Coughing, which causes a person a lot of trouble, is not a disease. This is only a protective reflex reaction that allows you to remove the secret from the respiratory tract, altered by pathological processes. Sometimes a cough also occurs when foreign substances are in the bronchi or trachea. It allows you to remove them from the body and restore the normal breathing process.
In cases where a cough is a symptom, it should be treated only as a manifestation of the disease. Diagnosed pathology and is subject to primary treatment. In this case, the patient must take medications recommended by the doctor, including those that can save a person from coughing.
Classification
To prescribe the right treatment, it is important to establish the nature of the cough. According to this indicator, the symptom is divided into:
- Dry. This cough is considered unproductive. As a rule, its manifestation is accompanied by pains that occur in the chest. A characteristic feature of an unproductive cough is the complete absence of sputum. Often a dry cough precedes a wet one. The primary task of the doctor in this case is to alleviate the condition of the patient. And for this it is necessary to translate an unproductive symptom into a productive one.
- Wet or wet cough. The main difference between a productive symptom and an unproductive one is sputum production. It is she who makes it possible to free the human body from pathogenic bacteria or viruses that have got into it. The transition of a reflex symptom from its dry to wet appearance indicates an improvement in the patient's condition.
Features of unproductive cough
The occurrence of a dry type of reflex reaction of the body is one of the first signs of infectious and viral diseases. For example, pharyngitis or bronchitis. How to understand a dry or wet cough in a patient? The first of these two species, as a rule, is horsing, and sputum production does not occur. This condition of the patient is explained by the fact that he develops inflammatory processes in the larynx and pharynx. All this is accompanied by the production of large amounts of mucus. This substance also leads to a constant desire to clear a throat.
Unproductive reflex, unlike productive, does not accompany the process of mucus secretion. And what is the difference between a dry cough and a wet one? In most cases, it is painful, angry and strong.
The appearance of dry cough is facilitated by infectious ailments of the respiratory system. The onset of a cold in a patient is accompanied by a sensation of sore throat. This leads to the development of dry cough. 3 or 4 days after the onset of the disease, the body begins to actively produce sputum. This leads to the transition of dry cough to wet. In the next step, the rate of mucus separation can slow down. This leads to the fact that the cough becomes wet first, and then dry. The patient has wheezing during this period. The causes of coughing (either dry or wet) in a child and an adult and a reverse change in the types of such a reflex may be due to improper treatment or its absence. This leads to the occurrence of inflammatory processes of various kinds. Most often, a passing cough is a sign of pharyngitis. In this case, the patient is worried about discomfort in the throat. Treatment should be started immediately.
The occurrence of dry cough after wet is often observed with the development of tuberculosis in humans. There is an erroneous opinion that such a pathology is the destiny of only those who do not monitor their own health or belong to disadvantaged sections of society. However, this is not the case. After all, tuberculosis is a disease that spreads by airborne droplets. That is, it can be infected by contact with a patient or being in a crowded place. In other words, the risk of such a disease is present in the life of each of us.
What is the difference between a dry cough and a wet one? The main signs of an unproductive symptom that the productive do not have are:
- lack of sputum;
- the presence of attacks, which are characterized by a sharp start and the same sudden end;
- paroxysmal character;
- strong intensity, which is similar to getting a foreign object into the respiratory tract;
- lack of relief after an attack;
- in some cases, the occurrence of vomiting;
- the duration of the attacks, which is several minutes;
- frequent occurrence at night;
- lack of relief from coughing and after an attack;
- the occurrence of pain in the chest.
Also, the patient's complaints relate to their increased lacrimation, redness of the eyes, headaches, a significant loss of strength and loss of appetite.
Features of a productive cough
The main features of this type of reflex are:
- the presence of a lump of sputum, gone after a cough;
- sputum removal;
- lack of seizures and painful sensations arising after them;
- the presence of a sense of relief that brings an end to coughing;
- the presence of characteristic wheezing when listening, disappearing after coughing;
- sometimes - shortness of breath.
Convert unproductive cough to productive
Sometimes for a long time the sputum of the patient does not go away. How to make a dry cough wet? For this, first of all, it is necessary to know the causes that caused the onset of this symptom. So, with an infectious disease, the doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to his patient. These same tools will significantly improve the protective abilities of the body.
Sometimes the cause of dry cough is oncology. In this case, the patient must undergo emergency surgery.
How to make a dry cough wet? For this, there is a standard scheme for various pathologies.
How to make a dry cough wet with ailments that have a bacterial cause? For this, the patient will need to take drugs that stop the pathogenic microorganisms in the airways. These are medications such as Azithromycin, Penicillin, etc.
To convert dry cough to wet, you should also use mucolytics. They will accelerate the process of thinning viscous, thick mucus and improve the function of the mucosa. As such funds, the patient can take "Mukolvan", "ACC", "Mukaltin", "Bromhexine", etc.
In the case of an acute inflammatory process developing in the airways, there is a need to suppress the cough center. For colds, flu and other viral causes of the disease, you should use "Sinekod", "Stoptussin", "Codelac", etc.
From inflammatory processes of an allergic nature that caused a dry cough, get rid of antihistamines. Among them are Desal, Suprastin, Tsetrin, Zodak, Claritin and Tavegil.
Warm drink
How to make a dry cough wet? For this, the patient is recommended a warm drink. It will not allow the development of a process of blood thickening, which can lead to the viscosity of mucus in the airways. How much should the patient drink? In a child, in this case, the rate of urination can serve as an indicator. If the baby will go to the toilet less than once every three hours, then this will indicate a lack of fluid in his body. About her lack of a child will tell and his dry tongue.
What should a patient drink, for which it is important to convert a dry cough into a productive one? In this case, acidic drinks that can irritate the mucous membrane are not recommended. It is better if they are dried fruit compotes or decoctions of linden, chamomile, raisins or rose hips. A rather effective remedy will be tea with lemon or raspberry. You can give such a patient and mineral water.
With dry cough, it is recommended to consume hot milk. It is better if it is melted. For greater effect, it is recommended to add butter or cocoa butter. How to quickly turn a dry cough into a wet one? To do this, add a little soda and honey to the hot milk.
Air parameters
How to make a dry cough wet in a child? Compliance with a favorable temperature and humidity will help this process. These parameters should be, respectively, no more than 20 degrees and not less than 50%. How can such indicators be achieved, especially in the cold season, with the onset of the heating season? To bring the specified parameters to the desired values, it is recommended to purchase a special device. This is an ultrasonic type humidifier. If possible, the batteries in the house should be changed to modern ones, in which temperature control is provided. You should also air the room more often by conducting wet cleaning in it.
In the room where the patient is, there should not be heavy curtains, carpets and upholstered furniture. All these things are kind of dust collectors and can provoke the occurrence of an allergic reaction, which often appears against the background of acute respiratory viral infections. There should not be in the room where the patient is located, pungent odors of perfumes, chemicals and tobacco smoke. Attacks accompanied by an unproductive cough, the patient will be observed much less often if he breathes cool, fresh, moist and clean air.
Distracting procedures
You can help the patient with a dry cough using hot foot baths, compresses and mustard plasters. With caution, it is necessary to use ointments for colds with a warming effect. For small patients under 2 years of age, they are contraindicated due to the presence of essential oils in their composition, which contribute to the development of laryngeal spasms and allergic reactions.
Do not do with dry cough and drainage massage. After all, his main task is to rid the respiratory tract of sputum. That is why massage is indicated only with a wet cough with the presence of viscous mucus.
Folk remedies
To get rid of an unproductive cough, various medicinal herbs and chest charges can be used. When using them, the age of the patient and his individual sensitivity should be taken into account.
An effective remedy for dry cough is a decoction of plantain leaves. The most popular folk recipe is radish juice, in which honey is added. To prepare this drug, a deepening is made in the vegetable. A teaspoon of honey is placed in it. Take the allocated juice three times a day for 1 tsp. Such treatment will increase sputum volume.
Inhalations and compresses
To eliminate dry cough, warming procedures are recommended. They make it easier to remove sputum and improve the general well-being of the patient.
One of the most popular recipes is potato. Vegetables are placed on the chest or breathed in pairs. To improve the functioning of the bronchial glands and reduce the viscosity of the secretions, inhalation is recommended. Folk healers offer patients with dry cough to breathe over decoctions of herbs such as eucalyptus, sage, chamomile, calendula, coltsfoot. It is used for inhalation of sea salt, as well as essential oils. Such patients can also be breathed in a bathroom with warm, moist air.
However, it should be borne in mind that inhalation can not always be done. Do not carry out such procedures for patients who have difficulty breathing. Wet inhalations with a dry cough in this case are prohibited, as they can lead to the fact that the mucous membrane begins to swell and closes the airways, causing an attack of suffocation. In such cases, the use of a nebulizer is recommended. This is a special device with which small spraying of drugs is performed. After getting into the respiratory tract, the drugs quickly stop an obsessive cough and prevent the occurrence of asthma attacks.
The use of medicines
How to treat dry cough? There are special tools for this. However, it should be borne in mind that they are used only as directed by a doctor and in conditions characterized by frequent and severe unproductive cough.
Consider the most popular antitussive drugs:
- "Sinecode" is a cough syrup, the instructions for use of which indicate that this drug actively affects the cough center. In this form, as well as in drops, it is used for children. Adults are recommended Sinekod tablets. This drug has an effective expectorant property. At the same time, it has a bronchodilating and anti-inflammatory effect, improving spirometry. Such a remedy is recommended in the presence of acute cough of various origins. Its main contraindications relate to the prohibition of taking the drug for pregnant women and breastfeeding. It is not allowed for children under 2 months. Young patients under 3 years of age are advised to take only drops. Who is prescribed Sinecode cough syrup? The instructions for use indicate that it should be used in the treatment of patients from 3 to 12 years. At an older age, tablets are used. Side effects include dizziness and nausea, allergies and diarrhea.
- Flavamed. This drug is used to quickly eliminate dry cough and relieve the respiratory tract from viscous sputum formed as a result of viral and colds. This product is available in the form of syrup, as well as tablets. "Flavamed" with a dry cough acts somewhat differently than other drugs of this type. It does not increase the volume of mucus in the bronchi and lungs, but only changes its structure. Side effects when using the drug are quite rare. Most often, they are expressed in the form of allergic reactions, cramping and pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, general weakness and headaches.
- "Herbion". This drug is of plant origin and is a plantain syrup. Its use contributes to the provision of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and expectorant effects. The drug "Herbion" helps to alleviate dry cough and relieve its attacks. It is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to herbal remedies and fructose intolerance. Of the side effects identified only allergic reactions.
We examined how to translate a dry cough into a wet adult and child. The main thing is to apply all the above methods under the supervision of a specialist.