Diseases of the respiratory system are very common. Dry cough - this is the most common complaint in such diseases. People of all age categories are subject to dry cough at any time of the year, and medicines for dry and wet cough are the most frequently bought medicines. However, we should not forget that coughing can be a sign of a serious illness, and self-medication is not worth it.
What is a cough?
Cough occurs reflexively due to ingress of foreign objects, mucus or sputum into the respiratory tract. With the help of cough, the human body performs a protective function - cleansing of the respiratory tract. Dry cough is characterized by a lack of phlegm and a precursor to dry cough is often a swelling in the throat. To get rid of dry cough should be with the help of medicines.
Causes of dry cough
A dry cough accompanies many smokers throughout their lives. In addition to tobacco, the causes of dry cough are:
- laryngitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx). Laryngitis has a dry cough and a sore throat;
- tracheitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pulmonary trachea);
- bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
- ingestion of food in the respiratory tract - is most common in young children;
- inhalation of harmful substances;
- pleurisy - accompanied by a dry cough and sharp pain in the side;
- swelling of the lung;
- infectious diseases;
- whooping cough.
Self-medication can be done at the initial stage of laryngitis and bronchitis. In all other cases it is necessary to visit a doctor.
Virtually any infectious disease is accompanied by a sore throat and a dry, painful cough. During treatment, dry cough changes to wet. If a dry cough does not go away for a long time, then it can indicate pneumonia.
Particular attention should be given to dry cough in the child. Infectious diseases and respiratory system diseases in children can lead to serious consequences.
Before starting to treat dry cough, you need to identify the cause of its occurrence. Only the doctor can determine the disease reliably. Nevertheless, according to the type of dry cough, you can assess the severity of the disease and at home:
- sonorous, "barking" dry cough indicates a viral illness. With this cough, the vocal cords are damaged, which is a significant danger;
- Deaf dry cough may be one of the first signs of a lung tumor and tuberculosis;
- a severe dry cough is most common in children. In most cases, such cough is accompanied by whooping cough.
How to treat dry cough?
With any cough, the decisive role is played by the treatment of the underlying disease, which causes a cough. With a dry cough, doctors often prescribe anesthetics that soften the mucous membrane of the airways. The medicine for dry cough can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription, but in order to get rid of the disease finally, you need a doctor's consultation.
Do not treat dry cough in children by the same means as in adults. Treatment of dry cough and sore throat in children should be more sparing. When a child coughs, give him more fluids and moisten the room well.
There are many folk remedies for the treatment of dry cough. The most popular are: onions, decoction of licorice root or wormwood, lemon.
Folk remedies and generally available medications can cure cough at home. But if you can not get rid of a cough for a long time, do not let the disease run its course and consult a doctor to avoid possible unpleasant consequences.