Causes and treatment of chest cough

Physiological and pathological symptom

Physiological cough is a normal reaction of the body. It can occur at any time of the day: a symptom of this type is considered a common occurrence in everyday life. Physiological cough is a consequence of foreign bodies and crumbs entering the respiratory tract.

Most people confuse this symptom with a regular cough, believing that it arose under the influence of viruses or infections. A cough of physiological origin is not a cold. A healthy person can cough about 15 times a day. In a child, this is due to the accumulation of mucus in the bronchi.

Physiological cough often occurs in infants. This process is associated with food entering the trachea, resulting in a cough reflex. Many babies cough when they cry, and this is completely normal.

The main feature of the symptom is its short duration. If in doubt, you need to follow the person. If he does not have an additional clinical picture, then the symptom did not arise as a result of the disease.

A severe chest cough can develop against the background of pathological changes in the respiratory tract. It is often a sign of diseases such as:

• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• ARVI;
• flu;
• tuberculosis.

Pathological cough can be varied, it all depends on the root cause of its development. In this case, it is necessary to undergo diagnostic measures.

Causes

Cough occurs with any inflammatory processes of the upper and lower tracts of the respiratory system. But only 20% do not concern the lungs or bronchi, but the mucous membrane of the throat.

Penetration of infection into the bronchi provokes the progression of chronic, long-standing forms of diseases (provided that therapy has not been carried out at a high level), then secondary symptoms arise.

With temperature

If you have a high temperature during a chest cough, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause and undergo diagnostic measures, since a cough against the background of a high temperature from the chest indicates serious health problems.

Delay in this case poses a threat to life. The emergence of new pathological processes and the aggravation of existing chronic ailments. May indicate:

• for oncology of the respiratory tract and lungs in the final stages. The growth disintegrates;
• a dangerous and intractable disease - tuberculosis;
• pathological process called “pneumonia”. It’s difficult to bear, it flows hard. The disease completely affects the lung tissue. It is most likely that in addition to high temperature, copious sputum production will be observed;
• purulent bronchitis with an acute course.

These diseases can be diagnosed in both children and adult patients. Delay can be fatal in all cases.

No temperature

A chest cough that occurs without fever in an adult or child must be treated as quickly as possible. This is not just a spasm that occurs due to a cold. It changes the structure of the respiratory system and pathways.

Unfortunately, even a well-modeled treatment regimen does not provide complete cure and recovery.

Medicines, procedures and folk remedies taken together only partially restore and improve the functions necessary for life.

It is not possible to completely get rid of the disease. Diagnoses that can be made in the presence of a chest cough without fever:

Need to know! The presence of fever or tremor during the appearance of a cough indicates the addition of bacteria or infection. Local increasing inflammation occurs in the body, combined with intoxication.

Also, without fever, chest cough is observed with allergies and acute myocardial infarction. In this case, the mucus will not leave, but pain, severe discomfort, soreness, burning, and wheezing are observed.

Adults

Adults tolerate this symptom much more easily and simply than children. In children, the course of the disease is difficult and protracted. The reason is the immune system, which is more developed, is able to actively fight pathogenic microorganisms.

More than 60% of people, even without fever, do not allow chest cough to develop into a more serious disease (pneumoconiosis is not taken into account). More often diagnosed: laryngitis, tracheitis or pharyngitis.

If you have a family history of cancer, there is a risk of developing cancer, but according to statistics, this occurs only in 15% of pathological carriers of cancer cells. The transition from throat to chest spasm is possible in the absence of treatment or complete negligence towards one’s health.

It is more difficult to cure chest cough in a child, since the protective functions are not fully developed.

The transition from throat to chest spasm is observed in 75% of cases. The progression is rapid, the treatment process is complicated due to the limitation of effective drugs.

A combination of several therapy methods will help relieve a cough if the baby starts to get sick. It is also worth considering that the appearance of a chest cough without fever and sputum is caused by helminthic infestations. Therefore, before starting the treatment process, it is necessary to carry out a number of diagnostic measures to identify the root cause.

What does a nonproductive cough indicate?

An unproductive or dry cough is caused by the development of inflammatory processes. Viruses, bacteria and mechanical irritants can be provoking factors.

A non-productive cough can be paroxysmal or non-paroxysmal. The first type of symptom is considered debilitating; the person is unable to clear his throat, resulting in pain in the throat and chest. A cough that manifests itself in attacks indicates the following diseases:

• acute bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• development of myocardial infarction;
• pleurisy;
• pulmonary edema;
• bronchial asthma.

A non-paroxysmal chest cough occurs without fever and does not bother the person. In some cases, a prolonged symptom may indicate compression of the bronchus or trachea.

How to get rid of unpleasant symptoms?

The choice of treatment for chest cough, when there is no sputum, depends on the factors of its occurrence.
After all, even if congestion in the sternum is caused by a virus, its incorrect therapy can lead to adverse consequences. When a feeling of congestion in the chest and a dry cough are provoked by an infection of the respiratory system, the main goal of therapy is to liquefy and stimulate the discharge of sputum. First of all, it is important to ensure that the air in the patient’s room is humid (up to 60%) and cool (20-22 degrees).

At the same time, it is necessary to carry out daily wet cleaning. Thus, the intensity of the dry cough will decrease, and the feeling of tightness in the sternum will disappear.

It is equally important to drink plenty of fluids when treating a nonproductive cough. This will help restore water balance after fever, moisturize the mucous membrane and thin the sputum. After all, liquid secretions are easier to cough up, so they do not stagnate in the lungs.

Sometimes it becomes difficult for a person to breathe after intense physical activity, which causes muscle strain. In such a situation, treatment is carried out by a surgeon who prescribes warming ointments to the patient to relieve muscle pain.

It is worth noting that in case of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, there is no need to take antitussives, since this can only contribute to stagnation of mucus. The main goal of therapy is to transform a dry cough into a wet one. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes expectorants or combination medications, such as:

• Dr. MOM;
• Bronholitin;
• Lazolvan;
• Gerbion;
• Gedelix;
• licorice root syrup and others.

If a dry cough and a feeling of tightness in the chest are caused by asthma or tuberculosis, then the doctor may prescribe potent antitussives to relieve bronchospasm.

Conditions causing productive symptoms

A productive or wet cough can be paroxysmal or non-paroxysmal. The only difference is the discharge of sputum. Wet cough is caused by all the diseases and pathologies described above. However, it is accompanied by the discharge of sputum, which indicates the process of clearing the airways. As a result, the body tries to cope with the disease on its own.

The cause of cough is sputum accumulated as a result of the inflammatory process. This indicates that the respiratory system is trying to cleanse itself.

When coughing, chest pain may occur. A combination of symptoms often indicates the presence of the following diseases:

• acute bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• chronic bronchitis;
• bronzoectatic disease.

The root cause of the development of a symptom can be identified after a comprehensive examination of the body.

Chest cough

Co-author, editor and medical expert – Maksimov Alexander Alekseevich.

Last updated: 10/22/2019

Cough is one of the common symptoms of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. It occurs as a result of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, trachea or bronchi, can be unproductive, unproductive or productive, and is often accompanied by pain in the chest. A cough may be the only symptom of the disease, or it may be accompanied by a runny nose and other complaints. Without timely treatment, the cough usually progresses, causing significant inconvenience to the patient, and can lead to the development of serious complications such as pneumonia or pleurisy. To avoid progression of the disease and prevent complications, unproductive (wet) and non-productive (dry) coughs require the attention of a doctor.

Chest cough is a complex reflex action, often very unpleasant for a person. During its implementation, it seems that the cough originates deep in the sternum and then the phlegm passes through the respiratory tract. In fact, a person cannot clearly feel this, but this does not mean that the appearance of such symptoms is completely impossible.

Treatment recommendations

Chest cough can be treated both with medication and through alternative medicine. It is important to follow certain recommendations.

As mentioned above, coughing can cause many serious illnesses, so it is important to visit a doctor. Warming plays an important role in the treatment of symptoms. This can be done through ointments, including Doctor Mom.

A folk remedy based on alcohol and vegetable oil has a good effect. It is enough to moisten the cloth in equal parts of the ingredients, and then apply it to the chest. You can secure the lotions with cellophane and warm clothes. The procedure must be repeated daily, preferably in the evening.

A cough mixture based on licorice and raisins quickly eliminates the unpleasant symptom. It is enough to take the product 3 times a day with half a glass of water. To improve the taste, raisins are allowed.

Self-medication is not recommended. The cause of a cough can be a serious illness, including cancer. In this case, radical treatment methods cannot be avoided.

How to treat chest cough with folk remedies

How to treat chest cough Many people consider cough to be a disease. Actually this is not true. Coughing is a reflex reaction to the appearance of any foreign objects in the respiratory tract. The cough can be chest and throat. And today we are.

Many people consider cough to be a disease. Actually this is not true. Coughing is a reflex reaction to the appearance of any foreign objects in the respiratory tract. The cough can be chest and throat. And today we will look at how to treat chest cough.

In general, chest cough occasionally occurs even in completely healthy people. It serves to remove mucus from the respiratory tract, as well as dust and everything that should not be there. But if the cough becomes frequent or even regular, it is most likely a sign of some kind of disease. This means you need to see a doctor who will determine how to treat a chest cough.

The causes of chest cough are often more than serious diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis and even aortic aneurysm and bronchial asthma.

In most cases, to treat such a cough, medications are used that thin the mucus and remove this mucus from the body. Such drugs are also called expectorants. Various warming of the chest and respiratory tract is also often used.

• A popular method of such warming is an alcohol compress. Take equal parts of alcohol and sunflower oil and mix them. Dip two pieces of fabric into the resulting composition and, avoiding the heart area, apply the fabric to the chest and back. Next, the whole thing, you need to wrap it in plastic wrap and put clothes on top that will secure the entire structure.

It is recommended to do such compresses constantly at night until the cough goes away.

• Milk with goat fat helps well with chest cough. Three hundred milliliters of milk, heated to a boil and then allowed to cool, add a tablespoon of fat and honey, stir it all and drink in one breath. After taking the medicine, you need to lie down and wrap yourself up. You can take this remedy up to four times a day.

• One lemon, add water and simmer over low heat for ten minutes. Next, remove the lemon, divide it into two parts and squeeze the juice from both parts. Add two tablespoons of glycerin to the juice, as well as a little honey. You need to drink this medicine one teaspoon four times a day.

• Viburnum is very helpful in treating chest cough. Tea with berries of this plant and decoction. And simply eating viburnum berries has a beneficial effect and helps get rid of cough. The decoction is prepared as follows: pour a large handful of viburnum berries with leaves into a liter of water, add a glass of granulated sugar and cook for 20 - 30 minutes. For greater effect, you can add a couple of hot pepper pods. The resulting syrup is drunk several spoons at a time, washed down with water several times a day.

• A mixture of honey, lemon and garlic is also good for coughs. In the morning, the juice of one lemon is mixed with a chopped head of garlic and a tablespoon of honey, then poured with a glass of boiling water. Drink this infusion at night.

• The following remedy helps treat chest cough, including in children: melt 300 g of natural butter, add a glass of sugar and a glass of honey, but one at a time so that everything has time to dissolve. Once it dissolves, add a whole pack of cocoa powder. Once everything is dissolved, pour into molds and store in the refrigerator. Every day, several times a day, brew 1 tablespoon like cocoa in hot milk and give it to the patient to drink. This is a very effective and healthy drink for patients with chest cough.

Now you know how to treat a chest cough, but despite this, you still need to see a doctor.

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Drug treatment

A dry cough accompanied by chest pain must be transferred to a productive stage. This will remove mucus from the respiratory tract and speed up the healing process.

The treatment is based on central drugs. They have a pronounced effect on the cough center of the brain. Medicines of this type can be narcotic and non-narcotic.

The second group is very popular. The drugs are based on codeine, which allows you to quickly relieve coughing attacks. The only downside of the products is addiction. Therefore, experts recommend medications that replace codeine-based drugs.

Cough treatment is carried out using Sinekod. The drug does not contain an opiate, which makes it absolutely safe. The following drugs have a similar effect: Glycodin, Paracodamol, Tadeine and Bronchicum. Bronholitin and Paxeladin syrup are used to treat children.

Cough can be eliminated only with the help of special expectorants after the correct diagnosis has been made.

Effective treatment of chest cough

Chest cough occurs as a result of many diseases, so it is important to consult a doctor in time to make a diagnosis.
Most often, reflex urges from the lungs occur with the following diseases: colds, flu, ARVI, bronchitis and pneumonia. In addition, smoking or allergies can also be causes of chest cough. Let's consider other reasons for the appearance of this symptom, as well as traditional and non-traditional methods of treating the problem.

The main cause of discomfort is expectoration of accumulated mucus from the lower part of the respiratory tract. Often in children and adults, whistling and hoarseness can be detected during inhalation or exhalation.

All this suggests that a lot of secretions have accumulated in the lungs, which cannot come out on their own.

It is important to remember that the presence of any pain during coughing indicates the presence of pneumonia or bronchial obstruction.

Today the following reasons are known, the influence of which leads to chest cough:

1. Bacterial. A large number of pathogens require establishing the exact cause of the disease in order to determine the correct treatment;
2. Viral. The symptom appears at the beginning of a cold, the use of medications transforms it into a productive one;
3. Ornithosis. Cough occurs when the disease caused by an attack of chlamydia is not treated. In this case, a burning sensation in the sternum is possible;
4. Mycoplasma infections. A cough occurs after communicating with a person with a viral disease that is transmitted through the air;
5. Allergic pathogens. The cause is seasonal and a dry cough is the result of exposure to pollen or other allergens;
6. Mixed. The presence of several types of pathogens at once.

Most diseases can be treated in different ways. At first, home medicine recipes are suitable, which have virtually no contraindications or side effects and are time-tested. There are also many pharmaceutical drugs on sale that have both pros and cons. Which method to choose depends on the patient’s condition and personal preferences.

Let's consider several remedies that are most often prescribed for the treatment of dry cough:

1. Bronchicum. The composition contains the active ingredient thyme extract and additional components: ammonia, ethanol, rose oil, sucrose, citric acid and water. The product has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effects. Contraindications: personal intolerance, age under 6 years, kidney and liver diseases;
2. Glycodin. The composition contains the active ingredient dextromethorphan hydrobromide and additional components: natural levomenthol, glycerin and water. The product has an antispasmodic effect. Contraindications: personal intolerance, children under 1 year of age, pregnancy or lactation;
3. Stoptussin. A herbal preparation containing components of medicinal plants. The product has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Contraindications: personal intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, heart problems and kidney failure. This remedy can treat dry cough even in children;
4. Codipront. The composition contains the active substance polystyrene, phenyltoloxamine polystyrene. The product has an antiallergic and sedative effect. Contraindications: personal intolerance, pregnancy and patient age under 2 years;
5. Bronholitin. Syrup for children. The composition contains active ingredients: glaucine hydrobromide and ephedrine hydrochloride, as well as additional components: citric acid, basil oil, sucrose, polysorbate and water. Contraindications: personal intolerance, heart disease, patient age under 3 years.

Despite the large number of pharmaceutical drugs, many use folk remedies.

Let's look at several time-tested ways to relieve dry coughs in children and adults:

1. Onion. Take 400 g of onion, 350 g of sugar and 900 ml of water. The onion is peeled and finely chopped, combined with sugar and poured with water. Cook over low heat for 3 hours. Then cool and add 100 g of honey. Store in a well-sealed glass bottle. The course of treatment is several days, 5 tbsp. spoons per day;
2. Bananas. Take 2 bananas, 100 g of sugar and 300 ml of water. The fruits must be ripe, they are ground and the resulting mass is placed in a saucepan. Pour heated water in which sugar is previously dissolved. Boil for a few minutes and then drink this mixture like tea. Can be taken by children and adults;
3. Black radish. Take a pot-bellied radish, cut off the tail and top, and then take out the inside. Place 2 teaspoons of honey into the resulting depression. Then immerse the radish in a container of water. After 4 hours, the radish cavity should be filled with juice;
4. Eucalyptus tincture. Take 25 drops and mix them with 70 ml of water. Take this composition a couple of times a day;
5. Herbal infusion. The mixture is prepared from the following components: 25 g marshmallow, 15 g licorice, 7 g coltsfoot and 7 g fennel. To prepare 500 g of tincture, take only 2 tbsp. spoons of the mixture and pour boiling water over them. Leave for 11 hours, then filter and take 150 ml a couple of times a day;
6. Elecampane. Take 2 tbsp. spoons of elecampane roots and pour 350 ml of boiling water into them in a thermos. To treat a cough with this decoction, it is enough to use 100 ml a couple of times a day, take the remedy half an hour before meals;
7. Honey and anise. Take 3 tbsp. spoons of honey, 4 tbsp. spoons of anise seeds and a little salt. Mix everything and add 300 ml of water, bring to a boil and filter well. Take 3 teaspoons every 3 hours. For children, the dose is halved.

When using folk remedies to treat dry cough, it is important to remember that they are best used at the beginning of the disease or as an addition to medications. If relief does not occur, it is best to consult a doctor to change the dosage or treatment.

The materials posted on this page are informational in nature and intended for educational purposes. Site visitors should not use them as medical advice. Determining the diagnosis and choosing a treatment method remains the exclusive prerogative of your attending physician.

Source: //allergology.ru/prostuda/grudnoy-kashel-kak-lechit

How to get rid of unpleasant symptoms?

The choice of treatment for chest cough, when there is no sputum, depends on the factors of its occurrence.
After all, even if congestion in the sternum is caused by a virus, its incorrect therapy can lead to adverse consequences. When a feeling of congestion in the chest and a dry cough are provoked by an infection of the respiratory system, the main goal of therapy is to liquefy and stimulate the discharge of sputum. First of all, it is important to ensure that the air in the patient’s room is humid (up to 60%) and cool (20-22 degrees).

At the same time, it is necessary to carry out daily wet cleaning. Thus, the intensity of the dry cough will decrease, and the feeling of tightness in the sternum will disappear.

It is equally important to drink plenty of fluids when treating a nonproductive cough. This will help restore water balance after fever, moisturize the mucous membrane and thin the sputum. After all, liquid secretions are easier to cough up, so they do not stagnate in the lungs.

Sometimes it becomes difficult for a person to breathe after intense physical activity, which causes muscle strain. In such a situation, treatment is carried out by a surgeon who prescribes warming ointments to the patient to relieve muscle pain.

It is worth noting that in case of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, there is no need to take antitussives, since this can only contribute to stagnation of mucus. The main goal of therapy is to transform a dry cough into a wet one. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes expectorants or combination medications, such as:

• Dr. MOM;
• Bronholitin;
• Lazolvan;
• Gerbion;
• Gedelix;
• licorice root syrup and others.

If a dry cough and a feeling of tightness in the chest are caused by asthma or tuberculosis, then the doctor may prescribe potent antitussives to relieve bronchospasm.

Chest pain and lump in throat

Such symptoms can occur in various diseases .

1. Disease of the heart, lungs or esophagus causes changes in the chest area and the following symptoms appear.
2. For chest pathology. The nerve plexuses are located in the chest area, so during transformation there may be discomfort and pain in this area.
3. For various injuries to the chest. The soft tissues are compressed and unpleasant sensations appear: it becomes difficult to breathe and a lump appears in the throat.
4. Oncology. New growths appearing in the chest area. The tumor begins to compress the organs, there may be a feeling of coma and pain.
5. For pathologies of the thoracic spine. Intercostal neuralgia causes pain and congestion behind the sternum. The pain may intensify when the patient lifts heavy objects or moves the body.

Symptoms of chest cough

Sputum is expectorated from the lower respiratory tract. This is the first reason for the presence of discomfort and unpleasant sensations. It happens that the chest is stuffy , but there is no cough at all. When a person inhales or exhales, a whistling or wheezing sound is heard from inside. This means that the lungs are filled with secretions, but they cannot come out on their own. In children under three years of age, such sputum is removed using a hardware method. After carrying out this procedure, the effect appears instantly. But it is quite unpleasant, so adults practically do not perform it.

How should you get rid of unpleasant symptoms?

Treatment of a dry cough behind the sternum, when there is no sputum, is selected taking into account the factors that caused it. If you have a respiratory tract infection, stimulation can be done to thin the mucus so that it begins to clear and makes breathing easier. Constantly ventilate the patient's room to keep the air moist and cool . Carry out wet cleaning daily, so the patient will recover faster and the unpleasant symptoms will stop tormenting him.

To restore fluid balance, give the patient more fluids. It will moisturize the mucous membrane and thin out phlegm. Liquid secretions do not stagnate in the lungs and are coughed up faster.

Often such symptoms occur in athletes after heavy physical activity, as muscle strain appears. Then the surgeon prescribes treatment and prescribes ointments that warm and eliminate muscle pain.

If you have a respiratory tract infection, you should not take antitussives ; taking them causes the sputum to stagnate. And you need to make sure that the dry cough turns into a wet one. To do this, you need to take expectorants or combination medications:

• Gedelix;
• Gerbion;
• Bronholitin;
• Dr. MOM;
• Lazolvan;
• Licorice root syrup.

The doctor will tell you which medicine is best to take, depending on the disease. If the disease is serious (asthma, tuberculosis, etc.), then potent cough medications are prescribed.

Treatment with folk remedies

Treatment in an unconventional way can be carried out in cases where there is no allergy to herbs . To thin mucus and moisten the airways, in addition to medications, it is recommended to drink miracle drinks:

• dried fruits compote;
• herbal decoctions;
• tea with raspberries or lemon;
• berry juice.

It is also recommended to drink warm fruit or berry juice . It will help eliminate symptoms, saturate the body with vitamins and improve immunity. Drink hot tea with mint, rosemary, ginger, adding honey to it. It is good to carry out inhalations, but they can only be done when the temperature drops.

To relieve chest congestion and pain, make a medicinal herbal drink. Add a pinch of saffron to a cup of milk and heat it. Then add honey and lemon juice to taste. This remedy should be taken hot.

It is useful to gargle with this disease. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt and a little turmeric in 0.5 cups of warm water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Try to gargle deeper for two minutes up to 4 times a day.

Carry out inhalations

• Dissolve honey in hot water in a ratio of 1:5, inhale through your mouth and nose alternately.
• 2 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over spoons of sage, cover with a lid and let steep for 15 minutes.
• For a liter of boiling water, take 2 tbsp. spoons of soda. Soda inhalations do not cause allergies and relieve cough.

Watch your diet. During illness, you should avoid sugar, salt and flour products. These products increase the amount of phlegm. To prevent the airways from closing, avoid eating cold foods . Eat more foods that are beneficial. In this case, the following will help you: ginger, spicy foods, garlic and citrus fruits.