Many people care about the question: is there a cough on a nervous basis? Coughing is not always an indicator of respiratory disease. Psychosomatic disorders are also accompanied by coughing, which, with systematic emotional overload, develops into a full-fledged debilitating cough. The well-being of a person worsens, the usual way of life changes, a feeling of discomfort and discontent appears. Diagnosis and further treatment of coughing on a nervous basis is carried out by a psychotherapist, but only after the exclusion of the presence of viral and infectious diseases in the body.
Manifestations of neurological cough
Many people begin to cough when they experience stress, anxiety, and excitement. Symptoms of a cough on a nervous basis include:
- the cough is loud, dry, comparable to a dog barking or gagging geese;
- protective reflex lasts from 10 to 20 minutes;
- a person experiences excitement and fear.
When the tense situation passes, the conflict ends, the expectation ends, the cough disappears.
If during the examination with the GP there are no signs of respiratory disease, the patient’s sleep and appetite are not impaired, this may indicate that the cough appeared on a nervous basis. The situation can be aggravated by an incorrect diagnosis and, as a result, the appointment of strong drugs aimed at combating cough in infectious and viral diseases, which will lead to malfunctioning of the respiratory system. It is important to consult a therapist in a timely manner when symptoms of coughing on a nervous basis appear. Treatment will be carried out using modern psychological techniques and acupressure.
Another factor in the occurrence of a neurological cough in a patient is a previously complicated lung disease. The habit of coughing in this case is a fixed reflex, which is difficult to get rid of.
A nervous cough is a protection for insecure people experiencing constant anxiety and intense excitement. In this way, they want to arouse pity and favor with colleagues or family members.
The signs of a neurological cough are simple and understandable. But you should not engage in self-medication, to establish the correct diagnosis, you should visit a specialized specialist.
The main causes of nerve cough
Systematic physical and nervous stress, a tendency to dramatize the situation, a painful reaction to criticisms are the basis for the development of cough on a nervous basis. Hyperventilation syndrome can also be connected here, as a result of which the level of oxygen in the blood decreases and the body experiences hypoxia. Quite often, a cough appears on the nervous system in children due to systematic nervous tension.
The main causes of this cough are:
- conflict and oppressive atmosphere at home;
- stresses at work, in preschool, school and higher education institutions;
- loneliness;
- low self-esteem;
- impotence in difficult life situations;
- unloved business;
- mirroring the situation in case of illness of a loved one;
- social phobia;
- Down syndrome;
- abnormalities of brain development.
Without determining the main cause of the neurological cough, treatment is meaningless. Only a qualified specialist is able to make an accurate diagnosis. Coughing can be a sign of many diseases. Therefore, it is important to carry out laboratory and instrumental examination of the patient. Based on the results of the tests, the doctor will prescribe effective medications that will help eliminate the unpleasant symptom. Self-medication is not recommended, since in this way you can only harm your health.
Diagnosis of psychogenic cough
For a correct diagnosis, first of all, it is necessary to exclude diseases of the respiratory system, to collect an anamnesis. Since the sources of the disease lie in the patient’s mind, you need to contact a psychologist or psychotherapist.
A leisurely conversation in a calm, friendly atmosphere is the first step towards helping. An experienced specialist will find out the situation in the family, well-being, analyze family relationships, the situation at work or in an educational institution. With the right approach, the patient himself will be able to describe his feelings that arise during coughing. The patient should name the factors that most quickly catalyze an unpleasant and dangerous situation that causes a cough.
Further, the doctor conducts tests to study the stability of the nervous system in various life circumstances, together with the patient, solves situational problems. If absolutely necessary, the patient is immersed in a hypnotic sleep. In some cases, the therapist performs acupressure on the head. It helps to calm down and completely relax.
Disease treatment
Many are interested in: how to treat a cough on a nervous basis? The treatment of a patient who is diagnosed with a neurogenic cough begins with the resolution of complex psychological problems inside the person. To do this, you must:
- draw up a clear and specific daily routine;
- reduce physical activity;
- discuss with family members and colleagues the causes of conflicts and draw the right conclusions;
- work to increase self-esteem;
- find a hobby;
- learn to relax when the first symptoms of coughing appear;
- to do relaxation, yoga, meditation;
- to establish relationships with others, make friends;
- learn breathing exercises;
- take sedatives if necessary.
Medication for dry cough on a nervous basis is superficial and does not lead to getting rid of the disease. Taking sedatives will alleviate the condition in stressful situations. Useful will be the use of aromatherapy.
Folk methods
To avoid getting used to chemical sedatives, it will be more effective to use medicinal herbs: valerian, peony, motherwort, thyme.
At night, you can take a bath with lavender, chamomile and valerian.
Nervous cough in children
In 10% of children suffering from chronic cough, a psychological cough is confirmed, which is associated with emotional overstrain.
Features of nervous cough in childhood and adolescence:
- Infants aged three to four years are susceptible to the disease;
- peak disease occurs between the ages of four to eight years;
- the cough is dry, annoying, without sputum, its shape does not change with time;
- at night does not bother the child, appears during the day;
- activates in the autumn-winter period;
- there is no effect of taking antibiotics, expectorant and antitussive drugs;
- It does not increase during physical education and sports;
- may disappear itself when a teenager reaches the age of eighteen.
Psychogenic cough appears in children, inadequately responding to critical remarks addressed to them, vulnerable and sensitive, having problems in the team. Coughing may also occur:
- before the festive event: concert, matinee;
- before a crucial event for which the child has been preparing for a long time: a test, an exam, and speaking in public;
- at home, if parents are overly picky and want to see their child perfect;
- in case of abuse of the child or family members;
- when talking with people who cause a feeling of fear: doctor, director, strict teacher;
- when quarreling with a friend;
- when watching movies that evoke strong emotions.
Severe pregnancy and difficult childbirth can affect the occurrence of cough.
In the case when the baby was sick for a long time, increased attention from relatives, their strong excitement and anxiety for his health can fix the cough reflex.
Sometimes a child mimics a relative with a chronic lung disease, and such a habit degenerates into a nervous cough.
The correct diagnosis should be based on examinations conducted by specialized specialists: an allergist, pulmonologist, otolaryngologist, neurologist, psychotherapist. It is important not to confuse the signals of a nervous cough and similar signs of other diseases, for example bronchial asthma.
Possible complications
Side effects of psychogenic cough can be twitching, shrug. Often, falling into a hysterical seizure, a child after severe coughing can cause vomiting.
Solution
The main guarantee of the treatment of such an unpleasant phenomenon is the formation of comfortable relationships in the family, and not the repayment of symptoms:
- creating a thoughtful daily routine;
- the exclusion from the child’s menu of products that include ingredients that excite the nervous system (chocolate, coffee, strong tea);
- add magnesium-containing foods (spinach, green apples, asparagus, bell peppers, nuts) to the menu;
- Do not focus on coughing;
- become a friend of the child, create comfortable conditions at home, surrounding him with reasonable care and warmth;
- jointly learn the principles of relaxation;
- avoid watching movies, shows, cartoons that negatively affect the psyche;
- attend the sports section.
These simple recommendations of psychotherapists will help prevent the development of a cough on a nervous basis. You should know that the psychologist helps to understand your problems, and the therapist provides treatment at a psychological level.
Specialist conclusion
Many are interested in whether there can be a cough on a nervous basis? Of course, there is such a psychological state in which there is a protective reflex in the form of a cough. If one of the symptoms of a psychological cough appears, you should seek the help of a psychotherapist. The sooner you see a doctor, the faster you can solve the problem.
What does statistics show?
As the numerous practice of psychologists shows, a cough on a nervous basis most often appears in people who lack attention. Decisive people should learn to evaluate their actions soundly and analyze the world around them.