Colds are often accompanied by a symptom such as a dry cough. To get rid of this manifestation, they resort to the use of various drugs for expectoration and mucolytics. But sometimes the effect of drugs is not enough. Many are interested in whether it is possible to do inhalation with a dry cough. This procedure is highly effective.
Benefit of inhalation for dry cough
Unlike drugs that are often used for diseases of the bronchi and lungs, inhalation from dry cough has a direct effect on the muscles and mucous membranes of the respiratory system. Therefore, the procedure causes a rapid liquefaction of sputum and a significant reduction in spasms.
For what diseases is inhalation recommended?
Inhalation is recommended for the following conditions:
- lesion of the larynx, occurring in acute and chronic form;
- diseases of the bronchi and lungs accompanied by cough (tonsillitis, bronchitis and some types of pneumonia);
- diseases of a professional nature (laryngitis in teachers and singers, bronchitis in people whose work is associated with chemicals, diseases of miners);
- middle ear lesion;
- otitis media;
- disease of the maxillary sinuses and nasopharynx;
- viral infections;
- obstructive bronchitis;
- prevention of colds and complications after respiratory diseases.
Available contraindications
Inhalation for dry cough is prescribed only by a doctor, especially for young children.
There are also a number of contraindications for the procedure:
- high body temperature;
- inflammatory process in acute or purulent form;
- nosebleeds;
- high blood pressure;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- presence of tuberculosis or emphysema.
Varieties of inhalations
Inhalations for dry cough at home are carried out using a special nebulizer or steam apparatus. Medicines, various herbal preparations or essential oils are used as a remedy.
Inhalation with a nebulizer in the presence of dry cough
Inhalation for dry coughs is carried out using special devices - nebulizers. Their work is based on the spraying of drug molecules by means of ultrasound or jet compressed air. Using the device, it is very convenient to carry out procedures for children if there is a need for frequent manipulations.
Inhalation with a nebulizer cannot be carried out uncontrollably. The dosage and frequency of procedures should be determined by the attending physician. Preparations are selected in a strictly individual order.
For the relief of a cough caused by a common cold, the use of inhalations with saline solution will be sufficient, but for more serious damage to the respiratory organs, potent drugs are used.
What drugs are used in nebulizer treatment?
For persistent dry cough, acute respiratory infections, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis and bronchitis, drugs can be used that help suppress the excitability of nerve receptors.
In the absence of contraindications, a 2% solution of lidocaine diluted in equal proportions with saline can be used.
In the dry cough phase, the use of "Tussamag", "Gedelix" may also be recommended.
Inhalation for dry cough at home can be done using the following tools:
- Broncholytics. Usually they use such means as "Salbutomol", "Berotek", "Berodual", "Atrovent".
- In a severe form of the disease, in the presence of obstruction in the bronchi, hormone-based drugs are prescribed. They resort to the use of "Pulmicort", "Prednisolone", etc.
- To stop a bacterial infection, antibiotics and antiseptics are used. For example, it is justified to use"Fluimucina", "Gentamicin", "Furacilina".
- In order to thin and remove sputum, inhalations with mucolytic drugs "Lazolvan", "Ambrobene", "Fluimucil", "Pulmozim" are used. Saline solution, soda or mineral water is also used. Inhalations using saline and mineral water are used for any type of cough, including dry coughs.
- Sputum needs to be stimulated. It should become more viscous. For this purpose, such mucolytics as Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Fluimucil, ACC Inject are used.
- Inhalations for dry cough with a nebulizer for children and pregnant women are done using Pertussin and dry cough medicine. Means are diluted in saline.
Usually, after inhalation with mucolytic drugs, the cough becomes more intense, which is considered normal. After sputum discharge, it is recommended to inhale with an anti-inflammatory agent. These may be herbal preparations. For example, "Rotokan" is used in a ratio of 1:40, "Propolis" in a ratio of 1:20 and "Chlorophyllipt" in a ratio of 1:10. It is also justified to use the antiseptic dioxidin 1%, which is diluted in a ratio of 1:4, Miramistin 1.01% and the antibiotic gentamicin (4% in ampoules in a ratio of 1:6).
With spasms in the bronchi with a dry cough of an allergic nature,bronchial asthma, bronchial obstruction, inhalations are used with such bronchodilator drugs as Berodual, Berotek, Atrovent, Salbumatol. Doses of drugs for inhalation are prescribed only by the attending physician.
Inhalations using physiological saline and mineral water can be carried out without a doctor's prescription. They are used as a stand-alone therapy in between medication treatments.
Combination of various preparations with herbs and essential oils
Inhalations for dry cough at home will be more effective if you add essential oil, decoction of herbs such as plantain, St. John's wort, linden, chamomile, sage to the nebulizer or inhaler.
For the procedure, the same decoction is used throughout the day. With each subsequent use, it must be heated. The nebulizer should also be used no more than three times a day. All its parts should be thoroughly washed with water.
Treatment of dry cough in children
Can children carry out inhalations with a dry cough? Cough in children is treated with the same drugs as in adults. When treating children, you should consult with your doctor regarding the appropriateness of using this or that remedy, as well as the duration of its use.
The presence of dry cough in childhood is much more common, since the child's body is arranged differently. For a child, any cold or hypothermia cancause dry cough. Therefore, inhalations with eucalyptus oil can be given to a child simply for the purpose of prevention.
Possible side effects
Medicine noted few side effects. More often they occur with an incorrectly performed procedure.
It should be noted that some medicines and essential oils added to the solution or nebulizer are not tolerated by the body. This can be judged by the state of a person.
- Inhalation should be stopped immediately even with a slight increase in human body temperature.
- The use of a nebulizer or steam inhalation is possible only with good tolerance of drugs and essential oils. The temperature of the solution itself should be no more than 80º C.
- Steam inhalation is not recommended for facial skin diseases, as steam can aggravate its condition.
- It is extremely important to conduct a proper examination with a pulmonologist to avoid the appearance of a tumor in the bronchi or enlarged lymph nodes. It is likely that a dry cough is caused by pulmonary fibrosis or congestive heart failure. Such diseases can lead to disastrous results, and inhalation with them is contraindicated.
Varieties of inhalations according to the physical state of substances
- Heat-moist. It is widely popular, helps to moisturize the mucous membrane of the respiratory system and at the same time ensure its heating, liquefaction and removal of accumulated mucus from the bronchi. For this purpose, alkalinesolutions, antibiotics, hormonal preparations, decoctions and infusions of herbs. The duration of such inhalation is 10 minutes.
- Steam. It is easily carried out at home. For this purpose, it is sufficient to put a paper funnel on the spout of a teapot with a hot decoction of medicinal herbs or preparations. You can breathe the steam through your mouth or nose
- Another type of steam inhalation at home is the preparation of a hot solution, which is poured into a convenient container. The head is covered with a towel or sheet. The person must breathe over the container. Such inhalation heals the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, promotes better blood flow to the bronchi and lungs, optimizes metabolic processes and can relieve pain.
Steam inhalation recipes
Many are wondering what to do with inhalation with a dry cough for a couple.
There are a number of ways:
- Use of mineral water like "Narzan" or "Borjomi". It is heated to 50 ºС.
- S alt solution. Take 1 tsp. sea or table s alt and diluted in 2 glasses of water. Table s alt is a natural antiseptic that kills most bacteria. The solution moisturizes the respiratory system, promotes sputum discharge.
- Saline solution is suitable for all types of inhalation. It can also be applied to a child, starting from a very young age. Its use is also indicated for dry cough of an allergic nature. The product is diluted in hot water in equal proportions.
- When dry coughyou can do inhalations with novocaine. Take one ampoule per liter of boiled water. The procedure takes 5 minutes. Instead of novocaine, you can use lidocaine or dicaine.
- One of the simplest and most effective procedures is inhalation using alkali. For this purpose, 0.5 teaspoon of soda is dissolved in 200 ml of hot water.
- Inhalations using essential oils are made at the rate of 0.5 liters of hot water per 1-2 drops of eucalyptus, fir, menthol or tea tree oil. Do not drip oil more than four drops. The duration of the procedure should be 5 minutes. Inhalations based on essential oils are an excellent remedy for getting rid of dry cough, help soften the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, relieve swelling. Due to their healing properties, they can relieve inflammation and have an expectorant effect.
- In case of dry cough, a solution of medicinal herbs such as sage, marigold linden, St. John's wort, etc. is of great benefit.
- Inhalations using onion or garlic are highly effective.
- One tablespoon can be dissolved in boiled water. l. honey.
- In herbal infusion for steam inhalation, you can add essential oil (eucalyptus, fir, pine, mint) or a little asterisk balm. You can also add a Validol tablet.
What should you know about steam inhalation?
- With their help, it is hardly possible to achieve a significant therapeutic effect. This procedure can only bring temporaryrelief.
- Particles of matter are large enough. They do not penetrate into the lower respiratory organs. Steam inhalation is more likely to affect the nasopharynx.
- Inhalations with a dry cough in a child are not advised to be carried out over steam, since it is very difficult to accurately control its temperature.
- During steam inhalation, the use of drugs is prohibited, since most of them are simply destroyed when heated.
Basic rules for inhalation
Are inhalations done for dry cough without some precautions? Such an action is inappropriate, as it can harm he alth.
There are a number of rules:
- Medicine solution should be prepared immediately before the procedure.
- Inhalation should be carried out no earlier than one hour after eating in comfortable clothes that do not constrain the chest.
- Do not go out into the cold air or smoke.
- The solution should be inhaled through the mouth and exhaled slowly through the nose.
- The course of treatment includes no more than ten procedures, which are repeated every 3-4 hours. If necessary, the interval can be reduced to 1-2 hours during the day.
- After each use, the parts of the nebulizer should be thoroughly rinsed. All treatment solutions must be sterile. Before using the drugs, it is recommended to warm them up to room temperature.
- The procedure is carried out one and a half hours after eating. Breathe in a relaxed state, focusing on the process.
- The procedure should not be performed if there are pathologies such as heart failure, bleeding, high blood pressure, and body temperature above 37.5ºС.
- All medicines used in the nebulizer are used in the form of pharmacy solutions. They are diluted in a physiological solution also produced at a pharmaceutical company. As a rule, the dilution ratio for adults is 1:1, and for children a ratio of 1:2 is used, but it is better to clarify this nuance with your doctor.
- You cannot prepare herbal infusions, essential oils, powders and tablets in a nebulizer.
- If a number of drugs are prescribed, it is advised to use them with an interval of 10-15 minutes in the following order: bronchodilator, expectorant, and after sputum discharge, an anti-inflammatory agent.
If all the rules are followed, inhalation from dry cough is highly effective.
Conclusion
Dry cough is eliminated by inhalation. This procedure has a high degree of efficiency. It is carried out over steam or using a special nebulizer apparatus. Medicines, dosage and duration of treatment are determined by the attending physician. When performing inhalation, a number of rules should be observed, without which the procedure will not have the proper therapeutic effect.
