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 preparations for expectoration and mucolytics. But sometimes the effects of drugs are not sufficient. Many are interested in whether inhalation can be done with a dry cough. This procedure has a high degree of effectiveness.
The benefits of dry cough inhalation
Unlike medicines, which are often used for diseases of the bronchi and lungs, dry cough inhalation has a direct effect on the muscles and mucous membranes of the respiratory system. Therefore, the procedure causes a rapid dilution of sputum and a significant reduction in spasms.
What diseases is inhalation recommended for?
Inhalation is recommended in the following conditions:
- damage to the larynx, proceeding 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 related to chemicals, diseases of miners);
- damage to the middle ear;
- otitis;
- maxillary sinus and nasopharynx disease;
- viral infections;
- obstructive bronchitis;
- prevention of colds and complications after respiratory diseases.
Contraindications
Dry cough inhalation is prescribed only by a doctor, especially young children.
There are also a number of contraindications for the procedure:
- fever;
- inflammatory process in acute or purulent form;
- nosebleeds;
- high rate of pressure;
- heart and vascular diseases;
- the presence of tuberculosis or emphysema.
Varieties of inhalation
Inhalations with dry cough at home are carried out using a special device of a nebulizer or steam. As a therapeutic agent, drugs, various herbal preparations or essential oils are used.
Inhalation with a nebulizer in the presence of dry cough
Dry cough inhalation is carried out using special devices - nebulizers. Their work is designed to spray molecules of drugs through 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 should not be carried out uncontrolled. The dosage and frequency of procedures should be determined by the attending physician. Drugs are selected in a strictly individual order.
To stop the cough caused by a common cold, it will be sufficient to use inhalations with saline, but with more serious damage to the respiratory system, potent drugs are used.
What drugs are used in the treatment with a nebulizer?
With dry, persistent cough, acute respiratory infections, the presence of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis and bronchitis, drugs that help suppress the excitability of nerve receptors can be used.
In the absence of contraindications, a 2% lidocaine solution diluted in equal proportion with physiological saline can be used.
In the phase of dry cough, the use of "Tussamaga", "Gedelix" can also be recommended.
Inhalations with dry cough at home can be carried out using the following means:
- Bronchodilator drugs. Usually 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 the infection of a bacterial nature, antibiotics and antiseptic agents are used. For example, the use of Fluimucin, Gentamicin, Furacilin is justified.
- In order to liquefy and eliminate sputum, inhalations are used with the mucolytic agents "Lazolvan", "Ambrobene", "Fluimucil", "Pulmozyme". Saline, soda, or mineral water is also used. Inhalations using physiological saline and mineral water are used for any type of cough, including dry form.
- Sputum discharge needs stimulation. It should become more viscous. For this purpose, mucolytics such as Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Fluimucil, and ACC Inject are used.
- Dry cough inhalations with a nebulizer for children and pregnant women are made using Pertussin and dry cough syrup. Funds are diluted in physiological saline.
Usually, after inhalation with mucolytic drugs, the cough becomes more intense, which is considered the norm. After sputum discharge, it is recommended to inhale with an anti-inflammation agent. These may be herbal preparations. For example, Rotokan in a proportion of 1:40, Propolis in a proportion of 1:20 and Chlorophyllipt in a proportion of 1:10 are used. The use of an 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) is also justified.
For bronchospasm with dry cough of an allergic nature, bronchial asthma, bronchial obstruction, inhalations with bronchodilators such as Berodual, Berotek, Atrovent, Salbumatol are used. Doses of drugs for inhalation are prescribed only by the attending physician.
Inhalations using physiological saline and mineral water can be performed without a doctor’s testimony. They are used as an independent therapy in the intervals between procedures using drugs.
The combination of various preparations with herbs and essential oils
Inhalations with a dry cough at home will be more effective if essential oil, a decoction of herbs such as plantain, St. John's wort, linden, chamomile, sage are added to the nebulizer or inhaler.
For the procedure, the same broth is used during the day. Each subsequent use must be warmed up. 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
Is it possible to carry out inhalations with a dry cough for children? Cough in children is treated with the same drugs as in adults. When treating children, you should consult a 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 different. For a child, any catarrhal disease or hypothermia can cause a dry cough. Therefore, inhalation with eucalyptus oil can be done to the child simply for the purpose of prevention.
Feasible side effects
Medicine has noted a small number of side effects. More often they occur with an incorrect procedure.
It should be noted that some drugs and essential oils added to a solution or nebulizer are not tolerated by the body. This can be judged by the condition of the person.
- Inhalations should be stopped immediately even with a slight increase in human body temperature.
- The use of a nebulizer or steam inhalation is only possible with good tolerability of drugs and essential oils. The temperature of the solution itself should be no more than 80º C.
- Steam inhalation is not recommended for face skin diseases, since steam can aggravate its condition.
- It is extremely important to conduct a proper examination by a pulmonologist to avoid the appearance of a tumor in the bronchial region or an increase in 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 inhalation according to the physical state of substances
- Wet. It is very popular, it helps 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, alkaline solutions, hormonal antibiotics, decoctions and infusions from herbs are used. The duration of such inhalation is 10 minutes.
- Steam. It is easily carried out at home. For this purpose, it turns out to be sufficient to put a paper funnel on the spout of the teapot with a hot decoction of medicinal herbs or preparations. Steam can be breathed through the 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. A person must breathe over a 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 interested in what to do inhalation with a dry cough for a couple.
There are a number of ways:
- The use of mineral water such as "Narzan" or "Borjomi". It is heated to 50 º.
- Salt solution. Take 1 tsp. sea or table salt and divorced in 2 glasses of water. Salt is a natural antiseptic that kills most bacteria. The solution moisturizes the respiratory system, promotes the discharge of sputum.
- Saline is suitable for all types of inhalations. It can also be used by a child from a very young age. Its use is indicated for dry coughs of an allergic nature. The product is diluted in hot water in equal proportions.
- With a dry cough, inhalation with novocaine can be done. One ampoule per liter of boiled water is taken. The procedure takes 5 minutes. Instead of novocaine, lidocaine or dicaine can be used.
- One of the simplest and most effective procedures is to carry out inhalation using alkali. To this end, 0.5 teaspoon of soda is dissolved in 200 ml of hot water.
- Inhalations using essential oils are done at the rate of 0.5 l of hot water for 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil, fir, menthol or tea tree. 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 way to get rid of a dry cough, help soften the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, and relieve swelling. Thanks to its healing properties, it can relieve inflammation and have an expectorant effect.
- With a dry cough, a solution of such medicinal herbs as sage, linden marigold, St. John's wort and others is of great benefit.
- Inhalation with the use of onions or garlic is highly effective.
- In boiled water, you can dissolve one tbsp. l honey.
- In herbal infusion for steam inhalation, you can add essential oil (eucalyptus, fir, pine, mint) or a little Zvezdochka balm. You can also add a Validol tablet.
What you should know about steam inhalation?
- With their help, it is hardly possible to achieve a significant therapeutic effect. This procedure can only bring temporary relief.
- Particles of matter are large enough. They do not penetrate the lower respiratory organs. Steam inhalation is more likely to target the nasopharynx.
- It is not advisable to carry out inhalations with a dry cough in a child over steam, since it is very difficult to accurately control its temperature.
- With steam inhalation, the use of drugs is prohibited, since most of them simply collapse when heated.
Basic rules for inhalation
Do inhalations with dry cough do not follow certain precautions? Such an action is impractical, as it can harm health.
There are a number of rules:
- A solution with the drug should be prepared immediately before the procedure.
- Inhalation should be carried out no earlier than an hour after eating in comfortable clothing that does not constrain the chest.
- Do not go out into 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 that are repeated every 3-4 hours. If necessary, the interval can be reduced to 1-2 hours during the day.
- After each use, the nebulizer parts should be thoroughly flushed. All treatment solutions must be sterile. Before using the drugs, it is recommended to warm them to room temperature.
- The procedure is carried out an hour and a half after eating. You should breathe in a relaxed state, focusing on the process.
- The procedure should not be carried out in the presence of pathologies such as heart failure, bleeding, high blood pressure and body temperature above 37.5 ° C.
- All drugs used in the nebulizer are used in the form of pharmacy solutions. They are diluted in physiological saline also produced at a pharmaceutical factory. As a rule, the dilution ratio for adults is 1: 1, and for children the ratio is 1: 2, but it is better to clarify this nuance with your doctor.
- In a nebulizer, you can not independently prepare infusions of medicinal herbs, essential oils, powders and tablets.
- If the use of a number of drugs is prescribed, it is advised to use them with an interval of 10-15 minutes in the following order: a bronchodilator, an expectorant, and an anti-inflammatory agent after sputum discharge.
If all the rules are followed, inhalation from a dry cough has a high degree of effectiveness.
Conclusion
Dry cough is eliminated by inhalation. This procedure has a high degree of effectiveness. 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 followed, without which the procedure will not have the proper therapeutic effect.