In the mind of many of us, a cough cannot be observed without a cold, and vice versa. Therefore, we do not consider these concepts as independent ones, 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 in the first place. This is a symptom that occurs involuntarily, and it is caused by some kind of irritant of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Anything can provoke a coughing fit - a serious illness or a foreign object in the throat.
What does a cough without a cold mean?
A cough without a cold is as dangerous as a cold without a cough. In any case, such a phenomenon makes us wary, especially in a chronic form. And this process has its own explanation and causes of occurrence, on which the doctor relies when prescribing treatment. A he althy person coughs no more than 20 times a day, everything else is considered a sign of failure in the body.
With a common cold and the 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 bear. Causes of a cough without a cold in an adult - diseasesrespiratory 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 a sour taste in the mouth.
In long-term smokers, the lungs are affected, the esophagus is irritated. It is very difficult for the body to get rid of cough in such a situation. They are mainly concerned about a prolonged morning cough with sputum 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 addiction.
Unproductive cough
Cause of dry cough without cold:
- bronchospasm;
- bronchial asthma;
- allergy;
- impact of dust on the respiratory system;
- ACE inhibitors used to lower blood pressure.
Factors that provoked a cough may be more serious, such as lung cancer, heart failure, tuberculosis, pleurisy, mediastinal neoplasms.
In the presence of Koch's bacillus (the causative agent of tuberculosis), the cough does not go away for a month. In this case, a 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 inhaling strong odors, cold air, pollen or smoke. In addition to the common cold, persistent coughing accompanies allergic rhinitis. In this disease, there isrash, tearing, nasal congestion, sneezing, often headache.
Most dangerous allergens:
- food;
- plant pollen;
- animal wool;
- book dust.
Distinguishing allergies is quite simple. Attacks occur only at the moment of close proximity to the allergen. Relief from symptoms involves consulting a doctor and taking antihistamines.
Causes of a cough without a cold in an adult may be as follows: heart failure, which is accompanied by tingling in the chest, swelling of the extremities. A trip to the cardiologist in this case cannot be postponed. One of the symptoms of sinusitis or chronic rhinitis, in addition to headache and fever, is a prolonged cough.
Diagnosis of causeless cough
The first doctor worth visiting will be a general practitioner, then he will refer you to another specialist. When making a diagnosis, the following points are taken into account:
- when the seizures started;
- cough wet or dry;
- additional changes in well-being.
Depending on the duration of the time period, coughing occurs:
- acute - up to 2 weeks;
- protracted - up to 4 weeks;
- subacute - up to 2 months;
- chronic - more than 2 consecutive months.
Often accompanying symptoms go unnoticed, such as loss of appetite, drowsiness, weakness. Dry cough without a cold in an adult is easierassociated with sleep deprivation or stress. As effective methods, hardware diagnostics (X-ray, CT, electrocardiography), laboratory blood / urine tests are used.
The state of the nervous system can also cause such a syndrome. With mental disorders, cough medicines do not help, even blocking the reflex. Here you need to consult a neurologist or psychotherapist.
Cough without fever
An adult can constantly cough because of viral tracheitis. Attacks torment both day and night, in the throat it constantly hurts. Hot milk and medicines 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, a person is simply choked by a dry cough and covered with a wave, mainly at night. Treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital and under the supervision of the attending physician. Otherwise, serious consequences cannot be avoided.
There is no temperature, but the cough is quite long, only a blood test and a swab from the nasopharynx can probably refute or confirm the diagnosis.
Today it is very difficult to find a person who would never cough in a day. The reason for everything is the ecological situation, a lot of various infections - living in a metropolis, one can only dream of a cleanair. 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 of the respiratory tract from sputum, mucus and other substances.
Other causes of a cough without a cold
During colds, the clinical picture is clear: the temperature rises, a runny nose, weakness and other symptoms of intoxication appear. In such a situation, the cause of dry cough is clear. Why does it occur without fever and signs of SARS? What are the causes of a cough without a cold in an adult?
In the absence of the typical symptoms of a cold, a dry cough is indicative of latent inflammation or individual hypersensitivity reactions. In the list of side effects of some medicines there is an unproductive chronic cough. These drugs include:
- ACE inhibitors;
- drugs for hypertension;
- nitrofurans;
- aspirin;
- inhalation medicines.
Medical therapy will have to be reconsidered if it is the cause of a cough without a cold in an adult. The stomach reacts differently for everyone, so the treatment is selected individually.
Such discomfort may occur after an infectious or viral inflammatory process of the respiratory system. At the same time, a tickling or tickling in the throat is felt. The duration of such a cough can be up to 3 weeks.
Throat and lung cancer
Besides the main symptom,there is difficulty breathing, sputum with blood from the throat and nose. There is no temperature or low - 37-37, 5 ° C. With lung cancer, the signs are typical, chest pains are also disturbing, sputum is excreted with pus or blood.
Important! Left unattended, prolonged dry cough in pregnant women poses a direct threat to the he alth of the fetus. The expectant mother's abdominal muscles are constantly contracting and in good shape, which can lead to bleeding.
Accompanying symptoms
Even in the absence of symptoms 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, gagging;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- drowsiness, sweating.
Cough symptoms of systemic diseases:
- rapid weight loss;
- breaking stool;
- bad breath;
- periodontal disease.
When is medical attention needed?
Any acute or prolonged cough without a cold in an adult requires observation by a doctor. With the following signs, contacting a specialist should be immediate:
- high temperature;
- clouding of consciousness;
- changing speech;
- palpitations;
- swelling of limbs;
- pain when swallowing and breathing.
Treatment and first aid
Pulmonologists do not recommend self-medication, especially whenuse of public funds. Home medicine can alleviate some symptoms, but eliminate them, much less cure the cause of the appearance, no. It is important to understand that all medicines for each type of cough are different. When dry, antitussives are prescribed, when wet - mucolytic, expectorant.
For a quick recovery, the patient needs to restore the regime of work and rest, stop smoking and adjust the diet. In addition to traditional drugs, antiviral, antihistamines and antibiotics are prescribed.
Cough without symptoms of a cold in an adult is taken by surprise, often it starts 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.
- If you have 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 and wash your hands with it.
- If you have frequent seizures, you should always have a mint with you.
- In diseases of the throat, drinking plenty of warm water, humidified, fresh air in the room will help.
Invisible Enemies
Even the he althiest person can begin to suffer from a debilitating cough without symptoms of a cold and poison his life. We are talking about allergens that we encounter every day in our apartment. Household dust, affecting the lungs, irritates them, so it is important to do wet cleaning at least 2 times a week. One of the strongestirritant is paper dust. All books and paper folders must be kept under glass or in drawers.
Pets need constant brushing to reduce the amount of hair in the air. Combustion products are dangerous, the kitchen must certainly have an exhaust hood. It is also important to be especially careful when handling household chemicals. Powders should be replaced with liquid products, chlorine-containing products should be excluded altogether.
Indoor plants will help purify and moisturize the air, so with regular coughing, it's time to plant greenery in the apartment.
The above measures are preventive, consultation with a specialist doctor is required.
