Cough - a protective reaction to the stimulus, accompanied by a contraction of the muscles of the chest.
Thus mucous membranes of respiratory organs are cleared of pathogenic microorganisms, a dust, slime.
Characteristic symptoms of
Cough is physiological( there are no other manifestations of colds), it is easily diagnosed and does not require treatment. Pathological occurs when the respiratory tract is affected by a disease, depends on the cause that caused it. For the diagnosis and treatment of this cough, its characteristics are important.
Colds( tracheitis, acute respiratory infections, bronchitis, pharyngitis) are accompanied by excessive mucus formation, so the patient wants to get rid of it. With a dry cough, sputum is not separated, so there is no cleansing of the respiratory tract. A painful dry cough for a long time may be a symptom of a serious illness.
There are several types of cough:
- acute( lasting less than 3 weeks) occurs with flu, colds, infections of the paranasal sinuses;
- subacute( up to 8 weeks);
- chronic( from 8 weeks or more).
Quite often dry cough is just one of the symptoms of the underlying disease. Alongside with it are observed:
- chest pain;
- shortness of breath;
- fever.
For the correct diagnosis, the nature of the cough is important:
-
is painful when the pleura is affected; - is disruptive in tumors of the larynx, trachea, bronchi;
- paroxysmal deaf in obstructive bronchitis, emphysema;
- "barking" accompanies inflammatory processes in the vocal cords;
- strong dry cough helps diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis;
- dry protracted cough accompanied by vomiting, indicates pertussis;
- with chronic rhinitis, inflammation of adenoids, sinusitis, a protracted cough worries at night, accompanied by snoring, nasal congestion.
The recurrent cough has distinctive features:
- begins with physical exertion, deep inspiration;
- provoking factor can become allergens( food, feathers, animal hair);
- has shortness of breath, breathing is difficult.
Cough, not accompanied by a runny nose and fever, is typical for many acute respiratory infections. Prolonged dry cough may be a manifestation of:
- allergic reactions;
- tuberculosis;
- of oncological pathologies of the respiratory system;
- heart failure;
- of ENT diseases;
- stress;
- of some types of ARVI.
Cough pain can occur with many diseases( from mild catarrhal to oncological).Therefore, it is important to undergo an examination with pains to diagnose the disease at an early stage.
How to treat at home?
Dry cough is accompanied by continuous attacks, a sore throat, no sputum. In such cases, prescribe drugs that have a depressing effect on the cough center. However, the greater effect gives the use of folk methods that do not harm the body.
Folk recipes for the effective treatment of dry cough:
| Ingredients | Dosage | How to use |
| Mustard powder Flour Vegetable oil( mustard) | Each component of 1 tbsp.l. | Ingredients to mix, cook a flat cake. Compress apply to the back or chest( except the heart area).Top with a film. |
| Dried figs crushed Water | 1 tbsp.l 1 glass | Fige pour boiling water, hold for 15 minutes over low heat. Take a decoction( four times a day) for 100 ml. |
| Milk Mineral water | Ratio 1: 1 | Mix the ingredients, drink for ½ cup. |
| Lemon juice Honey Glycerin | 200 g 2 tbsp.l 1 tsp | Pour liquid honey into the lemon juice, add the glycerin, mix, stand the day. Take 5-6 times daily for 1 tbsp.l. |
| Banana Water | 2 pcs 1 glass | Banana puree pour boiling water. Stir, drink 2 tbsp.l 9 times during the day. |
| Black pepper Honey Water | 1 tsp 2 tbsp.l.1 cup | Pour black pepper into boiling water, add honey, hold for 15 minutes. Drink in small sips. |
| Onion onion Milk Honey | 5 pcs.2 cups 1 tbsp.l. | Boil the peeled onions in milk, add honey. Drink during the day every hour. |
What is not recommended?
Do not take medication with codeine - they suppress the cough center, while the body needs help in cleansing from mucus. The use of expectorants increases the production of sputum and helps to remove it.
It is not recommended to use combination medications for cough ( some components in them stimulate sputum discharge, while others interfere with this process).
With a dry cough it is impossible:
- to consume hot food and drinks;
- take fresh honey( irritating the mucous, it causes a coughing increase);
- eat spicy, salty foods, chocolate( cause irritation of the mucosa);
- do warming procedures( inhalations, foot baths, warming up) when coughing with temperature.
When starting cough treatment with folk methods, you need to know the exact diagnosis so as not to harm.
