Cough can be very annoying. It can appear for various reasons and from time to time all people suffer from it. Most often, it is a consequence of a disease, such as bronchitis. This is a serious ailment that requires high-quality treatment prescribed by a specialist. And one of the components of such therapy is expectorants for bronchitis. What they are will be described below.
Bronchitis - what is it?
There are a lot of respiratory diseases. Several of these are related to the bronchi and are collectively referred to as bronchitis. The inflammatory process that develops in the pulmonary region, called the bronchi, can begin for completely different reasons and take different forms. But the symptoms of such diseases have many common factors, and coughing is a sign of almost any problem with the respiratory system, and is always present in this disease.
Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease that develops in the mucous membrane that lines the walls of the bronchi.
The bronchi themselvesare a complex transport system, the task of which is to ensure the movement of inhaled and exhaled air, and the air that enters the respiratory system from the outside, passing through the bronchi, must be warmed, if necessary, moistened and cleaned. Bronchial diseases are inflammations of the mucosa against the background of a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, although the irritating effect of dust or smoke also causes pathological inflammatory processes in this structure of the respiratory system. Swelling of the bronchial mucosa most often causes the formation of a large amount of exudate - sputum, which can be very thick, difficult to separate. In this case, the liquefaction and removal of such a secret becomes one of the points of high-quality treatment for bronchial inflammation.
How to get rid of a cough with bronchitis?
Any form of bronchitis almost always has one common obsessive symptom - a cough. Special remedies help to get rid of it, which are pharmacologically divided into several groups:
- mucolytic;
- secretory or, as they say in simple terms, expectorants.
These groups of medicines work in combination - the first dilute the bronchial secretion, and the second help it to be coughed up and excreted from the body. Which of the means is necessary for a particular patient? Only a doctor can decide after taking an anamnesis and a thorough examination. It should be noted that expectorants for obstructive bronchitis,which most often acquires a chronic form, will have to be taken for a very long time to help the body normalize the functionality of the respiratory system as much as possible. What active substances help fight this problem?
Acetylcysteine
Many expectorants for bronchitis have to their credit a component such as acetylcysteine. It is included in the pharmacological group of secretolytics and stimulants of the motor function of the respiratory tract. The structure of this chemical contains a free sulfhydryl group, which, entering into combination with acidic mucopolysaccharides of bronchial mucus, breaks its disulfide bonds, and also inhibits the polymerization of mucoproteins and reduces the viscosity of sputum. All this leads to the fact that drugs with acetylcysteine thin the sputum that accumulates in the bronchi. You can find a sufficient number of such medicines on pharmacy shelves - a generic with the same name "Acetylcysteine", produced in tablets and ampoules for injection, "ACC" and "ACC Long", "Acestin", "Vicks Active", "Mukomist" and some other. These drugs are not recommended for use in exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, as well as in breastfeeding women. For pregnant women and children, drugs based on acetylcysteine can only be prescribed by the attending physician.
Ammoniumglycyrrhizinate
Pharmacists in pharmacies often hear the question of what is the best expectorant for bronchitis you can buy. But it is very, very difficult to give an unambiguous answer to it, because each patient needs his own medicine or even a set of drugs and physiotherapy in order to get a lasting positive effect. Medicines based on ammonium glycyrrhizinate, obtained from licorice root, have proven secretolytic activity and are widely used in the treatment of diseases such as bronchitis of various etiologies. This natural substance has extensive biological activity, as it has the properties of an immunostimulating, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, regenerating, antispasmodic substance. Preparations based on the monosubstituted ammonium s alt of glycyrrhizic acid are used as expectorants even in the treatment of children from the age of 5 months. Undoubtedly, only a doctor can prescribe them (in accordance with the diagnosis and the patient's condition). In pharmacies based on this substance, you can buy drugs such as "Glyciram" and "Reglisam", in childhood, licorice root syrup is most often prescribed as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Ammonium chloride
Expectorants for bronchitis are an essential element in the treatment of this disease of various origins. A substance called ammonium chloride is known to most ordinary people as ammonia. It has a secretolytic and diuretic effect. Ammonium chloride stimulates activityglands of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, activates the production of liquid sputum, stimulates the functionality of the ciliary epithelium. It also enhances the contractility of the bronchi and facilitates the discharge of secretions. The substance penetrates well into the systemic circulation through the gastrointestinal tract. It should not be taken by pregnant women and children. This drug is rarely prescribed for outpatient treatment, therapy with this drug is carried out under the supervision of a physician.
Ambroxol
According to many patients who needed the use of special preparations that improve sputum discharge in the bronchi, the best expectorant for bronchitis contains Ambroxol. This substance changes the structure of mucopolysaccharides of bronchial secretion, which stimulates a decrease in its viscosity. It also activates mucociliary transport, helping to improve the synthesis and secretion of surfactant, a special substance that lines the alveoli of the lungs. Medicines based on ambroxol are not prescribed for use by pregnant women and people suffering from liver or kidney failure. Pharmacies sell a lot of products with such an active ingredient - these are Ambrobene, Lazolvan, Ambrohexal, Flavamed. They should be taken on the recommendation of the attending specialist after examination and diagnosis.
Bromhexine
Everyone who suffers from a cough wants to use a drug that will help get rid of suchpainful condition that disrupts the rhythm of life. That is why patients ask specialists about what is the best expectorant for bronchitis should be used in the treatment of the disease. Another popular and effective substance found in many popular medicines is bromhexine. It is included in the pharmaceutical group of secretolytics and stimulants of the motor function of the respiratory tract. This substance stimulates the production of surfactant, affects the rheological properties of the resulting bronchial secretion, contributing to its liquefaction and active movement through the respiratory tract during coughing. Like many drugs, drugs with bromhexine should not be taken during pregnancy or lactation. For children, they can only be prescribed by the attending physician in accordance with the age recommendations of the manufacturer of a particular drug. The most popular and proven drugs with bromhexine are the drugs of the same name with the addition of the name of the manufacturer: Bromhexine Berlin Chemie, Brohexine Nycomed, Bromhexine Ferein and others. Solvin, Bronchostop, Phlegamin also work on this substance.
Carbocysteine
Many experts believe that the best expectorant for bronchitis in adults should contain carbocysteine as an active ingredient. This substance activates sialic transferase, a special enzyme of goblet cells lining the bronchial mucosa. Thus, preparations based on carbocysteine improve the rheology of mucus, help the bronchi to get rid of the formed sputum, contributing to its expectoration. They are used in the treatment of various diseases accompanied by the formation of difficult-to-separate sputum and mucus, including in the treatment of various types of bronchitis. Carbocysteine does not have high bioavailability, drugs based on it are used in the treatment of diseases for adults and children, starting from the age of 1 month. In pharmacies, you can buy medicines such as Fluditiek, Libeksin Muko, Bronchobos, Mukosol, and generic Carbocysteine.
Iodine in the base
A disease such as chronic bronchitis causes many problems. Expectorants in his therapy are of leading importance. In some cases, experts recommend using iodine-based expectorants, for example, containing potassium iodide as an active component. This substance has a wide spectrum of action and is used to compensate for the lack of iodine, as a mucolytic and expectorant, as an antifungal, antithyroid, radioprotective, and absorbable substance. When it enters the human body, iodine is also secreted by the mucous glands of the bronchi, causing reactive hyperemia, which affects the liquefaction of the accumulated sputum and contributes to its high-quality excretion during coughing.
Preparations based on inorganic iodine should be used in treatment only after examination of the general condition of the body and recommendationstreating specialist.
Sodium bicarbonate
In the kitchen of every family you can find a package of ordinary baking soda - sodium bicarbonate. This substance is used in many cases, including as an expectorant. For many decades, folk recipes have been advised to use milk with soda and soda inhalations in the treatment of severe coughing. But modern pharmacology also recommends sodium bicarbonate as a mucolytic and expectorant. Why is ordinary soda a strong expectorant for bronchitis? When taken orally, the substance is rapidly absorbed, affecting metabolic processes, shifting all reactions towards alkalization. It is this fact that allows the bronchial secretions to become less thick, and makes coughing more effective. But before taking soda as an expectorant, you need to get a specialist's recommendation, because even such a homemade, familiar substance has contraindications for use and can cause unwanted side effects.
Terpinhydrate
Which expectorant is best for bronchitis? This is often asked by patients of their doctor when the accumulated sputum interferes with breathing, causing a constant cough and shortness of breath. Terpinhydrate and drugs based on it belong to the pharmaceutical group of secretolytics and stimulants of the motor function of the respiratory tract. This active substance has been used for several decades in medical practice, although it also has contraindications for use, for example, it is unacceptable for gastric ulcer andduodenal ulcer, and the ability to cause side effects, such as allergic reactions of varying intensity, as well as nausea and vomiting. This substance works systemically, penetrating into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. Standing out from the bronchi, it stimulates the production of bronchial secretions, while sputum is secreted less viscous, it is better coughed up. Terpinhydrate can be purchased at a pharmacy by prescription in the form of a generic of the same name, as well as in such complex medicines as Codterpin, Glycodin, Flucoldex Forte.
"Thermopsis", "Altey" and not only
An obligatory component of quality treatment is expectorants for bronchitis. Folk remedies can also help if you choose the right medicinal plant and prepare the right medicine based on it. Althea root, elecampane herb, licorice root, oregano herb, rosemary herb, raspberry fruits and leaves, as well as many other green helpers have long been used as mucolytic, sputum-promoting natural gifts. Many herbs have proven pharmacological efficacy and are used in pharmaceutical preparations. For example, thermopsis, a plant belonging to the legume family, is actively used for the preparation of various forms of expectorants - tablets, syrups, pastilles. The flowers are used for medicine, while the fruits and roots are poisonous. Pharmaceutical preparations based on thermopsis,as well as infusions and flocks prepared from parts of this plant, well liquefy the secret of the bronchi, help it to move when coughing.
What expectorants for bronchitis or colds, based on medicinal plant materials, are used in the treatment of even babies? This is the root of Althea. Syrup "Alteyka", as it is popularly called, is given to fight coughs for children from the age of 3 years. It enjoys well-deserved respect among specialists and patients, as it effectively helps sputum discharge, softening the coughing process, the syrup itself has a pleasant aroma and taste.
Treatment of respiratory diseases requires an integrated approach, and medicinal substances of various effects and physiotherapy should be used. Expectorants are considered an obligatory element of mucolytic therapy. With bronchitis, folk remedies very often contain such an element as ordinary ivy. The extract of this plant is part of many dosage forms, the purpose of which is to thin the sputum and improve its rheological properties. Effective expectorants for bronchitis based on common ivy are sold under the following names: Gedelix, Prospan, Gerbion.
Immune Activators
Some expectorants for bronchitis, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, work not only for the qualitative removal of the accumulated secret in the bronchi, but also forstimulation of the body's immunity. For example, the drug "Bronchomunal" activates both the general and the local bronchopulmonary system, which allows you to quickly cope not only with cough, but also with the disease itself, which caused this unpleasant symptom. The drug is often used in pediatric practice as a prophylactic, helping the body's defenses. Medicines such as Bronchomunal help to improve the condition of the respiratory system with the help of their own resources. It is necessary to take such funds only after the recommendation of a specialist is received.
Cough is an alarming symptom, indicating that the human respiratory system is in serious danger, and its structures can not cope with their work. Cough must be treated in time and with high quality, helping to thin and cough up sputum with the help of special medications, as well as eliminate the main cause of the problem - the disease itself. Only a specialist can make an adequate diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment.
