How Dry Winter Air Can Cause Respiratory Problems— From Bronchitis to Nosebleeds – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Few aspects of colder weather months can be as irritating as dry winter air. (Well, maybe when your snow plow service doesn’t show up!) From fly-away hair to scaly skin, the cold winter air can wreak havoc on your body’s appearance. But did you know that dry winter air also can make you vulnerable to illness?

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Breathing dry air can cause respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and nosebleeds. Breathing dry air also can cause dehydration since body fluids are depleted during respiration.

“Your sinuses will dry out,” says family medicine physician Daniel Allan, MD. “The mucus that normally should be gooey and thick and can trap infection gets drier. So you’re more likely to get a cold because your mucus is not as able to catch things that you breathe in.”

Why you should use a humidifier

Cold winter air is dry because it holds less moisture than warm air. Because wintertime humidity is so low, what little moisture that is around is quickly sucked up into the air. So moisture evaporates more quickly from your body, which dries out your skin, makes a desert of the inside of your nose and leaves your throat parched.

What’s worse is that the furnaces that heat our homes can contribute to the problem by pumping our houses full of hot, dry air.

One way to combat the dryness is to add a humidifier — either for the whole home or within certain rooms. Another effective way to add moisture to the air is to place large bowls of water around the home. The water evaporates and adds moisture.

Home humidity levels should be somewhere between 30% and 50%, Dr. Allan says. Don’t overdo the humidity. Too much can cause mold growth and encourage dust and possibly cause respiratory issues, he says.

Why you also need to up your hydration

If you’re already someone who is prone toward dehydration (we mean you with the dry, flaky, itchy winter skin), Dr. Allan recommends a few simple steps.

“Increasing your fluid intake is always good,” Dr. Allan says. “The other way to treat it from the inside is to take omega-3 supplements. That can help normalize the fat in your skin cells, which helps keep the moisture trapped, and helps keep the oils on the surface of your skin.”

Other tips for guarding against dry winter skin include:

1. Shorter showers.
2. Warm (instead of scalding hot) showers.
3. Apply a natural moisturizer (like coconut oil) before getting out of the shower to trap the moisture on top of your skin.

Can Cold Air Cause a Dry Cough?

Is Your AC the Reason for Your Cough?

Current concerns over viruses and communicable sicknesses have really changed the way people deal with the symptoms of an illness, such as coughing and sneezing. A cough or sneeze can travel quite a distance in the air, this is why wearing a mask in public and practicing good social distance can do a lot to keep you and your community safe and healthy.

Still, it can be hard to show any signs of illness in public without strangers assuming you’re carrying the virus, and this can be particularly aggravating for people who regularly cough easily due to cold or dry air. Additionally, with seasonal allergies, even a minor sneeze can be misconstrued. In this article, experts cover the common causes of coughing and what you can do to improve your air quality.

What Causes a Cough?

Because most viruses and illnesses cause respiratory issues, one of the main symptoms of these conditions is a cough. But coughing can be caused by a variety of situations, some of them temporary, and some of them permanent. Some of the other more common reasons for coughing can include:

• If the person is a smoker.
• Someone who has asthma may cough regularly.
• Drinking liquid going down an airway instead of the esophagus.
• Clearing the throat due to allergies.
• Dust or pollen prone spaces can lead to coughing.
• Some medications can cause coughing.
• Acid reflux disease or GERD.
• Post-nasal drip.
• Cold and dry air.

The last one is an aspect that is often overlooked by people, but cold-induced asthma is not an uncommon occurrence.

Cold air can cause a person to cough because when the cold air reaches a person’s airway, the lungs will automatically react by tightening.

And because cold air typically has less moisture in it, it can dry out the airways, which can cause them to spasm. This can trigger an asthma attack which can lead to coughing. As you can see, though, there are plenty of reasons why a person may cough and not all of them are related to illness.

How Does an AC Impact a Cough?

In the summer, it’s common for many homes to crank up their air conditioner in an attempt to keep cool. But the air conditioner can also exacerbate coughing spells as well.

Sometimes this is due to poor air quality due to a dirty or clogged HVAC filter, or increased spread of allergens, but sometimes this is due to the setting you choose on your thermostat.

Many air conditioners have two basic settings that many homeowners don’t understand how to use: ON and AUTO. There is a difference, though, and understanding them may help alleviate coughing episodes. ON means your AC fan is constantly blowing even when your AC system isn’t currently working to heat or cool the air.

AUTO means the fan only turns on when your system is heating or cooling the air. If you find yourself coughing more frequently when your AC is running, try experimenting with different settings to see which one works best for you. Additionally, adjusting temperatures can also help lower your energy costs, a win-win for any homeowner.

Humidity Can Help

The level of humidity in your home is often overlooked when it comes to reasons for coughing, but humidity can have as much, or even more, bearing on personal comfort than the temperature.

In some cases, humidity needs can be met with a portable humidifier. But if you have dry air throughout your home, that causes chronic coughing, it may be worth adding a whole-house humidifier.

Besides helping alleviate coughing, adding humidity can also come with some of the following benefits:

• Relieving Irritated Sinuses
• Decreasing Dry Skin
• Cutting Down on Excessive Snoring
• Eliminating Sore Throats
• Reducing Cracked Lips and Nose Bleeds

You can experiment with a portable humidifier to see if it helps your coughing, and if it does, then maybe consider a whole-home humidifier for your space for long term comfort.

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A complete guide to coughs

Everyone has suffered from a cough. However, not every cough justifies a visit to the urgent care for examination by doctors. Understanding why and how you cough can help you know what to do to relieve your cough on your own and recognize when your cough signifies something serious.

Why do we cough?

Coughing is a natural reflex by your body to irritation in your respiratory system. When it coughs, your body is attempting to use a burst of air to dislodge the source of the irritation. In this respect, a cough is similar to a sneeze.

The source of the irritation could be foreign substances, such as particulates from polluted air, dust or smoke. However, during cold and flu season, the irritation is most likely mucus or cold, dry air.

Both colds and flu are caused by viruses. The cold virus, called rhinovirus, causes congestion, sore throat, cough and runny nose. The flu virus, called influenza, causes fever, body aches, congestion, fatigue, cough, sore throat and runny nose. Between the two, the flu is much more serious. For some vulnerable patients, such as the elderly, infants and people with compromised immune systems, the flu can be fatal.

Whether your cough is caused by a cold or the flu, the congestion, sore throat and runny nose will irritate your respiratory system into coughing. Compounding the situation, winter air dries out the tissues in the nose, throat and lungs.

While coughing is intended to clear your respiratory system of irritants, coughs can cause other complications. Coughing expels germ-laden saliva and mucus into the air, spreading contagious diseases like tuberculosis, cold, flu or whooping cough. A violent cough can strain muscles in the chest, cause fainting from reduced blood flow to the brain, trigger vomiting from abdominal muscle spasms, rupture blood vessels in the eyes, and induce headaches. Coughing can result in fatigue and insomnia when it deprives you of sleep.

What are some tips for treating a cough?

There is no cure for the cold or flu virus. Rather, treatment of colds and mild cases of the flu usually focuses on reducing symptoms. As noted above, coughs are caused by irritation of the lungs and throat. Most cough medicines and natural cough treatments fall into three categories:

• Desensitize the throat with a topical anesthetic
• Block the cough reflex with an antitussive
• Thin out the mucus with an expectorant

Both over-the-counter cough treatments and natural cough remedies are discussed in greater detail later.

Other approaches for treating a cough include:

Prevention: The best way to treat a cough is not to catch the cough in the first place. Prevention includes simple steps such as getting a flu shot around October every year and washing your hands thoroughly before eating or touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Also, be courteous to others by covering your mouth when you cough. You should also plan on staying home, if possible, when you have a contagious virus. This will prevent spreading your cough to others.

Hydration: Doctors recommend drinking lots of fluids, such as water, juice and soup when you have a cough. This thins out the mucus and helps you to cough it out.

Steam: Like fluids, steam can help loosen mucus. Equally importantly, steam can moisturize the lining of your throat and lungs. This makes them less prone to irritation from cold, dry or dusty air. A hot shower or bath, for example, can relieve muscle aches and chills from the flu and reduce coughing.

Clean: Pollen, dust, animal fur and other allergens can cause or worsen a cough. Vacuuming and dusting your home can reduce the irritants that reach your respiratory system. Cleaning surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs and countertops with sanitary wipes can reduce the transmission of viruses. Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces for several hours.

What is the difference between cough suppressant and expectorant?

For over-the-counter cough remedies, you have several options. Topical anesthetics, such as throat sprays and mentholated cough drops, suppress the cough reflex by numbing the throat to irritants. You should just keep in mind that some cough drops contain sugar, which can lead to tooth decay when they are held in the mouth as they dissolve. Look for sugar-free cough drops if you plan to use them.

Antitussives, the medical name for cough suppressants, stop the cough reflex within the brain stem. In other words, the irritant in your respiratory system is still there, but your brain is dulled from reacting to it by triggering a cough.

You can usually identify antitussives because they include -tussin or -tussive in their name and contain dextromethorphan, often abbreviated DM. Dextromethorphan is derived from opiates and should be avoided when driving or engaging in other activities that become dangerous when your thinking and reflexes are dulled.

Expectorants do not directly stop coughing. However, they increase the moisture content of mucus so you can cough it up. After you cough up the mucus irritating your lungs, you will naturally cough less because the irritant is gone. Be aware, however, that this only works with wet coughs that produce phlegm. Dry coughs will not be helped by expectorants and must be treated with suppressants or anesthetics.

Is it OK to give cough syrup to kids?

Over-the-counter cough medicines should not be given to children under two years old, except under the direction of a physician. In fact, most cough and cold medications designed for children include directions not to give them to children under four years old, because of the risk of overdose. Thus, for infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, you should avoid any over-the-counter cold or cough medicines unless directed by a doctor.

Older children (school-aged children and teenagers) can use over-the-counter cough medications. However, the FDA recommends vigilance about any prescription cough medication that includes opiates, such as codeine and hydrocodone, for anyone under the age of 18 because of the risks of overdose and addiction.

What are some natural remedies for cough?

Natural cough remedies can be effective. There are many natural substances that create the same effects as over-the-counter cough medications. For example:

• Mint: Mint tea, mint candies and mint leaves can desensitize the throat to irritation, thereby reducing coughing.
• Honey: Honey coats the throat and reduces throat irritation. Honey is also an antimicrobial agent.
• Hot drinks: As mentioned above, steam moisturizes the respiratory system, reducing irritation by cold, dry or dusty air. Steam also loosens mucus, making it more likely to dislodge through coughing.

When should I see a doctor about a cough?

Coughs usually improve after about seven days and clear up completely after about two weeks. If a cough persists for more than two weeks, you may want to visit an urgent care facility to be seen by one of its doctors. Urgent care doctors are accustomed to diagnosing coughs. In fact, according to the Urgent Care Association, respiratory illnesses — acute upper respiratory infection, acute sinusitis, acute pharyngitis, cough and acute bronchitis — are the most commonly treated conditions at urgent care clinics across the country.

Other signs that you may need to visit urgent care for a cough include:

• Wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Bloody phlegm
• Thick, yellow or green mucus
• Chest pain or tightness in the chest
• Fever that persists for more than a few days

These symptoms may be a sign of something more serious than a cold or flu. Examples of serious illnesses that can cause a cough include pneumonia, lung infection, bronchitis or asthma. A cough may be a sign of a potentially fatal condition, such as tuberculosis, whooping cough, lung cancer or cystic fibrosis.

For mild cases, you should be aware that coughs can worsen or improve based on many factors. On a cold day, you may experience a worsening of your cough because cold air is naturally less humid than warm air and dries out your nose, throat and lungs.

Why is my cough worse at night?

You may find your cough seems worse at night. Lying down can cause mucus to drain from your nose and sinuses into your throat, irritating it. Moreover, your nose and throat tend to dry out while you sleep. These factors can combine to exacerbate a cough. To avoid a worsening cough at night, doctors often recommend using a humidifier to keep your respiratory system moist and sleeping with your head elevated.

A cough is a natural, even healthy response to mucus in your respiratory system. However, coughing spreads disease and can make a cold or flu more miserable through sleeplessness, muscle strains and cough-induced vomiting. Relieving a cough using natural remedies or over-the-counter drugs can help minimize complications from coughs.

Download this guide so the next time you get a cough, you will have answers to common questions, tips on natural remedies, and feel confident in knowing when it’s time to head to an  Indigo Urgent Care near you. Our professional team of certified providers are ready to help diagnose, form a treatment plan and get you back on track to feeling better. 

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Could a Dry Cough Be Caused by Cold Air?

Understanding the True Source of Your Dry Cough

People are becoming more and more aware of all of the negative implications of having a dry cough, especially with the recent viral news going around. Anyone suffering from a cough for any reason, viral or not, is getting more than a second glance.

In order to control the worry and concern, local technicians have compiled information about how to control some of the home-based elements that are causes for coughing.

What Causes a Dry Cough?

Coughing is a reflex that the body has when trying to clear the airway of mucus (considered a “productive” cough) and irritants like allergens (often considered a “nonproductive” cough).

A nonproductive, or dry, cough, can happen for a variety of different non-viral reasons. Some of the most common include asthma, allergies, and acid reflux, but it can also be caused by factors inside the home.

Cold, dry air can actually trigger the airways of people suffering from asthma to spasm, which can lead to tightening of the airways and a dry cough. There is also a condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, commonly nicknamed “air conditioner lung.”

This medical issue causes symptoms as soon as the person who has it steps into an air-conditioned room and involves symptoms like shortness of breath and a dry cough. The treatment is having an HVAC technician check to make sure the system is in regular working order, and changing the filters regularly.

What Temperature Should the Home Be Kept At?

Even though it may feel better temporarily, keeping the home too cold during the summer can actually contribute to issues like a dry cough. As the temperature drops in the home, so does the moisture content in the air. If the air isn’t moist enough, the nasal passages and throat tend to dry out fairly quickly.

According to a tip from the United States Department of Energy, the optimal temperature for your home in the summer is actually 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only does this save the homeowner on cooling costs, but it also can help reduce the likelihood of developing an air conditioner related to dry cough.

In addition to keeping the home’s temperature from getting too cold, homeowners should also regularly check their own air filter. A dirty filter that is unable to thoroughly filter out particulate matter can also make a dry cough worse. It may also cause the system to develop mold, which can even further exacerbate asthma and allergies symptoms.

How Humidifiers Can Help

For anyone suffering from a dry cough, there is a simple product that can help. Humidifiers work by adding moisture to the air in the home, which is often a problem in the summer. Air that has a higher moisture content is better for soothing and lubricating airways, specifically the nasal cavity and the throat.

When the throat is getting a proper amount of moisture, people are far less prone to having a dry cough. There are both warm-mist and cool-mist humidifiers on the market. Generally speaking, cool-mist humidifiers are better for people dealing with non-viral dry coughs.

However, they also have more of a tendency to promote mold and bacteria growth, so they need to be monitored daily to prevent it (as well as mineral build-up). Finding the right air quality solution for your home can be a challenge. Be sure to contact a local expert if you need help, and enjoy some cough relief in your home today!

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Remedies for a Dry Cough at Night

You’re exhausted and need shuteye more than ever, but that nagging cough just won’t allow it. You know you’ll feel better after some zzz’s, but how? While there’s no instant fix, you can take steps to help minimize your symptoms, making way for a restful night.

Take an OTC Medication

If you have a cold, an over-the-counter medicine such as Delsym^® Cough+ Night Time can help pave the way to less coughing so you can sleep better. It doesn’t contain stimulants commonly found in daytime cold medicines, and helps reduce coughing and other symptoms that interfere with sleep, such as nasal congestion and body aches. Just make sure you follow dosage instructions, keeping in mind that Delsym® Night Time cold medications aren’t suitable for children under the age of 12.

Use a Humidifier

Dry air plus coughing isn’t a good combo. Breathing in dry air can worsen, or may even cause, a dry cough. A humidifier can help alleviate nighttime symptoms by adding moisture to the air. While a warm-mist humidifier may seem most soothing, choose a cool-mist option for kids as the hot steam could cause burns if your child gets too close. Empty and dry the humidifier daily to keep the device clean and stave off mold and bacterial buildup.

Take a Steamy Shower

Close to a third of those surveyed by the National Sleep Foundation said a relaxing bath or shower near bedtime helped them rest easier. When you have a dry cough, this practice may invite even more perks. If you don’t have a humidifier, a warm shower can work just like it, adding moisture to the air and your throat, helping to ease your symptoms. To extend the steam benefits, linger in the bathroom afterward with the door closed.

Try a Lozenge or Herbal Tea

Lozenges containing menthol numb the back of your throat, which can help reduce the urge to cough. Just make sure you finish your cough drop before you sleep to prevent choking. Sipping hot decaffeinated tea before bed may also help by decreasing dryness in your throat. If you don’t know what tea to drink, try a caffeine-free chamomile tea. Though the research is limited to how effective chamomile is in encouraging relaxation, a small clinical trial published in Molecular Medicine Report in 2010 showed that cardiac patients were able to fall into deep sleep after drinking chamomile tea.

Summary

A dry cough can make restful sleep difficult. Humidifiers, steamy showers, hot tea and OTC medications can help.

References

Keywords

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• coughing at night
• sleep with cough
• nighttime cough-remedy

When Your Cough is a Symptom of Poor IAQ

It seems like cold and flu viruses start going around the minute winter hits Woodbridge, Virginia, doesn’t it? This winter, if you start experiencing cold symptoms that persist longer than you think they should, bad indoor air quality (IAQ) could be contributing to your illness. To feel better this winter, make sure to observe a regular HVAC maintenance schedule.

The Symptoms of Bad IAQ

You may be overlooking bad IAQ in winter because the symptoms are so similar to colds and the flu. Coughing, a sore throat, watery or red eyes, tightness in your chest, and sometimes difficulty breathing are symptoms of IAQ that you may be misreading.

Keep Your Filters Clean

When you notice flu-like symptoms that aren’t going away, check your air filters. They are responsible for keeping the air in your home clean. If you have the basic fiberglass variety, try upgrading to one with a slightly higher MERV rating that will catch more dust and debris. Change them once a month to keep your air fresh.

Watch Your Humidity Levels

We all feel the high summer humidity levels, especially when the AC stops working, but low humidity can be just as damaging. Cold air is drier, and if the humidity in your home gets too low, it can cause symptoms such as dry eyes and a dry cough. You may also notice excessive dry skin. Add a humidifier to your HVAC system, or get a portable humidifier for your bedroom. It will help with the winter dryness.

Try An ERV

HVAC systems are designed to ventilate, but your home might need a little extra help, especially if it’s older. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is an extremely efficient way to ventilate your home, replacing the stale indoor air with filtered, fresh air from outside.

At Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning, we can help you to eliminate bad IAQ from your home so that you and your family can keep healthy this winter. Give us a call today at 703-783-0145.

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Benefits of Humidifiers | Rush System

Winter in the North is brutal. Not only do you have to trudge through snow and brace against the wind, but, most likely, your lips are chapped, your skin is itchy and you’ve already been sick at least once.

While you can’t do much about the snow or wind, using a humidifier can help combat the harsh effects of winter weather by adding moisture to the air in your home.

Because winter air has low humidity, it can dry out your skin and mucous membranes, making your skin itchy, your throat scratchy and your nose sometimes bleed. This dry air may also aggravate sinus troubles or asthma and cause discomfort if you have a cold or cough.

Finding a solution

“A humidifier is especially helpful for people with certain upper respiratory conditions like sinusitis or an asthma flare-up, and for certain skin conditions,” says Shaila Pai-Verma, MD, a primary care doctor at Rush University Medical Center.

You don’t need to use a humidifier continuously throughout the winter, but if you have an upper respiratory infection, a cold or a bout of extremely dry skin, you can use it until your symptoms go away, recommends Pai-Verma.

Some homes have a central humidifier that connects to the heating system. For those homes without, portable humidifiers are available in two main types: cool mist and warm mist.

Both release moisture into the air; however, Pai-Verma recommends choosing a cool mist humidifier. A warm mist humidifier is a safety hazard, especially if you have children, because it can cause burns from the heated water.

Taking care of your humidifier

No matter which type of humidifier you choose, it’s crucial to properly clean and maintain it. “If you don’t, you’re opening yourself up to more health problems,” says Pai-Verma. “Mold and bacteria can grow and then be released into the air.”

To prevent this, follow the maintenance instructions that come with your humidifier. After each use, drain the remaining water in the machine and wipe it dry. Every three days, it’s best to clean it with either a dilute bleach or peroxide solution and scrape off any scale build-up inside.

For more information on cleaning and maintaining your humidifier, read the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations on the use and care of home humidifiers.

As long as you keep it clean, a humidifier can definitely help make you more comfortable during the winter.

Here are some other recommendations for using and maintaining your humidifier:

• Use a hygrometer — readily available at home improvement and electronics stores — to measure the humidity in your home. An ideal humidity level is between 30 to 40 percent. If you have moisture droplets on your window, the air inside is too humid.
• Use distilled water instead of tap water in your humidifier to minimize the amount of white sediment that can form in the machine and get released into the air.
• Make sure the area around your humidifier is dry and that it’s not leaking water.
• Use a bottle brush to clean the narrow parts of the humidifier and remove sediment.
• If your humidifier has a filter, change it frequently to prevent bacteria and mold from growing in it.
• After using your humidifier, prep it for storage by cleaning it and drying it thoroughly.

You may want to consider replacing your humidifier each season because scale can build up over time and become harder to clean thoroughly. If you use your humidifier more often, think about replacing it more often.

“As long as you keep it clean, a humidifier can definitely help make you more comfortable during the winter,” says Pai-Verma.

Severe dry cough – treatment methods

Contents:

Coughing attacks

Causes of cough

Features of dry cough

Diagnosis of dry cough

Treatment of dry cough

As a rule, cough is caused by various diseases of the respiratory system. The problem is that dry cough is difficult to treat, so doctors usually try to translate it into a cough with phlegm. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed medications for coughs or is offered to cure a cough with traditional medicine on natural products and herbs.

Causes of dry cough

Cough is a reflex of the body. Cough manifests itself at moments of irritation of the nerve endings in the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. The entire system, in turn, is divided into two sections – upper and lower. The upper includes the nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx and trachea, and the lower – the bronchi and lungs.

An infection – bacterial or viral – can cause inflammation in any of these respiratory organs.
Mucosal irritation and coughing can be caused by protozoa.Depending on the underlying cause of a severe dry cough, your doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment option. It would seem that everything is simple, but the causative agents of infectious diseases can be determined only after examining sputum, and with a dry cough, a person does not have it. What to do in such cases? Some doctors prescribe cough medicine without being sure of the cause of the cough. This can lead to the development of complications. A more correct approach is to transfer the cough to the wet stage.

Features of dry cough

Cough is dangerous because it serves as a signal of the presence of more serious inflammatory processes in the body.The symptoms of a dry cough depend on which organ of the respiratory system is affected. With inflammation of the pharynx, a dry cough is accompanied by discomfort in the throat and severe burning of the mucous membrane. Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) is characterized by a barking cough and a hoarse voice. If you do not take treatment for laryngitis, a severe cough can develop into bouts of choking. If these diseases are caused by fungi, the cough becomes chronic and prolonged.

In inflammatory processes in the trachea, cough is, among other things, accompanied by pain in the sternum.Inflammation of the bronchi and lungs (pneumonia) is characterized by a strong deaf cough, as well as dull pain. Pleurisy (inflammation of the serous membrane of the lungs) is characterized by a dry cough and severe pain. Sometimes the pain is so severe that patients try not to inhale too deeply. Tuberculosis in the initial stages can be recognized by a mild but persistent cough. Finally, the worst disease – lung cancer – manifests itself in the form of a chronic cough.

Diagnosis with dry cough

If a dry cough begins suddenly and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, a runny nose and general weakness of the body, we can talk about acute respiratory diseases.In this case, the doctor checks the lungs for wheezing. If he does not find them, they try to transfer the dry cough to the wet stage to investigate the cause of the disease.

When the cough does not go away within a week, and the temperature does not subside, a series of tests should be done. A general blood test and fluorography are prescribed. With these procedures, you can establish tuberculosis, pneumonia and pleurisy. Based on the research results, the type of cough treatment is prescribed.

When the cough increases day by day, but other symptoms of inflammation are not observed, this may indicate diseases of the respiratory system or lung cancer.To establish a particular diagnosis and pinpoint the cause of a severe dry cough, you should consult a doctor for a thorough examination.

Treatment of dry cough

Treatment is most effective if the causative agent of dry cough is known. Therefore, before starting cough treatment, it is recommended to accurately identify the fungus or virus that causes dry cough. The patient is first given special drugs for coughing, which facilitate the formation of phlegm in the respiratory system.After that, the sputum is taken for analysis.

In addition, agents for the formation of sputum help to remove pathogens from the body along with it. Other cough medicines are expectorants that make it easier to separate and remove phlegm from the bronchi.

Alternative medicine can also be used to treat severe cough. A famous recipe is radish. You need to mix radish juice with honey and drink one teaspoon several times a day. However, if the patient’s cough persists and is accompanied by other complications, you should consult a doctor.

How to treat a lingering cough in an adult

According to the literature, the cause of chronic cough can be postnasal syndrome, or postnasal flow syndrome. It is a consequence of a number of ENT diseases, for example, inflammation of the nasal mucosa of a different nature (allergic, viral, bacterial nature, rhinitis of pregnant women, rhinitis medicamentosa) ^6.7 .

All these diseases are accompanied by increased formation of secretions (secretions) in the nasal cavity.Part of the secretion flows down the back of the pharynx into the lower respiratory tract, where the cough receptors are located. The secret irritates them, which contributes to the appearance of the cough reflex ⁶ .

In addition, the developing inflammation of the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the pharynx and larynx further increases the sensitivity of the cough receptors ⁶ .

Typical symptoms of postnasal syndrome are mucus dripping down the throat, constant desire to cough up, hoarseness, nasal congestion.Cough occurs only in 20% of patients ⁶ .

Thus, the cough in postnasal syndrome is unproductive, dry, but patients most often perceive it as wet. This sensation is due to the presence of mucus ¹⁰ flowing down from the nasopharynx in the upper respiratory tract.

Treatment
In case of a cough reflex, which appears against the background of postnasal syndrome, the underlying disease must be treated ⁷ .

90,000 How to treat a cough and how to do it correctly

Coughing is a reflex, not an independent disease.Reaction to an external stimulus in the form of a bacteria or infection that ARVI brings with it. What happens when a cough starts with a high fever, chills and snot? We begin in all possible and impossible ways to get rid of him and the disease itself, which led to the cough. But often we do not know how to do it correctly, delaying or aggravating the treatment. About what kind of cough happens and whether it is worth treating it at all, we talk about in this article.

Why does cough occur?

If we describe a cough as a mechanical process, then this is our body’s attempts to get rid of infections and bacteria, dust, foreign body, phlegm.In fact, it is a self-defense and self-healing mechanism. In rare cases, cough is an independent disease and requires immediate treatment. More often it is an attached symptom of an existing disease or its complication. Experts do not recommend stopping it, because it helps the body cleanse itself, but it is possible and necessary to alleviate the condition and eliminate the source (in the nose, throat, nasopharynx, bronchi and trachea). If the reflex is suppressed, then the sputum will go deeper into the lungs, which can cause inflammation and serious complications.

Cough receptors are found not only along the respiratory tract, in the nasopharynx, trachea, bronchi and pleura. They are even in the ear canals, in the stomach and diaphragm, in the pericardial sac, so sometimes the reflex is triggered when you clean your ears with cotton swabs.

Causes of cough

• Runny nose. Any degree, with viscous discharge or transparent mucous flow. The disease occurs due to the fact that mucus either stands in the nasopharynx, or flows down the back wall, which irritates the upper respiratory tract.It is enough to start immediate treatment of the common cold. Washings with saline solutions, furacilin solution, Dolphin, Polidex or Isofra rinsing solution when discharge with signs of pus appears, Derinat immunomodulatory drops, Pinosol plant drops based on eucalyptus, mint, pine oils are well suited.
• Viral infection. It develops in the same way and requires exclusively symptomatic treatment. The main feature is that it cannot be treated with antibiotics. It is accompanied by a runny nose, swollen mucous membranes, sore throat.If you do not have time to start treatment in time, the virus “descends” to the lower floors and passes to the bronchi as a complication, causing bronchitis, acute bronchitis, pneumonia. The cough in this case will be moist, with sputum coming off.
• Pneumonia. It develops either as a complication of an untreated and poorly tolerated cold, or as an independent disease of a viral nature. Pneumonia is often accompanied by high fever, weakness and shortness of breath, and fever. In this case, the cough may not appear immediately.So, if the symptoms of a common cold do not disappear after 3-5 days, the temperature persists, there is a painful cough, or it just begins to appear with sputum coming off, it is time to consult a specialist for antibiotics.
• Taking medications. Some medicines for high blood pressure can provoke a cough as a side effect. This happens often, but not for everyone.
• Smoking. Long-term smoking and exposure to the body of toxic chemical compounds of tobacco smoke lead to obstructive pulmonary disease, when the cough becomes chronic.The result of the disease is an irreversible reduction in air flow in the airways. Tissues suffer constant irritation, resulting in chronic tissue inflammation.
• Allergy. Asthma. An equal sign can be put between these concepts, because an allergic cough is akin to a mild form of asthma. In this case, the airways experience an immune response to the stimulus. People who experience hay fever in spring and autumn often suffer from allergic coughs. But it can also pose a real threat when it is a consequence of Quincke’s allergic edema.In this situation, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible. Asthma, on the other hand, is a chronic somatic disease that has a similar allergic mechanism, when edema and bronchospasm occur. An asthmatic cough is characterized by wheezing, wheezing, difficult breathing, and a persistent feeling of congestion and tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. Bronchial obstruction is partially or completely reversible, spontaneously or under the influence of treatment.
• Serious lung pathology. They speak for themselves.Any violation of the integrity of this organ, such as tumors, can lead to coughing. If a suspicious, persistent cough appears, it is important to undergo a complete medical examination and take action as soon as possible.

How to choose cough medicine

In order to choose the right cough medicine, it is important to first understand its nature. The selection of drugs is carried out taking into account the following circumstances:

1. type of cough – productive / dry
2. presence / absence of sputum;
3. The cause of the cough is ENT disease, allergy, etc.

Dry cough treatment

What is a dry cough? It is also called unproductive. It is characterized by a significant difficulty in the discharge of sputum, its meager amount or none at all when coughing. At this stage, treatment will focus on making the cough productive and promoting the liquefaction and discharge of sputum. The important point is not to suppress the reflex, otherwise thick and viscous sputum that could not leave the lungs and bronchi will cause serious complications.

How to treat: Sinecod preparations, Linkas, Herbion syrup, Dr. Mom syrup.

A nebulizer for inhalation with medications will help get rid of dry cough and make it productive. This procedure is very effective in treating dry coughs. The action of the drugs introduced into the body with the help of the device will begin faster and the drug will enter the focus exactly. Basically, suitable for a nebulizer: saline, the combined use of saline and medicinal solutions (Berodual, Pulmicort – on the recommendation of a specialist)

Sputum cough treatment

If the cough was initially sputum or dry changed to productive, it is important to dilute the phlegm in order to facilitate and accelerate its excretion.Such drugs are aimed at the earliest possible excretion of sputum, the removal of the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract.

At this stage, expectorants, bronchodilators are needed.

• Acetylcysteine ​​- this substance effectively dilutes mucous secretions, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Acetylcysteine-based drugs are most often used to treat dry cough, no more than 7 days. How to treat: ACC, Fluimucil, Vicks Active
• Ambroxol is an effective substance that is used in the treatment of dry cough. How to treat: Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Ambroxol, Flavamed.
• Carbocisteine ​​- means with it improve the elasticity of the viscous secretion, accelerate the period of its discharge, convert dry cough into wet one. How to treat: Libexin; Fluditek; Bronchobos; Fluifort.
• Bromhexine – in addition to the sputum-thinning action, it has a weak secretomotor effect. How to treat: Bromhexine; Bronhosan; Solvin.

Treatment of allergic cough

With an allergic reaction, the cough is spasmodic, dry and productive.Sometimes it breaks down to “barking”, maybe with a small amount of phlegm. It occurs upon contact with an allergen, with prolonged exposure, in a sluggish state it can develop into asthma. Such a cough can be protracted and misleading, provoking useless medication. It is important to understand the nature of the cough and start treatment on time. To eliminate allergic cough, antihistamines are suitable: erius, zirtek, tsetrin, telfast.

How to quickly cure a cough at home

Folk recipes and “grandmother’s” advice can also provide the body with significant support in getting rid of cough.To get rid of the trouble quickly at home, it is important to follow several rules: do not use all the remedies and immediately, in the hope of a quick recovery from the disease, know the measure and possible individual reactions.

• Herbal decoctions and inhalations. Pine buds are an excellent proven remedy that helps to quickly get rid of a cough at home. Take the broth should be 1/3 cup 3 times a day with meals. Store the ready-made infusion in the refrigerator.Duration of admission can be up to 2-3 weeks.

• A couple of boiled potatoes or rice. They soften the respiratory tract, and the substances in the vapors help relieve swelling and inflammation.
• Onions with honey are an effective antitussive remedy at home. It is very important to pay attention to honey in this drug. If there is a tendency to allergies, especially to bee products, it is better to put this recipe aside. Pass the onion through a meat grinder or beat in a blender in mashed potatoes, add honey and eat 2 teaspoons 3-4 times a day.And this is provided that you love onions and do not plan to leave the house.
• Honey with milk and soda. An important nuance – the temperature of milk should not exceed 60 degrees, because all the useful substances of honey simply lose their properties and are destroyed at higher temperatures.
• Honey with ginger and garlic. perhaps the most courageous thrill-seeker will decide on such a drug, but having made up his mind, he will definitely not regret it. Ginger and garlic are known for their valuable anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties.In the form of a warm tincture, such a remedy can quickly put on your feet and shorten the duration of the cough.
• Essential oils also speed up the cough relief process. Inhalation with essential oils has a softening effect on the respiratory tract. Not recommended for children, because they can get burned. It is better for children to use a special device – a nebulizer.
• The good old mustard plasters are not only an excellent cough remedy at home, but also a remedy for hypothermia and muscle pain.An important condition is the absence of increased body temperature. Mustard plasters are contraindicated for children under 3 years old. Adults can apply for 15-30 minutes. It is undesirable to leave the mustard plaster on the body longer, so as not to get burned.

Be healthy!

How can a cough not be treated? – Center for healthy sleep

Even the healthiest person knows from his own experience what a cough is. This symptom occurs quite often, and in most cases it does not frighten either the sick person himself or his loved ones.Even if a child coughs, parents often try to cope with the problem on their own, without the help of a doctor. Meanwhile, a cough may well turn out to be quite dangerous if it is treated incorrectly or not at all.

Why do people cough?

A cough is a reflex reaction of the body. It is needed to remove foreign bodies, phlegm, infection from the respiratory tract. A dry cough is associated with irritation of the cough center, which gives a signal to constantly clear the airways.They are overloaded, and laryngitis or pharyngitis develops. A moist cough occurs when mucus and phlegm collect in the lungs. Now irritation of the cough center is necessary to cleanse the lungs.

Cough can be a symptom of tracheitis and bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, cystic fibrosis. There is also an allergic cough – the initial manifestation of bronchial asthma. Often, coughs are accompanied by ARVI, and this symptom is also characteristic of coronavirus infection.

It would seem: what can be difficult in the treatment of a common cough? On TV every day they talk about the “most modern” and “very effective” drugs that can get rid of this trouble.And our mothers and grandmothers know a thousand folk ways to cure a cough in one day, and “without any chemistry”.

But doctors consider both options to be wrong and do not tire of urging people to abandon self-medication.

Why are cough medicines dangerous?

First, let’s see what exactly we are shown in advertising. These are mainly expectorants and drugs that increase phlegm – mucus that forms in the lungs.And here lies the main problem: you need to choose not the most popular medicine, but one intended for a specific type of cough.

If the drug is chosen incorrectly:

• If you cough wet, dry coughs will block the mucus in your lungs.
• In the stagnant mucus, harmful bacteria begin to actively multiply, and the mucus itself becomes more and more.
• As a person continues to regularly take medicine, the situation worsens, bacteria spreads through the trachea, bronchi, and into the lungs.
• Tracheitis and bronchitis develop, and sometimes it even comes to pneumonia or bronchial asthma.

Cough is a debilitating symptom, so you want to get rid of it at least for a while, for example, at night, in order to get a restful sleep. Antitussive drugs do suppress coughing attacks, but at the same time block the receptors that are responsible for it. As a result, sputum is not excreted from the lungs, and this is a direct path to complications.

A person cannot accurately assess the type of his cough and choose the right drug, unless, of course, he is a doctor.That is why any medication must be used as directed by a doctor.

Cough and antibiotics

Another dangerous misconception is that coughs need to be treated with antibiotics. In fact, viruses are almost always the cause of colds. Antibiotics, however, are able to defeat only bacteria, respectively, they are powerless before such a cough.

Antibiotics are built into the metabolic process and kill bacteria: both pathogenic and beneficial, for example, living in the intestines and ensuring normal digestion.Hence – intestinal disorders, fungal lesions of the mucous membranes. When used uncontrollably, an antibiotic can create an unnecessary burden on the liver, and this is already stress for the whole organism. As a result, the immune system suffers, it becomes more difficult for it to fight the same viruses, and the cough treatment is delayed indefinitely.

Another thing is that antibiotics are prescribed when there is a risk of bronchitis, pneumonia and other complications. And this happens precisely due to the addition of a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that develops with stagnant sputum.

By the way, when prescribing antibiotics, it is imperative to tell the doctor what other drugs you are taking. For example, some expectorant drugs are incompatible with antibacterial drugs. In any case, you need to take only those medications that the doctor has prescribed, and without changing the dosage and frequency at your discretion.

Is it worth treating a cough with folk remedies?

Another flawed strategy is giving up drugs in favor of folk remedies.At first glance, natural remedies will definitely not harm the body, but this can not always be said about tablets and syrups. However, doctors point to several methods at once that will not help cure a cough:

• Mustard plasters, cups, compresses – no research has proven the effectiveness of these methods. In this way, you are more likely to burn and injure the skin, rather than warm up the lungs. And in the presence of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, some other pathologies, any warming up is generally strictly contraindicated.If the disease is accompanied by swelling of mucus, the condition can worsen dramatically.
• Home “inhalation” over a pot of hot potatoes – it is extremely difficult to accurately adjust the temperature, so there is a good chance of burning the airways. In this case, they will lose their defense mechanism, and the cough will worsen.
• Switching to herbal preparations – it is extremely difficult to accurately calculate the dosage of such funds. In addition, there is a significant risk of an allergic reaction such as edema.This can lead to new coughing fits.
• Maintaining a warm and dry microclimate in the room – if the air is too dry, sputum will have difficulty leaving the lungs, which threatens the transition of the disease into a chronic form. Inhalation of too dry air disrupts the function of interferons – substances that provide protection against the virus.

Other folk remedies (milk with honey, radishes, hot compresses, etc.) are equally likely to help fight coughs or harm.Is it worth the risk or is it better to consult a doctor who knows exactly how to treat a cough effectively and safely for the body? The answer is obvious.

How to deal with a cough?

However, it is quite possible to help the body cope with a cough. For this:

• ventilate the room more often and carry out wet cleaning;
• maintain air humidity within 40-70%;
• rinse your nose with saline to allow nasal breathing;
• drink plenty of warm liquids;
• include fresh fruits and other foods containing vitamins and nutrients in the menu;
• engage in prevention, monitor health, strengthen the body.

All other measures are only at the discretion of the attending physician. Prescribing drugs, the frequency of their administration, dosage – the solution of all these issues should be entrusted to the doctor.

Treat cough correctly and stay healthy

Mistakes in cough treatment can be very costly. This applies not only to the duration of treatment, but also to possible complications. Remember, coughing is not a disease, but a symptom. The doctor will help you pinpoint the cause of the cough, which means, quickly and effectively cure it.

Dry cough treatment 🌟 Polyclinic No. 1 RAS

Cough is a defense mechanism that occurs in response to irritation of receptors in the upper or lower respiratory tract. In the absence of pronounced pathology, cough serves as a protective and adaptive reaction of the body, allows you to eliminate the pathological substrate from the respiratory tract and prevents the development of diseases. Dry cough occurs quite often as a symptom of acute and chronic infectious diseases, allergic conditions, tumors of the respiratory tract, systemic diseases and many other conditions.Complications of a prolonged dry cough, which becomes pathological, are persistent sore throat, chest pains, headaches, and a strong, harsh cough can damage weakened lung tissue.

Infectious diseases are the most common cause of dry cough. Viral infections of the respiratory tract are accompanied by a temperature reaction, the appearance of symptoms of respiratory tract damage, a change from a dry cough to a wet one and the presence of individual symptoms specific to each disease.With the flu, the cough is usually dry, debilitating, appears against a background of high fever and is caused by damage to the larynx, trachea and bronchi. With parainfluenza, the symptoms differ little from the flu, usually the temperature reaction is less pronounced, laryngitis is more common. With pharyngitis (inflammation of the posterior pharyngeal wall) against the background of severe perspiration, pain appears, an increasing feeling of pressure, leading to constant “coughing”. With laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx), the cough is dry, constant, “barking”, accompanied by pain and hoarseness.The cough with tracheitis is usually painful, accompanied by severe soreness in the chest. Dry cough as one of the main symptoms occurs in pleurisy – inflammation of the parietal pleura covering the lung tissue. Such a cough is usually accompanied by pain, provoked by a deep breath, a change in body position, with the progression of the disease, it disappears and turns into shortness of breath. A bacterial disease such as whooping cough is accompanied by a paroxysmal dry cough, after which there may be bouts of vomiting and thick sputum.

Chronic diseases that lead to dry cough include bronchial asthma, papillomatous growths (HPV warts) in the respiratory tract, tuberculosis, tumors, chronic left ventricular failure and others. Bronchial asthma is manifested by expiratory shortness of breath (difficulty in exhaling), with a cough form – dry cough with the release of a small amount of “vitreous sputum” in response to the action of an allergen. Pulmonary tuberculosis can present with a persistent dry cough with a slightly elevated temperature, night sweats, and weight loss.Tumor-like growths in the larynx, trachea, bronchi can lead to constant irritation of the receptor field and the appearance of a dry cough.

Diagnostics and treatment of conditions accompanied by dry cough is carried out by a general practitioner, pulmonologist, pediatrician, if indicated – consultation of related specialists. A dry cough can be a manifestation of a large number of diseases and requires a certain amount of examination.

Diagnostic tactics include the identification of complaints, anamnesis and physical examination at the first stage of the examination.It is necessary to identify the time of the onset of cough, its nature, whether dry cough occurred before, whether treatment was received earlier, what was the effect and other circumstances. An examination of the respiratory tract is complemented by an examination of the cardiovascular system, since heart failure, aortic aneurysm, valvular heart disease can manifest as coughing. From instrumental methods, X-ray of the lungs, CT, MRI, scintigraphy, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, spirometry with pharmacological tests, allergy diagnostics, and histological examination can be used.Cough can be a manifestation of reflux esophagitis, therefore gastroscopy is indicated for some patients. In each individual case, the examination tactics will differ depending on what symptoms, risk factors and features are identified in the patient.

Treatment should be directed to the primary pathology, since the cough serves only as a defense mechanism. To suppress an excessively pronounced, debilitating dry cough, antitussive drugs of central or peripheral action (Codeine, Oxeladine, Butamirate and many others) can be used.

90,000 why it occurs, what are the health consequences and how to treat

1. Reasons
2. Dry cough with dry air in the room
3. Dry cough from conditioner
4. Dry cough when smoking
5. Reception of expectorants

The cough is divided into productive and unproductive. With a productive cough, phlegm is released, the lungs and bronchi are cleared. When unproductive, this does not happen, therefore it is called dry.Such a cough is much more difficult to tolerate. The patient is very tired as the seizures interfere with normal rest. With a dry cough, the muscles of the chest and abdomen tighten, headaches begin, and it hurts in the diaphragm. A severe cough attack can cause a person to faint.

Reasons

Many people believe that colds are the cause of dry coughs. In fact, coughing attacks are not always associated with a cold.A cough occurs when the cough receptors are irritated. They are located in the body in:

• Paranasal sinuses;
• bronchi and trachea;
• pharynx;
• aperture;
• stomach and lower esophagus.

If pathology occurs in these organs, then a dry cough comes along with it. The pathological process is not always accompanied by the formation of sputum in the lungs and bronchi.

Here are a few examples where a harsh cough occurs without a cold.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (reflux esophagitis) . This disease affects the digestive tract and is accompanied by a violation of the acidity of the gastric juice. With reflux, some of the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus, which leads to irritation of the cough receptors. A person is tormented by a cough that cannot be relieved with syrups and cold pills.It intensifies at night and during daytime rest. In addition to dry coughs, reflux is accompanied by heartburn, an unpleasant taste in the mouth. With such symptoms, you should consult a gastroenterologist.
• Tumor diseases of the respiratory system . One of the first signs of a tumor in the respiratory system is a cough without phlegm, which does not respond to treatment. In this case, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics in a timely manner and start treatment, since the disease can pose a threat to life.
• Sinusitis. In sinusitis, a cough without phlegm occurs when the contents of the nose run down the back of the throat, where the cough receptors are located.
• Taking medications to lower blood pressure. Patients with high blood pressure taking ACE inhibitors often experience dry coughs. It is a side effect of drugs and has nothing to do with the common cold. For some people, the side effect appears immediately, while for others it occurs several months or weeks after treatment.Against the background of a dry cough, a sore throat occurs, but no phlegm is formed. Taking expectorants does not bring relief: it is necessary to choose another drug for high blood pressure.
• Asthma and bronchitis . A dry cough with bronchitis is a typical symptom. It can also occur with a certain type of bronchial asthma, which is triggered by exposure to an allergen. Cough bronchial asthma is atypical. The patient does not have shortness of breath and asthma attacks, but the cough is constantly tormenting.To get rid of it, you need to identify allergens and prescribe appropriate treatment. This is done by an allergist. If bronchitis is the cause, the doctor prescribes drugs that increase the production of phlegm and its discharge.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system. A cough with heart disease is called a heart cough. It is always characterized by the absence of phlegm. The cause of the pathology is pulmonary edema. It occurs due to stagnation of blood, which is caused by impaired circulation. This situation occurs in patients with heart defects, mitral valve pathology, ischemic disease, arrhythmia, myocarditis, heart attack.Against the background of such diseases, heart failure appears, due to which blood circulation is impaired, including the organs of the bronchopulmonary system. In addition to dryness, a heart cough manifests itself as shortness of breath, and there may be bleeding. As a rule, coughing attacks occur while lying down and during physical exertion. With severe heart failure, cough appears even at rest, accompanied by chest pain, blue lips, weakness, swelling of blood vessels in the neck. Expectorants are useless for heart coughs.A cardiologist should deal with the treatment of the disease, who will identify the cause of the pathology and prescribe drugs.
• Endocrine disorders. One of the causes of dry cough is thyroid disease, which is accompanied by hyperplasia. There is an overgrowth of organ tissues, which leads to squeezing of the trachea and irritation of the cough receptors. The patient may have breathing problems, a feeling of a lump in the throat. Treatment of dry cough in diseases of the thyroid gland is carried out by an endocrinologist, who prescribes the necessary studies and drugs.
• Anemia . With anemia, the patient is faced not only with weakness and pallor, but also with other symptoms. Among them – dry cough and shortness of breath, a slight increase in temperature, decreased appetite. With such symptoms, it is necessary to consult a therapist and take a general blood test to determine the hemoglobin parameters. When it decreases, drug therapy is used, a special diet rich in iron, vitamins of groups B and C is prescribed. Normalization of hemoglobin allows you to get rid of unpleasant symptoms, including dry cough.

Dry cough with dry indoor air

The optimum humidity in the living space is about 45%. In winter, when the heating devices are turned on, this figure drops to 15% and below. Dry air negatively affects the skin, well-being and the respiratory system. For some people, this leads to mucosal irritation and coughing. To eliminate it, you need to normalize the relative humidity using ventilation or climatic equipment.The easiest way is to put a container of water on the battery or dry wet clothes.

Dry cough from air conditioner

The use of climatic technology makes life more comfortable, but sometimes leads to negative consequences. People who are accustomed to cooling off under air conditioning can catch the common cold. It is accompanied by a cough and other typical symptoms. The most sensitive areas to cold are the shoulders and upper body. It is better not to expose them to a stream of cold air.

Legionellosis is another disease that is accompanied by a cough. The causative agent of the disease is legionella bacteria, which grows in the humid environment of the air conditioner. Diseases are susceptible to people of mature age, patients with weakened immunity. In severe cases, legionellosis leads to pneumonia, which requires hospitalization and antibiotic treatment.

A dry cough can also occur on the background of allergies, if a fungus has started up in the air conditioner.His spores are carried throughout the room and enter the bronchi.

In some people, a cough attack occurs as a reaction to freon. Headache, lethargy testify to hypersensitivity to it.

Treatment in this case comes down to the correct use of climatic technology. It must be cleaned and disinfected every three months to avoid germs and allergens. The equipment must be located so that the air flow does not come into contact with people.If you have a tendency to cough and freon intolerance, you should refuse to use the conditioner or use it only in extreme cases.

Dry cough when smoking

“Cough” and “smokers” are words that are closely related. Tobacco users suffer from chronic cough. This is due to the fact that the smoke irritates the mucous membranes of the respiratory system and affects the cough receptors. Due to irritation, inflammation of the bronchi occurs, which is non-infectious.If a person continues to smoke, then his immunity decreases and infectious bronchitis develops.

Smoking cough appears almost immediately. In the initial stages, there is a slight coughing, which does not cause inconvenience. At later stages, a prolonged dry cough appears, which occurs in the morning. Over time, a cough with phlegm appears, which is accompanied by chest pain, nausea. In people with a long history of smoking, coughing occurs during physical exertion.

If a person succeeds in quitting smoking, the cough persists for some time. With its help, the body is cleansed of harmful substances that have accumulated in the lungs and bronchi. To cure a smoker’s cough, the first step is to get rid of nicotine addiction. Also, drugs with mucolytic properties are prescribed, which help to thin and remove phlegm.

Reception of expectorants

With inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, influenza and acute respiratory infections, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, a dry cough occurs at the initial stage, then turns into a wet one.This helps to cough up, improve well-being. To speed up the excretion of sputum, expectorant drugs are prescribed. They remove phlegm from the bronchi and lungs. Mucolytics are also used – agents to reduce the viscosity of sputum.

Many pharmacy medicines, which are sold in the form of tablets, syrup, powder, have a combined effect. The most famous are funds based on bromhexine, ambroxol, mukaltin, cough tablets. Of natural remedies, honey, sage, thyme, chamomile, licorice have an expectorant effect.

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Health issues

90,000 Ten causes of cough not from a cold

The appearance of a cough in relatively healthy people should be alarming, because this may indicate hidden health problems.

During a cold, coughing does not cause anxiety in anyone, but unreasonable coughing fits make even those who consider themselves completely healthy worry.After all, a cough is not a disease, but a symptom of a disease, an attempt by the lungs to get rid of an irritant. Polina Vladimirovna Ryabova, a pulmonologist at the Aflo-Center network of medical clinics, talks about the most common causes of cough not caused by a cold.

1. Drip syndrome

Drip syndrome (drip syndrome) – drainage of secretions from the nasal cavity along the back of the pharynx into the airways – one of the most common causes of chronic cough. It happens with rhinitis and sinusitis, that is, with any rhinitis, including allergic and medication, but sometimes with neoplasms.In some cases, a specialist will be able to determine the cause of drip syndrome by looking at the features of nasal discharge. Only elimination of the cause of chronic rhinitis can stop postnasal flow.

2. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

This is a reduction in gastroesophageal reflux disease, a recurring discharge of stomach or duodenal contents into the esophagus. Most often, the disease is manifested by heartburn, regurgitation of acid, a burning sensation in the epigastric region.Less well known are the pulmonary manifestations of GERD, including coughing, shortness of breath, and they often occur when a person is lying down.

GERD is diagnosed by a gastroenterologist. Zhanna Aleksandrovna Krupina, a gastroenterologist of the highest category, accepts in our center.

Sometimes a banal lifestyle change helps the treatment: quitting smoking and tight clothing, getting rid of extra pounds, as well as eliminating disease-provoking foods from the diet. In any case, consult your doctor: some medications can also provoke GERD, for example, beta-blockers, nitrates, tricyclic antidepressants.

3. Worms

More than a billion people in the world are infected with intestinal nematodes – microscopic worms. The most common disease is ascariasis: it can cause a dry cough and a burning sensation behind the breastbone, which intensifies with a deep breath. Cough can also accompany trichinosis and toxocariasis, which a person gets from dogs. Parasites can live for years in the body, infecting organ by organ, and not showing themselves in any way, so a cough should be a reason to see a doctor.To identify worms, it is necessary to donate feces or blood to the laboratory.

4. Neurogenic cough

Cough may not be associated with a disease of internal organs at all, it is called neurogenic, or psychological. Its first type is inductive, that is, contagious. For example, the phenomenon described by Andrias Waginer, a professor at the University of Hanover, is “coughing at a concert,” when people cough twice as often.

The second type of this phenomenon is anxious expectation cough: described in people with neurosis, because of fear of being late somewhere or before a public speech.

The third – alexithymic cough: occurs in persons who are unable to express their thoughts and emotions. And the fourth is a loud demonstrative cough, which is the equivalent of a hysterical reaction. In these cases, psychologists and psychiatrists come to the rescue. Clinical psychologist Alexander Evgenievich Votintsev accepts in our center.

5. Chronic heart failure

A third of patients with chronic insufficiency have a cough, and they rarely come to the doctor with this complaint, believing that the cough can only be a lung disease.How do you recognize it? Most often it is a dry cough that occurs after physical or emotional stress, often at night. It makes no sense to take cough medicine in this situation, only remedies for the treatment of heart failure will help.

In this case, a cardiologist, as well as an arrhythmologist, can help. We have a doctor of the highest category, cardiologist-arrhythmologist Anton Sergeevich Ryabov.

6. Rhythm disturbances

Cough may be the first sign of rhythm disturbances.Any extraordinary contraction of the heart can be manifested by “the need to cough.”

7. Angina pectoris

Many have heard that coronary heart disease manifests itself as “angina pectoris” – chest pains that occur during physical exertion. The equivalent of these pains can be the appearance of a dry cough. People over 45 with healthy lungs should be especially attentive to these symptoms, indicating a pathology of the heart.

8. Medications

Cardiac medications themselves can cause coughing.For example, ACE inhibitors cause coughing predominantly in women and nonsmokers. It is a dry, unproductive cough with a sore throat, which is why many people confuse it with the cough that occurs with a cold. As a rule, it disappears within 4 days after the drug is discontinued, sometimes after a month or a little later. Beta-blockers and even statins used to fight atherosclerosis can cause coughing.

9. Foreign bodies

The most alarming problem is cough in children.If the baby has a persistent cough that recurs for no apparent reason, it is necessary to immediately exclude the ingress of a foreign body into the respiratory tract. Children breathe in coins, paper clips, screws, pen caps, buttons, toy bits, nuts, bones, and more. The most dangerous thing is batteries trapped in the respiratory tract or esophagus.

An ENT doctor is often able to identify and remove a foreign body. Endoscopy allows you to see a foreign body with your own eyes.

10. Sulfur plug

Large, dry, dense sulfur plug can irritate the skin of the ear canal and cause coughing.Sometimes the cause of the cough is not found for a long time, since the patient goes to other specialists – a therapist, a pulmonologist, even an oncologist. If you go to an otolaryngologist, the plug is removed, and the cough goes away by itself.

In the network of medical clinics “Aflo-Center” receives an ENT doctor of the highest category Alexander Leonidovich Semakov.

Thus, if you are relatively healthy, but you suddenly have a cough, this is a serious reason to be alert and consult a specialist. After all, a cough not from a cold can speak of hidden health problems.Do not be afraid of a visit to a specialist, because only a doctor will be able to determine the true cause of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.

In the network of medical clinics “Aflo-Center” you can undergo a full examination, diagnosis, and treatment of a particular disease. Consultation with specialist doctors, as well as the implementation of a standard examination will help maintain health and prevent possible adverse consequences. Be healthy!

The article is posted on the portal “The Source of Beauty and Health”

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