Coughing can occur during many diseases, it is a protective reaction of the body, removes mucous secretion from the respiratory tract, which is formed during the inflammatory process. A wet cough, which is also called productive, promotes expectoration of sputum and mucus from the throat, bronchi or lungs. There are many reasons for its occurrence. Among them are various viral and infectious diseases. A wet cough may also indicate the presence of chronic lung disease. In addition, it occurs when gastric acid enters the esophagus. In smokers, a wet cough indicates lung damage or irritation of the throat or esophagus. Sometimes the causes of occurrence can be household, associated with the dustiness of the environment.
Since sputum is an indispensable component of wet cough, it is her laboratory studies that play a major role in the diagnosis. Mucous, colorless or with blood streaks in sputum is characteristic of pneumonia, bronchial asthma, acute respiratory diseases, including acute bronchitis. Purulent indicates the development of a lung abscess, and mucopurulent sputum is characteristic of tuberculosis. Along with it, pathogenic microbes are excreted from the body. Very often, the disease begins with a dry cough, then turning into a wet one. And this is considered a good sign, as sputum discharge always brings a feeling of relief.
Cough, both dry and wet, must be treated. To do this, there are various medications, but they can be used only on the recommendation of a doctor and after diagnosis.
A wet cough in a child usually manifests itself when respiratory diseases occur. The most common cause of it is acute bronchitis or acute respiratory infections. For treatment, expectorant and mucolytic drugs are prescribed, the action of which is aimed at diluting sputum in order to facilitate its removal during coughing attacks. In this case, it is necessary to teach the child to expectorate the mucus so that it does not stagnate in the respiratory tract. In infants, sputum massage is facilitated by chest massage and a frequent change in the position of the baby. When a child has a wet cough, in no case should antitussive agents be used . After all, its manifestation is already
in itself indicates the positive dynamics of the disease. In turn, cough suppressants suppress the cough reflex and prolong the duration of the course of the disease.
Since a wet cough in children occurs quite often, many parents are accustomed to self-medicating. At the same time, buying drugs at the pharmacy on their own, do not think about the possible negative consequences. After all, the choice of drugs in pediatrics is based on the mandatory establishment of causes and takes into account all the features of the formation of a cough reflex in children. Some doctors prescribe treatment only in special cases, when a wet cough is debilitating and intense, often accompanied by vomiting.
A wet cough in children is usually treated with drugs that contain plant extracts that have the properties of sputum thinning. Preparations with marshmallow, anise, elecampane, licorice, etc. help well. You can buy expectorants in any pharmacy in the form of syrups, fees, tablets and drops. Their mechanism of action is based on a decrease in viscosity and an increase in the volume of bronchial secretion and its removal from the respiratory tract. It should be remembered that they must be taken per day at least 3-4 times, which the child does not always like. It is for such cases that the pharmaceutical industry produces sweet syrups that most children like.
As for the general recommendations for the treatment of cough, the main ones are compliance with the temperature regime and heavy drinking.