Respiratory organs more often than other body systems are negatively affected by various viruses and bacteria. Even simple hypothermia can cause a serious cold, which is accompanied by fever, malaise, runny nose and cough. As a rule, the treatment of a cold takes 1-2 weeks, but if the patient does not get better during this time, this indicates the seriousness of the disease.
Causes of chronic cough
Foreign particles, mucus and sputum that enter the respiratory system irritate the mucous membranes of the organs, causing coughing. A protracted cold often develops into chronic bronchitis, the exacerbation of which occurs every 2-3 months for several years. The main symptom of the disease is chronic cough. The reasons for the exacerbation of the disease are as follows:
- frequenthypothermia;
- infectious respiratory diseases (flu, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, etc.);
- viral disease (SARS, acute respiratory infections).
By the way, chronic cough is not always associated with respiratory disease. Such manifestations can also occur in heavy smokers and in people working in hazardous industries.
There are two main causes of chronic bronchitis:
- Treatment of the acute form of the disease was ineffective or incomplete, which resulted in a complication.
- The patient's work is associated with hazardous production, where a person inhales dust, vapors of chemical compounds and toxic substances. Foreign particles in the process of breathing enter the bronchi, where they settle, which leads to changes in the structure of the mucous membranes.
What diseases can be hidden under a chronic cough?
Chronic cough in most cases is due to asthma, postnasal drip and heartburn. Less commonly, it is caused by various infections, lung diseases, and allergic reactions to medications.
Post-nasal syndrome is characterized by copious discharge from the nasal cavity. Mucus, flowing down 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: runny nose and nasal congestion. This syndrome occurs in patients suffering from frequent colds, allergies, sinusitis, etc.
Chroniccoughing is a common symptom in an asthmatic condition. Sometimes it can be accompanied by accompanying 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 fumes and aromas of various substances, can also provoke an exacerbation of asthma.
Acid, getting from the stomach into the esophagus, leads to heartburn. Since it irritates the mucous membranes of the larynx, a chronic cough may occur.
Respiratory illness caused by infections can lead to a persistent cough that sometimes lasts more than 1.5 months. During the illness, severe irritation of the respiratory tract occurs, which causes exacerbation. In this situation, first of all, attention should be paid to the treatment of the underlying disease.
Cough in chronic bronchitis is the main symptom. It occurs due to irritation of the bronchi - the branches of the windpipe. This disease most often affects people who smoke.
Eosinophilic bronchitis is one of the types of inflammatory processes occurring in the respiratory organs. Often it causes 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 biopsy results reveal eosinophil cells that provoke the development of the disease. But when passing breath tests, asthmatic signs are not detected.
What types of chronic cough are there
As you can see, chronic cough in an adult can be caused by various diseases. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective course of therapy after an examination and receipt of research results.
In medical practice, there are three main types of chronic cough:
- A dull cough that lasts for a long time may indicate a serious disease of the respiratory system (for example, pneumonia).
- Chronic dry cough (barking), occurs when viruses enter the body that enter the bronchi, and also irritate the mucous membranes of the larynx and vocal cords.
- Harring cough is a clear symptom of asthma and whooping cough.
Diagnostic Methods
To establish the true cause of the cough, you need to see a doctor. Tell him about your physical condition and symptoms, and get the examinations prescribed by the doctor.
Chest x-ray may be needed if chronic cough has been going on for more than 8 weeks. If asthma is suspected, a lung function test is ordered. During the procedure, the flow of air that enters and exits the lungs is measured.
If the patient complains of heartburn, after which the cough reflex begins, a pH-metry test is prescribed. Thus, the level of acidity in the esophagus is measured. If an endoscopy is recommended, then there is a need to determinefactors that irritate the esophagus and get a biopsy.
If there is a suspicion of an allergic origin of the cough, you will need to take allergy tests. In addition, to determine the correct diagnosis, the doctor may order a complete blood count, urine and, if necessary, an ECG and CT scan.
Treat dry cough in an adult
Before you start treating a cough, it is important to identify what caused the irritation. It can be viruses, bacteria and even fungi. Depending on the nature of the pathogen, the following drugs are used:
- "Summamed" and "Azithromycin" - when infected with bacteria.
- From a viral infection - Acyclovir and Arbidol.
- "Nystatin" and "Termikon" - if the disease is caused by fungi.
Any drug must be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication can lead to a deterioration in the patient's physical condition and complicate the recovery process.
After the true causes of the disease have been identified and treatment has been prescribed, they begin to fight the manifestations, which is dry cough. The patient is credited with mucolytic agents ("Lazolvan" or "Bromhexine"), which improve secretion in the bronchi. To remove sputum, expectorant drugs are prescribed: Althea Root, ACC and others. Thanks to these drugs, a cough from an unproductive phase passes into a productive one, which allows you to remove pathogens along with sputum.
Antihistamines are prescribed for allergic coughs:
- "Claritin";
- "Loratadine";
- "Suprastin".
For 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 - how to treat?
Chronic cough in a child has more severe manifestations than in adults. Therapy methods for young patients should be gentle. So, potent drugs are prescribed only for severe illness.
As painkillers use "Nurofen" in the form of syrup or suspension "Panadol". And as expectorant and mucolytic agents, Doctor Theiss, Doctor Mom and Lazolvan syrup are considered effective.
If the disease is caused by microbes, Biseptol or analogue drugs are prescribed.
Treatment with antibiotics should be prescribed by a doctor and under his strict supervision. The duration of therapy and the dosage of drugs is determined by a specialist. Also, when prescribing antibiotics (for children, this is Cefodox or Sumamed), probiotics (Lynx) are prescribed to restore the intestinal microflora.
To improve the condition of a sick child, it is recommended to carry out wet cleaning indoors,ventilate the rooms to ensure normal humidity in the apartment. Also, the child should drink plenty of warm liquids.
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, be sure to show the baby to the pediatrician.
Folk treatments
Traditional medicine in such cases advises:
- When you have a cold, drink warm milk or tea with lemon. Since vitamin C is involved in the suppression of diseases caused by bacteria and viruses, you can make teas with currant, raspberry and lime.
- Gargling helps reduce throat irritation. For this procedure, soda, saline or iodine solutions are used.
- For the treatment of dry cough use herbal decoctions. The most effective plants are thyme, chamomile, licorice root and calendula. It is best to use herbal preparations. Decoctions can be used for gargling.
- Inhalations with essential oils (melissa, eucalyptus, pine extracts) have proven themselves in the treatment of bronchitis.
Prevention
Preventing a disease is easier than curing, so you need to follow certain rules:
- Don't get cold.
- Keep hygiene after visiting public places.
- The diet should include foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
- It is necessary to gradually temper the body.
- Ventilate the rooms and be outdoors more often.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- In case of epidemiologicalsituations - observe the mask mode.
These simple recommendations will help prevent disease and strengthen your body. If you suspect that you have a chronic cough, the symptoms may indicate the development of a serious illness, so you should not delay a visit to the doctor.
