How to treat a chronic cough? The best drugs for treatment

Respiratory organs more often than other systems of the bodyare subject to the negative effects 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 on an amendment, this indicates the severity of the disease.

Causes of chronic cough

Foreign particles, mucus and sputum, falling into thesystem of respiration, have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the organs, which causes a cough. A protracted cold often develops into chronic bronchitis, whose 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, chronic cough is not always associated with respiratory illness. Such manifestations can occur in both heavy smokers and people working in hazardous 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 associated with harmful production,where a person inhales dust, vapors of 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 casesarises from 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 abundantsecretions 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 coughing is a commonasthmatic 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 diseases 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, first of all, attention should be paid to the treatment of the underlying disease.

Cough with 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 speciesinflammatory 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 are the types of chronic cough?

As you can see, a chronic cough in an adultcan 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 be indicative of 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.

Diagnostic Methods

To determine the true cause of the 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 canIt is required if the 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 the patient complains of heartburn after whicha cough reflex begins, a pH-metry test is administered. 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 allergicthe origin of cough, it is required to hand over allergens. 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 you start cough treatment, it is importantIdentify 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 medicinal product must be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication can lead to deterioration of the patient's physical condition and complicate the recovery process.

After the true causes were revealeddisease and prescribed treatment, begin to combat manifestations, which is dry cough. The patient is credited with mucolytic agents ("Lazolvan" or "Bromhexin"), which improve 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 goes into a productive one, which, together with sputum, allows the excretion of the disease.

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 strongermanifestation than in adults. Methods of therapy for small patients should be gentle. So, potent drugs are prescribed only for severe disease.

As an analgesic drug used"Nurofen" in the form of a syrup or a suspension of "Panadol". And as expectorating and mucolytic agents, the syrup "Doctor Theiss", "Doctor Mom" ​​and "Lazolvan" are considered effective.

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

Treatment with antibiotics should beon the appointment of a doctor 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 conduct 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, it is possible to make teas with currants, raspberries and limes.
• Rinse throat can reduce irritation of the larynx. For this procedure, use soda, salt or iodine solutions.
• For the treatment of dry cough used herbalbroths. 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.
• You need 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 preventdisease 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.