Cough is a reaction to irritation of the respiratory tract or lung tissue. In fact, the natural purpose of coughing is cleansing of the larynx, but barking cough does not perform a protective function, as it does not contribute to the excretion of mucus and sputum.
Causes of barking cough
Dry barking (unproductive) cough, as a reflex act, occurs due to the laryngeal edema and, as a consequence, the narrowing of the lumen. Factors provoking the appearance of a cough are most often:
- streptococcal infection on the background of decreased immunity of the body;
- viral infections (influenza, etc.);
- exposure to allergens.
A long-lasting dry cough is typical for developing tuberculosis, heart failure, cancer. In some cases, the cause of coughing can be a professional disease that has arisen because of the constant tension of the vocal cords, as well as the unfavorable ecological situation.
Than to treat a barking cough?
A strong barking cough "exhausts" a patient who does not sleep well, eats, etc., besides, complications that are life-threatening and life-threatening can occur. In the treatment of dry cough, the following groups of pharmaceuticals are used:
- Directly suppressing the cough reflex. Effective disposal of barking cough with laryngitis in adults is promoted by drugs based on codeine and morphine, but they are narcotic substances, so doctors prescribe them only in extreme cases if there are serious indications.
- Expectorants.
- Mucolytics.
When coughing of allergic etiology, histamine drugs are prescribed, and for bacterial infections - antibiotics.
With the aim of getting rid of dry cough, traditional medicine and industrially manufactured drugs are used, including herbal ingredients that dilute the secret and promote the transition of non-productive cough to productive (wet).
Excellent helps hot milk, diluted with half-alkaline mineral water, for example, Borjomi.
Popular and effective remedies based on ginger, lemon, garlic. Expressed mucolytic effect renders the root of the altea, mother-and-stepmother, oregano, burnt sugar in milk. Softening-anti-inflammatory effect is possessed by eucalyptus, chamomile, calendula.
Among pharmaceuticals, the most positive feedback is given to such drugs:
- Kodelak is an elixir containing codeine, thermopsis, licorice and thyme;
- Herbion - plantain syrup with essential oil of thyme;
- Bronchicum is a universal preparation with thyme and root of the primrose, which facilitates the transfer of dry cough to wet and exit of phlegm from the respiratory tract and lungs;
- Stoptusin - antitussive and bronchodilator, which also has some anesthetic properties.
A gentle method of delivering medicines to the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx is inhalation. When barking cough, steam inhalations with soda, saline, medicinal herbs and essential oils (menthol, fir, tea tree, lavender, citrus) are useful. Using an inhalation device - a nebulizer , at home you can do the procedures with pharmaceutical preparations, such as:
- Berotek;
- Ambrogen;
- Lazolvan;
- Berodual, etc.
Contraindications to inhalation are:
- hyperthermia;
- acute inflammatory process;
- cardiovascular pathologies;
- hypertension;
- tuberculosis and emphysema.
Important! In inhalations for treating cough, it is necessary to inhale the solution through the mouth, and exhale the air through the nose.