A cough is a reflex defensive reaction of the body and a symptom that accompanies the underlying disease. Thanks to him, sputum (bronchial pathological secretion) is excreted from the respiratory tract of the individual. The choice of an expectorant for coughing depends on its type, individual characteristics and age of the patient, as well as pathology. For the treatment of diseases accompanied by cough, prescribe drugs that have an expectorant, mucolytic, thinning, antitussive effect. The last and combined drugs are used for dry painful cough, and for productive with a thick and viscous secret, mucolytics are indicated.
Dry cough in adults
This type of cough is characterized by difficult discharge of sputum, that is, it is excreted in a small amount or does not cough. The reasons for its appearance are:
- Allergy. In this case, a cough is a consequence of the manifestation of an allergic reaction of the body, may be accompanied by rhinitis and lacrimation.
- Pneumonia.
- Pleurisy. There is pain in the side when coughing.
- Irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract - in contact with household chemicals, caustic products or contaminated air.
- SARS, flu, colds. With proper and timely therapy, after a short period of time, the cough turns into wet.
- Tracheitis is a debilitating and painful cough.
- Laryngitis.
- Smoker's bronchitis.
According to the duration of the course, several types of dry cough are distinguished:
- more than two months - chronic;
- from three to eight weeks - prolonged;
- up to three weeks - acute.
A concomitant symptom of a cough is a sore throat.
Dry cough therapy
Only a doctor can choose the right medicine and their dosage. The following are expectorants for dry cough in adults who have proven themselves:
- Sinecode is a central-action drug. In the form of tablets is used in adults. It has a direct effect on the cough center, has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, bronchodilating effects. The effect of the use of the drug does not depend on the origin of the cough. Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.
- "Herbion" is a herbal remedy. Helps to cope with the inflammatory process in the respiratory system. It has an antitussive, expectorant and antimicrobial effect. Not indicated for patients with individual intolerance to plant components, fructose and individuals suffering from diabetes.
- "Bronchicum" is a universal expectorant for dry cough. Relieves seizures and promotes its transition to wet, in addition, improves sputum excretion. Contraindicated in pregnancy, breast-feeding, individual intolerance to some components of the drug, as well as in liver and kidney diseases.
- "Codelac Fito" is a combined preparation, which includes plant extracts. It has an antitussive and expectorant effect. Long-term use is not recommended due to the presence of codeine among the components.
- “Stoptussin” due to the presence of a mucolytic substance called guaifenesin in the preparation reduces the viscosity, increases the amount and facilitates the removal of sputum. It is not recommended to take the medicine in the first trimester.
- “Linax” is a combined herbal remedy that increases the productivity of a cough, exhibits an expectorant, mucolytic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Traditional treatment
An obsessive cough gives an individual inconvenience and discomfort. Effective and mild effects in this case can have adult folk remedies for coughing. The expectorant effect in the treatment of dry cough has healing broths prepared from the following medicinal plant materials:
- St. John's wort
- plantain;
- calendula;
- oregano;
- licorice;
- thyme;
- Linden;
- chamomile;
- coltsfoot.
However, their use is possible only in the absence of allergies. The use of inhalation helps to moisturize the irritated throat, thin the sputum, and clear the airways. This procedure promotes the penetration of beneficial substances directly to the affected focus, without exerting a general effect on the individual's body. Inhalations with the use of mineral water, saline, soda, essential oils, herbal decoctions and potatoes, in which onions or garlic can be added, have proven themselves well. Various expectorants for cough include various compresses and rubbing:
- Cake. To prepare it, you will need honey, flour and vegetable oil. Apply in the form of a compress at night.
- The potatoes are boiled in their skins, knead and used as a compress, which they hold until the potatoes cool completely.
- Roll out the cabbage leaf with a rolling pin and spread with honey, then attach it to the chest with the sticky side, cover with plastic wrap and a warm cloth, leave until morning.
- With a mixture made from pork fat, honey and alcohol, rub the back, chest and feet. After manipulation, it is advisable for the patient to wear a warm sweater and socks.
These simple folk recipes, together with medication, will help to recover faster, and natural ingredients will strengthen the body's defenses. The best expectorant for dry cough for pregnant women will be inhalations using linden blossom, chamomile, plantain, sage, thyme, soda, mineral water, potato fumes. The result from this procedure will be instant.
Moist cough
With this type of cough, the patient is separated bronchial pathological secretion, the nature of which is different. Sputum analysis gives an idea of the nature of the pathology. The cause of a productive cough lies in some pathological conditions:
- tracheitis;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- bronchitis;
- rhinitis;
- pneumonia;
- tuberculosis;
- neoplasms in the respiratory system.
The following types of productive cough are distinguished:
- constant;
- periodic;
- weakly expressed;
- average;
- strong;
- manifested at a certain time of the day or to any irritant.
Sputum can be of different colors, consistencies, with blood or purulent impregnations. Its amount is scarce or plentiful. A wet cough is considered productive, since sputum is excreted.
Medications for adults with a wet cough
Therapy comes down to liquefying sputum. The effect of expectorants with a wet cough is aimed at stimulating the secretion of liquid secretion, reducing viscosity. All funds by the mechanism of action are divided into:
- Reflex. These include medicines based on medicinal herbs, essential oils. Their biological active substances have a stimulating effect on the gastric mucosa and provoke a weak vomiting reflex, which, in turn, affects the bronchopulmonary system and helps sputum discharge.
- Mucolytic - Ambroxol, Acetylcysteine, Solvin. When taking these drugs, the bronchial secret liquefies.
- Combined - "Broncholitin", "Ascoril", which, in addition to a stimulating effect on mucus excretion, have anti-inflammatory, bronchodilating and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Resorptive - Terpingidrate. It stimulates the secretion of brochial glands, increases the volume of liquid sputum and improves its output. The drug is effective in small doses.
Some of the best-known names for expectorants for wet coughs in adults are:
- "Acetylcysteine";
- Gedelix;
- "Bromhexine";
- "Herbion";
- "Ambroxol";
- "Bronchicum";
- "Travisil";
- Stoptussin;
- "Herbion";
- Pertussin;
- "Codelac broncho";
- "Bronchosan";
- Ascoril;
- "Dr. Mom."
Expectorants during pregnancy
A cough is negatively reflected on the future baby, since the tension of the respiratory muscles, press and diaphragm that occurs with it leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. As a result, the blood supply to the fetus is disrupted and intrauterine hypoxia develops. The more difficult the sputum leaves, the greater the load on the fetus.
The most common causes of coughing, which can occur at any time the baby is waiting, include:
- colds;
- asthmatic cough;
- cough provoked by chronic pathologies of the respiratory system;
- allergic cough.
Regardless of the reason, an expectorant for coughing should act quickly and gently, and also be safe for the unborn baby. Incorrectly selected drugs can be harmful. Central-acting drugs that inhibit the cough center, such as Codeine, and affect the bronchial receptors, are prohibited. The use of fees from the following herbs should be excluded from medicinal plant materials :
- Coltsfoot. Due to a carcinogenic effect and the ability to cause fetal mutations.
- Ginseng, Eleutherococcus. They contribute to allergization of the unborn baby.
- Oregano. Leads to uterine bleeding.
- St. John's wort Significantly complicates childbirth.
However, there are a number of expectorants for coughing for adults that are allowed to be taken by a pregnant woman after consulting a doctor:
- "Doctor Tyss" in the form of syrup. It dilutes sputum well and allows you to quickly cough up it.
- "Tonsilgon N". Effective for wet cough.
- "Sinupret." Thinns a viscous secret.
- "Mukaltin." Reduces the number of seizures, facilitates the release of sputum and softens it.
In any case, before using an expectorant, a pregnant woman should get the advice of a gynecologist and therapist. Do not self-medicate.
Top Best Cough Expectorants for Adults
The list includes drugs selected according to the results of various indicators: effectiveness, contraindications, availability, etc. The best medicines are presented below.
With dry cough:
- Stoptussin. Facilitates coughing, soothes throat.
- "Sinecode." It is indicated for dry cough of any origin, quickly relieves severe attacks.
With a wet cough with sputum:
- "Lazolvan." Thanks to the active substance, Ambroxol, sputum formation increases and its excretion is facilitated. A few other drugs have this composition, and all of them are good expectorants for coughing for adults.
- "Acetylcysteine." It dilutes sputum, making it liquid, which contributes to better coughing. It acts quickly and efficiently.
Plant origin:
- "Mukaltin." Natural remedy based on the marshmallow root. The tablets are swallowed or dissolved in water.
- Breast collection number 4. Facilitates the removal of sputum, tastes good.
Homeopathic - “Stodal”. Convenient to dose, good effect.
Folk - black radish with honey. The most delicious expectorant for coughing in adults.
So, coughing is a symptom of a disease. First of all, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the disease.
Expectorants for children
Any malaise in the baby, including coughing, worries parents. In most cases, the appearance of this symptom indicates the presence of pathological processes caused by microorganisms, viruses or allergies. An expectorant for coughing for children will help cope with this disaster. They are indicated for diseases accompanied by increased glandular secretion of the respiratory system with the following pathologies:
- bronchitis;
- sinusitis;
- pneumonia;
- otitis;
- bronchospasm;
- sinusitis;
- asthma;
- allergy;
- rhinopharyngitis.
The mechanism of action of drugs is to remove sputum from the respiratory system. There are two groups of medicines:
- Stimulants. They contribute to enhanced secretion and improve the passage of mucus through the respiratory tract. Among them there are funds that have a reflex-stimulating effect, which cause a cough, irritating the inner lining of the stomach and provoking a vomiting reflex. As well as drugs with a resorptive property. Facilitation of sputum discharge occurs due to balancing of the thick and liquid parts of the bronchial secretion.
- Thinning. Medicines belonging to this group eliminate the viscosity of sputum by converting it to a liquid state.
Only a doctor can choose the right expectorant medicine, dosage and duration of use in childhood. Newborns are recommended "Gedelix" in the form of syrup. In addition to expectorant, it has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. In severe pathologies, for example, bronchitis or pneumonia, expectorant mucolytic agents "Lazolvan", "Ambrobene" for inhalation are indicated. If when using the above medicines, the baby has difficulty discharging the liquefied secret, then it is removed in a hospital with a special device. In the age category of one to three years, the choice of expectorants for wet cough is much wider:
- "Acetylcysteine";
- "Ambroxol";
- Mukaltin;
- Gedelix;
- Fluimucil;
- "Prospan".
The following medications are recommended for children over three years old:
- Plant origin - “Doctor Mom”, “Pertussin”, “Gedelix”, “Prospan”, licorice root syrup.
- Mucolytics - “Halixol”, “Lazolvan”, “ACC”.
- Secretolytics - Bromhexine.
Parents need to remember that when treating a baby, it is important to observe the dosage of the medicine depending on age, as well as the course of therapy recommended by the doctor. An important condition is the drinking regime. During this period, it is recommended to give the kids more water, which helps cough up, and therefore the discharge of the liquefied secretion.
The most effective means used in children's practice with wet cough
According to doctors, the following are considered effective expectorant for cough:
- Licorice Syrup. Approved for use from birth.
- "Alteyka". Improves bronchial function, dilutes sputum, stimulates expectoration.
- "Bromhexine." Recommended for bronchitis, asthma.
- Pertussin. It has a softening and expectorant effect.
- Gedelix. It has a natural composition.
- Fluimucil. It has a mucolytic effect, increases the amount of sputum and contributes to its discharge.
- "Dr. Mom." The composition of this drug includes a large number of medicinal herbs, which allow you to quickly remove sputum by light coughing.
- Stoptussin-Fito. In addition to the expectorant, it also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
The best expectorants for cough of plant origin include various fees that are produced in the factory:
- expectorant;
- chest under the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4;
- decoction of plantain grass.
Before using all of the above means, you need to consult a doctor who will recommend the most suitable depending on the pathology, the presence of contraindications and the age of the baby.
The use of alternative medicine in children
From time immemorial, folk remedies for dry cough have been used for treatment. Expectorants can only be used after it has become wet. The recipes tested by many generations, contributing to a better sputum discharge, are approved by pediatricians and recommend to small patients:
- Milk mixture. To prepare it, you will need hot milk, in which some butter, honey and sodium bicarbonate (soda) are added. The resulting drink is drunk in small sips before bedtime. The last ingredient can be replaced with cocoa butter, alkaline mineral water, turmeric.
- Plantain. A decoction of the leaves of this herb is an excellent cough remedy.
- Black radish and honey. This recipe is known to everyone and easy to prepare. In the middle of the vegetable, make a deepening and put honey in it, insist about three hours. Take a teaspoon of the resulting juice up to three times a day.
- Infusions and fees from medicinal plant materials. Their herbs have an expectorant, mucolytic, enveloping, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial effect. The following plants are used for their preparation: fennel, thyme, violet, marshmallow, plantain, coltsfoot, elecampane, licorice, anise, mint, calendula, chamomile, sage. Ready-made breast preparations are available at pharmacies. At home, an expectorant for coughing can be prepared using the above herbs individually or by combining them.
To combat a wet cough, agents are used that stimulate sputum outflow, otherwise stagnation of the secretion in the lung tissue as a result of the inability to cough it leads to serious consequences. The following are recognized as the best folk recipes:
- Steam inhalation with coltsfoot, thyme, sage.
- Aloe juice. Indicated for children after three years. Lemon juice and honey are added to the freshly squeezed solution.
- Ginger infusion.
- A mixture of milk, radish and honey. The first two ingredients are mixed in a 2: 1 ratio and a little honey is added.
- Oat broth. Crude oats are boiled in a liter of milk, filtered and taken in 100 ml about thirty minutes before the main meal.
In the case of a productive cough in a baby, medicines and folk remedies are not recommended, but are shown:
- light physical exertion in the form of walking, light jogging;
- Fresh air;
- drainage massage.
Conclusion
Why are expectorant cough suppressants needed? In a healthy individual, a bronchial secretion is synthesized, which helps the respiratory tract to eliminate microorganisms, viruses, small particles coming in with inhaled air. In case of damage to the body by an infectious process, the amount of secretion increases, and it becomes an excellent medium for the propagation of pathogenic bacteria. In order to get rid of such sputum, the body begins to take measures, i.e., a cough begins. However, the thick and viscous secret is not separable. An expectorant for coughing helps to cope with it, the main action of which is aimed at diluting sputum and its subsequent elimination.