Causes and types
Frequent dry cough is a symptom that accompanies more than 50 diseases. In this case, we can talk about either a banal seasonal cold or more serious illnesses, for example, tuberculosis or lung cancer. Depending on the duration, cough is divided into the following types:
- Spicy. Lasts no more than two days, then transforms into wet bronchospasm and gradually stops.
- Protracted. It can torment the patient from three weeks to three months.
- Chronic. This type of cough without phlegm usually lasts for more than three months.
As mentioned above, a dry cough can be a frequent accompaniment of a large number of ailments. But most often it is caused by the following reasons:
Treatment
If you or your loved ones are tormented by a dry cough, you need to start therapeutic measures. Do not self-medicate or select medications by reading reviews on the Internet or listening to the advice of friends. Incorrect treatment is fraught with many complications. The main task in this case is to transform a dry non-productive cough into a wet productive one and form sputum.
To stop coughing, use a comprehensive approach to therapy.
Medications must be combined with physiotherapy, as well as remedies from the arsenal of traditional medicine. It should be remembered that the choice of specific medications will depend entirely on the underlying cause of the cough. In most cases, a dry cough in the morning and throughout the day is caused by colds. Therefore, the rehabilitation course will look like this:
- antiviral drugs.
- antibiotics (only in case of urgent need);
- mucolytics (“ACC”, “Lazolvan” and so on);
- antihistamines (for allergic cough);
- antitussives to block the cough center.
It is always worth remembering that they are prescribed only in certain cases, for example, when treating whooping cough (and only as prescribed by a doctor). You cannot use them without the instructions of a specialist, and there is a very good reason for this.
In the process of treating tracheitis, bronchitis and other pathologies with acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, it is necessary to remove phlegm from the body. Antitussive medications block coughing. Therefore, the mucus sinks lower into the lungs and leads to dangerous complications.
Physiotherapy
Dryness in children can and should be treated with physiotherapeutic techniques. The role of such procedures cannot be overestimated. In combination with drug treatment, they help improve immunity and bring the moment of recovery closer. If you suffer from a dry cough, use the achievements of modern physiotherapy. They will help improve blood circulation, significantly reduce the intensity of pain and reduce inflammation.
Dry cough and pain will no longer hold you hostage if you use the following physiotherapeutic methods:
- UHF therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- hardware warm-up;
- inhalation;
- acupuncture;
- massage of the chest area;
- restorative breathing exercises and so on.
Are you suffering from a dry cough? Try an innovative method of physiotherapy - inhalation through nebulizers.
We are talking about a portable ultrasonic compressor device that transports drug particles directly into the lungs or bronchi. As a result, the rehabilitation process is twice as fast and easier for the patient.
Also, do not forget about the effective preventive effect of nebulizers on the body. Inhalations using such a device reliably protect against bronchial spasms and obstructive bronchitis. In addition, they protect young children from various complications, including false croup.
Cough massage for children
To facilitate the discharge of sputum in children, you can do a fairly simple chest massage, which can be easily performed at home.
Massage will improve:
- blood circulation in the back and chest of the child,
- facilitates the removal of mucus from the bronchi and helps to cough it up easily
- This is a great addition to the main treatment!
Don't forget to consult your doctor before performing a massage.
More details
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Folk remedies
Now we know how dangerous a dry cough is, and it’s time to use another component from our treatment complex. Traditional medicine is a source of wisdom and knowledge passed on from generation to generation. But you should not use folk recipes as a key element of therapy. They will be effective only in combination with traditional drug treatment. Otherwise, at best, folk remedies will be useless, at worst, they will transform the cough into a chronic form.
To eliminate dry throat and coughing attacks, quickly form sputum, use the following methods:
- During cough attacks, drink plenty of fluids in the form of purified water, compotes, teas, herbal decoctions, and so on.
- Take hot milk with a pinch of baking soda and a teaspoon of honey added.
- Do not forget about compresses, mustard plasters and rubbing. Naturally, not everyone is enthusiastic about these procedures (especially young children). But it is these methods that help reduce the intensity of the cough and speed up the healing process.
- Do traditional steam inhalations using potato or soda.
- Consume black radish juice with honey (or sugar).
- Treat yourself with a mixture of lemon juice, honey and glycerin.
A few words about diet and prevention
What is the correct diet for dry cough, and what foods must be included in the diet? We recommend eating oatmeal cooked with milk. In addition, pay attention to mashed potatoes (again, with milk), salads made from grated radish with vegetable oil or sour cream. Those who drink coffee frequently should give it up for a while. Consume barley drink with milk and chicory.
A severe dry cough during the day should be a reason to avoid excessive consumption of very sweet, salty, sour or spicy foods. All of them negatively affect the condition of the mucous membrane and contribute to its irritation. As for fasting, it should not be practiced. There is no need to weaken an already exhausted body (this also applies to cases of severe coughing and vomiting).
Separately, it is necessary to say about preventive measures. The following simple tips will help you not get sick and always feel in good shape:
- do not get too cold;
- eat a balanced diet;
- walk in the fresh air;
- start hardening your body (contrast showers will help);
- undergo fluorographic examination annually;
- do not let the course of a cold take its course (get treated on time and consult a doctor);
- In hazardous industries, protect your respiratory system with a respirator.
Once again I would like to note the danger of self-medication. Even if a mild cough only bothers you during the day, you should not refuse to visit a doctor.
Bronchospasm may tear your throat at night and last for a day or two. Regardless of the causes of coughing attacks and their characteristics, always seek professional help.
Every person is familiar with the problem of coughing. From early childhood, it haunts us until the end of our lives. What and how do we not take to avoid this disease. Some rush to the pharmacy for modern medicines, while others rush headlong into traditional medicine, not trusting doctors and drugs - but where is the golden mean, what to do, and where to look for a cure for this seemingly simple disease.
To find this middle ground, you need to find out what a cough is. It comes in several types, which are divided according to the mechanisms of development and causes of occurrence. There are many reasons that cause dry skin, which is often long-lasting and does not bring the desired result. These are various kinds of diseases, such as sinusitis, measles, tuberculosis, whooping cough, the initial stage of acute respiratory diseases, allergic exacerbations. It usually occurs against the background of the onset of inflammation of the mucous membranes or with fibrinous deposits in the bronchi or trachea.
One of the varieties of this type of cough is called a “barking cough,” which is characterized by the presence of a metallic overtone in the throat and usually occurs with laryngitis. Its appearance is caused by changes in the vocal cords.
All types of this disease require the use of various therapeutic methods. For example, treatment for a dry cough involves one way: if it is intrusive, therapy is aimed at suppressing it. But in most cases, therapy consists of intensifying the cough to transfer it from an unproductive state to a productive one. According to many experts, treatment for a cough should be resorted to only when it is painful, intrusive, and disrupts a person’s general well-being. This includes a dry cough, the treatment of which does not cause mucus discharge; it remains intrusive and debilitating. That's why doctors call it counterproductive.
For it to become moist, mucus must form. Until it is there, a dry cough will cause a person a lot of trouble. It is impossible to sleep and breathe normally, the stomach is under constant tension, since during coughing muscle spasms occur, which is unpleasant, painful for a person, and also dangerous, since bleeding can sometimes be provoked. To avoid all this, you should take immediate action to calm your cough.
Preparations for dry cough in the form of mixtures, tablets, syrups are presented in pharmacies in a fairly wide range.
When you are exhausted by a dry cough, treatment will be effective with drugs that belong to the suppressive group. Folk remedies for dry cough also bring good results, so it is better to combine the use of various drugs. To slightly alleviate the occurrence of a dry cough, you need to drink plenty of warm liquid throughout the day.
If you suffer from a dry cough, you can try starting treatment with hot tea - black or green. Ginger tea helps especially well. Tea with lemon and honey has also proven itself. One of the best ways to get rid of this disease is to gargle with a solution of salt in warm water. All these folk methods will certainly help solve the cough problem in the shortest possible time.
But the most effective remedies for dry cough are drugs that contain dextromethorphan. This medicine must be taken with caution, according to the instructions, since side effects may occur, especially in those people who have hypertension, disorders of the heart, prostate gland, or chronic respiratory diseases.
Adults and children are often exposed to external influences that provoke coughing. It may not necessarily be a cold or flu; the cough may be the result of an allergic reaction.
Unpleasant odors, dust, small invisible fluff that floats in the air - all these are sources of problems. Even air, or rather dry air, can be the cause of a painful, continuous cough.
Insufficient moisture, for example, in the room, is also a source of suffocating cough. It’s unpleasant that most often such a painful cough occurs at night. This makes it difficult to sleep and breathe normally.
This phenomenon can be avoided. You need to know the basic rules and methods. What should you do if you are struck by a painful cough?
Cough is a protective resistance of the lungs and bronchi
. During a cold, many microorganisms and viruses attack our body. Our lungs try to drive them away with a cough.
You can eliminate an unpleasant suffocating cough. Only the first thing you need to know is the nature of its origin.
Most often it goes faster and without any complications. It is enough to take medications correctly and follow the treatment instructions.
Dry cough is long-lasting and suffocating
. Its main goal is to drive foreign bodies out of the body. Small organisms that penetrate the mucosa cause a response from the lungs.
Let's consider methods and methods for eliminating and treating coughs of various origins.
1) A nighttime suffocating cough can be slightly dampened by frequent changes of body position. The fact is that during sleep the body also rests. Microorganisms and harmful creatures do not sleep at night. Therefore their work is intensified.
They provoke the accumulation of sputum and actively irritate the mucous membrane, which is why a night cough occurs.
3) In addition to changing your body position, a glass of water with a piece of toasted sugar will help.
4) It is imperative to monitor the cleanliness and freshness of the patient’s room. Wet cleaning, frequent ventilation and additional air humidification are required.
5) Teas and decoctions of medicinal herbs will help suppress a suffocating cough. The assortment is huge, but the favorites are chamomile, linden, calendula, oregano and, in addition to tea, a spoonful of aromatic honey.
Drinks should be warm and in large quantities
.
You need to drink a lot especially if you have a dry cough. In this case, it is better to put pharmaceutical drugs aside. Their effectiveness will come in handy even with a wet cough.
6) A suffocating dry cough can be eliminated for a while using effective methods.
Gargling with herbal decoctions or saline solution will help here. You can also resort to using lollipops. An effective remedy for dry barking cough is plantain decoction.
7) The pharmacy also has syrups for dry cough, but their use should be on the strict recommendation of the attending physician.
Since such drugs only suppress protective reflexes and muffle coughing at the brain level. They do not solve the problem itself, they only temporarily help relieve symptoms.
Inhalations will help overcome a dry, painful cough. They are made from medicinal herbs and oils - menthol, eucalyptus, linden, chamomile and others.
.
An important rule: inhalations can only be done when there is no fever. When the thermometer is high, it is prohibited.
9) A dry cough can only be a reaction to an allergic source. In this case, this source must be eliminated and a course of antiallergic drugs must be taken.
10) A wet cough should be treated with other methods and medications. It is worth paying attention to syrups that help thin mucus and make it easier to discharge. In addition, such drugs must also have antimicrobial agents.
Traditional medicine has enough of its own methods for treating painful coughs.
1) Probably the most popular is home inhalation. This is done over a pan of boiled potatoes and covered with a blanket.
2) Rubbing with badger or goat fat at night gives effective results.
3) In combination with other methods, it is imperative to gargle with herbal decoctions. You can prepare a miracle decoction for daily use.
To prepare it, grind the onion skin, add sugar, honey and water. All this is brewed for three hours.
4) Onions are useful for coughs in any form
. They eat it, make decoctions, breathe over it, and simply place it around the house to inhale the aroma. It is able to kill harmful microbes and clean the air.
5) An effective remedy is a decoction of bran. They are brewed in water with added sugar and consumed before meals.
6) It is useful to eat chopped hazelnuts in combination with honey when coughing. This delicacy should be washed down with warm milk.
7) If you have a painful cough, you can also apply night compresses to your chest. For example, boil potatoes in their skins, mash them to a pulp, add vegetable oil and a couple of drops of iodine. Apply while still warm to your chest and wrap yourself well.
To combat a suffocating cough, you can make homemade burnt sugar lollipops.
9) Rubbing black radish juice at night will also help. This product is universal in its use in the treatment of painful cough. Syrups and infusions are made from it.
10) Valerian will help instantly get rid of a barking cough. It is diluted in water and drunk.
11) The same effect is obtained by eating a fresh leaf of the golden mustache plant or drinking an infusion of pine buds. Traditional medicine knows countless recipes and methods.
A painful, suffocating cough is just a consequence of exposure to external factors - dust, crumbs, pollen, aromas and cold symptoms (germ attacks). Therefore, it is important to eliminate these root causes and follow basic rules.
Keep your home fresh and clean, avoid dusty places: plenty of warm liquid, proper medications and traditional medicine - all this is the key to success.
It can happen to both adults and children. Most often, the term “painful cough” describes a dry, ineffective cough that occurs during colds. However, a cough can also be a sign of allergies or bronchial asthma, when bronchospasm prevents normal breathing and provokes coughing all the time. Have you been terrorized by a painful cough for a long time? Find out what to do when you have a cough in this article.
Why does a painful cough occur?
Cough is distinguished by the time of manifestation and the causes of its occurrence. A painful cough in the morning is most often experienced by smokers, as well as people suffering from chronic bronchitis. In the evenings, those who suffer from ARVI, acute bronchitis, tracheitis or pneumonia cough. The worst is a painful cough at night, as it may indicate tumors in the lungs or tuberculosis.
Also, the cough differs according to the reasons that provoked it. A constant, chronic cough occurs with pleurisy, periodic coughing attacks are characteristic of bronchitis. A very loud, barking, painful cough occurs with whooping cough, and a quiet and short cough occurs with pleurisy.
Most coughs appear due to microorganisms that live on the mucous membranes in the upper respiratory tract of a person. They live there peacefully, but when the immune system weakens, they begin to attack their host. And the immune system is weakened by colds. A sore throat indicates that germs have begun to multiply, and other symptoms of the disease will soon appear. Coughing in this case is a reflex act, which is intended to cleanse the lungs and bronchi from accumulations of microbes and their waste products (mucus).
Other causes of painful cough
There is also a painful cough caused by the central nervous system. It occurs when the brain and respiratory center are simultaneously excited. Such agitation can be triggered by allergies, anxiety or nervous tension.
Although, for the most part, coughing is a natural process, sometimes you should be wary of it. For example, with high blood pressure, against the background of a prolonged cough, it can lead to vasospasm and even a stroke. A night cough that occurs in attacks may be a manifestation of bronchial asthma. Wheezing in the lungs, which can be heard even from a distance, may be evidence of pneumonia. Therefore, for any manifestations of a painful cough, it is best to consult a doctor.
Types of painful cough
The cough can be wet or dry. A wet cough is designed to remove mucus and phlegm from the bronchi, while a dry cough is initially caused by a spasm and is intended to remove foreign bodies. A painful cough also occurs at the beginning of colds, when sputum has not yet formed, and the disease is already progressing. This cough requires the use of expectorants or antitussives.
The former help phlegm to form more quickly and facilitate their removal from the bronchi. The second group of cough medications blocks the cough reflex at the level of the brain or in the bronchi themselves. The main thing is to never use these drugs in the treatment of cough at the same time, as this can lead to congestion in the lungs. Sputum will collect, and the cough reflex, suppressed by the drugs, will not provoke their discharge.
What to do when you have a cough
It is better to take antitussive drugs not during colds, but if you have a cough from allergies or bronchial asthma. Such a cough will still not become productive (sputum will not begin to be discharged), so it is advisable to simply stop it and your torment.
What to do when you have a cough due to a cold? It is better to transform a cold cough into a productive cough, and do it as quickly as possible. Drinking plenty of fluids is good for these purposes, especially alkaline water or milk and soda, mustard plasters and expectorants. The faster you achieve free discharge of sputum, the faster your recovery will go. This is explained by the fact that the mucus formed in the bronchi poisons the body with toxins, and it is more difficult for it to cope with the disease. After the cough becomes productive, the patient continues to be given plenty of warm fluids, and during coughing he is brought into the so-called drainage position (in which it is easiest to cough).
Remember that a painful cough is almost always triggered by foreign factors, be it dust, crumbs, smoke or pollen. Well, most often cough occurs due to colds, when the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are irritated and produce a large amount of mucus. A decrease in cough, as a rule, indicates the onset of remission of the disease.
A cough is the body’s response to a certain irritant that affects the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. A cough may also indicate the presence of a foreign body or an inflammatory process. If such a symptom does not last long, then it does not pose any danger, as it goes away quickly. If the throat cough lingers, this indicates the presence of a certain disease that needs to be eliminated.
If a person has a coughing attack at night, it will last a long time. The reason is that all processes in the body have slowed down.
As a result, the mucus does not resolve, and all the phlegm slowly accumulates in the respiratory tract. The patient lies motionless during sleep, which is why attacks begin to bother him at night. To prevent coughing from tormenting at night, the patient should change his position from time to time.
A regular glass of water, to which you add brown burnt sugar in advance, will help calm coughing attacks. Fresh air, which must be present in the patient’s room, will help overcome coughing attacks. Special air humidifiers help eliminate excess dryness in the room.
Healing herbal decoctions help overcome coughing attacks. Here chamomile and calendula have a positive effect. If the cough is caused by an allergy, then it is necessary to take antihistamines prescribed by the doctor.
A common cold can trigger a non-productive cough. You can eliminate it using traditional methods. To soften the mucous membrane, you should take tincture of oregano. You can also drink tea with added ginger. This plant has a soothing effect on the throat. Before going on a night's rest, you can eat eggnog, in which honey is added instead of sugar.
A child starts to cough: what to do | How to treat an incipient cough in children
Cough is one of the most common symptoms in children. It interferes with the baby's sleep, exhausts him, and causes vomiting. Most parents are interested in the answer to the question of what to do if their child starts coughing. It is very sad to watch a small child who has been suffering from illness for a long time.
How should an incipient cough in children be treated?
Cough is a fairly common symptom of various respiratory diseases. Basically, he always talks about damage to the larynx, bronchi, and trachea. Coughing is also a protective reflex; it cleanses the body of accumulations of microbes and phlegm. Healthy children clear their throat ten to fifteen times a day.
Depending on the location of its occurrence, it can be superficial, such as with pharyngitis, or deep with bronchitis or pneumonia.
Distinguish
- short-term coughing or coughing, which may be a sign of tuberculosis or chronic bronchitis,
- as well as long-term, characteristic of diseases such as bronchitis, whooping cough, bronchial asthma.
There is a well-known concept of “dry” and “wet” cough. During a wet cough, sputum is released from the body, but during a dry cough, no sputum is released. A “wet” cough is quite useful, because thanks to it, everything foreign is removed from the respiratory tract. If a child’s beginning cough is accompanied by pain in the chest area, then this may be inflammation of the lining of the lungs.
Treatment methods for cough depend on the type of cough itself and the reasons for its occurrence.
What to do if a child develops a dry cough?
Such a cough is evidence that not everything is normal in the body. It acts as a protective reaction of the body and removes pathogenic microbes from the respiratory tract.
Drugs for the treatment of the disease are divided into three groups:
- mucolytics – thin sputum;
- expectorants – worsen cough;
- antitussives - soothe cough.
There are drugs that combine expectorants and mucolytics; they are combined for greater effect.
If a child develops a dry cough, all 3 types of medications will be useful. Various physiotherapeutic procedures are also used for treatment, such as electrophoresis, inhalations, and magnetic therapy. In young children who cough poorly, chest massage is of particular importance.
Only an acute cough can be treated at home, since chronic and subacute types of the disease cannot be avoided without qualified treatment by a doctor and additional examinations.
If you decide to treat your child yourself, remember that it is much better to make the cough productive rather than try to remove it, because coughing, as a protective mechanism, contributes to the child’s recovery. Also, under no circumstances should you take expectorant medications at the same time as antitussive medications.
How to treat an incipient cough in children with folk remedies?
1. You can quickly cure it with such common products as hot milk diluted one to one with mineral water, or adding a teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm milk.
2. Young children with a strong cough are advised to prepare such a tasty and healthy drink as a decoction of figs in milk.
3. If a dry cough begins, it is recommended to prepare burnt sugar with milk for small patients. To do this, you need to melt an incomplete tablespoon of sugar over a fire until dark brown, pour it into a saucer with milk, and keep the resulting “candy” in your mouth until it completely melts.
4. To treat a beginning cough, it is recommended to prepare carrot juice with honey. Take one tablespoon of freshly prepared juice with honey 4-5 times a day.
5. Radish with sugar also helps. To do this, cut the black radish into small cubes, sprinkle it with sugar and bake in the oven for two hours. Then strain the radish and give the child two teaspoons before meals several times a day and at night before bed.
6. A glass of grape juice and a teaspoon of honey, a lemon minced through a meat grinder mixed with honey, as well as finely grated radish seasoned with sour cream and vegetable oil will soothe a cough.
7. Liquid oatmeal porridge with milk and mashed potatoes in large quantities of milk are very useful for coughs for both children and adults, helping to relieve bronchospasm.
8. Fresh grapes are an excellent expectorant; consuming them will help you quickly get rid of colds and incipient coughs.
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How to treat in adults and children
It is necessary to carry out therapeutic measures only after the doctor has been able to accurately make a diagnosis, determine the cause of the cough reflex, and also understand the type of cough: productive or unproductive.
Treatment of dry cough
To combat a dry cough, it is necessary to use means that would alleviate the patient’s condition, eliminate irritants and soften the mucous membrane. You can get instant but short-term results by using lollipops, rinsing with herbal decoctions, and saline solution.
For a longer-lasting effect, it is worth using medications that can relieve irritation and provide an enveloping, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Such a drug is Gerbion syrup based on plantain. It contains the following components:
It is necessary to use antitussives that suppress the cough reflex in the brain only with the permission of the attending physician. It is not always possible to use such drugs, since they have many contraindications and lead to various complications.
As for Herbion based on plantain, it has only a local effect, does not affect brain function, therefore, can be used to treat any type of cough, both in children and adults. You can see the price and instructions for using Gerbion dry cough syrup.
Inhalations based on herbs, menthol and eucalyptus oil also help to cope with a dry cough and transform it into a wet one. With this treatment, it is possible to eliminate the spasm and facilitate the breathing process. But treatment with inhalations cannot be carried out when the cough is accompanied by a rise in temperature.
Treatment of wet cough
To alleviate the patient’s condition, it is necessary to use drugs in therapy whose action would be aimed at thinning the mucus, promoting its removal, and, if necessary, increasing the amount of sputum. In addition, when treating wet cough, the medications used must have an antimicrobial effect.
For wet cough, Gerbion syrup based on primrose is used for treatment. Its composition is rich in the following components:
Features of treatment for children
It is much more difficult to cure a cough in a child than in an adult. Here it is very carefully necessary to select medications so that their use does not harm the health of the little patient. This unpleasant symptom can be eliminated if you follow the following rules:
- At the very beginning of the illness, you need to provide the child with peace, comfort, and monitor the humidity in his room.
- Since a cough occurs along with symptoms such as fever, weakness, runny nose, and general malaise, complex therapy is indispensable.
- With a dry cough caused by an acute respiratory infection, the child may experience a gag reflex. Next, the cough becomes productive and sputum begins to be produced.
At this point, it is advisable to give the baby expectorants. - For dry cough, treatment should be based on combination medications that have a wide spectrum of action.
- For infants, all medications used must contain only herbal ingredients.
The video explains what to do if your child is tormented by a cough:
Treatment of incipient cough in children
Children are highly susceptible to various diseases. Their body is still developing and cannot fully cope with a variety of extraneous factors. A child gets a cold much more often than an adult. They are also susceptible to other ailments. It is usually not by chance that a child starts coughing.
This sign almost always indicates the development of some disease. It may be accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms. This will significantly worsen the baby's condition. It will be necessary to urgently provide him with help so that the disease does not develop into an advanced form. When a cough begins, treatment should be immediate.
Thanks to this, the disease will pass and will not cause complications.
The appearance of coughing in a child may indicate the presence of a disease, so treatment should be started promptly
Root causes and symptoms
Absolutely everyone has experienced a cough. Despite many opinions, coughing is not an independent disease, but just an unpleasant symptom. It is advisable to consult a doctor when the cough just begins.
However, people often ignore such a symptom and visit a specialist when it becomes protracted. It is necessary to find out what to do with the emerging disease as early as possible, especially when it concerns children.
It is in them that illnesses with cough provoke complications most often.
If a child’s cough has just started, then you should not give him the first medicine he comes across. This symptom can be caused by many diseases. Some of them affect not only the respiratory system, but also important internal organs. First of all, you need to establish the cause of poor health.
A beginning cough may symbolize an acute respiratory viral infection.
The presence of a cough in a child may be due to:
- sore throat;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis;
- sinusitis;
- ARVI;
- acute respiratory infections;
- tracheitis;
- bronchitis;
- tuberculosis;
- allergies;
- pneumonia.
The listed diseases are most often diagnosed in children with coughing. The symptom may also occur suddenly and be paroxysmal. In this case, there is no need to take medications. A sudden attack of coughing may be associated with the presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract. It is almost impossible to get rid of it on your own. You will need to call an ambulance.
A cough can also be a sign of a sore throat.
When calling a medical facility, you will need to report that the child has something stuck in his throat and name all the symptoms present. In this case, doctors will arrive as soon as possible.
In diseases that are accompanied by cough, a wide variety of symptoms may be present. The most common symptoms include:
- increased body temperature;
- heart rhythm disturbance;
- nausea and vomiting;
- the presence of pus in the sputum;
- discharge from the nasal passages.
Treatment is necessary if a runny nose appears along with a cough.
A specialist can establish a primary diagnosis only by knowing the entire clinical picture. Some signs cannot be observed with a particular disease. An accurate diagnosis is possible only after a complete examination.
Most often, when a child coughs, he has a cold. However, research is urgently needed to confirm or refute its presence.
When you need to urgently visit the hospital
In some cases, action will need to be taken immediately. Certain disorders require urgent medical attention. This is often necessary when the baby has a sudden and severe cough. Typically, this sign indicates that the airways are blocked by some foreign body. In this case, the appearance of a sudden cough is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- change in skin color, it may become red or blue;
- urge to vomit;
- the presence of a paroxysmal and debilitating cough that does not go away for a long time (usually it lasts at least 4 minutes).
The appearance of a sore throat along with a cough requires assistance to the child
To get rid of a sudden cough, you will need to seek the help of specialists. The symptoms will disappear as soon as the foreign body is removed.
It is impossible to ignore the fact that a cough is beginning. In some cases, it is extremely necessary to urgently visit a pediatrician with your child. This will need to be done when:
- rapid increase in body temperature;
- sharp painful sensations in the throat;
- severe coughing, which is accompanied by a gag reflex or choking;
- sleep disturbances and loss of appetite;
- the presence of purulent sputum or its unnatural color;
- a cough that persists for a long time and the patient’s condition does not improve.
When a cough is accompanied by vomiting, it is necessary to provide assistance to the child
If unpleasant signs occur in a child, only a doctor can tell you how to treat the pathology. If these symptoms are present, the baby may have a serious illness. In order for medications to be effective, they must be prescribed by a doctor.
The listed symptoms require an immediate visit to a medical facility. You cannot put off visiting a doctor. Otherwise, the cough that begins will lead to irreversible consequences.
Coughing may also cause your child to faint. This can cause various types of injuries. With such a symptom, the child should always be under parental supervision. When the attack just begins, the baby will need to take a sitting or lying position. As soon as possible, he should be taken to a specialist for examination.
A doctor's help is necessary if the cough is accompanied by other symptoms.
The sooner treatment is started, the sooner the child will get rid of coughing. Without treatment, the symptoms become chronic and will be more difficult to get rid of.
Drug therapy
When a child just starts coughing, parents wonder how to cure the disease and what to give the baby to improve the condition. Preferring self-medication, they usually give the baby medicines for colds.
Cough is a symptom that can be present in a wide variety of diseases. With such an unpleasant sign, the baby’s condition can rapidly deteriorate. There are several groups of medications that effectively fight cough.
All of them are reflected in the table.
Group of drugsFeatures
Herbal medicines | Such medicines consist of natural ingredients. They have almost no contraindications or side effects. They usually include more than 3 medicinal herbs. |
Synthetic medicines | These medicines are created from various chemicals. If consumed without consulting a specialist, they may cause a serious allergic reaction. |
Combined medications | Such preparations include both natural ingredients and chemical compounds. They are considered one of the most effective and in demand. |
You can give a child this or that drug only after the doctor makes a final diagnosis. The medicine is selected for each little patient individually. You cannot give the drug to your baby just once. They are usually taken in courses. To combat coughing, you must strictly follow all doctor's recommendations.
It is important to note that even the most potent drug may not be effective. This may be due to:
- independent dosage change;
- choosing the wrong drug;
- improper use of the drug.
It is not recommended to choose medications to treat your child on your own.
To ensure that the onset of symptoms does not depress the baby’s condition, you need to listen to the doctor’s advice. Treatment can be resorted to only after all tests have been completed and the root cause of the disease has been established. In addition to medications, children can also be given herbal tinctures.
Elimination after smoking
What to do if you quit smoking and have a cough? It is necessary to cure such a symptom as soon as it occurs, and not sit and wait for it to become chronic. Tobacco smoke affects the growth of cells that produce mucus. To relieve cough in a person who has stopped smoking, it is necessary to include in treatment medications aimed at thinning and removing mucus.
The simplest means for exploiting the phlegm located in the bronchi is milk. Thanks to it, it is possible not only to reduce the viscosity of sputum, but also to remove nicotine. But there are situations when the presented product is very difficult for a person to tolerate. Then it is worth replacing with other liquids. Any liquid contributes to the rapid dilution of sputum and its rapid administration. For this reason, former smokers need to drink as much fluid as possible during a coughing attack.
If you turn to traditional medicine, you will be able to effectively get rid of a cough. The onion must be finely chopped, add sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Fill the composition with water and place the container on the fire. Cook until the mixture becomes homogeneous. At the end of cooking, add a spoonful of honey and stir thoroughly.
You need to take the prepared medicine 3 times a day in the amount of a dessert spoon. With this treatment, it is possible to quickly reduce the viscosity of sputum and quickly remove it. If you take the medicine for a long time, you will forever forget what a morning cough is.
Breathing exercises for children
One of the important auxiliary home methods for treating respiratory diseases in children is breathing exercises. A small complex that takes 5-10 minutes a day will quickly improve the child’s lung ventilation, enhance mucus production and elimination, and also prevent complications.
Let's draw a beetle: starting position sitting, hands on the belt. Turn your body to the left with your left arm moving back and to the side. As you exhale, returning to IP, hum the sound “Zh-zh-zh” for a long time. Repeat for the right side. The number of repetitions in each direction is 4-5 times.
Let's caw like a crow: sitting starting position. As you inhale, raise your arms up and to the sides. As you exhale, lower your arms down and say loudly “Ka-r-r.” Repeat 5 times.
Let's show the goose: the starting position is sitting, bending towards your knees and raising your palms to your shoulders. Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, loudly say “Ga-a-a.” Repeat 5 times.
Before performing breathing exercises, it is better to coordinate it with your pediatrician.
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Effective folk remedies
Traditional medicine also does not stand still and offers a large number of effective remedies that will eliminate this unpleasant symptom in a short period of time. The main advantage of alternative medicine is the use of natural ingredients that have a safe effect on the body of adults and children.
Burnt sugar
If you are tormented by coughing attacks at night, then you need to fry granulated sugar (1 tablespoon) in a frying pan, stirring it all the time. Add ¼ cup of water and aloe juice. Stir everything and consume before going to bed. The link describes it in detail.
Sage decoction
If you want to ensure a good night and not cough, then a decoction of sage helps relieve attacks. To obtain it, you need to take a spoonful of herbs and pour a glass of milk. Place the container on the stove and bring to a boil. Wait 40 minutes until the medicine is infused.
Use the product in the amount of a glass before going to bed at night. Before taking the decoction, you need to warm it up.
Radish juice for grinding
Radish juice helps eliminate coughing attacks. As a rule, this medicine is used when the cough reflex occurs due to chronic bronchitis. It is necessary to thoroughly rub the back and chest with the juice, and then wrap these areas with a warm scarf. Radish is actively used in folk medicine. You can read how to take radish with honey for cough.
Effect of valerian
During a coughing attack, you must use the following remedy: add 20 drops of valerian to 100 ml of water. Drink the resulting medicine. After a few minutes the cough subsides.
Golden mustache
During a coughing attack, it is enough to simply chew a leaf of the presented plant. After this, the unpleasant symptom leaves the body.
Meadowsweet wine
If you have a sore throat or a severe coughing attack, then you should drink a small amount of meadowsweet wine. After this treatment, you will not have a cough for a long time.
To achieve maximum effect, you should consume a tablespoon of this product every day.
To make wine, you need to take a glass container (1 liter) and fill it with meadowsweet flowers. Then take out these flowers and pour 3.5 liters of boiling water. Leave to infuse for a day. To obtain a more aromatic wine, you should wait 2-3 days. Strain and squeeze.
At this time, prepare this syrup separately: take ½ liter of water, 1 kg of granulated sugar and the juice of 2 lemons. Combine the prepared syrup with wine, place 10 raisins.
Place the container in a dark place for 2 days. At the end of fermentation, drain off the sediment.
Pine buds
To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, taking an infusion of pine buds will help. To teach it, you need to take the presented product in the amount of a tablespoon, pour 200 ml of boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes and then strain. As soon as an attack occurs, take a few sips of the prepared infusion. After this, the cough goes away immediately.
Using the recommendations presented, everyone will be able to find their own option for dealing with cough. It is very important to take care of treatment immediately after detecting this symptom. Otherwise, there is every chance of complications or the disease becoming chronic. You will find the link.