In the cold season, many are asking: “How to relieve dry cough and improve overall well-being?” Before proceeding to therapy, it is recommended that you first visit a specialist (therapist) so that he correctly establishes the provoking factor. This deviation, if left untreated, can cause a lot of inconvenience and lead to serious complications, significantly worsen the quality of life. It is worth remembering that the therapy will be different for children and adults. You can eliminate a dry cough by several methods - medication and with the help of folk remedies. It is better to pay attention to an integrated approach to this problem.
The correct definition of dry cough in a child
It must be remembered that sputum is not always present with this ailment. There are such varieties of cough, in which it nevertheless accumulates in the bronchi and leaves from there. Often this situation is diagnosed in patients of a younger age category. Only a qualified specialist can determine the deviation after a thorough examination. This violation is explained by the fact that the muscle tissue of the thoracic region is still not sufficiently developed (on average up to three years), and the sputum itself has a more viscous consistency and the process of coughing is not effective.
An auxiliary sign in the diagnosis of dry cough is the sound source. It forms in the larynx. There is an inflammatory process that provokes a sore throat and there is a sensation of a “lump”, while the cough often and with great force begins to contribute to suffocation. Especially at night. How to relieve a child’s cough at night, a specialist will tell you, self-treatment should be completely excluded.
With each attack, the mucous membrane of the throat is even more irritated and injured, relief does not occur, the general condition worsens. If you do not start timely treatment, then this can lead to suffocation. In advanced cases, a dry cough is unpredictable, uncontrolled. It must be remembered that this type of disease never comes from the chest.
Another of the determining factors for dry cough is sound quality. It is rolling, crackling, horsing, in this situation it is difficult to confuse it with a wet expectorant type of deviation. Often it is compared to the barking of a dog. This disease is very tiresome for children, there may be problems with appetite, complete apathy appears.
How to relieve an attack of dry cough in a child? Do not engage in self-diagnosis and treatment, therefore, at the first manifestations of the ailment, you need to undergo an examination, which involves the following procedures:
- Roentgenography. Suitable for patients of an older age category. Helps to eliminate pneumonia and tuberculosis, as well as identify neoplasms in the respiratory system.
- Bronchoscopy A procedure that helps establish the presence of a foreign body, confirm the diagnosis. Also recommended for biopsy.
- Electrocardiography The procedure necessary to determine diseases of the heart system.
- Peak flowmetry. With it, airway patency is determined. Recommended for patients with asthma.
- Spirography is performed for children only after five years. It is prescribed only if peak flowmetry does not give a positive result.
- Studies to detect an allergen in the body.
- Analysis of feces, urine and blood.
- Microbiological examination of a throat swab to detect the presence of fungal infections and their sensitivity to antibiotic therapy.
- Endoscopy is a procedure that identifies diseases of the digestive system.
Only after a full examination can you determine how to relieve frequent dry cough in a child. Of course, not all of the above studies are suitable for small patients, but only a doctor will tell. If one of the procedures is excluded, then another, no less effective, is assigned.
Provoking pathology factors in children
To know how to relieve dry night cough in a child, you need to correctly establish the cause of this deviation. Very often, acute respiratory infections act as a provocateur. A dry cough in this case is diagnosed in the early days, as there is an inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract, as well as swelling. Viruses can irritate the mucous surface of the back wall of the larynx and throat, provoking all new attacks, especially at night.
Very often a dry cough is diagnosed with pathologies such as:
- laryngitis - inflammation of the larynx associated with a catarrhal disease;
- bronchitis - pathology of the respiratory system and mucous surface of the bronchi;
- tracheitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the trachea;
- laryngotracheitis is a disease that affects not only the larynx, but also the trachea.
Each of these diseases has its own provoking factors, as well as the corresponding symptoms. How can a dry cough in a child be alleviated in this situation, the specialist will say for sure after a thorough examination and an accurate diagnosis. Attention is also drawn to the secondary signs of poor health.
Very often, this disorder is observed in infants after an acute respiratory infection for several days. It is characterized by slight coughing. In acute colds, coughing can be uncomfortable for a month. In such a situation, it is necessary to constantly be under the supervision of a specialist to carry out additional preventive measures.
A disease such as whooping cough should not be excluded from provoking factors. This is a serious infectious pathology that requires immediate medical attention. How to alleviate a dry cough in a child at night in this case? Experts advise to take syrups, grind and do a special massage.
Often, a dry cough is observed as a reaction to any allergen, which can be dust, a variety of products, animal hair.
How to relieve dry cough in a child?
Treatment is selected individually, has its own characteristics and depends on the neglect of the situation. Therapy is prescribed exclusively by a specialist - pediatrician. If necessary, consultations with other narrow-profile doctors are required, depending on concomitant diseases. In most cases, treatment has an integrated approach - the use of medicines, folk remedies. With severe coughing, special exercises and massages are prescribed to relieve the condition during seizures.
What are the features of therapy and how to relieve dry night cough in a child?
- Correct diagnosis.
- The choice of drug release form. Small children (under the age of 6 years) are recommended to buy syrups, solutions and drops, and starting from 6 to 12 years old, tablets and capsules are allowed. The dosage depends on body weight and is calculated individually by a specialist.
- Be sure to pay attention to the composition of the drug, which is recommended to familiarize yourself with before buying. Also examine contraindications and side effects, methods of administration and duration.
How to relieve dry cough in a child yet? During the disease, doctors recommend providing the baby with complete rest. Drink fluids as much as possible. The air in the room where the child is located should be humid; various devices are used for this.
What other directions are there for treating dry cough? First of all, it is the integrated use of etiotropic antiviral drugs. They are not often appointed, since it has not been proven how effective they are in this situation. Do not forget about softening agents (for example, milk, honey). They help reduce the inflammatory process in the larynx, relieve discomfort and alleviate the general condition. Replace these products with warm water, which will reduce the intoxication of the body. It is advisable to exclude drinks with a high acid content from the diet in order to reduce irritation of the already inflamed mucous membrane.
How to relieve dry cough in a child quickly? You can use lozenges for resorption, which have a local effect. They reduce the inflammatory process, suppress seizures. It is better to choose products with a combined composition. Before buying, the age category of the patient is taken into account.
How to relieve dry cough in a child at night? In this situation, it is recommended to use drugs that have an overwhelming effect on the cough center. In this case, do not worry that there will be negative consequences due to stagnation of sputum, as this is completely excluded. Such remedies help alleviate the condition and improve well-being. Reduce seizures and their intensity.
Modern products for children
With what drugs and how to quickly relieve dry cough? In modern medicine, several types of medications are distinguished that positively affect the peripheral units of the corresponding reflex and the cough center. They provide a longer and more pronounced suppression of seizures.
Preparations with a central effect have a high selectivity, since they affect exclusively the cough center. They have an appropriate safety profile and are recommended for long-term use, as there is no addiction.
The most popular drugs are based on butamirate, which suppresses cough for a long period of time at the level of the cough center and eliminate a pronounced inflammatory process. All children's medicines are completely safe. The effect of admission is observed after 20 minutes and can persist for several hours.
How to alleviate dry night cough with drugs based on prenoxdiazine? They can be taken for a long time, are not addictive, have a slightly prolonged effect - up to 4 hours. They can eliminate night attacks, but not completely improve well-being.
Causes of dry cough in older patients
Very often, this type of cough is diagnosed in adults as a secondary symptom of other respiratory diseases that have a bacterial or viral etiology. These include:
- ARVI;
- ARI;
- flu;
- acute stage of bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- acute and chronic pharyngitis.
As mentioned earlier, this pathology can be diagnosed as a result of non-infectious damage to the body, for example, allergies. Also such abnormalities include pharyngitis and non-infectious laryngitis, cramping in the bronchi, irritation of the mucous surface with toxic substances, and mechanical damage to the larynx.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that a violation of this type is often observed as a negative reaction of the body to taking any groups of drugs, while there is an increased sensitivity of the body. How to relieve dry cough in this case? First of all, specialist consultation is required, and in case of a severe violation, an urgent refusal to take medication.
The right drug choice for adult patients
How to relieve dry cough in an adult with medication? When choosing drugs, experts focus on some points, such as:
- The occurrence of an attack due to irritation of the cough center, sputum is completely absent, painful and frequent spasms are noted. In this case, it is recommended to take antitussive and combined type of medication.
- Dry cough due to inflammation, which is localized in the bronchi, lungs. In this situation, thick and viscous sputum can be diagnosed. Experts recommend taking mucolytics.
- A cough that looks like a wet cough and has a lower viscosity phlegm. Prescribing drugs that promote expectoration.
How to relieve dry cough and not harm? A thorough examination and consultation of a specialist throughout the course of therapy is always required. It is forbidden to combine the use of mucolytic and antitussive drugs. When choosing folk remedies, attention is paid to the neglect of the situation, the general condition of the body and contraindications (for example, an allergic reaction to certain products).
Modern, effective drugs
The most effective remedies for an unproductive dry cough are combined medications. These include:
- Codelac. Effective drug. There are several forms - syrup, drops, tablets. The composition includes codeine, plant extracts. It has an expectorant effect. Addiction can occur, therefore it is not recommended for patients of a younger age category. The timing of use and dosage are determined by a specialist.
- "Herbion". Herbal preparation refers to complex medicines. Helps to get rid of coughs of various types, has an expectorant effect, belongs to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. It has serious contraindications.
- Sinecode. It is available in various forms - tablets, drops, syrup. A potent anti-inflammatory agent. During use, side effects may occur.
- Stoptussin. How to relieve dry cough with this tool? Approved for use from one year. It has a combined effect. Available in the form of tablets and drops. The course of treatment is determined by a specialist depending on the intensity of the cough, the severity of the attacks.
- Linkas. A natural remedy approved for use by children from six months. Helps to get rid of dry cough and removes sputum.
- "Broncholitin". Herbal expectorant. It has an antispasmodic, antimicrobial effect. Recommended for children from three years. It has a number of contraindications and side effects.
- "ACC". Long-acting drug. Recommended for use once a day. Helps to discharge sputum, reduces its viscosity. It has limitations.
There are drugs that are sold exclusively by prescription. These include drugs, which include substances with a negative effect on the nervous system.
How to relieve dry cough with folk remedies?
Dry cough is very dangerous. After all, with it, the removal of pathogens from the bronchi and lungs with the help of sputum does not occur, and every attack leads to injury to the mucous surface of the respiratory tract. In addition to drugs, you can use folk remedies that are no less effective. They help to calm a strong dry cough in a child at night. How to alleviate the condition, only a specialist will tell you.
In most cases, it is recommended to use infusions, herbal decoctions and compresses, inhalations. With each method you need to be careful, because if used improperly, there is a chance of negative consequences, up to complications. This applies to compresses and inhalations.
How to relieve an attack of dry cough with the help of alternative therapy? Below are the most popular and effective recipes that can be used to eliminate seizures, even in children. All procedures can be carried out at home, but after consultation with a specialist.
Very often, a preparation based on lemon and honey is prepared. Pre-boil the citrus fruit for 7-12 minutes, cool it and squeeze the juice. Then glycerin (12-25 g), honey, preferably not a thick consistency, are added to the resulting mass, everything is mixed. The mixture is taken three times a day, preferably before meals, 12 g each. Helps to get rid of the inflammatory process and eliminate seizures.
Experts recommend eating bananas during a period of severe coughing. Such a tool will be very popular with children, especially since they are allowed in the diet for babies from six months. It is desirable to chop the fruit and pour boiled water (250 ml), mix. Take the resulting mixture up to 8 times a day, 25 g, regardless of meals. It makes the attack much easier, especially at night.
How to relieve dry cough at home with herbal supplements?With this deviation, experts recommend paying attention to sage, licorice root, anise fruits, pine buds, marshmallow root. Mullein flowers are sometimes used to eliminate dry cough. These herbs can be brewed together, the ingredients are taken in equal proportions. When preparing the infusion, only one spoon of the resulting mixture is used and 500 ml of boiling water is poured. The drug is taken no more than four times a day, 125 ml, regardless of meals.
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So how to relieve dry cough in an adult at night with this one-year-old? Radish juice is recommended to be mixed with honey and sugar. The mixture is taken once a day, regardless of the meal for 6 g. The tool is used even to treat illness in babies.
Dry cough and pregnancy
Pregnancy is a great time, but during this period a woman should take care of herself in order to exclude complications in the development of the fetus. There are cases when, even during this period, expectant mothers are faced with various ailments. Any actions, and especially taking medications, should be coordinated with a specialist who will help to choose the right drugs and other medicines.
A variety of factors can provoke a dry cough in a pregnant woman. First of all, this ailment occurs at the initial stage of acute respiratory infections, there is an increased temperature and a runny nose, which affects the quality of life of a pregnant woman. Attacks occur at night, in parallel, the tension of muscle tissue increases, especially in the abdomen. Such an ailment is undesirable, especially with a diagnosis of "low placenta previa." Therefore, early bleeding occurs.
How to relieve dry cough night and day during pregnancy? In modern medicine, there are medicines that are recommended for use during the period of gestation. The dose and course of treatment are calculated exclusively by a specialist. A woman is prescribed antitussive drugs that can anesthetize and relieve spasm. The composition should not include narcotic components. In any case, it is not advisable to use the drugs in the first weeks of pregnancy.
As for alternative therapy, inhalations with potatoes and baking soda are allowed. This method will alleviate the condition, reduce the severity of cough. A decoction of chamomile, St. John's wort or linden is recommended, which is taken in small doses and preferably before bedtime. These herbs soothe, strengthen the immune system, do not have any negative impact on the body and the development of the unborn child.
If a woman has been diagnosed with bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis or another disease of the respiratory tract, hospitalization is carried out. Even after a complete cure, a pregnant woman can be left in the clinic for further monitoring of her condition in order to eliminate complications.
How to relieve dry cough in an adult quickly, as well as during pregnancy? Experts recommend rinsing the mouth and throat with a warm soda solution. For cooking, you need to take 250 ml of boiled water and 5 g of the specified component. Soda can be replaced with apple cider vinegar (12 g per 500 ml of liquid). Rinsing is preferably carried out every two to three hours. If necessary, the procedure is repeated at night.
With bouts of dry cough, you need to monitor the humidity in the room. It is necessary to place containers with water throughout the room, often carry out wet cleaning.
Preventive actions
To exclude health problems, including dry cough, you need to pay attention to prevention and timely therapy. If you monitor your condition, then the problem will never affect and will not have to resort to treatment and other cardinal methods. If any disturbing symptoms occur, you should immediately seek qualified help, undergo a thorough examination. The course of treatment is prescribed exclusively by the doctor based on the data received.
Preventive measures that include:
- humidification of dry air;
- regular cleaning to prevent the development of an allergic reaction to dust;
- strengthening immunity, hardening;
- proper and balanced nutrition;
- walks in the open air;
- timely treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- the exception of hypothermia.
If work is associated with harmful working conditions, you must follow all safety recommendations, use products that remove toxins from the body. Dry cough is a serious disorder leading to poor health, so you need to monitor your health. Exclude any provoking factors, especially for children and pregnant women. If you have any questions, you can always seek additional advice from a specialist who will tell you what to do in a particular situation, but not to resort to independent treatment.