, we can say that everything is fine with the lungs.

Types of cough after quitting smoking

Wet

A wet cough (with sputum) occurs for the reasons described above. In addition, organ recovery occurs at different rates, and often the cilia begin to function normally, but the increased secretion of fluids continues. The eyelashes continue to remove mucus and the cough intensifies.

It is difficult to call this process “normal”, because... everything that smoking brought into the body is negative, but it is quite possible to use the term “naturally”. Indeed, in most cases, cough and phlegm will continue until all toxins are eliminated and the synchronization of organs is restored .

Dry

Dry (without expectoration) is another matter. If it is a consequence of smoking, then it can occur for several reasons:

1. Restoration of eyelashes does not occur or occurs at a slow pace. It is necessary to undergo examination and follow the doctor's recommendations.
2. The phlegm is too thick and the body cannot remove it on its own. In this case, thinners and expectorants are prescribed.
3. It is a consequence of other diseases. For example, problems with the throat or gastrointestinal tract. In any case, it is necessary to treat the root cause, which only a specialist can determine.

How dangerous is the cough of a smoker who has quit smoking and does it need to be treated?

The cough symptoms themselves mean that:

• a lot of toxins have accumulated in the body that require removal;
• the cleaning process is already underway, that is, the patient is on the path to recovery.

However, not every body is able to cope with cleansing on its own .

We have already talked about dry cough above, but there are other problems associated with it. Eg:

1. A severe cough can cause throat irritation , which will bring the patient to the otolaryngologist's office.
2. Against the backdrop of a weakened body, there is a high possibility of colds , primarily those associated with the respiratory system.
3. Long-term intoxication of the body leads to many “parallel” diseases , not least in the cardiovascular system. Weak blood vessels, blood clots, a diseased heart and other problems can be further damaged by a strong hacking cough. Heart attacks and strokes with all the ensuing horrors are possible.

Therefore, the cough must be treated, softened, and diluted sputum. In case of serious “parallel” ailments, it is imperative to carry out treatment under the supervision of a specialized specialist .

How long does it last and how long will it take?

The duration, intensity and possibility of self-cure depend on the period of smoking and the degree of damage . The individual characteristics of the body also influence a lot. It is difficult to predict real terms, but you can think in terms of “usually”, “in most cases”, etc.

For example, ten years of smoking experience can lead to the following periods :

Cigarettes a day
Cough after withdrawal, months

1-2	0-2
5-6	2-3
15-20	6-8
20-40	12 or more

The approximate timing of cough is indicated. The negative impact on the body will continue to exist even after a year of quitting cigarettes. In particularly advanced cases, it is possible to talk about complete elimination of the risks associated with smoking only after 10-15 years.

At the same time, it is natural for the cough to intensify in the first weeks . During this period, the body can be helped with expectorants. However, if the cough does not go away for more than two months, you should consult a doctor for examination and treatment.

What to do after quitting smoking?

If cough is an exclusively independent disease, then the same remedies are used as in the treatment of other diseases with similar symptoms.

It is necessary to liquefy mucus, remove it (expectorate), relieve pain and inflammation. If the cough is a symptom of other ailments, they treat them.

Before prescribing cough medications, conduct a thorough examination:

• blood test (general and biochemical);
• fluorography;
• sputum examination (if required).

How to relieve it with medication?

Known medications are used to help cope with other types of respiratory diseases. They can be produced in the form of tablets, syrups, sprays (aerosols), etc.

If the illness is accompanied by inflammatory processes or other diseases, additional medications may be prescribed : antibiotics, anti-allergy medications, painkillers, and others.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional medicine is also used in the same way as medicine. When it comes to herbal medicine (herbal treatment), they are selected for the same effects as medications: thinning, excretory, analgesic effects.

Folk remedies offer not only decoctions and infusions, but these include:

1. Warmed milk . It is believed that it has a healing effect in itself, but when combined with honey and soda it is an excellent expectorant. The main thing is that there is no intolerance to this product.
2. Steam room . The bath will warm up the lungs, and the steam with the addition of herbs will provide therapeutic inhalation of the respiratory tract.
3. Home inhalations . “Breathing over potatoes” is a great way, but a decoction of eucalyptus, mint and other plants is more effective.

Both medications and folk remedies have contraindications and can lead to negative consequences if combined inappropriately. Treatment and dosage should be agreed with your doctor.

What to do if it hasn’t disappeared after a year?

If a cough associated with quitting smoking does not go away for a long time, especially with intensive treatment, you should contact a specialized specialist and be examined for other diseases .

Perhaps a cough is not a disease, but a symptom of another more dangerous illness.

Tips for people who quit smoking

In addition to inhalations or herbal medicine, you can use other means and methods. They can also be used as part of a complex treatment:

1. Drink more water . Increasing the level of fluid in the body will dilute the mucus, which will facilitate its rapid removal. Approximate volumes: from 2 liters or more.
2. Do breathing exercises . It will help with non-serious forms of cough or as one of the remedies in a set of measures.
3. Eat more fiber . It removes many toxins from the body, incl. and from smoking. Contained in vegetables: cabbage, beets, potatoes, tomatoes. And also in dried fruits and cereals.

As you can see, coughing occurs often in those who quit smoking - this is a natural process of cleansing the body. The main thing is to timely assess a person’s ability to recover and apply means to alleviate the illness.

Do not hesitate to contact a doctor if you have a cough from smoking - your health is more important than false modesty!

Source: http://no-tabacco.com/kurenie/posledstviya/kashel/posle-otkaza.html

Cough after quitting smoking, how to treat it and how long it lasts

Smoking not only causes a cough, but at the same time reduces cough symptoms. In fact, any heavy smoker coughs much weaker and less often than he could, given the regularity of his body being poisoned by toxic substances contained in tobacco. What is the reason for this strangeness?

Here's the thing. Nicotine, entering the blood, leads to the expansion of bronchioles - the final smallest branches of the bronchi in the pulmonary lobules. As a result, the secretion of mucous bronchial secretion, which is necessary to protect the body from the penetration of pathogenic viruses and bacteria deep into the respiratory system, is reduced. On the other hand, the secret that is still released stagnates in the bronchi.

The reason for stagnation is the low activity of epithelial cilia, which densely dot the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. In non-smoking people, these microvilli constantly move, pushing out excess mucus along with external impurities. With intense movement of the cilia, a reflex cough occurs - for example, when we enter a dusty room.

However, in smokers, the epithelial cilia hardly move - their condition can be compared to deep fainting. As a result, irritation of the respiratory system decreases, and if this is the case, the cough almost disappears. But there is nothing to be happy about here - the bronchi and lungs have not been cleared of external impurities and phlegm for years.

Usually people who smoke cough only in the morning. This painful, dry cough is caused by an unsuccessful attempt by the respiratory system to get rid of mucus that has accumulated overnight in the bronchi and on the walls of the trachea. From the first puff, relief comes, but it, as already said, is imaginary.

Persistent functional disorders of the respiratory organs prevent their full functioning; even mild infections can provoke the development of severe complications. With every year of smoking, the risk of lung cancer increases, an oncological disease that is practically untreatable.

The started process of cleansing the respiratory system is expressed in a strong cough with copious sputum production. Do not be alarmed by its grayish tint, because along with old mucus, the bronchi and lungs get rid of soot, tar, nicotine tar and other smoking products.

How long does the cough last after the last cigarette?

The duration of this process depends on the length of smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked and the individual characteristics of the body. The situation is aggravated by the fact that normal secretion of epithelial mucus is restored faster than the cilia of the bronchioles come to life, so that bronchial secretions accumulate in even greater quantities inside the bronchi and lungs for some time.

Quitting smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol, proper nutrition and physical activity reduce the risk of cancer by 30%.

If you smoked only occasionally, you may not have such problems. A cough, even if it appears, will go away on its own within a few days.

But if you regularly use tobacco products for 10 years, you will have to put up with a cough for about a year after quitting smoking. In the latter case, the functions of the respiratory system will be fully restored within 3 years.

However, the most difficult period lasts only the first months after quitting smoking. In the future, prolonged and exhausting coughing attacks will be replaced by rare coughing, which is much easier to tolerate.

What to do and how to treat it?

While coughing after quitting smoking is completely natural, that doesn't mean you should just wait patiently for it to go away. Such inactivity is dangerous.

Most smokers suffer from chronic bronchitis with frequent exacerbations.

After giving up cigarettes against the background of this disease, due to the impaired function of bronchial cleansing, there is a danger of obstruction of the lung tissue, leading to respiratory failure.

In addition, during the adaptation period, former smokers are at greater risk than usual of contracting pharyngitis, laryngitis and sore throat, which further worsens their overall health.

Unfortunately, not all smokers know that this addiction must be fought gradually. What to do if you said goodbye to smoking in one fell swoop and now suffer from a cough? Remember how ordinary bronchitis is treated and follow the same scheme.

Non-smokers and those who have given up this bad habit have a higher level of cognitive abilities.

Alternatively, you can go to the hospital, where you can be prescribed expectorants (thermopsis, sodium bicarbonate and others) and mucolytics that thin the sputum (ACC, Bromhexine, Ambroxol).

As a rule, at the same time taking antihistamines is indicated, which relieve swelling and facilitate the release of bronchial secretions.

But here, and in the case of folk remedies, a doctor’s consultation is required!

Don’t forget about traditional medicine recipes. Decoctions of sage, licorice, marshmallow, and linden blossom have mucolytic and expectorant properties. In addition to oral administration, do inhalations with decoctions of the same herbs, essential oils of fir, pine and eucalyptus, and soda-salt solutions. Always keep a pack of pharmaceutical lozenges or lozenges with you to soothe an irritated throat.

Be sure to increase your fluid intake to 1.5 liters or more per day. If you don't drink enough, the mucus thickens and becomes more difficult to cough up. Drink regular boiled or mineral water; sweet carbonated drinks and strong tea do not give the desired effect.

In addition, you will get rid of your cough faster if you do special breathing exercises every day - the corresponding exercises are easy to find on the Internet. Move more, go to the pool, gradually increasing physical activity. If possible, visit a Russian bathhouse - staying in a steam room eases coughing and improves expectoration.

When to go to the doctor?

Let us repeat once again that during the period of adaptation to life without nicotine, the risk of developing various respiratory diseases increases. Therefore, stay alert and if alarming symptoms appear, contact a specialist.

You cannot do without medical help if you have regularly recurring attacks of dry cough, chest pain, increased general weakness and a rise in temperature. These symptoms indicate the occurrence of obstructive changes that can lead to pneumonia, emphysema, acute respiratory and heart failure.

If the situation becomes serious, do not, under any circumstances, reach for a cigarette in a panic. The intake of nicotine into the body after a long break will dramatically worsen your already serious condition. Instead of trying questionable self-medication, it is better to urgently go to the doctor.

After examining and listening, the specialist will refer you for examination.

Based on the diagnostic results, a medical conclusion will be made and treatment will be prescribed using drugs that successfully stop the acute process.

Source: https://ne-kurim.ru/articles/zdorovie/kashel-posle-otkaza-ot-kureniya/