Coughing can be very annoying. It can appear for various reasons and from time to time all people suffer from it. Most often, it is the result of a disease, for example, bronchitis. This is a serious ailment, requiring a quality treatment prescribed by a specialist. And one of the components of such therapy is expectorants for bronchitis. What they are will be described below.
Bronchitis - what is it?
There are a lot of diseases of the respiratory tract. Several of them are associated with the bronchi and have the common name "bronchitis". The inflammatory process that develops in the pulmonary region, called the bronchi, can begin for completely different reasons and take different forms. But the symptoms of such diseases have many common factors, and coughing is a sign of almost any problem with the respiratory system, and is certainly present in this disease.
Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease that develops in the mucous membrane lining the walls of the bronchi.
The bronchi themselves are a complex transport system, the task of which is to ensure the movement of the inhaled and exhaled air, and the air that enters the respiratory system from the outside, passing through the bronchi, must be warmed up, moistened and cleaned if necessary. Diseases of the bronchi are inflammation of the mucosa against the background of a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, although the irritating effect of dust or smoke also causes pathological inflammatory processes in this structure of the respiratory system. Swelling of the bronchial mucosa most often causes the formation of a large amount of exudate - sputum, which can be very thick, difficult to separate. In this case, the dilution and elimination of such a secret becomes one of the points of high-quality treatment of bronchial inflammation.
How to get rid of cough with bronchitis?
Any form of bronchitis almost always has one common obsessive symptom - a cough. Special tools that pharmacologically divide into several groups help to get rid of it:
- mucolytic;
- secretory or expectorant, as they say in simple terms.
These groups of drugs work together - the former dilute the secretion of the bronchi, and the latter help to cough up and excrete from the body. Which remedy is needed for a particular patient? Only a doctor can decide after a history and a thorough examination. It should be noted that expectorants for obstructive bronchitis, which most often takes on a chronic form, will have to be taken for a very long time to help the body normalize the functionality of the respiratory system. What active substances help fight this problem?
Acetylcysteine
Many expectorants for bronchitis have in their assets such a component as acetylcysteine. It is included in the pharmacological group of secretolytics and stimulators of motor function of the respiratory tract. The structure of this chemical substance contains a free sulfhydryl group, which, when combined with acid mucopolysaccharides of bronchial mucus, breaks its disulfide bonds, and also inhibits the polymerization of mucoproteins and reduces the viscosity of sputum being separated. All this leads to the fact that drugs with acetylcysteine thin the sputum that accumulates in the bronchi. You can find a sufficient number of such medicines at the pharmacy shelves - a generic drug of the same name “Acetylcysteine”, produced in tablets and ampoules for injections, “ACC” and “ACC Long”, “Atsestin”, “Vicks Asset”, “Mukomist” and some others. These drugs are not recommended for use in exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, as well as in breast-feeding women. For pregnant women and children, acetylcysteine-based medications can only be prescribed by your doctor.
Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate
Pharmacists often hear the question of what is the best expectorant for bronchitis. But to give an unambiguous answer to it is very, very difficult, because each patient needs his own medicine or even a complex of drugs and physiotherapy to get a lasting positive effect. Medicines based on ammonium glycyrrhizinate obtained from licorice root have a proven secretolytic activity and are widely used in the treatment of diseases such as bronchitis of various etiologies. This natural substance has extensive biological activity, as it has the properties of an immunostimulating, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, regenerating, antispasmodic substance. Preparations based on monosubstituted ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid are used as expectorants even in the treatment of children from the age of 5 months. There is no doubt that only a doctor can prescribe them (in accordance with the diagnosis and condition of the patient). In pharmacies based on this substance, you can buy drugs such as "Glyciram" and "Reglisam"; in childhood, licorice root syrup is most often prescribed as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory drug.
Ammonium chloride
Expectorants for bronchitis are an indispensable element in the treatment of this disease of various origins. A substance called ammonium chloride is known to most ordinary people as ammonia. It has a secretolytic and diuretic effect. Ammonium chloride stimulates the activity of the glands of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, activates the production of liquid sputum, and stimulates the functionality of the ciliary epithelium. It also enhances bronchial contractility and facilitates secretion. The substance penetrates well into the systemic circulation through the gastrointestinal tract. It should not be taken by pregnant women and children. This drug is rarely prescribed for outpatient treatment, therapy with this drug is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Ambroxol
According to many patients who needed the use of special drugs that improve the discharge of sputum in the bronchi, the best expectorant for bronchitis has ambroxol in its composition. This substance changes the structure of mucopolysaccharides of bronchial secretion, thereby stimulating a decrease in its viscosity. It also activates mucociliary transport, helping to improve the synthesis and secretion of surfactant - a special substance that lines the alveoli of the lungs. Medicines based on Ambroxol are not prescribed for use by pregnant women and people suffering from liver or kidney failure. In pharmacies, many drugs with such an active component are sold - this is Ambrobene, Lazolvan, Ambrohexal, Flavamed. They should be taken on the recommendation of a treating specialist after examination and diagnosis.
Bromhexine
Everyone who suffers from cough wants to use a drug that will help get rid of such a painful condition that violates the rhythm of life. Therefore, patients ask specialists about the best expectorant for bronchitis should be used in the treatment of the disease. Another popular and effective substance found in many popular medicines is Bromhexine. It is part of the pharmaceutical group of secretolytics and stimulators of motor function of the respiratory tract. This substance stimulates the production of surfactant, has an effect on the rheological properties of the resulting bronchial secretion, contributing to its liquefaction and active promotion of the respiratory tract during coughing. Like many drugs, medicines with bromhexine should not be taken during pregnancy or lactation. Only the attending physician can prescribe them for children in accordance with the age recommendations of the manufacturer of a specific drug. The most popular and recommended drugs with bromhexine are the drugs of the same name with the name of the manufacturer: Bromhexine Berlin Chemi, Brohexin Nycomed, Bromhexine Ferein and others. Also on this substance are Solvin, Bronhostop, Phlegamine.
Carbocysteine
Many experts believe that the best expectorant for bronchitis in adults should contain carbocysteine as an active component. This substance activates sialic transferase - a special enzyme of goblet cells lining the mucous membrane of the bronchi. Thus, carbocysteine-based preparations improve the rheology of mucus, help the bronchi to get rid of the formed sputum, contributing to its coughing. They are used in the treatment of various diseases, accompanied by the formation of difficult to separate sputum and mucus, including in the treatment of various types of bronchitis. Carbocysteine does not have high bioavailability, medicines based on it are used in the treatment of diseases for adults and children, starting from the age of 1 month. In pharmacies you can buy drugs such as Fluditiek, Libexin Muko, Bronchobos, Mucosol, and the generic Carbocysteine.
Iodine based
A lot of problems are caused by a disease such as chronic bronchitis. Expectorants in his therapy are of prime importance. In some cases, experts recommend the use of expectorant preparations based on iodine, for example, containing iodide as the active component. This substance has a wide spectrum of action and is used to make up for iodine deficiency, as a mucolytic and expectorant, as an antifungal, antithyroid, radioprotective, and also absorbable substance. When it enters the human body, iodine is also secreted by the mucous glands of the bronchi, causing reactive hyperemia, which affects the liquefaction of accumulating sputum and contributes to its qualitative elimination during coughing.
Inorganic iodine-based preparations should be used in treatment only after examination of the general condition of the body and the recommendation of a treating specialist.
Sodium bicarbonate
In the kitchen of every family you can find a package of ordinary baking soda - sodium bicarbonate. This substance is used in many cases, including an expectorant. For many decades, folk recipes have been advised to use milk with soda and soda inhalation in the treatment of a strong cough. But modern pharmacology recommends sodium bicarbonate as a mucolytic and expectorant. Why is ordinary soda a strong expectorant for bronchitis? When ingested, the substance is rapidly absorbed, affecting metabolic processes, shifting all reactions towards alkalization. It is this fact that allows the secretion of the bronchi to become less dense, and coughing makes it more effective. But before taking soda as an expectorant, it is necessary to get the recommendation of a specialist, because even such a homemade substance familiar to us has contraindications for use and can cause unwanted side effects.
Terpinghydrate
What is an expectorant better for bronchitis? This is often asked by patients of their attending physician when accumulating sputum prevents breathing, causing constant coughing and shortness of breath. Terpinghydrate and medicines based on it belong to the pharmaceutical group of secretolytics and stimulators of motor function of the respiratory tract. This active substance has been used for several decades in medical practice, although it has contraindications, for example, is unacceptable for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, and the ability to cause side effects, for example, allergic reactions of varying intensity, as well as nausea and vomiting. This substance works systemically, penetrating the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. Standing out from the bronchi, it stimulates the production of bronchial secretions, while sputum is secreted less viscous, it clears its throat better. Terpinghydrate can be purchased at the pharmacy by prescription in the form of a generic of the same name, as well as in such complex medicines as Codterpin, Glycodin, Flucoldex Forte.
"Thermopsis", "Altai" and not only
An obligatory component of high-quality treatment is expectorants for bronchitis. Folk remedies can also help if you choose the right medicinal plant and use it to prepare the right medicine. Long since, as mucolytic, contributing to the release of sputum natural gifts, marshmallow root, elecampane grass, licorice root, oregano grass, ledum grass, raspberry fruits and leaves, and many other green helpers were used. Many herbs have proven pharmacological effectiveness and are used in pharmaceutical preparations. For example, thermopsis - a plant belonging to the legume family, is actively used to prepare various forms of expectorant drugs - tablets, syrups, lozenges. For the medicine, flowers are used, while the fruits and roots are poisonous. Pharmaceutical preparations based on thermopsis, as well as infusions and flocks prepared from parts of this plant, well dilute the secretion of the bronchi and help its progress during coughing.
What expectorants for bronchitis or colds, based on medicinal plant materials, are used in the treatment of even babies? This is the root of the marshmallow. Syrup "Alteyka", as it is called by the people, is given to children, from the age of 3 years, to fight cough. It enjoys well-deserved respect among specialists and patients, as it effectively helps sputum discharge, mitigating the process of coughing, the syrup itself has a pleasant aroma and taste.
The treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract requires an integrated approach, and medicinal substances of various actions and physiotherapy should be used. An obligatory element of mucolytic therapy are expectorants. With bronchitis, folk remedies very often contain such an element as ivy. The extract of this plant is part of many dosage forms, the purpose of which is to thin the sputum and improve its rheological properties. Effective expectorants for bronchitis on the basis of common ivy are sold under the following names: "Gedelix", "Prospan", "Herbion".
Immunity activators
Some expectorants for bronchitis, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, work not only on the high-quality elimination of accumulating secretions in the bronchi, but also on stimulating the body's immunity. For example, the Bronchomunal drug activates both the general and local bronchopulmonary system, which makes it possible to quickly cope not only with cough, but also with the disease itself, which caused this unpleasant symptom. The drug is often used in pediatric practice as a prophylactic, helping the body's defenses. Medicines such as Bronchomunal help to improve the state of the respiratory system with its own resources. It is necessary to take such funds only after the recommendation of a specialist is received.
Coughing is an alarming symptom, indicating that the person’s respiratory system is in serious danger, and its structures cannot cope with their work. It is necessary to treat the cough on time and in a quality manner, helping to thin out and cough up sputum with the help of special medications, as well as eliminate the main cause of the problem - the disease itself. Only an expert can make an adequate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.