Prolonged cough. How to treat a lingering cough in an adult

A problem such as a prolonged cough in adults is quite common. Sometimes the reason lies in the influence of external factors, but there are cases associated with the development of diseases that can seriously threaten human health and life. That is why this symptom needs to be analyzed in more detail.

Symptoms and types of cough

The cough is not immediately uncomfortable. In most cases, the onset of the disease is slow.

After some time, the periodic turns into paroxysmal spasms, which are expressed in a tearful dry cough or intense sputum production. To distinguish prolonged cough from the usual simple enough.

It is enough to refer to the following classification:

• acute - up to two weeks;
• protracted - up to 4 weeks;
• subacute - up to 8 weeks;
• chronic - the cough lasts 4 months.

It is the chronic type that is most difficult to treat. It is also important to distinguish between wet and dry types, coughing and hysterical cough.

The main reasons for development

Frequent and prolonged coughing occurs for various reasons. At first glance, it is difficult even for a qualified doctor to reliably determine the origin of a symptom, therefore it is recommended to undergo a comprehensive examination.

This includes the following activities:

• blood test;
• sputum discharge analysis;
• listening to the lungs;
• fluorography.

In some cases, CT / MRI, ultrasound, biopsy and a number of other studies may be needed.

In some cases, an MRI may be needed to clarify the cause of the cough

Consider what factors can cause frequent coughing in an adult, the reasons for coughing are as follows:

• irritation of the larynx with impurities in the air, dust, chemicals, etc .;
• smoking (see);
• allergy;
• general infectious diseases (SARS, flu);
• specific infectious diseases (whooping cough, tuberculosis);
• pathology of the cardiovascular system;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• connective tissue diseases;
• oncology.

In some cases, two or more reasons may be combined, which complicates treatment. It is important to eliminate the provoking factors.

Diseases, their features and treatment

Most often, a long-term cough in adults and children is associated with neglect of diseases of one type or another.

This includes the following pathologies:

• ARVI;
• flu;
• laryngitis;
• sinusitis;
• rhinitis;
• bronchitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• pleurisy;
• pneumonia;
• measles;
• whooping cough;
• tuberculosis;
• lung cancer.

It can be provoked by allergens surrounding a person both at home and outside. Smokers are at risk.

To determine an accurate diagnosis, you must be examined by a doctor. Pay attention to accompanying symptoms. Temperature is a sign inflammatory process.

If the cough becomes tearful, sputum appears with impurities of pus, blood or other abnormal inclusions, you should immediately go to the hospital. Some pathologies can lead to severe suffering and death.

Let us consider separately the features of typical diseases that cause prolonged cough.

Allergy

Allergies are the most common problem. Almost every person has an increased sensitivity to certain irritants: dust, pollen, wool, food, chemicals, etc.

Coughing often means that particles of the same allergen have entered the airways or the body as a whole.

Allergy is dangerous because, in addition to coughing, it can cause swelling and inflammation, rash, severe itching, shock. In case of an acute reaction, death is possible. It is impossible to be completely cured, since allergy is a feature of the body of a particular person.

Therefore, to eliminate cough and other symptoms, the following is necessary:

• eliminate the influence of the irritating factor;
• block the production of histamine by taking special medications;
• relieve inflammation and swelling.

Measles and whooping cough

Measles and whooping cough are specific infectious diseases. They are much easier to transfer to childhood, and most often, immunity is developed against them, although repeated cases of morbidity are not excluded. In adults, they can cause complications, such as pneumonia.

Measles is different high temperature and the appearance of a rash all over the body, as in the photo, severe itching, fever. If there is no rash, whooping cough is most likely observed, how long the cough lasts while indicating the degree of neglect of the disease. It usually lasts about two months, and after recovery, the symptom may remain in the form residual effect for some more time.

Treatment cannot be postponed, since such diseases are characterized by a severe course and serious complications. Antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs, antitussives are used.

With a tearing lingering cough, there is a risk of internal micro-ruptures and the appearance of a hernia. The patient must be isolated from other people for the period of treatment.

Tracheitis and bronchitis

Infections and microbes can trigger the development of tracheitis. It is distinguished by a dry, ringing cough at the beginning of development.

Depending on how long the cough lasts with tracheitis, other manifestations of the disease change. Due to constant tension, chest pain appears, and the discharge becomes intense, with impurities of pus.

Penetration of infection deeper respiratory tract can provoke bronchitis. Due to illness, phlegm begins to accumulate in the bronchi, which irritates them and provokes coughing fits. Bronchitis can also be associated with an allergic reaction.

Treatment of prolonged cough in adults in such cases is based on the following:

• relief of the inflammatory process;
• stimulation of the immune system;
• destruction of viruses and infections;
• liquefaction and excretion of phlegm.

It is important to achieve the removal of accumulated mucus and pus, since the reproduction of pathogens continues in them.

Pneumonia

In more complex cases, the causes of a long and debilitating cough lie in the development of pneumonia.

The symptoms of pneumonia are:

• heat;
• chest pain, burning;
• excessive sweating;
• rapid breathing;
• hysterical cough;
• sputum production in the later stages of the disease, sometimes with blood impurities and streaks.

It is necessary to treat inflammation in a hospital, as this disease is very dangerous. For therapy, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and auxiliary procedures are used.

If left unchecked, pneumonia can lead to suppuration and the development of pulmonary edema. There are cases when the patient suffocates in his sleep due to such problems.

In some cases, the doctor may misdiagnose. The symptoms of pneumonia in the initial phase are similar to pleurisy. Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleural membrane. This is an unpleasant and dangerous disease with its consequences. Its difference is the absence of phlegm and pain in the sternum.

Tuberculosis

Frequent coughing in an adult without accompanying symptoms may indicate the presence of tuberculosis. The open form of this disease is dangerous for others.

Initially, it is difficult to suspect the problem, since there are no characteristic signs other than a dry cough. The cough becomes annoying, disturbs the patient not only at night, but also during the day.

In the future, painful sensations appear in the chest, a slight increase in temperature is observed. Sputum secretion joins the cough, and often streaks of blood are found in it. But black discharge may indicate cancer.

You cannot hesitate in going to the hospital. It is necessary to undergo fluorography to detect foci of tuberculous lesions of the lung. The cost of delay is too high, since the mortality rate for such a diagnosis is quite high. Also reveal dangerous disease allows the Mantoux test in children.

Treatment is carried out in a clinical examination. For therapy, special anti-tuberculosis drugs are used that can destroy Koch's bacillus. It is important to prevent the spread of the disease and the development of complications such as pulmonary hemorrhage.

In order not to face the problem of prolonged cough, it is recommended to follow preventive measures. They are focused on preventing the influence of factors that can cause an unpleasant symptom, as well as timely treatment of diseases before they become chronic.

Cough Prevention Instructions:

• Strengthen the immune system by all available methods, especially in the spring-autumn period.
• Eat well so that your body gets the vitamins it needs to build up a defense against disease.
• Avoid allergens and other irritants that can negatively affect your respiratory system.
• In the season of increased morbidity, vaccinate, use means to prevent colds.
• Monitor the state of other body systems, in particular the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal tract.
• Give up bad habits, especially smoking in any of its forms.
• Start treating diseases of any kind, especially infectious ones, in a timely manner.
• Observe hygiene standards, do not use other people's things, so as not to catch an infection.
• To identify hidden health problems, it is recommended to undergo a basic medical examination and fluorography every 1-2 years.

The causes of prolonged cough in adults are varied. But if you follow these recommendations, the risk of developing dangerous diseases decreases. You can learn more about a prolonged cough and its features from the video in this article. Take care of your health so as not to endanger your life!

How to treat a lingering cough? This symptom is often so exhausting that patients want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Of course, ideally, cough should be treated at the earliest stages, when there is no question of its protracted nature, but what if the treatment did not help and the cough still bothers you?

Therapeutic therapy for a prolonged cough depends primarily on the cause of its occurrence.

But in order not to provoke its development and not make it drag on, a number of activities can be carried out:

Humidify indoor air.
When the patient is in a room with warm, dry air for a long time, the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract dry out, which leads to congestion in the bronchi.

Humidified air, on the contrary, makes the patient's breathing freer and accelerates the process of transformation of a dry type of cough into a wet one.

Drink enough.
The fluid entering the body helps to thin mucous secretions and makes coughing more effective.

The body leaves the phlegm, and with it the toxic substances that are formed during infections of viral or bacterial origin.

Inhalation procedures.
This group of procedures includes steam inhalation, which is done with a lingering cough. They relieve spasms, soothe an irritated throat and have a warming effect on the mucous membrane. Essential oils are added to the broth for inhalation - eucalyptus, menthol.

It is worth noting that steam inhalation is not carried out for children under 4 years old and for adults when they have an increase in body temperature.

Also, if there is a desire to get rid of lingering cough, it is necessary to give up the bad habit - smoking. Moreover, even a temporary rejection of this addiction will give a positive result, which is reflected in various systems of the body.

Drug treatment of the disease

If a prolonged cough is accompanied by spasmolytic convulsions, then the attending physician may recommend antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics are also prescribed if the patient coughs up green sputum. This symptom speaks of purulent inflammation that has arisen in the tissues and requires suppression of the pathological phenomenon.

In this condition, doctors advise against taking antibiotics that have a wide spectrum of action. They advise to undergo an examination to identify a pathogenic pathogen and, having identified a microorganism, prescribe antibiotics that can eliminate the disease.

Before starting therapy, the doctor learns about the previous treatment. Also, for a more effective prescription, doctors assess the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics, and these data directly depend on the region of residence and pathogenicity of organisms.

The group of drugs for a lingering cough, which helps to dilute sputum and normalize the process of its excretion, includes the following medicines:

• Lazolvan;

  Bromhexine;

  Bronholitin.

It is recommended to take drugs that eliminate unpleasant symptoms in complex treatment along with drugs designed to eliminate the underlying disease.

Additional procedures

If the question arises, how to treat a lingering cough in an adult, then in addition to medicines, there are a number of effective procedures that can be carried out independently.

Warming-ups have been used for more than a decade and have managed to prove themselves:

mustard plasters - they have several actions, they irritate tissues, relieve pain and inflammation;

iodine mesh - has an antibacterial effect, when coughing it is applied to chest and back with a cotton swab, iodine is taken 5%;

banks - a remedy that was very popular a few years ago, today it has somewhat lost ground, although it continues to be used to treat cough;

alcohol and fatty rubbing - are effective in diseases of the respiratory system, pharynx, nose.

To warm up the chest and back with a prolonged cough, you can use pharmaceutical preparations that have a warming effect: Doctor Mom, Doctor Theiss, Zvezda, Turpentine Ointment, Vishnevsky balsamic liniment, etc.

They contain camphor, essential oils, turpentine and other active ingredients. These products are easy to use and almost all of them can be used during pregnancy.

Also, fats are often used for rubbing - badger, goose, sheep, etc. To cure a prolonged cough, a two-component remedy is used, which includes onion juice and goose fat.

Vegetable oil with the addition of a small amount of pepper (hot red) can cope with a similar task.

Warming procedures are carried out in the absence elevated temperature and preferably before bed, as it is desirable for the patient to lie down under a warm blanket to enhance the effect. Also, the area of \u200b\u200bthe heart should be avoided during application.

Inhalation procedures and compresses that act locally, eliminating an unpleasant symptom, help cough. It is quite simple to perform them, which does not reduce their effectiveness.

Compresses can be made with the following components:

natural honey;

aloe juice;

internal animal fat;

cottage cheese;

cabbage leaf;

• vegetable oils, etc.

As solutions for inhalation, medications can be used: Ambrobene, Sinupret, Lazolvan, etc. You can also alleviate the condition by using tinctures of propolis, eucalyptus, calendula. Inhalation with soda, mineral water or saline will soften a sore throat.

Another option for additional procedures used in this case is massage. When coughing, drainage manipulations, point, segmental or vibration can be prescribed. Since all methods have contraindications and peculiarities, a specialist advice is needed before use.

It should be noted that the above methods will have a positive effect only in some cases. So if you have a prolonged cough, you should consult a doctor.

Healing decoctions and tinctures

There are other ways to treat a prolonged cough. traditional medicinewhich have high efficiency and relative safety.

This group of funds includes decoctions and infusions from plant materials:

A long, debilitating cough will cease to bother you if you consult a doctor in a timely manner for advice. It is important to fulfill the prescribed, and treat the pathology in a comprehensive manner, using methods from official and traditional medicine. It is also worth remembering about contraindications, you should learn about them before using the funds.

According to doctors, a long-term cough is one that lasts more than a month. Often, to diagnose the causes that can cause this pathological process, adults are recommended to undergo an X-ray examination of the chest organs.

Causes of prolonged cough

There are a number of reasons that can cause a prolonged cough in adults, which is almost impossible to treat with conventional remedies:

• Chronic bronchitis
• Bronchial asthma
• Tuberculosis and others chronic diseases respiratory organs
• Pathological processes in the connective tissues of the respiratory tract
• Long-term exposure to toxins and allergens
• Side effects of some drugs
• Lungs' cancer
• Pleurisy
• Heart failure

All these factors can be determined only after consulting a doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment.

Treatment methods

To get rid of a prolonged cough, which is not always accompanied by an increase in body temperature, the patient is recommended to undergo a fluorographic examination of the chest organs. Further treatment will directly depend on the reasons that caused the prolonged cough.

1. If sinusitis is the cause of a prolonged cough, the patient is prescribed antimicrobial and vasoconstrictor drugs.
2. A prolonged cough, accompanied by a high fever and profuse sputum production, requires the use of antibiotics and antitussive drugs, which will help to quickly remove phlegm from the respiratory system.
3. In rare cases, even the use of antibiotics is not able to eliminate a prolonged cough. In this case, there is every reason to believe that the cough was not caused by an infection, but by other sources. In this case, the patient is prescribed an additional examination (examination of sputum and pulmonary patency) in order to exclude the likelihood of developing bronchial asthma and other non-infectious diseases.
4. In smokers, a prolonged cough can be completely cured only if the patient completely abandons his bad habit. However, strong and prolonged coughing fits in smokers are also a very good reason to consult a doctor. People with this bad habit are more prone to developing tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer and should have regular chest examinations.

Treatment and diagnosis of prolonged cough depending on the profession

Long-term cough in adults quite often occurs not as a symptom of some disease, but as a result of professional activity. There are a number of concomitant factors that can cause a prolonged cough in adults:

• Asbestosis, which occurs among builders and auto repair workers who are forced to contact with asbestos for a long time.
• Agricultural workers may suffer from a prolonged cough that characterizes a disease called farmer's lung. This disease is expressed in the hypersensitivity of the lungs to mold and mildew.
• A prolonged cough can develop as a harbinger of bronchial asthma in people of certain professions who are forced to constantly contact chemicals (paints, varnishes, solvents). The risk group includes employees of auto repair shops, dry cleaners, workers in industrial enterprises, dental laboratories and dental offices.

Other causes of prolonged cough in adults

In addition to the above factors that cause a prolonged cough, there are additional causes. They are quite rare, but they cannot be completely ruled out when diagnosing.

1. A prolonged cough in adults that does not respond to treatment may be the only symptom of sarcoidosis. In this case, the patient needs to undergo a chest x-ray and a blood test.
2. Lung reaction to certain medications. Often, a prolonged cough, as a concomitant symptom, occurs when taking medications aimed at preventing diseases of the genitourinary system (nitrofurans).
3. In rare cases, a prolonged cough may be the only symptom of pleurisy. To exclude this option, the patient undergoes a puncture and a pleural biopsy.

Preventive measures

In fact, no person is immune from the occurrence of a prolonged cough. The reasons can be many: smoking, untimely access to a doctor or improper treatment of respiratory diseases. However, everyone can make sure that the cough does not become chronic. To do this, it is enough to regularly undergo an X-ray examination of the chest organs and immediately consult a doctor at the first manifestations of colds.

In addition, people prone to allergies are not recommended to work in industries associated with prolonged contact with various chemicals and to stop all manifestations of an allergic reaction in time.

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One of the serious and dangerous symptoms respiratory diseases it is considered a lingering cough that must be treated. Often, it is possible to get rid of such a pathological condition rather quickly by transferring it to it with the help of drugs.

However, in some cases, this cough does not go away for several months and becomes chronic. How to treat a lingering cough in adults and children will be told by a specialist after a thorough diagnostic study and finding out the causes of the disease.

Experts identify many reasons that can provoke a prolonged cough. In the event that a large amount of mucus accumulates in the patient's nasal cavity, then there is a danger of its getting from the nasopharynx and into the bronchial tree of the lungs. With the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms, viruses and bacteria into the lungs, an inflammatory process begins, which provokes a lingering cough.

With a prolonged cold, the infectious process can spread to the lower parts of the respiratory system, which provokes the development of a disease such as. In the event that an effective therapy is not prescribed to the patient, or he / she late applied for medical help, then there is a danger of transition of bronchitis from acute form into chronic. When a patient is diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, the appearance of a lingering dry cough is observed, but sometimes it can proceed without pronounced signs.

The insidiousness of chronic bronchitis lies in the fact that in the absence drug treatment there is a possibility of developing complications such as pneumonia, lung abscess or bronchial asthma.

It is for this reason that if you suspect bronchitis, you need to seek help from a specialist as soon as possible and follow all his recommendations and appointments.

Often the cause of a lingering cough becomes chronic. With the progression of such a pathology in the body, cough is combined with the appearance of a slight tingling sensation.

Young children have not yet developed the immune system, so the body is highly susceptible to various viruses and bacteria. When the infection enters the child's body, the respiratory organs are affected, and it develops, which, if untreated, becomes chronic. It is for this reason that cough in childhood is diagnosed much more often than in adult patients.

Dangerous signs

In the event that a cough is combined with a rise in body temperature, severe weakness, increased sweating and deterioration of the general condition, then you should seek the advice of a specialist. He will be able to diagnose the cause that caused such an ailment and prescribe effective treatment.

Quite often, when coughing, there are no additional symptoms, so the patient does not rush to see a doctor. This decision often leads to the fact that the acute inflammatory process in the bronchi and lungs becomes chronic. With such a pathological condition, difficulties arise with the release of the bronchi from accumulated mucus, regardless of whether the patient is wet or worried.

Difficulties arise with the release of phlegm from the respiratory system, and gradually it turns into a greenish - purulent or dirty gray color. Such a system is considered quite dangerous, so it is necessary to scan the bronchi with expectorant drugs or simply stimulate a cough.

Antibiotics for pathology

When carrying out antibiotic therapy, they resort only after an accurate diagnosis has been made. The patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs to suppress infections that occur in the respiratory tract.

When treating a lingering cough, the following types of antibiotics may be prescribed:

• has a bactericidal effect and is often prescribed for diagnosing infectious pathologies caused by pathogens sensitive to such a drug. Sumamed is prescribed for the treatment of acute tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc.
• Azitrox is an antibacterial drug that has a versatile effect on the activity of microbes. The use of such an antibiotic gives a good effect in the treatment of various pathologies of the respiratory system. Azitrox helps to speed up the healing process with, and bronchitis. Such an antibacterial drug should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation, or if the liver is impaired.
• Fromilid quickly penetrates into tissues affected by the inflammatory process. Such an antibacterial agent is indicated in the treatment of sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, or bacterial pneumonia.
• Grammidin has a bactericidal effect on the inflammatory process and helps to eliminate the healing process in cases of tonsillitis, etc. You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to certain components of the drug.
• is an antibiotic of the macrolide group and is most often prescribed when an infection enters the respiratory system. The course of treatment with such a drug is 7-12 days.

More information about bronchitis can be found in the video:

In the event that, with a lingering cough, the patient was prescribed antibacterial drugs, then you need to take them for a certain time. Some patients, with noticeable relief of the condition, refuse to take antibiotics, and this is absolutely impossible to do. This is due to the fact that pathogenic microorganisms can persist in the body, which will provoke the re-development of pathology.

Usually, the course of antibiotic treatment is 10 days and in the absence of a positive effect, you should consult a doctor. He will conduct a diagnostic study and, if necessary, replace the drug with a more effective one.

Drug therapy for cough

In the event that the patient is worried about a prolonged period, then mucolytic drugs are prescribed. They help increase the production of phlegm, which speeds up the patient's recovery process. In addition, the intake of mucolytics must be combined with a fractional drink, because it stimulates the functioning of the cells of the bronchial epithelium.

When severe cough are prescribed that help clear the bronchi from the accumulation of sputum. Most often, a dry cough with ARVI occurs at an early stage of the development of the disease or with an exacerbation of an allergic reaction, for example, bronchial asthma.

Protracted wet cough characterized by the overflow of the inflammatory process in the lungs and the formation of cloudy purulent sputum. The result of this is the ingress of purulent exudate into the lung tissue with the development of such complex pathologies as pneumonia and lung abscess. When diagnosing a wet lingering cough, the following medications are prescribed:

• Mucolytics with direct action:Mukomist, Mistabron,.
• Indirect-acting mucolytics:Ambroxol, Letostein, Sobrerol.
• Mucokinetic drugs:Ambrosan, Haliksol, Ambrobene.

With the help of mucolytics, it is possible to reduce the viscosity of sputum without increasing the volume of secretion. In addition, there is an improvement in the drainage of the bronchi and bronchioles, and the integrity of the cell walls is restored.

Traditional medicine against ailment

In order to find an effective treatment for a lingering cough, it is necessary to identify the cause that caused it. In the event that the development of such a pathological state of the body has caused, then the use of traditional medicine is allowed.

Alternative medicine can be used to combat coughs. Usually, experts prescribe them reluctantly, but patients actively use them at home.

The following recipes give a good result in the treatment of cough:

• It is necessary to drop 2-3 drops of birch tar into 1 cup of warm milk and drink the resulting mixture in the morning before meals and before bedtime. It is necessary to carry out treatment with such a folk remedy until the patient feels noticeable relief.
• Can be delivered made from honey, alcohol and vegetable oil. All ingredients must be mixed in equal proportions, applied in a thick layer on the back and covered with a warm blanket. Keep such a compress for several hours, and it is best to do it at night.
• You can prepare an infusion of several heads of onions and honey. For this, the onions should be peeled, chopped and combined with 2 cups of sugar and 20 ml of honey. The resulting mixture should be filled with a liter cold water and simmer over low heat for 3 hours. The prepared product must be cooled, filtered and taken warm, 19 ml, several times a day.
• It is necessary to melt the goat fat along with honey and lubricate the skin with the resulting solution. The body should be wrapped in paper, and covered with a scarf or blanket on top.
• A good effect in the treatment of a lingering cough is given potato compresses, which are prepared according to the following scheme: peeled root crops should be boiled, then mash with a fork, combine with 10 ml of vegetable oil and 3 drops of iodine. Apply the prepared mass on a towel and apply it to the chest area. The patient should be well wrapped and the compress should be kept until the potatoes cool.
• An effective way to treat a lingering cough is considered, which can be carried out with a decoction of pine buds, coltsfoot and. It is possible to speed up the process of excretion of phlegm from the lungs with the help of inhalations with honey.

Treatment is carried out both with the help of drug therapy and folk remedies... When the first signs of an illness appear, it is recommended to seek the advice of a doctor, and not to self-medicate.

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A cough is a reflex contraction of the respiratory muscles. In response to irritation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi, trachea, pleura and larynx, air is abruptly expelled from the lungs.

At this point, the airways are cleared of foreign particles and mucus accumulation.

If the cough does not produce phlegm (bronchial secretions), it is called unproductive or dry.

The opposite is a cough accompanied by phlegm. They call it wet.

Depending on the duration of the symptom, doctors divide it into several types:

• acute cough (less than 2 weeks);
• lingering cough (up to 4 weeks);
• subacute cough (up to 2 months);
• chronic cough (more than 2-3 months).

The most common reason the development of this symptom becomes a complication of the course of diseases of viral and infectious etiology. This happens when the causative agent of the disease settles and actively multiplies on the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree.

With untimely or poor-quality treatment of colds and flu, a chronic cough occurs. For example, this happens when the disease was initially viral in nature, and it was treated with antibiotics. As a result of this "treatment", the problem is aggravated and complications develop.

Some patients try not to take sick leave and endure colds on foot. They still go to the doctor, but after a rise in body temperature and serious malaise. In this case, the infection managed to hit the lungs and bronchi.

Cough and leakage of nasal secretions into the larynx occurs with ailments:

• allergic;
• infectious.

Also, a lingering cough occurs with chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and gastroesophageal reflux, when stomach contents enter the esophagus.

In some cases, a dry, prolonged cough is side effect some medicines for hypertension and heart failure. The drug Enalapril has similar properties.

Smokers often complain of a lingering cough with phlegm, especially after suffering colds or viral diseases. In these patients, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract differs significantly from the state of the bronchial tree of a healthy person. Also, people who smoke have reduced immunity, it cannot cope with infections.

The causes of prolonged coughing with and without phlegm can be hidden under allergies. Receptors of the mucous membrane of the larynx and bronchi become extremely sensitive to any irritants:

1. cigarette smoke;
2. dust;
3. pet hair;
4. pollen of trees and flowers.

It is important to emphasize that a prolonged cough in an adult without other symptoms can be a signal of the presence of dangerous diseases, for example, cancer or pulmonary tuberculosis.

Without timely adequate treatment, a lingering cough with sputum develops into a disease:

• pneumonia;
• pleurisy;
• lung abscess;
• bronchial asthma.

These pathologies pose a danger to the patient's life. Therefore, it is extremely reckless to self-medicate or ignore it altogether!

To make the correct diagnosis, the therapist, otolaryngologist or pulmonologist will refer the patient to a series of tests and examination. You will need to donate blood from a finger, vein, phlegm. The patient needs to take an X-ray of the lungs, pass an external respiration test:

1. spirography;
2. bodyplethysmography;
3. spirometry.

Based on the patient's condition, the results of his tests and symptoms, the doctor will recommend a specific treatment regimen.

In this case, it will be necessary to convert a prolonged unproductive cough into a wet productive cough (with sputum). For these purposes, appoint. Such medicines contribute to the high-quality discharge of bronchial secretions.

As a supplement, you will need to take medicinesstimulating expectoration: resorptive, reflex action, thinning phlegm. It is customary to refer to these:

• mucolytics;
• cysteine \u200b\u200bpreparations;
• proteolytics.

Depending on the nature of a prolonged cough with phlegm, a person will need to be treated with antihistamines and antimicrobial agents.

A lingering cough, if it is dry, is treated with drugs containing codeine. At night, to relieve irritation, the chest and back of an adult are rubbed with warming ointments.

Inhalation is quite effective. They are carried out using an inhaler:

1. ultrasonic;
2. compressor.

If such a device is not at hand, available tools are quite suitable. Healing vapors of drugs along with air currents penetrate the bronchi and improve their condition. It is possible to achieve restoration of the mucous membrane, increased blood supply, and improved sputum output.

Sometimes it will not hurt to inhale the vapors coming from a pot of hot liquid. You can insist on collecting medicinal herbs or breathe over potatoes. Decoctions of elderberry, raspberry, linden blossom, coltsfoot, sage are used.

You can do inhalation with aromatic oils. The tool has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. To treat a cough, take a shallow container, pour warm water (about 40 degrees) into it. A couple of drops of essential oil are added to the liquid:

1. mint;
2. eucalyptus;
3. menthol.

Then they cover their heads with a terry towel, bend over the container and inhale the vapors for 5-7. After half an hour, the procedure will need to be carried out again.

To treat a chronic cough with phlegm in an adult, you can use warm-humid inhalation. The thermal effect promotes the liquefaction of mucus and its removal from the lumen of the bronchi. In addition, dryness of the mucous membranes is eliminated.

To warm pharmacies saline solutions add antibiotics, hormonal medications, sulfonamides and other ingredients recommended by your doctor.

Sometimes it is made with soda solutions or alkaline mineral waters. The duration of such treatment is no more than 10 minutes. If a persistent cough is dry, baking soda will not work. This remedy will provoke:

• even greater drying of the mucous membrane;
• aggravation of perspiration and cough.

Folk remedies

You can cure a long cough with folk remedies. It is useful to inhale hot infusions of garlic and onions. The vegetables are peeled, cut into small cubes and poured into a ceramic teapot by a quarter. Boiling water is added to the onion and garlic and the vapors are inhaled for some time through the spout of the teapot.

Another treatment for a lingering cough can be done with banks. It is advisable to use special small medical jars with a rounded bottom. However, it should be borne in mind that you need to treat a cough in this way with an assistant.

A decoction of linden blossom will help to cure a prolonged cough with phlegm. It is enough to pour 3 tablespoons of dry inflorescences with one glass of boiling water. Means:

1. incubated for 15 minutes in a water bath;
2. allow to cool;
3. filtered;
4. take three times a day.

The extract of thyme has expectorant properties. Grass (2 tablespoons) is poured with 250 ml of boiling water, heated in a water bath for 20 minutes. After filtering, drinking 3 times a day.

If a cough bothers for a long time, a decoction of a tricolor violet will help get rid of it. For treatment, add a tablespoon of crushed dry raw materials to a glass of boiling water. A product is prepared according to the technology described above.