How to cure dry cough at home

Causes of cough

Successful treatment of dry cough is possible only if the prerequisites and provoking factors are determined. If a symptom is characterized as painful, it is highly likely to be caused by:

1. Infectious diseases, namely tracheitis, laryngitis and bronchitis. They, in turn, develop under the influence of viral microorganisms or are provoked by bacteria.
2. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma and other acquired or congenital pathologies of the respiratory system. Often develop under the influence of irritants or allergens.
3. Tumor conditions - neoplasms can be localized in the lungs or bronchi, in the upper zones of the bronchial system. The most common characteristic is the sudden development of a dry cough without any additional symptoms.

An aortic aneurysm (protrusion of the aortic wall) and bronchial spasm can influence the presence of an unpleasant manifestation.

Provoking factors may include lupus erythematosus and pathologies of the heart muscle.

In addition, the appearance of a dry cough in an adult is possible due to prolonged or periodic smoking, croup - acute inflammation of the larynx.

What are the causes of a painful attack?

Tobacco smoking, a common cause of dry cough.
They vary from pathogenic microflora to bad habits and occupational hazards. The following are the most common causes of dry cough:

• Infections of viral etiology. A dry cough usually appears at the very beginning of a viral respiratory tract infection. Very often it is the first, and sometimes the only symptom. This cough lasts even several weeks (usually about four weeks) after you have recovered from the infection that caused it. This happens because during the infection process they can damage the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, which makes the endings of the nerve fibers located in them more sensitive to irritation. In children, cough of viral etiology is the most common occurrence.
• Use of inhibitors. They are used in the treatment of high blood pressure or certain kidney diseases. Cough is the most common symptom of complications associated with the use of drugs belonging to this group. According to statistics, it appears in 15% of people taking inhibitors. In most cases, a dry cough at the very beginning of treatment (during the first week of taking the drug) is so painful that it forces the drug to be discontinued and replaced with another. The cough usually goes away quickly after stopping the drug, but in some cases it can persist even for several weeks. Attacks of dry cough can occur in people suffering from heart failure.
• Smoking. As a result of inhaling tobacco smoke, smokers develop the so-called smoker's cough. Attacks of dry cough appear not only as a result of active smoking, but also while in smoky rooms.
• Intense physical activity.
• Cough can be a consequence of allergies and allergic diseases, including bronchial asthma.
• Psychogenic cough. It is not associated with irritation of the endings of nerve fibers in the respiratory tract, but, as a rule, a reaction to stress. Its characteristic features are that it intensifies in situations associated with increased levels of stress and does not occur at night, during sleep. In the case of this type of cough, pharmacological drugs are ineffective; a conversation and consultation with a psychologist helps.

Symptomatic picture

Most often, the condition is accompanied by the appearance of wheezing in the voice. Also, a dry cough in an adult is associated with:

• runny nose or congestion of the paranasal sinuses, the nose itself - this is characterized by worsening breathing, shortness of breath even with minimal physical exertion;
• gagging (most often productive) and nausea;
• enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

No less rare are signs indicating general malaise. This may be aches in the body area, a feverish state. In case of a dry cough, fever, pronounced sweating and the appearance of drowsiness deserve attention.

Drug therapy

How to treat frequent dry cough? Sucking on lollipops will help relieve such symptoms in a child or an adult. Moreover, it is not at all necessary that they be fortified or medicinal. In this case, it is important to increase the activity of the salivary glands. This will encourage frequent swallowing. Saliva begins to moisturize the mucous membranes, relieving their irritation. At the same time, the swallowing reflex helps relieve attacks. To completely eliminate a cough, its transition from dry to productive is very important. After the sputum is removed, the unpleasant symptom will no longer bother the person.

If a child’s frequent dry cough does not stop, it is recommended to start using mucolytic and expectorant drugs. Such drugs will reduce the viscosity of sputum, which will make it possible to begin the process of its removal.

The most dangerous signs

Much more critical symptoms of the condition are rapid loss of body weight and appetite, and the appearance of a specific odor from the mouth. Constipation, diarrhea and other bowel disorders, periodontal disease should in no case be treated independently. All this is a reason to visit a pulmonologist.

It is equally important to pay attention to such critical symptoms of dry cough as:

• very high temperatures that cannot be controlled with medications;
• the appearance of speech defects and changes in consciousness;
• swelling and increased urge to urinate;
• increased heart rate.

A dangerous sign is both pain during swallowing and a feeling of a lump in the throat. It is also important to consult a specialist if you have difficulty breathing and pain when exhaling or inhaling.

Treatment of cough in children

There are two approaches to treating cough in children. Traditional, medicinal treatment or folk remedies for cough.

Cough is a concomitant symptom of many diseases. Therefore, it is necessary not only to eliminate one cough, but also to get treatment from a doctor for the disease. We will deal with the main methods of treating this symptom.

How to cure a child's cough

Whatever the type of cough, it is a protective reaction of the body. To facilitate breathing and eliminate dust, harmful microbes and accumulations of sputum, the body reflexively provokes coughing shocks.

For children, coughing is especially dangerous because it quickly spreads to the bronchi. And it can even cause pneumonia. Due to this feature of the child’s body, it is dangerous to independently select cough remedies. The baby must be examined by a doctor.

How to cure a child's cough

• Aerosols for special purposes. It happens that a child is diagnosed with bronchial asthma. Parents of this baby should definitely have special aerosols in their home medicine cabinet, which are recommended by the pediatrician. Since when a cough begins, shortness of breath very often appears. And you can’t do without a bottle of aerosol. Emergency care should be provided to the child even before visiting a medical facility.
• Trituration. In addition to medications, massage can help relieve cough. To do this, you will need a warming ointment or eucalyptus balm. You need to take a small amount of rubbing and rub the baby’s chest and back. Movements should be slow and smooth. Then the rubbing will be evenly distributed over the surface of the skin and effectively perform its healing functions. At the same time, you can’t stay in one place for too long. After all, a baby’s skin is so delicate and fragile.

In addition to medications, there are many effective traditional medicines to combat cough.

How to cure a child's cough using homeopathy

If parents are not supporters of chemical drugs, then they can take the baby to an appointment with a homeopath. He will individually prescribe a suitable cough remedy. The medicine can be purchased at a specialized pharmacy. You will not be able to choose a homeopathic remedy on your own. Since when prescribing it, the doctor takes into account not only the disease, but also the height, age, weight of the baby and even the characteristics of his character. In addition to the prescription, the doctor will issue a medication dosage regimen, which will indicate the time of administration and dose of the drug.

Medicinal herbs are one of the most effective, proven remedies in the fight against persistent cough.

Folk remedies

Medicines can help, but their cost is quite high, and there is a risk of unwanted consequences. Medicines do not always help; prolonged coughing attacks can cause inconvenience to a sick person for a long time. We will tell you about a cheaper and less risky treatment method.

Drinking plenty of fluids is a necessary condition for the treatment of colds accompanied by prolonged coughing attacks.

Such treatment methods have long been considered proven folk remedies - herbs, roots, natural honey and others.

And although their effect is not as strong as that of pharmacy analogues, they still cope with the task perfectly. In addition, proven folk remedies do not have side effects, which cannot be said about medications.

The beginning of cough treatment is to eliminate the causes of its occurrence. Next, you should find out the nature of the disease, the type of cough.

At this stage, a diagnosis should be made, tests taken, and only after a diagnosis has been established, one or another treatment can be prescribed.

And folk recipes can help you recover.

So, let's move directly to the means themselves

An excellent option for treating coughs are infusions from plants such as mint, chamomile, coltsfoot, wild rosemary, oregano and many others. If you don’t have any ingredient, it doesn’t matter; the infusion does not lose its healing abilities due to the absence of one component.

Rosemary and rosemary-based oil will help overcome coughing attacks

Mixture based on natural honey

Also a wonderful option is a mixture based on natural May honey.

We will need the following products:

• a little honey
• approximately the same amount of cocoa and butter,
• two spoons of vodka (moonshine).

All of the listed components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. This medication should be taken half an hour before meals three times a day.

Bee products have long been famous for their healing properties.

Onion broth

An effective option with a lot of positive reviews is onion broth. So, how to make this product.

To get started we will need:

• liter of water,
• a couple of nice onions
• 250 grams of granulated sugar.

We put the water on the fire and wait for it to boil. When this happens, place the unpeeled onions and sugar in this water, then simmer for another hour over low heat. After the specified time, the broth must be filtered and allowed to cool. You need to consume half a glass four times a day.

Onion decoction will help with a persistent cough

Milk-based products

Oddly enough, regular milk helps quite a lot with a dry cough. Add a little cream, about the same amount of honey and one egg yolk to half a liter of milk.

To prepare this product, milk must be brought to a boil and the above ingredients must be added. The drug can only be consumed warm, six times a day, half a glass.

It is useful to drink warm goat's milk, melt a piece of butter in it or add almond butter, honey (but only for those who do not suffer from pancreatitis). It is very good to drink this drink at night.

Goat's milk is a healing product that will help overcome coughing attacks

Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids is one of the most important points in treating a dry cough. Since when this condition is met, the recovery rate doubles. During illness, it is advisable to consume the following:

• Warm tea with various additives (lemon, honey, jam).
• Cranberry juice, various jelly.
• The above-mentioned decoctions of various herbs,
• Warm goat's milk with a little butter added.
• Alkaline water without gas
• Licorice root infusion.

Decoctions of medicinal herbs

Decoctions of medicinal herbs, in the absence of allergies to them, are decoctions of plantain, coltsfoot, licorice, sage, rose hips

Hot tea with lemon, honey, and raspberries also helps.

• Black radish juice with honey
• Warm mineral alkaline water without gases
• Licorice root infusions

Folk remedies for cough are widely used to treat children in the first years of life, since folk remedies for cough have fewer side effects than cough tablets.

Licorice root - cough remedy for children

Cough remedies for children can be very tasty and desirable, such as Brazilian banana mixture.

Grate ripe bananas or chop them in a blender, add water and sugar (at the rate of 1 banana per 100 ml of water), the mixture is heated and consumed.

Treatment of dry cough with folk remedies includes the use of animal products, beekeeping and plant products.

Delicious and healthy herbal cough decoctions can be prepared at home

Warm milk with soda - a proven folk remedy

Warm milk with honey and the addition of soda is the best remedy for turning a dry cough into a wet, expectorant one. This remedy is tasty and useful not only for treating coughs, but also for strengthening the body.

Treatment of dry cough with folk remedies can be supplemented with a number of additional manipulations, such as inhalation and breathing exercises. Based on the fact that coughing is a process that usually occurs during exhalation, it means that changing the rate of exhalation of air increases or slows down the speed of a coughing attack.

Attempts to cough can be controlled by applying the following measures:

• Stretch your mouth into a slit and suck in air, making the sound “FFFFFFFF.”
• Tighten the chest muscles.
• Without relaxing the chest muscles, exhale quietly, without making noise.

Choosing the right treatment

Whatever treatment principle you choose: drug treatment or treatment with folk remedies, you must remember that treatment must be carried out in combination with increasing immunity and increasing the body's defenses.

But the most important thing is prevention.

Diagnosis in an adult

Since a dry cough can be provoked by a significant number of factors, it is necessary to attend to a full diagnosis. The specialist is obliged to collect an anamnesis, that is, find out about the patient’s lifestyle, main symptoms, family history - whether any of the family members had respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, whether infection is possible.

A number of instrumental examinations are required, namely auscultation (listening), palpation and percussion (tapping), X-ray examination with the introduction of a contrast component (and without it).

In order to determine why a dry cough has developed in an adult, bronchoscopy (examination of the bronchi and trachea with an endoscope), thoracoscopy (study of the current state of the pleura) and tousography (examination of the lungs) are performed.

An equally important event will be tomography, fluorography of the sternum and consultation with a variety of doctors: from an allergist and immunologist to a gastroenterologist or cardiologist. In the process of diagnostic studies, the condition of the lung tissue and bronchial structure, the functioning of the nervous system, bacteriological culture of sputum, and measurement of the volume of inhaled and exhaled air are assessed.

Inhalations

If a child or an adult has a frequent and dry cough without fever, then medications administered into the respiratory tract in the form of steam will help provide the fastest and most effective help. Carrying out inhalations allows you to moisturize the mucous membrane of the lungs and bronchi and “deliver” medications to the source of infection. When carrying out such procedures, the process of formation and removal of sputum is activated in the body.

Inhalations are performed using nebulizers. In the absence of such devices, it is enough to take any container into which you need to place a hot medicinal solution. In this case, the patient should breathe the steam, covering his head with a thick cloth.

For inhalation use:

• pharmaceutical drugs – “Lazolvan”, “Berodual”, “Ambrobene”;
• mineral water, soda or saline solution, which soften and moisturize dry mucous membranes;
• herbal decoctions from sage, eucalyptus, linden, mint, chamomile, cedar or fir.

Treatment methods

Only a specialist can answer the question of how to cure a dry cough. You need to contact a pulmonologist, who will suggest the most effective “quick” response measures, determine medications and write out a referral for physiotherapeutic procedures.

Emergency measures

Such measures are not effective for a long time, since they only fight the symptom, but they can significantly alleviate the person’s condition. In the fight against dry cough, pay attention to the following:

1. If the condition has developed under the influence of a mechanical irritant (whether tobacco smoke or dust), it is advisable to immediately leave or ventilate the room. Next, it is recommended to drink a glass of water, warm tea or herbal decoction. This will warm the larynx and help remove the irritant.
2. If a dry cough is of an allergic nature, you need to completely avoid contact with the provocateur. After this, you will need to rinse your nose and gargle with saline or salted water. If allergy medications are used on a regular basis, it is recommended to take them to prevent an appropriate attack.
3. When the cause of an attack turns out to be a throat pathology, it is necessary to drink warm water, humidify the air in the room or open a window in the room. If an adult’s cough begins at work or in transport, it is recommended to suck on a mint candy or other remedy with a similar effect.

In a situation where the presented measures are not very effective, it is important not to self-medicate, but to be examined by a pulmonologist.

Medications

Medicines will help eliminate dry cough. Compositions based on marshmallow are actively used - they stimulate the activity of the bronchi and neutralize the inflammatory process. Next, the liquefied secretion will be excreted naturally. Most often, experts prescribe Mucaltin or marshmallow root to adults. The first is used in the form of tablets - daily before meals, the second is a raw material that needs to be soaked. It is taken no more than four times a day.

Compositions based on thermopsis can be used, which are most effective for bronchitis and similar diseases.

It is important to consider that exceeding the dosage prescribed by the pulmonologist is dangerous, since the development of a gag reflex is likely.

The most effective names in the fight against dry cough in adults are Thermopsol and Codelac Broncho.

Formulations prepared using plantain are useful. They guarantee not only anti-inflammatory, but also restorative effects. Gerbion, Stoptussin phyto and simply dried plantain grass can be used (to obtain decoctions and tinctures, it can be purchased at the pharmacy).

Preparations containing thyme are used for the initial stage of bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis and other serious diseases. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerate the removal of sputum. For dry cough use:

• Bronchicum, which is available in tablet form, as well as a suspension or lozenges;
• Pertussin - it is characterized by an irritating effect on the respiratory center and is produced in the form of tablets or mixture;
• Tussamag - tablets or drops that are used either in their original form or diluted.

You should not make a decision about using any medications on your own, but only after consulting a doctor. This will avoid adverse reactions, which are extremely dangerous when an adult has a dry cough.

Mucus thinners

Preparations prepared on the basis of acetylcysteine ​​are most often used in the treatment of dry cough, but not longer than seven days. This can be ACC (from powder to lozenges), Fluimucil (granules and ampoules, less often tablets).

Ambroxol, which is present in Lazolvan, Ambroben, Ambroxol, is effective for adults and children. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and actively thins mucus.

Products containing carbocisteine ​​are used, which improves the elasticity of viscous secretions and accelerates its elimination. These include Libexin and Bronchobos for dry cough. Bromhexine is no less useful in this case, since it improves the general condition of the nasopharynx and ensures the removal of secretions. Adults can use Bronchosan, Solvin and the drug of the same name.

Folk remedies

You can cure a dry cough, after preliminary consultation with a specialist, using alternative medicine. Plantain, sage and licorice leaves are great help in this situation. The herbs are used in equal proportions, pour 500 ml of boiling water and let it brew for 30 minutes. After this, the product is ready for use - 100 ml, three to four times a day. It is advisable to prepare a fresh composition every day to increase its effectiveness for dry cough in an adult.

The following recipe will be no less useful. Use two tsp. root part of elecampane in 200 ml of boiling water. They are infused for 60 minutes and consumed four times a day, 50 ml.

Dry cough in an adult treatment at home

You can cure a dry cough at home; there are many methods and recipes that bring relief or completely eliminate the symptoms of the disease. In order for home treatment of dry cough in an adult to be effective, you must adhere to certain recommendations:

• Maintain the humidity and air temperature in the room at a certain level. This will allow the mucous membranes not to dry out and quickly turn into a productive cough.
• When coughing occurs at night, use an extra pillow to position your head slightly higher than your torso. This will reduce the intensity of coughing attacks.
• Drink plenty of fluids to help smooth out the coughing process. Give preference to teas and decoctions that will have a positive effect on the condition of an irritated throat. You should drink the liquid in small sips throughout the day.
• Gargle. A soda solution is excellent for this procedure; it can be used to disinfect and speed up the liquefaction of sputum. For proper effectiveness, you need to gargle about 5 times a day.

We suggest you read the article “Dry cough in adults, treatment and prevention” in more detail.

In addition, you can quickly eliminate a cough at home using inhalations and herbal decoctions. To reduce the likelihood of dry cough, preventive measures should be taken.

Inhalations

This method makes it possible to get an answer to the question of how to cure a cough at home. The first advantage of this method is that inhalation for several hours allows you to get rid of the symptoms of the disease. It is not without reason that they are prescribed when the problem of how to cure a dry cough is being solved. Steam inhalations can transform a dry cough into a wet one.

Of course, it is better to do this procedure with special devices - nebulizers. But, if you don’t have them on hand, you can use the old proven method of inhaling vapors over a saucepan. There are several recipes that can improve the effect of inhalation:

• Sea salt. To carry out this procedure you need to use 1 tbsp. l. sea ​​salt and 1.5 tbsp. l. collection of medicinal herbs. In this collection, chamomile, linden, sage, and elecampane root should be used in equal quantities. After all the components have been mixed together, they are infused for 5 minutes, after which you can begin to breathe steam. The duration of the procedure is about 10 minutes, the frequency is 2 times a day.
• Baking soda. For an adult, inhalation with soda will help relieve the symptoms of a dry cough at home. To do this, just add a tablespoon of baking soda to a pan of boiling water. For the best effect, inhale steam through the mouth, but exhale through the nose. The procedure can be performed up to 3 times a day.
• Medicinal herbs. This traditional medicine recipe will tell you how to get rid of a cough. A mixture of mint, eucalyptus, chamomile, and black currant helps a lot. A tincture of these herbs, poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water, relieves a dry cough and makes it possible to eliminate an unpleasant sore throat.
• Honey. This method allows you to eliminate cough at home in 1 day, subject to the use of other treatment methods. To obtain medicinal steam, simply dilute honey and propolis in hot water. The duration of the procedure is no more than 7 minutes, since the ingredients used can cause allergic reactions.
• Potato. Probably the most common recipe for steam inhalation. For many years, it has been generally accepted that a correctly carried out procedure can eliminate a cough at home quickly - in 2 hours. You don’t need any additives here, just boil the potatoes and breathe in the rising vapors. The duration of the procedure is up to 15 minutes.
• Needles. How to quickly get rid of a dry cough?! Make inhalations with young coniferous shoots. Coniferous tree branches help eliminate cough, the treatment of which often causes a lot of problems. You need to infuse the pine needles for several minutes, after which you can eliminate a severe cough with a 5-minute inhalation.

Inhalations must be carried out in the absence of fever. Before choosing how to treat a cough, it is necessary to exclude those components that may cause an allergy. Do not forget that after inhalation you need to talk less. If the discharge contains pus, interspersed with blood, you should avoid inhalation.

Herbal decoctions

How to get rid of dry cough quickly? Decoctions of medicinal herbs will help with this. There are several proven recipes that can help significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease in one day:

• Oregano. Two tablespoons of dry herb are poured into 0.3 liters of water, then put on fire and brought to a boil. Take 100 ml of strained decoction during the day after meals.
• Linden. This recipe uses linden leaves. Place two glasses of water on the fire and add 2 tbsp to the saucepan. l. crushed leaves. When the mixture boils, remove it from the heat and allow to cool. Take 2-3 sips of the strained liquid every hour during the day.
• Collection of herbs. This decoction helps solve the question of how to quickly cure a dry cough. In addition, it improves the functioning of the immune system. To obtain the mixture, you need to use one spoon each of primrose, plantain, rose hips, and chamomile. Everything needs to be filled with water and boiled for a few minutes. You can drink the product throughout the day, up to half a liter at a time.
• Pine buds. When getting rid of dry cough, not only inhalations with pine branches are used, but also decoctions of the buds of this tree. They are poured with boiling water and left in a warm place for about half an hour. When you feel the urge to cough, you need to drink a few sips of the decoction. Many patients note that in the first days of taking the infusion they feel relief.

Read about how else you can prepare pine buds for cough in this article.

Before using decoctions, it is better to consult with your doctor, especially if at the same time you are treating your cough with medications.

Medicinal recipes

How to get rid of a dry cough in a few days? Medicines created at home will help with this. A few of the most common recipes:

• Honey with lemon. In half a glass of warm water, you need to dissolve two tablespoons of honey and add two teaspoons of lemon juice. Vitamin C helps strengthen the patient's immunity and speed up the healing process.
• Mustard oil. Ingredients: 2 tsp. lemon juice, 2 tbsp. l. mustard oil, a pinch of salt. All ingredients are mixed together and heated in the microwave for no more than 30 seconds. You need to drink 2-3 tsp. the resulting mixture once a day.
• Ginger tea. The preparation is no different from the standard recipe, only a small piece of ginger is used instead of tea leaves. To improve the effect, some patients add honey and a slice of lemon.
• Bouillon. Hot chicken broth allows you to warm up the body and quickly thin out phlegm, if any. For dry coughs, it soothes an irritated throat and does not burden the digestive system.
• Cinnamon and basil syrup. For one and a half glasses of clean water, take a cinnamon stick, 2-3 basil leaves, and a piece of ginger root. All ingredients need to be simmered over low heat for 5 minutes, then add orange peels and simmer for another 2 minutes. After the liquid has cooled, add honey and drink the syrup 2 times a day, 1.5 tbsp. l.

Top 4 inhalations

The first inhalation recipe for a dry cough in an adult is prepared as follows:

• use clove essential oil - three drops per 500 ml of water;
• you need to breathe over the steam for at least 10 minutes, but no more than 15;
• The steam should not be hot or scalding to preserve the surface of the nasopharynx.

Inhalation over freshly boiled potatoes will be no less effective. It would be best to crush the vegetable and drain the water - this steam will warm up the oropharynx the fastest.

A good result for a dry cough in an adult is guaranteed by herbal infusions, namely pine buds, sage leaves, and licorice roots.

It is necessary to use three tbsp. l. mixture of herbs, which are poured into 300 ml of boiling water and inhaled until completely cooled.

The most extensive composition includes chamomile flowers, sea salt and baking soda, as well as sage and coltsfoot leaves. Experts recommend adding essential oils of cedar, lemon balm and eucalyptus to the product. Herbs are used one tbsp. l. for 500 ml of boiling water, soda and salt - in the same quantity, and oil - two drops each.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine contains many recipes for getting rid of dry cough. They are safer, but also less effective.

• Water with soda and salt. As an expectorant, drink 1/2 glass of warm water 2 times a day (in the morning on an empty stomach and before lunch), stirring 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt in it.
• Infusion of wild rosemary. Pour 30 g of wild rosemary herb into 1 glass of boiling water, leave and strain. Take 2 tablespoons 3 times a day. Or: pour a teaspoon of wild rosemary herb into 400 ml of cooled boiled water, leave for 8 hours in a sealed container and strain. Drink 100 ml 4 times a day as an expectorant.
• Elecampane decoction. Brew 2 teaspoons of elecampane roots in a glass of boiling water in a thermos. Drink 1/3 cup of the decoction 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. This decoction is used as a strong expectorant for bronchitis. Or: pour 1 tablespoon of elecampane roots with 2 glasses of water and boil for 15 minutes over low heat. Take 2 tablespoons every hour throughout the day.
• Viburnum decoction. A decoction of viburnum flowers is a good expectorant. You can also use a decoction of viburnum fruits: pour a glass of berries into 1 liter of hot water, boil for 10 minutes, strain, add 3 tablespoons of honey. Drink 1/2 glass 3-4 times a day.
• Collection. Common raspberry fruits, coltsfoot leaves, oregano herb - equally. Brew a tablespoon of the mixture in a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes and drink hot as tea as an expectorant.
• Cabbage juice. Fresh cabbage juice with sugar is used as an expectorant for cough and hoarseness. Drink a teaspoon several times a day. Take a decoction of cabbage with honey orally for respiratory diseases.
• Onions with milk. Cut 10 onions and a head of garlic into small pieces and cook in milk until soft, then add honey and mint juice. Take 1 tablespoon every hour for a prolonged dry cough.
• Burnt sugar with milk. Take half a tablespoon of granulated sugar and keep it on the fire until it turns dark brown. Then pour it into a saucer with milk. Keep the resulting “candy” in your mouth until it is completely absorbed with a dry cough.
• Bananas and sugar. 2 bananas should be thoroughly mashed and poured with hot, sweetened water. The composition should only be consumed warm.
• Cherry syrup. Cherry syrup added to tea softens cough well.
• Figs Grind the dried figs and add to boiling water. Then simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. Take 100 ml of decoction, 3-4 times a day, after meals.
• Honey with olive oil. Mix honey with olive oil. The proportions must be equal. This composition should be drunk 3-4 times a day, one teaspoon.
• Viburnum, honey Another recipe is very effective in combating dry cough. To prepare it you will need 100 g of red viburnum and a glass of honey. It is necessary to mix viburnum with honey and heat it in a water bath to a temperature of 50-60°C, then simmer for several hours. It is important not to overheat the composition, otherwise the honey will lose its beneficial properties. Take 2 teaspoons of this syrup with warm water. This will help relieve inflammation and enhance the expectorant effect.
• Carrot. You can also make syrup from freshly squeezed carrot juice and sweet water. This composition is used 6 times a day, one sip.
• Milk, sage. A more complex recipe can be made using milk and sage. To do this, you will need 200 ml of milk and 1 spoon of sage, put the sage in the milk and bring to a boil. Then the composition is cooled and brought to a boil again. Use warm before bed; after taking, wrap yourself in a warm blanket.
• Goose fat, onion. Mix goose fat with grated onion. This composition must be taken on an empty stomach before meals.
• Milk, carrots. The medicinal cocktail is prepared from milk and carrot juice (approximately equal parts). It can be taken several times a day.

Regardless of the type of treatment, bed rest and consultation with a doctor will be required for a speedy recovery.

Rinse recipes

The successful treatment of dry cough in adults is facilitated by rinsing - they soothe the mucous membrane and reduce the frequency of coughing attacks. You can use this recipe: use tsp per 200 ml of water. salt and soda. Next, one or two drops of iodine are added to them. The procedure is carried out daily, but no more than three times a day.

Compositions with heated mineral water will help cope with a dry cough in an adult. Its temperature should be warm, but in no case hot.

What can you buy at the pharmacy to treat dry cough?

In almost every pharmacy you can purchase drugs that can relieve a patient from such an unpleasant symptom as a dry cough. Information on how to quickly cure a dry cough in an adult using one or another pharmaceutical drug can be read in the detailed instructions attached to it. Here we provide a list of the most common drugs used in the treatment of dry cough:

The best compresses

The procedures guarantee long-term warming, in addition, they relieve pain, the number of attacks and ensure the dilution of viscous sputum. For malignant neoplasms, compresses are not used.

The following composition will help cope with a dry cough in an adult:

• use natural liquid honey, black radish juice and mustard;
• the mixture is applied to gauze, then cling film is used on top, insulated and wrapped with a bandage and then a scarf;
• It is recommended to keep the compress overnight.

If it is used during the day, it is advisable that the therapy last for at least four hours.

The next useful composition involves the use of flour, honey and vegetable oil. The ingredients are kneaded into a flat cake, which is applied to the chest. The list of ingredients can be changed by adding, for example, vodka instead of vegetable oil or dry mustard.

Traditional methods of dealing with an attack of dry cough

Warm drinks are great for soothing dry coughs.

When using folk remedies you need to be careful. Not all of them are effective for dry cough caused by infection. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor.

Some traditional medicines provoke an allergic reaction and swelling, so before using them it is necessary to conduct a small test for the reaction.

Traditional recipes:

• Warm drink. Warm drinks, such as milk with butter, warm tea with honey or lemon, will help relieve an attack of dry cough and soothe an irritated throat. These are safe and quite effective means. Oil and honey moisturize the mucous membrane of the throat and instantly soothe it. You should not drink hot liquids, as they further irritate the throat and lead to burns of the mucous membrane.
• Inhalations. Steam inhalations with eucalyptus leaves help with dry cough. You need to brew the leaves with boiling water and breathe over the steam. Eucalyptus relieves irritation, eliminates inflammation, and increases local immunity.
• Herbs. You can drink herbal decoctions or gargle with them. Chamomile soothes and relieves inflammation, St. John's wort has an antitussive effect. Chamomile decoction is perfect for gargling; it will soothe an irritated throat.
• Radish with honey. You need to cut out the core of the black radish and pour liquid honey into it, let it brew. Take this medicine one teaspoon several times a day. It perfectly relieves inflammation, sore throat, and moisturizes the mucous membrane.
• Compresses. Warming compresses are applied at night. They relieve coughing attacks. As such a compress, you can use heated honey, vegetable oil, radish with honey. The top of the compress is insulated with polyethylene and a warm scarf.
• Vitamin mixture. A mixture of lemon with zest and peel, ginger and honey will help relieve a sore throat, relieve a cough, and also improve immunity. This mixture can be eaten as is or added to warm tea and drunk.

Particular care should be taken when choosing folk remedies for pregnant women and children. Not all herbs and essential oils are safe for infants and fetuses. They can cause a severe allergic reaction or provoke contraction of the uterine muscles.

The color of sputum when coughing and its causes

Physiotherapeutic techniques

We should not forget about the effectiveness of physiotherapy, because it allows us to eliminate the negative effects of microorganisms, as well as improve immune defense. Since some methods are unacceptable in the acute stages of disease development, it is recommended to discuss their use with a specialist.

A massage of the sternum is performed, which involves tapping and kneading the area presented. It is carried out over five to seven minutes. The procedure can be performed daily.

No less useful is UHF, which guarantees the influence of the electric field on the human body. Prescribed at the final stage of dry cough in an adult. Another physiotherapeutic technique is electrophoresis. It involves the introduction of a medicinal substance using an electric current. This is the safest and most effective procedure if a dry cough has developed under the influence of bronchitis.

Wet cough: what traditional medicine advises

A wet cough is not a reason to immediately run to the pharmacy. In many situations, an adult can do without this; the main thing is to know how to quickly cure a cough with folk remedies. The most effective of them are the following:

• onion broth To prepare it, you need to place 2 onions in the peel, 200 gr. sugar, 1000 ml of hot boiled water. Then put the pan on low heat and cook for 60 minutes. Take the product 100 ml up to 4 times a day;
• lemon juice. Squeeze the juice out of 1 lemon and place it in a glass. Next you should add 2 tbsp. spoon glycerin, and then fill the glass to the top with honey. All ingredients should be carefully mixed and the resulting remedy should be taken 1 teaspoon 3 times a day if the cough is not frequent, and 5-6 times if it is very frequent;
• decoction of flax seeds. Place 2 teaspoons of flax seeds in a saucepan, add 200 ml of water and boil for 10 minutes. Then add honey and take warm. The prepared decoction must be drunk within 24 hours.

Cough prevention

You won’t have to treat a dry cough for a long time or worry about its complications if you follow some recommendations. It is advisable to avoid hypothermia and stressful situations. It is important to engage in strengthening the immune system, gymnastics and hardening. It is strongly recommended to completely stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Effective measures include adherence to a rest and work schedule and the exclusion of any contact with allergic and toxic components. In general, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition are universal methods for preventing dry cough.

Features of dry cough

Pulmonologists divide cough into two main types: dry and wet. A wet cough is accompanied by the secretion of mucus, which during illness does not allow a person to breathe normally.

But a dry cough is much less tolerated by the body. The person tries to clear his throat and in the process very much strains the entire body. But all attempts are in vain; no discharge comes out. A persistent cough leads to significant irritation in the throat and can also cause loss of voice. Depending on the disease, you can speed up the process of transition from a dry cough to a wet one, and thus eliminate unpleasant symptoms. Or treat dry cough using other methods.