How to treat a chronic cough? Best drugs for treatment

Respiratory organs more often than other systems of the organism are exposed to the negative influence of various viruses and bacteria. Even simple hypothermia can cause a serious catarrhal disease, which is accompanied by fever, malaise, runny nose and cough. Typically, the treatment of colds takes 1-2 weeks, but if during this time the patient does not go to the amendment, this indicates the severity of the disease.

Causes of chronic cough

Foreign particles, mucus and sputum entering the respiratory system, have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the organs, which causes a cough. A protracted cold often develops into chronic bronchitis, which exacerbation occurs every 2-3 months for several years. The main symptom of the disease is a chronic cough. The causes of the exacerbation of the disease are as follows:

• Frequent hypothermia;
• Infectious diseases of the respiratory system (influenza, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, etc.);
• Virus disease (ARVI, ARI).

By the way, a chronic cough is not always associated with respiratory illness. Such manifestations can occur both in heavy smokers, and in people working in harmful enterprises.

There are two main reasons for the development of the chronic stage of bronchitis:

1. Treatment of an acute form of the disease was ineffective or unfinished, which caused a complication.
2. The patient's work is connected with harmful production, where a person inhales dust, chemical compounds and toxic substances. Foreign particles in the process of breathing get into the bronchi, where they settle, which leads to changes in the structure of the mucous membranes.

What diseases can be hiding under a chronic cough?

Chronic cough in most cases occurs due to asthma, postnatal syndrome and heartburn. Rarely, the cause of its appearance are various infections, lung diseases and allergic reactions to medications.

Postnazalny syndrome is characterized by abundant discharge from the nasal cavity. Slime, draining on the nasopharynx, has an irritating effect, which causes a chronic cough. Treatment, first of all, should be aimed at eliminating the primary signs of the disease: a runny nose and nasal congestion. Such a syndrome occurs in patients suffering from frequent colds, allergies, sinusitis, etc.

Chronic cough - a common phenomenon in the asthmatic state. Sometimes it can be accompanied by concomitant symptoms: shortness of breath and wheezing. Deterioration of well-being and increased cough reflex can be caused by various infections of the respiratory system. Cold and dry air, as well as vapors and aromas of various substances can also provoke an exacerbation of asthma.

Acid, getting from the stomach into the esophagus, leads to the appearance of heartburn. Since it irritates the mucous membranes of the larynx, a chronic cough can occur.

Respiratory infections caused by infections can lead to a protracted cough, which sometimes lasts more than 1.5 months. During the illness, there is a strong irritation of the respiratory tract, which causes an exacerbation. In this situation, in the first place, attention should be paid to the treatment of the underlying disease.

Cough for chronic bronchitis is the main symptom. It arises from the irritation of the bronchi - the branches of the respiratory throat. This disease is most often affected by smoking people.

Bronchitis eosinophilic - one of the types of inflammatory processes occurring in the respiratory system. Often, he becomes the cause of cough, including chronic. This diagnosis is not as common as asthma. The clinical picture of the disease is similar to asthmatic manifestations. Sputum accumulates in the bronchi, and the results of the biopsy reveal eosinophil cells, which provoke the development of the disease. But with the passage of respiratory tests, asthmatic signs are not detected.

What kinds of chronic cough are

As you can see, a chronic cough in an adult can be caused by various diseases. Only an expert can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective course of therapy after carrying out an examination and obtaining the results of the studies.

In medical practice, there are three main types of chronic cough:

1. A deaf, cough that lasts for a long time, can indicate serious diseases of the respiratory system (for example, pneumonia).
2. Chronic dry cough (barking) occurs when viruses enter the body that enter the bronchi, and irritate the mucous membranes of the larynx and vocal cords.
3. A nasal cough is a clear symptom of an asthmatic condition and whooping cough.

Methods of diagnosis

To determine the true cause of cough, you need to see a doctor. Tell him about your physical condition and symptoms, and take the examinations prescribed by the doctor.

Chest X-ray may be required if a chronic cough lasts more than 8 weeks. If there is a suspicion of asthma, a check of pulmonary functions is prescribed. During the procedure, measure the flow of air that enters and exits the lungs.

If a patient complains of heartburn, after which a cough reflex begins, a pH test is prescribed. Thus, the level of acidity is measured in the esophagus. If it is recommended to undergo endoscopy, then it became necessary to determine the factors that irritate the esophagus, and to obtain a biopsy.

If there is a suspicion of the allergic origin of the cough, allergic tests will be required. In addition, to determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe a general blood test, urine and, if necessary, ECG and CT.

We treat dry cough in an adult

Before embarking on the treatment of a cough, it is important to find out what caused the irritation. It can be viruses, bacteria and even fungi. Depending on the nature of the pathogen, these drugs are used:

• "Summamed" and "Azithromycin" - when infected with bacteria.
• From a virus infection - "Acyclovir" and "Arbidol".
• "Nystatin" and "Termicon" - if the disease is caused by fungi.

Any medication should be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication can lead to deterioration of the patient's physical condition and complicate the process of recovery.

After the true causes of the disease have been identified and the treatment is prescribed, they begin to combat manifestations, which is dry cough. The patient is credited with mucolytic agents ("Lazolvan" or "Bromhexin"), which improve the secretion in the bronchi. For the production of sputum, expectorating medications are prescribed: "Althea root", ATSTS and others. Thanks to these drugs, cough from the unproductive phase turns into productive, which allows to excrete pathogens along with sputum.

With an allergic cough, antihistamines are prescribed:

• "Claritin";
• "Loratadin";
• "Suprastin".

When infections of the larynx (pharyngitis and laryngitis), use irrigation sprays. They have an analgesic and disinfectant effect and relieve swelling of the mucous membrane.

Dry cough in children - what to treat?

Chronic cough in a child has stronger manifestations than in adults. Therapies for small patients should be gentle. So, potent drugs are prescribed only for severe disease.

As an anesthetic, Nurofen is used as a syrup or a suspension of Panadol. And as expectorants and mucolytic agents, the syrup "Doctor Theiss", "Doctor Mom" and "Lazolvan" are considered effective.

If the disease is caused by microbes, designate "Biseptol" or analog preparations.

Treatment with antibiotics should be done according to the doctor's prescription and under his strict control. The duration of therapy and dosage of medications is determined by a specialist. Also, when prescribing antibiotics (for children it is "Cefodox" or "Sumamed") prescribe probiotics ("Lynx") to restore the intestinal microflora.

To improve the condition of a sick child, it is recommended to hold a wet cleaning indoors, to ventilate the rooms to ensure the normal humidity in the apartment. Also the child should drink a lot of warm liquid.

When the first symptoms appear, always show the baby to the pediatrician.

Traditional methods of treatment

Traditional medicine in such cases advises:

• With a cold, drink warm milk or tea with lemon. Since vitamin C is involved in suppressing diseases caused by bacteria and viruses, you can make teas with currants, raspberries and limes.
• Rinse throat can reduce irritation of the larynx. For this procedure, use soda, salt or iodine solutions.
• To treat dry cough use herbal decoctions. The most effective plants are thyme, chamomile, licorice root and calendula. It is best to use herbal preparations. Broths can be used to rinse your throat.
• Inhalations with essential oils (lemon balm, eucalyptus, pine extracts) have proven themselves in the treatment of bronchitis.

Prevention

Preventing the disease is easier than curing, so you need to adhere to certain rules:

• Do not overcool.
• Observe the rules of hygiene after visiting public places.
• The diet should include foods rich in vitamins and beneficial microelements.
• It is necessary to gradually temper the body.
• Ventilate rooms and often be outdoors.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• In the case of an epidemiological situation, observe the masked regime.

These simple guidelines will help to prevent disease and strengthen your body. In case you suspect a chronic cough, the symptoms may indicate the development of a serious illness, so do not delay the visit to the doctor.