How to get rid of a cough and when to see a doctor

Cough can be a bother at any time of the year. Together with a therapist, we understand the possible causes and consider treatment options.

The respiratory tract of our body is covered with a thin layer of cells with cilia. They constantly move and remove all the mucus and dirt from the lungs and bronchi to the outside. But if the amount of irritants or mucus is too large, or if a foreign body enters, the second defense mechanism comes to the aid of the first - coughing.

Andrey Besedin, PhD, internist, family doctor at GMS Clinic.

Coughing is a protective reflex of our respiratory tract. It is needed to shake off all the excess that gets there. Coughing effectively rids the body of almost any irritant that may enter the respiratory tract.

Symptoms and treatment of allergic bronchitis in adults

Allergic bronchitis in adults and children develops as a result of contact with an allergen, which, once in the body, provokes an inadequate immune response of the defense system. Under the influence of an irritating factor, nerve endings are excited, blood tissues expand, muscles contract, which is accompanied by a strong, dry cough, profuse lacrimation, and a disturbance in general well-being.

In order for the treatment of allergic bronchitis in children and adults to be effective and the disease not to recur, it is first necessary to determine the source of the irritation. To do this, you need to consult an allergist who, based on the results of a comprehensive diagnostic examination, will identify the allergen, prescribe treatment and a special diet. It will not be possible to completely get rid of the disease, therefore, in the presence of predisposing factors, bronchitis of an allergic nature will worsen.

ACC

"ACC" is perhaps the most popular tablet for the treatment of wet cough. "ACC" is prescribed for bronchitis and pneumonia. The product thins mucus and helps it drain better. "ACC" is sold in the form of effervescent soluble tablets, which are prescribed to adults and children over 14 years of age. Doctors note the excellent effectiveness of the drug if you need to get rid of very viscous sputum. But ACC should not be taken at night - this can lead to congestion in the lungs. It is also contraindicated to take ACC alone in combination with other cough medications. Buyers in reviews say it works quickly, treats coughs well, is inexpensive and is available in all pharmacies.

ACC

Hermes Pharma, Germany; Wernigerode Pharma, Germany; Lindopharm, Germany

Respiratory diseases accompanied by the formation of viscous, difficult to separate sputum (acute and chronic bronchitis, obstructive bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngotracheitis, pneumonia, lung abscess, bronchiectasis, bronchial asthma, COPD, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis);
acute and chronic sinusitis; Otitis media from 124

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It is not advisable to self-medicate with a wet cough, it is fraught with complications

Photos from open sources

Predisposing factors

Allergic bronchitis, the symptoms of which in adults and children are almost identical, usually proceeds according to a certain pattern. Penetration of a foreign allergen protein into the body provokes an inadequate immune response, which is manifested by profuse lacrimation, sneezing, and coughing. If the irritant is not promptly eliminated and the symptoms progress, reserve protection is activated, accompanied by hyperspasm of the bronchial tree and swelling of the ciliated mucosa that lines the internal respiratory organs.

As a result of constant irritation, the lung tissue begins to produce thick mucus, which gradually accumulates in the alveoli and becomes a source of bacterial infection. Stagnation and infection of mucus in the bronchi is the main cause of allergic bronchitis.

If a person has a strong immune system and good health, infection of bronchial tissues rarely occurs. The defense system quickly destroys the infection, preventing it from actively multiplying and spreading to healthy structures. But if the immune system is weakened and a person is prone to allergies, then under the influence of predisposing factors the risk of developing allergic bronchitis increases significantly.

Reasons that provoke the development of bronchitis of an allergic nature:

• abuse of bad habits;
• congenital or acquired immunodeficiency;
• unbalanced diet;
• passive smoking;
• living in an unfavorable environmental environment;
• uncontrolled use of drugs;
• lack of competent treatment for allergic diseases;
• inactive lifestyle;
• use of bedding with natural fillings: down, feathers;
• work with industrial hazards, involving constant contact with chemical or organic substances.

For a long time, the immune system can suppress a foreign irritant that regularly penetrates the body, so a person will not suspect a tendency to allergies. But at a certain point, all the predisposing factors converge at one point, as a result of which a serious disease begins to progress sharply, the consequences of which sometimes have to be fought throughout life.

Ambrobene

Another popular drug for wet cough. A mucolytic with an expectorant effect contains the active substance ambroxol, which helps to thin and remove mucus from the lungs and stimulates expectoration. Within 30 minutes after taking Ambrobene it begins to act, and the positive effect lasts for 6-12 hours. It is very important to drink plenty of fluids during treatment with Ambrobene. This cough remedy is prescribed to adults and children over two years of age. The duration of treatment with the drug should not exceed 4-5 days.

Ambrobene

Merkle GmbH, Germany

Ambrobene is a mucolytic expectorant.
It is used for acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, which are accompanied by impaired formation and discharge of sputum. from 99

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How does the disease manifest itself?

Allergic bronchitis causes acute symptoms in adults, so it is better not to self-medicate and visit a doctor as soon as possible. After contact with an allergenic irritant, the following clinical picture develops:

• Dry, unproductive cough. As a result of irritation and swelling of the mucous membrane, a person suffers from a barking, scratchy, unproductive cough. Sputum does not come out well, sometimes there is none at all. The patient cannot cough well and feels discomfort in the chest. A dry cough can get worse at night, preventing a person from getting a good night's sleep and rest.
• Expiratory dyspnea. In the initial stages of development of bronchitis of an allergic nature, shortness of breath does not bother you. However, as mucus accumulates in the bronchi, breathing problems appear. The patient cannot take a full breath and complains of pain in the chest.
• Swelling of the mucous membrane. An allergen, having entered the body through the respiratory system, first of all causes irritation of the mucous membrane. Therefore, in addition to a dry cough, a person may be bothered by excessive lacrimation, runny nose, swelling of the nasopharynx, and allergic conjunctivitis.

Prolonged coughing attacks and breathing problems cause the development of non-specific symptoms:

• weakness, lethargy;
• headaches, dizziness;
• sore throat, hoarse voice.

On average, the exacerbation period lasts 3–4 days. After this, acute symptoms gradually disappear, and the disease goes into remission. Allergic bronchitis, which is not treated or treated incorrectly, can lead to the development of severe complications, such as:

• pneumonia;
• bronchial asthma;
• damage to the walls of the bronchi;
• pulmonary emphysema;
• respiratory, heart failure;
• embolism;
• pneumosclerosis.

What to do if your cough bothers you

First of all, you need to sit or stand up and try to breathe in through your nose. If inhalation and exhalation through the nose is successful, then everything is fine for now. If you can’t take a breath, then you need to wake up someone close to you, try to scream or say something. If it works, then breathing is preserved - that’s not bad. If you can’t scream and breathe, you need to urgently call an ambulance.

If at night the cough interferes so much that it is impossible to sleep, you need to find out whether an ambulance and hospitalization are required.

While the ambulance is on the way, you need to:

• open the window to allow fresh cool air to enter;
• turn on hot water in the bathroom and breathe in the steam;
• calm down.

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• use the services of one-day surgery or day hospital.

Treatment of allergic bronchitis

Allergic bronchitis symptoms and treatment in adults is carried out after a comprehensive diagnostic examination. The diagnosis is made on the basis of an initial examination of the patient, a detailed study of the medical history, and laboratory and instrumental diagnostic examinations.

To identify the inflammatory process in the bronchi, the doctor gives directions for the following procedures:

• general blood analysis;
• bacteriological culture of sputum;
• chest x-ray;
• spirometry.

It is also important to identify the allergen, because without eliminating it, drug treatment will not bring the desired results and upon subsequent contact with the irritant, the disease will recur.

To identify the pathogen, the following procedures are prescribed:

• allergy tests;
• blood test for immunoglobulins;
• immunoblotting.

A person prone to allergic reactions must exclude from life all factors that provoke an acute immune response:

• dust;
• animals;
• clothes made from natural wool;
• bedding with fillings such as down and feathers;
• some products, for example, honey, citrus fruits, chocolate, etc.;
• aggressive hygiene and washing products;
• some medicines.

If the allergen is no longer present in a person's life, the risk of recurrence of allergic bronchitis will be minimized. To prevent exacerbations, it is important to follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle:

• give up bad habits such as alcohol, cigarettes;
• improve nutrition;
• give preference to active pastime to a sedentary lifestyle;
• undergo sanatorium-resort treatment once a year;
• eliminate the stress factor.

To relieve the pathological symptoms of bronchitis of an allergic nature, certain groups of medications are prescribed:

• Antihistamines. They block the histamine receptor, stopping the acute immune response to a foreign protein.
• Expectorants, mucolytics. The drugs dilute the secretion and accelerate its removal from the bronchi. Mucoltics are used to thin the cough, and after the cough becomes productive, the doctor prescribes expectorants. There are new generation medications that combine the effects of mucolytics and expectorants.
• Glucocorticoids. They are prescribed only in exceptional situations when attacks of allergic bronchitis cannot be controlled with the above medications. Drugs in this group have anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects, help relieve swelling, and reduce vascular permeability. The course of therapy and dose are determined by the doctor individually. Including glucocorticosteroids into your treatment regimen on your own is fraught with negative consequences and complications.
• Sedatives. Some patients who have experienced attacks of allergic bronchitis are terrified of their recurrence. They are worried about the fear of death from suffocation, panic attacks at the slightest breathing problems. To make you feel better and reduce psycho-emotional stress, the doctor will prescribe sedatives.

In order for drug therapy to give the most positive effect, it is recommended to additionally follow simple measures to prevent the disease:

• change bed linen daily and do wet cleaning of the room;
• try to completely eliminate contact with allergens, including aggressive hygiene products, powders, and detergents;
• ventilate the room several times a day;
• remove objects that collect dust from the room: carpets, upholstered furniture and toys, books, curtains;
• try not to contact pets.

A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, giving up bad habits and eliminating irritating factors will help avoid exacerbation of allergies, the development of allergic bronchitis and its complications.

Make an appointment with a doctor

Mukaltin

These sour cough tablets have been familiar to us since childhood. The active ingredient “Mukaltina” is marshmallow root (that’s where this herbaceous smell comes from). "Mukaltin" is safe and cheap, it thins mucus and removes it. The positive effect of “Mukaltin” has been confirmed for decades, so doctors continue to prescribe it for coughs. The only drawback is that children often do not want to take these pills because they have a specific sour taste.

Mukaltin

Vifitech/Vilar, Russia; Medisorb, Russia; JSC "Tatkhimfarmpreparaty", Russia; Update, Russia; CJSC "Moscow Pharmaceutical Factory", Russia; JSC Avexima, Russia; JSC Pharmstandard-UfaVITA, Russia

Respiratory tract diseases (including laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma), gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers.
from 6

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Cost of treatment for allergic bronchitis

The cost of treatment for allergic bronchitis for each patient is calculated individually, taking into account factors such as:

• degree of neglect of the pathology;
• presence of associated complications
• duration of therapy, etc.

It's cheaper with us

• Beneficial programs for annual placement, pregnancy management, medical examination and “check-up” with discounts from the price list to 25%
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