What causes a cough. Coughing factors

  • Date: 09.04.2019

In the minds of many of us, a cough cannot be observed without and vice versa. Therefore, we do not consider these concepts as independent, which is completely wrong. Meanwhile, the causes of a cough without a cold in an adult can be very different, and a cold among them is far from being in the first place. This is a symptom that occurs involuntarily, and it is caused by some kind of mucosal irritant. respiratory tract... Anything can provoke a coughing fit - serious illness or foreign object in the throat.

What does a cough without a cold mean?

A cough without a cold is just as dangerous as a cold without a cough. In any case, this phenomenon makes you wary, especially in chronic form... And this process has its own explanation and reasons for the occurrence, which the doctor relies on when prescribing treatment. A healthy person coughs no more than 20 times a day, everything else is considered a sign of malfunctions in the body.

With a common cold and condition of constructive treatment, the cough lasts a maximum of two weeks. At first it is dry, unbearable, then it becomes wet and easier to tolerate. Causes of a cough without a cold in an adult are respiratory diseases or lung disease. A similar symptom occurs when stomach acids enter the esophagus. In this case, the attack occurs mainly at night, accompanied by heartburn and sour taste in the mouth.

In smokers with experience, the lungs are affected, the esophagus is irritated. It is very difficult for the body to get rid of a cough in such a situation. They are mainly worried about a lingering morning cough with phlegm immediately after waking up. This is a classic condition for both passive and active smokers. The way to get rid of discomfort is obvious - you need to give up the addiction.

Unproductive cough

Cause of dry cough without a cold:

  • bronchospasm;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • allergy;
  • exposure to dust on the respiratory system;
  • ACE inhibitors, used to lower blood pressure.

The factors that provoked the cough can be more serious, for example, lung cancer, heart failure, tuberculosis, pleurisy, and neoplasms of the mediastinum.

In the presence of Koch's bacillus (the causative agent of tuberculosis) within a month. In this case, fluorography and a thorough examination are prescribed.

Asthma and allergies

A dry cough without a cold is often the only symptom of asthma. The patient's condition worsens when inhalation of strong odors, cold air, pollen or smoke. In addition to colds, allergic rhinitis accompanies. With this disease, there is a rash, tearing, nasal congestion, sneezing, and often a headache.

The most dangerous allergens:

  • Food;
  • pollen of plants;
  • animal hair;
  • book dust.

Distinguishing allergies is easy enough. Attacks occur exclusively at the moment of close proximity to the allergen. Getting rid of symptoms involves consulting a doctor and taking antihistamines.

The reasons for a cough without a cold in an adult can be as follows: heart failure, which is accompanied by tingling in the chest, swelling of the limbs. In this case, the visit to the cardiologist cannot be postponed. One of the symptoms of sinusitis or chronic rhinitis, in addition to headache and high fever, is a lingering cough.

Diagnostics of the causeless cough

The first doctor worth visiting is a therapist, then he will refer you to another specialist. When making a diagnosis, the following points are taken into account:

  • when the attacks began;
  • wet or dry cough;
  • additional changes in well-being.

Depending on the duration of the time interval, a cough is:

  • acute - up to 2 weeks;
  • protracted - up to 4 weeks;
  • subacute - up to 2 months;
  • chronic - more than 2 months in a row.

Often accompanying symptoms neglected, for example, decreased appetite, drowsiness, weakness. A dry cough without a cold in an adult is easier to associate with lack of sleep or stress. As effective methods use hardware diagnostics (X-ray, CT, electrocardiography), laboratory tests blood / urine.

State nervous system can also cause this syndrome. For mental disorders, cough medications do not help, even blocking the reflex. This requires the consultation of a neurologist or psychotherapist.

Cough without fever

An adult can cough constantly due to viral tracheitis. The attacks torment both day and night, the throat constantly hurts. Hot milk and medications can alleviate the symptom; antibiotics, as a rule, do not help. But with such a dangerous bacterial complication as pneumonia, antibiotics are used.

Such a cough without signs of a cold can occur with whooping cough, the precursors of the onset of the disease are sore throat and weakness. Over time, the condition only gets worse, the person is simply covered with a wave, mainly at night. Treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting and under the supervision of the attending physician. Otherwise, serious consequences cannot be avoided.

There is no temperature, but the cough is quite long, for sure, only a blood test and a swab from the nasopharynx can refute or confirm the diagnosis.

Today it is very difficult to find a person who has never coughed in a day. The reason for this is the ecological situation, the mass of various infections - living in a metropolis, one can only dream of clean air. When infectious agents enter the lungs or bronchi, the receptors of the respiratory tract are irritated and a cough occurs, which warns of mechanical obstacles and cleansing the respiratory tract of sputum, mucus and other substances.

Other causes of cough without a cold

During colds clinical picture understandable: the temperature rises, a runny nose, weakness and other symptoms of intoxication appear. In such a situation, the cause of the dry cough is clear. Why does it appear without fever and signs of SARS? What are the causes of a cough without a cold in an adult?

Without typical signs common cold, dry cough indicates latent inflammation or individual hypersensitivity reactions. A non-productive chronic cough is on the list of side effects of some drugs. These drugs include:

  • ACE inhibitors;
  • drugs for hypertension;
  • nitrofurans;
  • aspirin;
  • inhalation medications.

Will have to reconsider drug therapy, if it is hidden in it, the stomach reacts differently in everyone, so the treatment is selected individually.

Such discomfort can occur after an infectious or viral inflammatory process of the respiratory system. At the same time, there is a tickling or tickling in the throat. The duration of such a cough can be up to 3 weeks.

Throat and lung cancer

In addition to the main symptom, there is difficulty breathing, discharge from the throat and nose. The temperature is not high or low - 37-37.5 ° C. With lung cancer, the symptoms are typical, chest pains are also disturbing, sputum is excreted with pus or blood.

Important! A prolonged dry cough in pregnant women, neglected, poses a direct threat to the health of the fetus. Abdominal muscles future mother constantly contract and are in good shape, which can lead to bleeding.

Accompanying symptoms

Even in the absence of signs of a cold, a cough rarely appears alone, as a rule, it is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • hoarse voice;
  • shortness of breath even with light exertion;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • enlarged lymph nodes;
  • drowsiness, sweating.

Symptoms of systemic diseases accompanied by cough:

  • rapid weight loss;
  • violation of the stool;
  • bad breath;
  • periodontal disease.

When is medical attention required?

Any acute or prolonged cough without a cold in an adult requires medical supervision. At following signs contacting a specialist should be immediate:

  • heat;
  • clouding of consciousness;
  • change in speech;
  • cardiopalmus;
  • swelling of the limbs;
  • pain when swallowing and breathing.

Treatment and first aid

Pulmonologists do not recommend self-medication, especially when using folk remedies. Home medicine can alleviate some of the symptoms, but it cannot eliminate them, let alone cure the cause. It is important to understand that all medicines from each type of cough is different. With dry, antitussives are prescribed, with wet - mucolytic, expectorant.

For a quick recovery, the patient needs to restore the mode of work and rest, quit smoking and establish a diet. In addition to traditional drugs, prescribe anti-virus, antihistamines and antibiotics.

A cough without signs of a cold in an adult catches by surprise, often it begins at night, you can alleviate the condition by taking the following measures:

  • When the source is tobacco smoke, you need to ventilate the room, drink warm tea or a glass of water.
  • In case of an allergic cough, you need to exclude any contact with the allergen: ventilate the room, on the contrary, close the window so that pollen does not fly in, rinse your throat with saline solution and wash your hands with it.
  • If attacks are frequent, you should always have a peppermint with you.
  • For sore throats, drinking plenty of warm water, humidified, fresh air in the room will help.

Invisible enemies

Even the most healthy person may begin to torment a debilitating cough without cold symptoms and poison his life. We are talking about allergens that we encounter every day in our apartment. Household dust, acting on the lungs, irritates them, so it is important to do wet cleaning at least 2 times a week. One of the strongest irritants is paper dust. All books and folders with papers should be kept under glass or in drawers.

Pets need to be brushed constantly to reduce the amount of hair in the air. Combustion products are dangerous; there must certainly be an extractor hood in the kitchen. It is also important to take extra care when handling household chemicals... Replace powders with liquid products, chlorine-containing ones, in general, exclude.

Indoor plants will help cleanse and humidify the air, so if you cough regularly, it's time to plant greenery.

The listed measures are preventive, consultation with a specialist doctor is required.

A cough is a reflex action due to stimulation of the sensory nerves. These nerves are found in the lining of the airways. Pain when coughing can occur due to different diseases causing irritation of the larynx mucosa, as well as the respiratory tract. What are the causes of pain when coughing and what to do about it?

What causes a cough?

A cough usually means there is something in the airway that should not be there. A cough can be caused by inhalation of airborne dust particles or a situation where a piece of food is on the wrong path.

It can also be a sign that an infection is nesting in the lungs, filling the airways with phlegm. Accordingly, pain may occur in the lungs or chest when coughing, since breathing is significantly difficult.

Cough can be caused by the following reasons

  • A common cold, which is a common cause of an acute cough, and it usually lasts less than three weeks.
  • More severe medical conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, or embolism pulmonary artery(thrombus in blood vessels lungs).
  • Smoking, which often causes a chronic cough (called smoker's lungs).
  • Asthma - especially in children, who can only cough but do not have wheezing.
  • Stomach acid that can return up the esophagus to the windpipe (gastroesophageal reflux).
  • Medicines used for heart disease called ACE inhibitors.
  • Bacterial or viral infections in the lungs, such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, croup in children
  • In rare cases, the cough can be caused by a mental illness.
  • Damage to the nerves that supply the vocal cords (known as vocal paralysis) and chronic cough.

The cough becomes more severe if a patient with a sore throat actively inhales cold air. For example, when running or walking fast. And the sore throat with this cough usually gets worse.

For this reason, patients with weak muscles, poor coordination of airway closing and opening, or people with airway obstruction (COPD) will cough violently. They are also particularly susceptible to cough complications such as lower respiratory infections and pneumonia.

What Happens When You Cough?

When a person coughs, a short breath occurs and the larynx (voice box) instantly closes. The abdominal and pectoral muscles are used for breathing, and squeezing them increases the pressure required for air to flow out of the lungs. Then the larynx opens again.

As a result, air exits from the larynx at high speed, clearing and clearing the airways of dust, dirt, or excessive secretion (phlegm). Cough is a common symptom in respiratory diseases, which, if severe, can develop into asthma. Then, with coughing and shortness of breath, chest pain may occur.

The cough reflex is a very important part defense mechanisms organism. Typically in healthy condition the lungs and lower respiratory tract are sterile. If dust or dirt gets into your lungs, it can become nutrient medium for bacteria and lead to pneumonia or infection in the airways. Then in the chest very often there is pain when coughing.

How to properly treat a cough?

A cough is a symptom, not a disease. The cough has a cause that must be treated with treatment.

You should consult your doctor if a cough accompanies any of the following symptoms:

  • cough with sputum, colored in the following colors - green, rusty brown, yellow, as well as blood in the sputum with an unpleasant odor
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath or wheezing
  • pain and swelling in the calf muscles
  • intermittent cough at night
  • whooping cough or croup
  • worsening of cough symptoms - the so-called smoker's cough
  • sudden weight loss
  • fever and sweating
  • hoarseness with chronic cough that does not go away spontaneously.

If you cannot cough without pain, see your doctor immediately. But for colds and infections, home remedies can be used to treat a painful cough.

Ginger

Buy ginger root. It can be sold in various forms, sliced, whole, and in powder form. The ginger root must be washed and cut into thin slices. Thin so that you can see through the ginger. Place a few slices of ginger in your mouth and chew it like chewing gum. Natural Ginger Enzymes Will Cure sore throat... This will stop the painful cough, as well as calm your airways, helping the pain go away.

Garlic

Pass 2 heads of garlic through a meat grinder and place the mixture in a liter jar. Make sure the lid is tightly closed so that no air can enter. Let the mixture sit for an hour, and then add honey there. Cover the garlic with honey so that it leaves about 5 centimeters from the top liter cans... Honey will act as a cough syrup and garlic will act as medicine for a sore throat.

Place the lid on the jar and refrigerate the mixture for at least 24 hours. Then garlic with honey can be consumed a teaspoon each time you feel like coughing. Garlic with honey can help relieve cough pain if it comes from a cold and not an airway injury.

Cough- one of the main defenders of the body from the negative effects of aggressive environment: allergens, food debris, as well as pathogens that want to get inside the body.

In fact, coughing is an effective way to clear the airways of various unfavorable factors, therefore, if a person has a cough, then it is necessary to fight, first of all, with its cause.

Cough. ICD

ICD-10: R05
ICD-9: 786.2

Most often, the cause of cough is various infections, and therefore, the most popular cough with influenza, bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis and other diseases. Other causes of cough will be discussed below.

The mechanism of cough development is as follows: when viruses, bacteria, fungus and other allergens enter the upper respiratory tract, the mucous membrane produces a certain secret (mucus, phlegm), which is designed to envelop them, in order to prevent them from entering the body. Further, the muscles of the upper respiratory tract, located along the entire respiratory tract, by contraction, cause a cough, due to which sputum, along with harmful microorganisms, is released. Thus, the body is cleansed. That is why, it is not a cough that needs to be treated, but what provokes it. Moreover, it is necessary to ensure that the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs and sputum do not dry out, and therefore, during the painful etiology of cough, abundant drinking, inhalation, and also humidification of the air in the room where the patient is located is prescribed. In addition, a cough can be triggered by inhalation. foreign objects(food debris, coarse dust, etc.), then the respiratory organs also begin to reflexively cleanse themselves of the pathogen, while the patient feels a sudden cough.

Now let's consider, dear readers, and what provokes a cough? What are the reasons for coughing?

As we have already mentioned, the cause of cough is most often viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms that provoke various diseases.

Let's consider all the causes of cough in more detail:

    • viruses: viruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, etc.
    • bacteria: legionella, etc.;
    • mycoplasma;
    • fungi and protozoa;
    • allergens: dust, animal hair, plant pollen, evaporation of various chemical materials (glue, paint, powders, etc.);
    • smoking, incl. passive smoking;
    • food leftovers: if fine particles food settles in the throat;
    • cold drink;
  • inhalation of too hot or too cold air;
  • excess of nasal contents;
  • side effect due to taking medications;
  • emotional instability, for example, with strong joy;
  • diseases: lung abscess, ascariasis, asthma, bronchiolitis, croup, cancer,;
  • congenital anomalies: cleft larynx, esophageal-tracheal fistula, tracheobronchomalacia, vocal cord paralysis
  • gastroesophageal reflux.

Cough in a child

Particular attention should be paid to coughing in children, because often, their body has not yet learned how to effectively cough up, which can provoke a collapse of the lung, frequent pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. You need to be especially careful if little child there is a barking cough, which may indicate the presence of laryngeal edema in the child, and as a result, the baby may suffocate.

Types of cough

Depending on the causes and symptoms, cough is divided into the following types:

  • By the strength of the cough:

- coughing;
- hysterical cough.

  • By duration:

Acute cough. Most often, it indicates that an infection has entered the respiratory system, and usually lasts no more than 2 weeks;
Prolonged cough. Last 2 to 4 weeks;
Subspinal cough. Lasts 4 to 8 weeks;
Chronic cough - duration is more than 2 months. Chronic cough is most often caused by smoking, inhalation of toxic chemical fumes, frequent stay in dusty places, and the presence of chronic diseases respiratory organs. Chronic coughing attacks are most often troubling patients at night, which is due to the recumbent position during the night rest.

Many experts divide cough into: acute (up to 2 weeks) and chronic (from 2 weeks).

  • The nature:

Productive cough (wet cough, wet cough). A wet cough is characterized by abundant discharge sputum, along with which pathogens are excreted from the body, along with the products of their vital activity. A moist cough indicates that the patient is recovering.

Unproductive cough (dry cough). A dry cough is characterized by the absence of sputum production, due to which, when coughing, the patient feels acute pain in the chest. At this stage, it is very important to conduct correct diagnosis and identify the cause of the cough, otherwise complications of the cough may appear: tear, constant chest pain, bleeding and etc.

  • Sputum is divided into types:

- Mucous (light and colorless sputum)
- Purulent (sputum greenish color)
- Serous (yellow-green sputum and yellow color)
Bloody (orange sputum).

  • By timbre:

- silent cough
Muffled cough
- short cough, careful coughing;
- barking cough;
- voiced chest cough;
- a hoarse cough.

  • By activity time:

- morning cough;
- evening cough;
night cough;
- seasonal cough - mainly in spring (allergic), in autumn and winter (based on ARVI).

Cough for various diseases - symptoms

Consider characteristic signs cough with various diseases.

Flu cough. The onset is accompanied by a dry cough. A few days later, a patient with the flu develops a wet cough with purulent sputum, while the patient feels chest pain.

Cough with bronchitis. With the onset of development (acute form), the patient develops a wet cough, first with watery (colorless), then with mucous (light) sputum. At the same time, the cough is characterized by depth and sonority. Breathing is difficult ... In chronic bronchitis, the cough is muffled, aggravated in the morning, as well as when inhaling cold or dusty air.

Purulent sputum corresponds to chronic bronchitis.

Cough with heart failure. It is characterized by dryness and painful seizures, especially at night. The patient is often tired, even with minor physical activity... With signs, it is similar to a cough in asthma, except that with heart failure, the cough also manifests itself in a standing position.

Tuberculosis cough. The onset of the disease is characterized by an obsessive dry, and then a moist painful cough. Often, the sputum contains blood streaks. Exacerbation of coughing attacks is observed at night. Other signs and nature of TB cough depends on the type of disease.

Lung cancer cough. At the onset of the disease, a dry cough is characteristic, which eventually takes on a productive form. A complication is the presence of blood in the sputum, which indicates an exacerbation of cancer.

Smoking cough. It is characterized by a chronic type. A smoker's cough often manifests itself after sleep, and disappears after a few puffs of cigarette poison. At the same time, the cough is not pronounced, but an obsessive and painful form, often with the release of colored sputum, because particles from the smoke are deposited in the respiratory system.

Urgently see a doctor!

See your doctor immediately if:

- the cough does not go away for 2-3 weeks;
- the cough is accompanied by breathing disorders, choking, wheezing in the chest;
- purulent sputum is coughing up, especially if it is bloody;
- cough and fever does not go away for 36-48 hours after taking antibiotics;
- the child has a barking cough;
- when coughing, strong pain in the chest.

Cough diagnostics

When diagnosing a cough, the doctor will usually do a personal examination, which includes:

- listening to the body with a stethoscope;
- study of medical history;
- the purpose of the event.

Additionally, they can appoint:

Medicines for the treatment of dry cough are divided into 2 groups: central action and peripheral action.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to take medicines that suppress cough without the recommendation of the attending physician!

Central antitussives(suppress the cough reflex at the level medulla oblongata): "Glaucine", "Dextromethorphan", "Codeine", "Oxeladin", "Prenoxdiazine", "Ethylmorphine", as well as combined funds based on them.

Important! Medicines based on codeine and morphine are contraindicated in children under 2 years of age. In addition, they can only be prescribed by a doctor, and only at least because they have a narcotic effect on the brain and also depress normal work respiratory organs in general.

Antitussives of peripheral action(suppress the cough reflex at the local level, directly affecting the cough receptors): "Bronholitin", "Libeksin", "Sinekod", "Tusuprex", etc.

In addition, for the safe treatment of dry cough, following means and procedures:

Drink plenty of fluids. With a dry cough, it is necessary to drink a large amount of fluids - from 2 liters per day, which help to transfer the cough from a dry form to a productive (wet) form. In addition, drinking plenty of fluids forms a protective layer of the mucous membrane, relieves irritation in the throat, removes, relieves cough. For this, the following are perfect:

- alkaline mineral water;
- tea with, tea with raspberries and;
- warm milk with a slice butter(you can also add a little honey here), warm milk with soda;
- breast fees;
- decoctions of wild rosemary, coltsfoot;

Inhalation for coughing. Steam inhalation with mineral water or soda works effectively. It is very practical to use nebulizers for inhalation;

Air humidification. In the room with the patient, it is advisable to humidify the air, which will facilitate breathing. A humidifier is excellent for this purpose.

Massage. For children, chest massage also gives some effectiveness.

If a dry cough is provoked by various viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, it must be converted to a productive form so that phlegm is formed.

How is a wet (wet) cough treated?

A wet or productive cough is triggered by phlegm that irritates the cough receptors, and inflammatory process in the airways and lungs.

Sputum is formed:

- for various viral, bacterial and other diseases, such as protective function respiratory organs;
- when exposed to the tracheobronchial tree means used for dry cough;
- from the blood with pulmonary edema.

In all cases, except for pulmonary edema, treatment wet cough is aimed at getting rid of the causes of cough: treating a disease that provokes coughing, as well as removing sputum from the body.

Treatment wet cough includes the use of funds that:

- liquefy phlegm, transferring it from a viscous state to a liquid;
- increase the secretion of liquid sputum;
- at the same time, they dilute sputum and increase the secretion of liquid sputum (mucolytic drugs).

Mucolytic agents (liquefy phlegm and promote its rapid excretion): Ambroxol, ACC, Bromhexin, Lazolvan, Mukaltin, Halixol, Marshmallow Root, Herbion, Expectorant collection, Licorice roots, Stoptussin.

Important! It is forbidden to give mucolytic agents to children under the age of 2 years!

Mucokinetic agents (expectorants):"Ambrobene", "Doctor IOM", "", "Mukaltin", "Pertussin".

Complementary cough treatment

In addition to using various drugs cough treatment: syrups, tablets, lozenges, mixtures and other means, it is necessary to adhere to some more rules that will speed up the process of recovery and restoration of body functions.

- at high temperature, observe bed rest;
- try to drink a lot - at least 2 liters of fluid a day;
- eat foods fortified with vitamins, especially, and avoid coffee, chocolate and other confectionery sweets;
- humidify the air in the room where the patient is located;
- gargle at least 3 times a day, for which water with salt or soda, "Furacilin" is excellent.
- rinse your nose;
- If possible, do light exercises.

Cough drink

Milk with honey. It is one of the most popular and effective folk remedies for coughs. During the day, try to drink 1 glass of warm milk with 1-2 teaspoons several times. It is also advisable to add a pinch of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of butter to this, although it is possible without them.

It is especially useful to drink this remedy before bedtime. Milk with honey promotes the production of phlegm and the formation of sweat.

Just pay attention, dear readers, that many people, on different types there is honey. For example, sunflower honey may be allergic, but not acacia honey.

Milk with butter. If you do not have honey, or you are allergic to it, you can add 30-40 g of butter to milk instead of it.

Milk with figs ("Cough syrup"). It is an excellent remedy for colds, whooping cough, bronchitis, tracheitis. The remedy has antipyretic and diaphoretic properties, and also eliminates inflammation of the larynx.

To prepare the product, you need to pour 2-3 fruits of washed dark purple or black figs with a glass of milk, boiling the product for about 1 minute. The mixture should be used in a warm state, half a glass, 3-4 times a day, half an hour before a meal.

Instead of fresh, dried figs can also be used to prepare a potion. To do this, soak the fruits for 30 minutes in cold milk, then boil the product for about 2 minutes.

Take the remedy in the same way as the fresh fig potion.

Milk with propolis. Propolis has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial and immunostimulating properties. Great for use as an antitussive agent, but children under 1 year old should only be used with the agreement of their doctor.

To prepare the product, you need to put 30-40 g of propolis in a bowl with 100 ml pure water put in a saucepan of water and on fire for 45 minutes. Then strain the product well, through cheesecloth in 3-4 layers, close it tightly with a lid, and store in the refrigerator.

Propolis prepared in a water bath, in the amount of 1-2 drops, add to 1/3 cup of hot milk, drinking the product before bedtime.

Milk with ginger. Ginger possesses a wide range anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunostimulating properties. It includes. Ginger actively warms the body, stimulates perspiration.

To prepare the product, you must add to the pan, with 1.5 liters of milk, 3-4 cm of grated ginger root and 2 tbsp. spoons of green tea. Bring the product to a boil, remove from heat, and let it brew under a covered lid for about 25 minutes. To improve the taste, honey or sugar can be added to the product. Drink several times throughout the day.

Milk and goat fat. 1 tbsp. Add a spoonful of goat fat to 1 cup of warm milk. Add 1 egg yolk and 1 pinch of sugar to this, although it is better to use ½ teaspoon of honey instead of sugar. The tool is used 3 times a day for 7 days. This drink is an excellent cough remedy for pneumonia.

If the child develops the first symptoms of a cold, give him 1 tbsp to drink at night. a spoonful of melted goat fat, you can in milk.

Goose fat. It is an excellent expectorant. Although its taste is not pleasant, it is still accepted as a drink. To do this, boil it in a small amount, for 10 minutes, cool it, peel it and squeeze the juice out of it into a decoction. Add 2 tbsp. spoonful of goose fat. You need to use the product in 1 tbsp. spoon before meals, until the child is fully recovered.

Radish with honey. Choose a large black radish root vegetable and cut the top off, but don't throw it away. Next, cut out 1/3 of its pulp from the top of the fruit, making it look like a well. Put some honey in the "well", but in such a way that there is room for the radish juice to be extracted. Cover the honey hole with the cut-off top, and put the fruit in some kind of bowl with water, tail down to keep the radish. After a few hours, the lettuce of radish juice with honey can already be taken, in the amount of 1 tbsp. spoons.

Infusion of marshmallow. Add 1 tbsp to a glass of boiling water. a spoonful of chopped leaves medicinal marshmallow... Let the product steep for an hour, then strain, and take 3-4 times a day, 1 tsp.

Collection 1. Put in a thermos a collection of the following ingredients: 40 g of marshmallow root, 25 g of root, 20 g of leaves and 15 g of fennel fruit. Pour the collection with a glass of boiling water, and let it brew for about 12 hours. Then strain the infusion and take 1/3 cup 3-5 times a day.

Collection 2. Add 2 tbsp to the thermos. Collect spoons of the following ingredients: 2 parts coltsfoot leaves, 2 parts and 1 part oregano herb. Pour the collection with 500 ml of boiling water, and let it brew for about 6 hours. Strain and take the collection warm, before meals, 3 times a day, ½ cup.

Cough inhalation

Eucalyptus. Boil the crushed eucalyptus leaves in a saucepan. Next, roll a sheet of thick paper (cardboard) into a conical shape, and cover the pan with a wide area of ​​the cone, and inhale the steam through a small one, for 10-15 minutes. Instead of eucalyptus leaves, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus to the pan essential oil which is sold at the pharmacy.

Cough ointments

Cough ointments are used as rubbing of the chest, but doctors do not recommend using them at high temperatures. Rubbing with animal fat is especially effective for treating coughs in children.

Goat fat. For cough with bronchitis, an ointment made from goat fat and honey, in a 1: 1 ratio, is excellent. The prepared ointment is applied to compress paper, which is applied to the patient's chest, and then well wrapped with a warm cloth.

Badger fat. The composition of badger fat includes, which strengthen and improve tissue nutrition. However, badger fat has a specific smell and taste, so it is not recommended for children under 12 years old, but also from 12 years old, in agreement with the doctor, because it can induce vomiting and aggravate the patient's condition.

Badger fat, as a rule, is mixed with honey, then rubbed with it chest, covered with compress paper, instead of which you can use parchment paper, and wrapped in a warm cloth. You need to do this procedure at night.

As a drink, 1 teaspoon of badger fat can be added to tea or warm milk.

Goose fat. Goose fat ointments are used for severe coughs. To do this, melt the goose fat in a water bath for 3-4 hours. Rub the melted fat onto the chest and neck area. Also, it must be given to the child in the morning, on an empty stomach, in the amount of 1 tbsp. spoons.

If the cough is very strong, then for rubbing, add 2 tbsp of goose fat to 50 g. spoons of vodka. Rub the product around the chest and neck area, wrap the baby well, and put him to sleep.

Cough compress

Cough compresses are achieved due to the warming effect, due to which, they lead to vasodilation, and as a result, to the activation of blood circulation. In addition, they release antibodies that have an antiviral effect on the body by activating the immune system.

Compresses are contraindicated in case of exacerbation of respiratory diseases, high temperature, fever, as well as children under the age of 1-2 years.

How to make a cough compress?

1. Moisten a bandage, gauze or other cloth with a drug;
2. Isolate the flow of liquid, for which you can use cling film or oilcloth;
3. Tie yourself with a warm scarf, cloth or dress in warm clothes to keep warm.

Compress with honey. An excellent remedy for exacerbations of respiratory diseases. Spread liquid on the baby's chest and neck area, rubbing it lightly into the skin. Place a layer of parchment on top and tie it with a warm handkerchief. Place your baby under a blanket for 30-60 minutes. After that, wipe the baby with a warm, damp cloth, and lubricate the skin with a mixture of eucalyptus (can be rapeseed) and vegetable oil, in a 1: 2 ratio.

You will need

  • To exclude the ingress of a foreign body, call a doctor at home when the temperature rises, contact an otolaryngologist, in case of choking, be examined by an allergist, go to an appointment with a therapist, undergo additional examinations.

Instructions

Cough is a symptom of a foreign body entering the respiratory tract. Often a sharp, excruciating cough indicates that some foreign object has got into the trachea or bronchi. This situation can be fatal, so the coughing person needs help immediately. The best way is to try to provide emergency assistance on the spot, and if this does not help, urgently take the victim to the hospital.

A debilitating dry cough mainly occurs with ARVI and influenza. A cough in this case indicates that the virus is attacking the respiratory tract, descending lower and lower into the bronchi, where the cough receptors are located. Since at the beginning of the disease sputum does not form and there is nothing to cough up, a dry cough can be very annoying to the patient. In this case, it is important to consult a doctor as early as possible and begin treatment of the underlying disease.

A cough with mucus discharge is often observed in patients with diseases of the ENT organs: with sinusitis, allergic rhinitis. The fact is that the mucus flowing down the throat from the sinuses irritates the pharynx, and the patient begins to cough up. The cough is mistakenly perceived by the patient as productive, however, this is not at all the case. The mucus that forms in the sinuses is in no way related to inflammatory disease in the bronchi. Examination and treatment in this situation should be performed by an otolaryngologist.

The sudden onset of a dry cough may indicate allergic disease... Pay attention to whether a cough reflex appears when you are in a gassed, smoky or dusty room, whether it is the result of close contact with household chemicals or pets, and whether it is accompanied by tearing or nasal discharge. With an allergic nature of the cough, whistling or wheezing may appear in the chest. In this case, you need to contact an allergist for a timely diagnosis and removal of allergy symptoms.

A sharp barking cough is a symptom of laryngitis or tracheitis. Coughing fits are quite long, exacerbated at night, accompanied by pain behind the sternum, discharge of viscous sputum, and with laryngitis, also hoarseness of the vocal cords. When these symptoms appear, first contact a therapist with a view to precise definition the disease that caused the cough, as well as for the selection of appropriate therapy.

Cough as a symptom may be a sign a large number other diseases: bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and lung cancer. Also, a cough appears in people who are not associated with respiratory system diseases: inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, heart defects, helminthiasis and ascariasis. In any case, a cough is only a sign of a disease; it is the doctor's prerogative to diagnose and prescribe treatment.

The cough is complex reflex act, in which there is a sharp contraction of the respiratory muscles and a powerful jerky release of air from the lungs. Cough occurs when sensory receptors are irritated in the trachea, larynx, pleura, large bronchi.

the main goal cough reflex - cleansing the respiratory tract of fluid, foreign body or mucus. At its core, a cough is a defense mechanism that is designed to clear the airways of secretions or all kinds of aspirated or inhaled particles.

Depending on the cause of the cough, cough is secreted physiological and pathological.

Physiological cough - this is completely normal and even, one might say, a necessary phenomenon Everyday life person. From time to time, the appearance of a physiological cough removes sputum accumulated there from the respiratory tract, as well as those "in the wrong throat" foreign bodies or crumbs. The main characteristics of a physiological cough: periodic recurrence (while there are no other symptoms of the disease), short duration.

Unlike physiological, pathological cough manifests itself against the background of all kinds of respiratory diseases. As mentioned above, the physiological cough in all cases is the same type and there are no special problems with its diagnosis. A pathological cough, on the contrary, has a very diverse character, in many cases depending on the nature of the disease that caused it. In order to correctly diagnose and treat a disease that is accompanied by a cough, it is extremely important to establish the individual characteristics of this cough.

Depending on the duration of the symptoms the following types of cough are distinguished:
spicy(no longer than one - two weeks),
protracted(from two weeks to a month),
infraspinal(from one month to eight weeks),
chronic(more than two months).

A cough accompanied by the excretion of sputum is called productive. In the absence of sputum discharge, a cough is called dry.

Acute cough arising against the background of acute respiratory infections (ARVI). This type of cough is the most common. Acute cough against the background of an acute respiratory disease develops within a few hours or days and is characteristic of such diseases as laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis.

The main characteristics of such a cough:
gradual development over several hours or several days,
the presence of other symptoms of the disease (a runny nose, an increase in body temperature, a feeling of weakness, weakness, in children - refusal to eat, moodiness, anxiety),
change in the nature of the cough from dry to wet.

The main factor of development lingering cough is not an infection, as with an acute cough, but oversensitivity cough receptors and increased production of sputum as a result of a previous illness. That is, a lingering cough is not so much a symptom of the disease as a natural attribute of the healing process. When choosing tactics for treating cough, this fact is important.

Recurrent cough - it is a lingering, recurring cough lasting more than two weeks. Recurrent cough is common in diseases such as obstructive bronchitis or bronchial asthma.

Persistent cough characteristic of a number of chronic diseases pulmonary tract and lungs. We are talking about a persistent cough when the patient is actually constantly coughing (that is, the cough can sometimes subside or worsen, but it is constantly present). A persistent wet cough is a sign of diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchiectasis. For diseases such as fibrosing alveolitis or laryngeal papillomatosis, a dry, persistent cough is characteristic.

Diseases that can cause coughing:
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
allergies, asthma,
runny nose,
chronic rhinitis and sinusitis,
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, heartburn),
congestive heart failure
sarcoidosis,
lungs' cancer,
sinus infection
tuberculosis.

Probable causes of cough

1) All kinds of bacterial and viral infections of the lungs or respiratory tract. Diseases: pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, viral infections, whooping cough, pharyngomycosis (fungal infection of the upper respiratory tract), etc.
2) Tumor diseases.
3) Smoking.
4) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
5) Foreign body aspiration.
6) Tuberculosis.
7) Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly gastroesophageal reflux.
8) Diseases of cardio-vascular system that lead to stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation (in the lungs), such as, for example, ischemic disease lungs of the fourth functional class.
9) Mental disorders.
10) A cough can occur as a side effect when taking certain medications, as an option - medications used to lower blood pressure ( enam, enap etc.).
11) Chemical irritation (gases, tear gas, smoke).

Allergic cough

In fact, the concept of "allergic cough" is incorrect, since such a term is absent in modern classification diseases. If there is a connection between a cough and an allergic process, then, as a rule, we are talking about a cough variant bronchial asthma... In what cases is it correct to speak of a cough as related to an allergic process?

Paroxysmal cough which starts suddenly and can last long enough for a long time.
Chronic cough. When the patient begins to cough, he then cannot stop for a long time. Most often, attacks occur at night.
The cough is predominantly dry. In some cases, at the end of a cough attack, there may be a discharge of a small clot of light or clear sputum. Sometimes patients note that the cough was provoked by any external factors: contact with animals, dust, strong odors, old books, etc. With bouts of coughing, there may also be a feeling of shortness of breath, suffocation.

Cough treatment

Depending on the cause of the cough, medications are selected individually. Antitussives are classified into two types: those that thin phlegm and those that help cough up phlegm.

In most cases, it is necessary to treat cough caused by acute respiratory viral infections, or ARVI, that is, what is commonly called the common cold. The fact that against the background of a cold there is a slight cough is not surprising. Most often, such a cough does not require any treatment and disappears on its own along with the underlying disease. In other cases, for example, during bronchitis, the cough can be persistent and strong, accompanied by the separation of viscous sputum. In this situation, sputum thinning treatment may be necessary and effective.

How is cough treated? First, you need to try drink as much liquid as possible, because drinking plenty of water stabilizes the water balance in the body, which is disturbed by illness, and contributes to the dilution of sputum. During cough, pharyngitis, it is extremely useful to use abundant mineral waters (as one of the options, "Borjomi"), since their chemical composition also facilitates the production of phlegm and speeds up the healing process. The diet should include light but high-calorie foods, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Secondly, during coughs and colds effective remedyinhalation. They are shown to older children and adults. Small children (under the age of 4 years), inhalation is not recommended, as this can cause them an attack of suffocation. To prepare inhalation, you need to take the leaves of chamomile, coltsfoot, thyme, sage (one tablespoon of each ingredient), place in a bulk container and pour boiling water. Add a teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of eucalyptus or menthol oil to the resulting infusion. This inhalation must be carried out several times a day.

Thirdly, if the cough is persistent with viscous sputum (most likely, it is bronchitis or tracheitis), it is necessary to take medications to thin the sputum: mucolytic and expectorant drugs. Most of these medicines are available in both pediatric and adult forms. We advise you to opt for medicines vegetable origin as well as mucolytics such as Lazolvan (Ambroxol), ACC (acetylcysteine), Bromhexine. The use of mucolytics is advisable in cases where sputum is present, but it is viscous and difficult to remove.

It makes sense to take expectorant drugs if a small amount of phlegm is excreted when coughing (scanty phlegm), since these drugs stimulate the secretion of phlegm by the bronchial glands, thinning it and strengthening the cough reflex, which leads to clearing the airways during a cold or bronchitis.

Antitussive drugs are prescribed only by the attending physician, as they can lead to serious adverse reactions. Do not combine the use of mucolytic cough suppressants and antitussives, as this can cause blockage of the bronchi with sputum.

Traditional methods of treatment

At the pharmacy, you can buy a breast fee, but if you want, you can make it on your own. This should be done like this: take in equal parts licorice, thyme, linden, oregano, coltsfoot, mint, pine buds, plantain, lungwort, calendula, grind. For half a liter of boiling water, take two tablespoons of the mixture, insist for an hour and a half in a warm place. Strain the resulting broth and take on 150 ml three to four times a day for 30 minutes before meals.

During whooping cough, dry coughs and colds need to take 2-4 once a day before meals, a third of a glass of the following broth: boil four to five figs with one glass of boiling milk, wrap it up, let it brew until it cools. You can also rub the patient's chest with such a mixture: three parts of a plantain leaf, three parts of licorice root, four parts of coltsfoot leaves.

If the cough is severe the following recipe is suitable: add half a teaspoon of soda and the same amount of unsalted internal fat to a glass of boiled milk, mix thoroughly, drink in hot small sips two to three times a day before meals.

Before going to bed, rub your chest with interior fat (ideally mutton or goat), put on a cotton T-shirt, pull on a woolen sweater over it and go to bed.