Cough is an essential companion of colds and viral diseases. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, the process becomes more serious, and it is much more difficult for the body to cope with the existing problem.
It is worth noting that a painful severe cough can indicate the presence of pathologies of the heart muscle. That is why it must be remembered that a universal treatment simply does not exist, and all methods and drugs are selected individually.
Causes and types of cough
Severe coughing can occur for a variety of reasons. In particular, they can provoke it:
- viruses and germs;
- chronic bronchitis and heart disease;
- various allergens;
- smoking
All these irritants contribute to thickening of the mucus secreted by the glands of the nasopharynx, which greatly complicates the movement of air, therefore, the body uses a cough reflex to cleanse. Coughing may be wet, dry, allergic.
A strong dry cough is characterized by a protracted and tearful character, but passes without sputum formation. With the wet type, sputum is formed, and its color indicates the occurrence of various diseases in the body. Allergic - combines the manifestations of the other two species.
In the presence of bronchitis or emphysema, the sound will be deaf. A cough with an anguish is very dangerous, since it can indicate the presence of a malignant neoplasm in the respiratory organs. If painful sensations are observed, then this may be a sign of pleural damage. With prolonged wet cough, the process of suppuration of the lungs is not excluded. Fairly informative is the consistency and composition of sputum. With an abscess, it has a bad smell, and with bronchitis and tracheitis, sputum is viscous and there is not much of it.
A strong cough in an adult occurs with irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, but the reasons for this manifestation are different. Symptoms may also be accompanied by fever, vomiting, and many other complications.
Regardless of the reasons that provoked an attack of severe cough, you need to conduct a comprehensive treatment. The provoking factor largely influences the choice of therapy.
Dry cough treatment
To cure a strong dry cough, you first need to translate it into a productive form. It is characterized by the formation of sputum, which leaves the body. It is worth noting that it is thick viscous mucus that provokes coughing attacks, especially when a person tries to take a deep breath. Often a similar condition develops against the background of tracheitis or laryngitis. The mucous membrane of the respiratory system is so inflamed that a barking cough can even provoke inhalation of clean air.
At the initial stage of the course of the disease, pulmonologists prescribe drugs that can reduce the number of seizures. This is necessary to facilitate the well-being of a person. The most effective remedy against a strong dry cough in adults will be drugs that include codeine, however, it is worth noting that you can buy them only by prescription. In addition, drugs such as:
- mucolytic - Bromhexine, Ambroxol, ACC;
- expectorant - “Mukoltin”, a syrup based on the roots of marshmallow and licorice;
- combined - “Codelac”, “Doctor Mom”;
- antitussive - "Libexin".
Severe coughing attacks can also be reduced with the help of various rubbing, candies and syrups, which help eliminate throat irritation. In addition, the patient is shown a warm, plentiful drink, in particular, you can consume hot milk with soda, tea with lemon, raspberry juice, warm compotes.
Inhalations with a soda solution have a very good effect. They are recommended to be carried out comprehensively, along with other methods of therapy. You can cook citrus syrup yourself. To do this, take a whole lemon and boil it for 10 minutes over low heat. Then cool the lemon, cut into several parts and squeeze the juice. Mix it with honey, and then dilute with water until a syrup is obtained. Take the medicine daily in small portions.
Wet cough therapy
When a dry cough turned into a wet one, try to make sputum less sticky and viscous. This will allow the patient to get rid of the decay products of tissues, as well as eliminate inflammation. For this, the doctor prescribes such drugs as Pectolvan or Lazolvan. In advanced cases, antibacterial agents may be prescribed.
Warm herbal infusions, foot warm baths with mustard, the use of aroma lamps, as well as mustard and rubbing also help to cough. The best way is steam inhalation. Inhaling moist steam has an expectorant and expectorant effect. This allows you to quickly and efficiently normalize well-being.
Allergic Cough Treatment
To start treating an allergic cough, you need to determine the irritant and its elimination from the body. Be sure to carry out activities to strengthen the immune system. As an additional method, you need to follow a special diet, eat fresh fruits and vegetables. In some cases, vitamin complexes may be required.
The doctor prescribes antihistamines, in particular such as Diazolin, Suprastin and many others.
Medications
How to treat a strong cough, only a qualified doctor can determine. That is why it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner. This is especially necessary if there is an increase in temperature and a deterioration in well-being. Initially, a comprehensive examination is required to determine the cause of the disease as accurately as possible. Depending on the results, the doctor will prescribe complex therapy.
If a strong cough was triggered by an infection, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. These are mainly broad-spectrum drugs with a minimum of side effects. It is worth remembering that antibiotics negatively affect the intestinal microflora, which is why probiotics are prescribed in the complex.
Treatment of severe cough with fever and general deterioration of well-being is carried out with the help of antipyretic drugs, in particular, such as Flukold, Coldrex, Gripeks. They help reduce laryngeal edema, normalize well-being and lower temperature. It is worth remembering that you can not take them for a long time.
In some cases, antihistamines can be prescribed, the action of which is aimed at eliminating puffiness and reducing the amount of mucus. Some of them have anti-inflammatory effect. In particular, such medicines as Loratadin, Suprastin, Tavegil, Claritin, Telfast are prescribed.
With a strong dry cough, antitussive drugs are effective, and with a wet one it is forbidden to use them, since sputum will accumulate in the bronchi, which can lead to an attack of suffocation and inflammation. Their principle of operation is based on the inhibition of the cough reflex. Among the most popular medicines, it is necessary to highlight "Cofanol", "Codelac", "Bronchocin." However, it is not recommended to take drugs without a doctor's prescription.
With a strong cough in an adult, expectorant formulations are often prescribed, which are produced mainly in the form of medicines or syrups. They help thin the sputum. In particular, you can apply "Herbion", "Bronchosan", "Ambroxol", "ACC". A severe cough (before vomiting) needs to be treated comprehensively, since only in this way can the existing symptoms be eliminated and normalized.
To strengthen immunity, you need to additionally take multivitamin complexes. The duration of treatment in this case should be approximately 2 weeks. The entire period of treatment, the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor, since respiratory diseases very quickly become chronic.
Folk remedies
A strong cough at home can be effectively and efficiently treated with folk remedies. Basically, they are prescribed for elderly people who are in danger of taking medications, since they adversely affect the functioning of organs and systems.
A good effect is provided by warm milk, herbal decoctions prepared on the basis of coltsfoot, elecampane. They promote mucus secretion and expectoration, and also help soften the larynx. Also, with prolonged coughing, you can use honey mixed with cranberries in equal proportions.
During colds, with wheezing in the chest, it is useful to take a decoction of elderberry flowers. You need to drink it with the addition of honey 3 times a day. A good strong cough suppressant is a mixture of rosemary, which helps even with whooping cough. Reduce the swelling of the lungs and free the respiratory system from the accumulated sputum will help infusion of chamomile or coltsfoot.
An important role in the treatment is played by a diet that helps eliminate existing unpleasant symptoms. It is advisable to consume liquid oatmeal porridge cooked in milk, grated radish with vegetable oil or sour cream, as well as mashed potatoes. It is advisable to replace coffee with a barley drink or chicory with milk.
Lemon, ginger and honey help to cope with the problem. One of the most effective means is ginger tea. To prepare it, you need to grind lemon with ginger, pour water and simmer over low heat. When the product becomes hot, add honey and bring to a boil. You need to take such formulations in the form of heat 2-3 times a day.
As a medicine against flu and bronchitis, you can use onions with honey. To prepare a healing product, you need to carefully chop a small onion and add honey in equal proportions to the gruel. The resulting mixture should be taken after meals 3 times a day. This medicine is recommended not only during the course of the disease, but also as a prophylactic during the onset of cold weather. It has anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.
Raspberries help eliminate the sore throat that provokes a cough. For treatment, all parts of the plant can be used, in particular berries, leaves and even stems. They need to be boiled with boiling water and taken several times a day. The diaphoretic qualities of raspberries help to remove pathogens and toxic substances, as well as greatly facilitate the well-being of the patient.
Warm drink
Sometimes it is very important to know how to cure a strong cough quickly and effectively. This requires complex therapy that can eliminate the existing symptoms. Regardless of the provoking reasons, the best and most effective remedy is a warm and plentiful drink. It is useful to take herbal decoctions and infusions, warm milk, clean water and green tea. The amount of fluid drunk per day should be 2-2.5 liters.
In addition to the fact that the use of liquid allows you to normalize your general well-being, it also helps to eliminate pathogens, which greatly speeds up the healing process. The best remedy for dry cough is warm milk with soda. It helps with laryngitis, bronchitis, colds and tuberculosis. Milk does not need to be boiled, as it will lose some of its beneficial qualities. It is enough just to warm up, add ghee and a pinch of soda to it. Take in small sips, preferably at night.
A good remedy is carrot juice with milk. Carrots contain many vitamins that are responsible for the regeneration of tissues and cells. Helps to eliminate irritation and pain, and also contributes to faster healing of microcracks of the larynx and wounds. In combination with milk, vitamins are absorbed much better. In addition, a thin protective film forms on the throat.
A syrup made from licorice root helps to ease coughing and has pronounced anti-inflammatory qualities. This tool is one of the best for the treatment of severe cough. You can buy it ready-made or cook it yourself.
There are many herbs that have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities, and some also have an expectorant effect. Elecampane, thyme, calendula, oregano, chamomile, thyme help well.
Useful procedures
A strong cough without fever can be cured with the help of home procedures that are aimed at warming the throat and helping to discharge sputum. The most productive and simple are:
- inhalation;
- mustard plasters;
- compresses;
- rubbing.
The first type of procedure is very simple to carry out, even if there is no inhaler in the house. You can just breathe over the steam by covering your head with a towel. Helps alleviate cough and eliminate soda inhalation inflammation. They have antibacterial and antiseptic qualities of needles, calendula, eucalyptus leaves, sage, and chamomile. You can apply decoctions of herbs or essential oils of these plants. The course of therapy is 10 inhalations.
Treatment of a strong cough can be carried out with the help of mustard plasters, however, it is important to put them in the right places. With a cold, mustard must be placed on the calves of the legs or feet, with sore throat - on the back of the neck. You can reduce inflammation by overlaying the chest with them. Mustard must not be applied to the heart area, and also keep them for more than 15 minutes, as this can provoke severe irritation or even burns to the skin. The course of therapy is no more than 14 days.
A universal cough remedy is a vodka compress. It helps to deeply warm the bronchi, expand them and facilitate breathing. To prepare a compress, you need to moisten a dense tissue in vodka, squeeze and apply on the chest. Then wrap yourself up well to keep warm.
General recommendations
With prolonged and severe coughing, it is recommended to consume a lot of warm liquid. This will help speed up the elimination of mucus and sputum that has accumulated in the respiratory system. The room in which the patient is located must be regularly ventilated. However, for some time it is recommended to limit outdoor walks.
With a strong paroxysmal cough, bed rest should be observed for at least 2-3 days. Then you can gradually get out of bed and move around the room. At the time of treatment, smoking should be abandoned, since tobacco smoke irritates the affected respiratory system.
You should definitely know how to treat a strong cough, as it can indicate the development of dangerous diseases. The use of medications and folk remedies is possible only after consulting a doctor, as this will avoid dangerous consequences.
Baby treatment
If the child is one year old, a strong cough can be quickly cured with rubbing. Badger and bear fat have very useful qualities. They can be taken with honey and washed down with a rosehip broth. This tool helps to increase the protective functions of the body and eliminate an attack of dry cough.
Quickly help get rid of cough radish. For this, the root crop needs to be cut into slices, sprinkled with sugar and left to infuse for 6 hours. You need to take 1 tbsp. l of juice every hour. Decoctions of herbs will also help get rid of cough.
Get rid of cough and runny nose
Inhalation with the help of lemon oil, peppermint, tea tree, lavender will help get rid of colds, runny nose and cough. It is necessary to take antipyretic drugs if the existing symptoms are accompanied by an increase in temperature.
A solution of sea salt will help to cope with a runny nose. It can be purchased at a pharmacy or specialty store. With this tool, you need to rinse the sinuses.