Possible causes of dry coughHow to determine the cause of dry coughTreatment of dry coughTreatment of dry cough with folk methods. Causes of a rare dry cough

In the view of many of us, a cough cannot be observed without and vice versa. Therefore, we do not consider these concepts as independent ones, which is completely wrong. Meanwhile, the causes of a cough without a cold in an adult can be very different, and a cold among them is far from in the first place. This is a symptom that occurs involuntarily, and it is caused by some kind of irritant of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Anything can provoke a coughing fit - a serious illness or a foreign object in the throat.

What does a cough without a cold mean?

A cough without a cold is just as dangerous as a cold without a cough. In any case, such a phenomenon makes us wary, especially in a chronic form. And this process has its own explanation and causes of occurrence, on which the doctor relies when prescribing treatment. A healthy person coughs no more than 20 times a day, everything else is considered a sign of failure in the body.

With a common cold and the condition of constructive treatment, the cough lasts a maximum of two weeks. At first it is dry, unbearable, then it becomes wet and easier to bear. The causes of a cough without a cold in an adult are respiratory diseases or lung disease. A similar symptom occurs when stomach acids enter the esophagus. In this case, the attack occurs mainly at night, accompanied by heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth.

In experienced smokers, the lungs are affected, the esophagus is irritated. It is very difficult for the body to get rid of cough in such a situation. They are mainly concerned about a prolonged morning cough with sputum immediately after waking up. This is a classic condition for both passive and active smokers. The way to get rid of discomfort is obvious - you need to give up addiction.

Unproductive cough

Cause of dry cough without cold:

bronchospasm;
bronchial asthma;
allergy;
exposure to dust on the respiratory system;
ACE inhibitors used to lower blood pressure.

The factors that provoked a cough may be more serious, for example, lung cancer, heart failure, tuberculosis, pleurisy, mediastinal neoplasms.

In the presence of Koch's bacillus (the causative agent of tuberculosis) for a month. In this case, a fluorography and a thorough examination are prescribed.

Asthma and allergies

A dry cough without a cold is often the only symptom of asthma. The patient's condition worsens when inhaling strong odors, cold air, pollen or smoke. In addition to the common cold, it accompanies allergic rhinitis. With this disease, there is a rash, tearing, nasal congestion, sneezing, and often a headache.

The most dangerous allergens:

Food;
plant pollen;
animal hair;
book dust.

Distinguishing an allergy is quite simple. Attacks occur only at the moment of close proximity to the allergen. Getting rid of symptoms involves consulting a doctor and taking antihistamines.

Causes of a cough without a cold in an adult may be as follows: heart failure, which is accompanied by tingling in the chest, swelling of the extremities. A trip to the cardiologist in this case cannot be postponed. One of the symptoms of sinusitis or chronic rhinitis, in addition to headache and fever, is a prolonged cough.

Diagnosis of causeless cough

The first doctor worth visiting will be a general practitioner, then he will refer you to another specialist. When making a diagnosis, the following points are taken into account:

when did the seizures start?
cough wet or dry;
additional changes in well-being.

Depending on the duration of the time period, coughing can be:

acute - up to 2 weeks;
protracted - up to 4 weeks;
subacute - up to 2 months;
chronic - more than 2 months in a row.

Often accompanying symptoms are ignored, for example, loss of appetite, drowsiness, weakness. Dry cough without a cold in an adult is easier to associate with lack of sleep or stress. As effective methods, hardware diagnostics (X-ray, CT, electrocardiography), laboratory blood / urine tests are used.

The state of the nervous system can also cause such a syndrome. With mental disorders, cough medicines do not help, even blocking the reflex. Here you need to consult a neurologist or psychotherapist.

Cough without fever

An adult can constantly cough due to viral tracheitis. Attacks torment both day and night, in the throat it constantly hurts. Hot milk and medicines can alleviate the symptom, antibiotics, as a rule, do not help. But with such a dangerous bacterial complication as pneumonia, antibiotics are used.

Such a cough without signs of a cold can occur with whooping cough, the precursors of the onset of the disease are sore throat and weakness. Over time, the condition only gets worse, the person is simply covered with a wave, mainly at night. Treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital and under the supervision of the attending physician. Otherwise, serious consequences cannot be avoided.

There is no temperature, but the cough is quite long, for sure only a blood test and a swab from the nasopharynx can refute or confirm the diagnosis.

Today, it is very difficult to find a person who would never cough during the day. The reason for everything is the ecological situation, the mass of various infections - living in a metropolis, one can only dream of clean air. When infectious agents enter the lungs or bronchi, the receptors of the respiratory tract are irritated and a cough occurs, which warns of mechanical obstacles and cleansing of the respiratory tract from sputum, mucus and other substances.

Other Causes of a Cough Without a Cold

During colds, the clinical picture is clear: the temperature rises, a runny nose, weakness and other symptoms of intoxication appear. In such a situation, the cause of dry cough is clear. Why does it occur without fever and signs of SARS? What are the causes of a cough without a cold in an adult?

In the absence of typical signs of a cold, a dry cough indicates latent inflammation or individual hypersensitivity reactions. In the list of side effects of some medicines there is an unproductive chronic cough. These drugs include:

ACE inhibitors;
drugs for hypertension;
nitrofurans;
aspirin;
inhalation medicines.

We will have to reconsider drug therapy if it is hidden. The stomach reacts differently for everyone, so the treatment is selected individually.

Such discomfort may occur after an infectious or viral inflammatory process of the respiratory system. At the same time, a tickling or tickling in the throat is felt. The duration of such a cough can be up to 3 weeks.

Throat and lung cancer

In addition to the main symptom, there is difficulty breathing, discharge from the throat and nose. There is no temperature or low - 37-37.5 ° C. With lung cancer, the signs are typical, chest pains are also disturbing, sputum is excreted with pus or blood.

Important! Left unattended, prolonged dry cough in pregnant women poses a direct threat to the health of the fetus. The abdominal muscles of the expectant mother are constantly contracting and in good shape, which can lead to bleeding.

Accompanying symptoms

Even in the absence of signs of a cold, a cough rarely appears alone, as a rule, it is accompanied by the following symptoms:

hoarse voice;
shortness of breath even with slight exertion;
nausea, vomiting;
enlarged lymph nodes;
drowsiness, sweating.

Symptoms of systemic diseases accompanied by cough:

rapid weight loss;
violation of the chair;
bad breath;
periodontitis.

When is medical assistance required?

Any acute or prolonged cough without a cold in an adult should be monitored by a doctor. With the following signs, contacting a specialist should be immediate:

heat;
clouding of consciousness;
speech change;
cardiopalmus;
swelling of the limbs;
pain when swallowing and breathing.

Treatment and first aid

Pulmonologists do not recommend self-medication, especially when using folk remedies. Home medicine can alleviate some symptoms, but eliminate them, much less cure the cause of the appearance, no. It is important to understand that all medicines for each type of cough are different. When dry, antitussives are prescribed, when wet - mucolytic, expectorant.

For a quick recovery, the patient needs to restore the regime of work and rest, quit smoking and adjust the diet. In addition to traditional drugs, antiviral, antihistamines and antibiotics are prescribed.

A cough without signs of a cold in an adult is taken by surprise, often it begins at night, you can alleviate the condition by taking the following measures:

When the source is tobacco smoke, you need to ventilate the room, drink warm tea or a glass of water.
If you have an allergic cough, you need to exclude any contact with the allergen: ventilate the room, on the contrary, close the window so that pollen does not fly in, rinse your throat with saline and wash your hands with it.
If attacks occur frequently, you should always have a mint with you.
With diseases of the throat, drinking plenty of warm water, humidified, fresh air in the room will help.

invisible enemies

Even the most healthy person can begin to suffer from a debilitating cough without symptoms of a cold and poison his life. We are talking about allergens that we encounter every day in our apartment. Household dust, affecting the lungs, irritates them, so it is important to do wet cleaning at least 2 times a week. One of the strongest irritants is paper dust. All books and folders with papers should be kept under glass or in drawers.

Pets need to be brushed regularly to reduce the amount of hair in the air. Combustion products are dangerous, the kitchen must certainly have an exhaust hood. It is also important to be especially careful when handling household chemicals. Powders should be replaced with liquid agents, chlorine-containing agents should be excluded in general.

Indoor plants will help purify and humidify the air, so with regular coughing, it's time to plant greenery in the apartment.

The listed measures are preventive, consultation of a specialist doctor is required.

You are a rather active person who cares and thinks about your respiratory system and health in general, continue to play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle and your body will delight you throughout your life. But do not forget to undergo examinations on time, maintain your immunity, this is very important, do not overcool, avoid severe physical and strong emotional overload. Try to minimize contact with sick people, in case of forced contact, do not forget about protective equipment (mask, washing hands and face, cleaning the respiratory tract).

It's time to start thinking about what you're doing wrong...

You are at risk, you should think about your lifestyle and start taking care of yourself. Physical education is obligatory, and even better start playing sports, choose the sport that you like best and turn it into a hobby (dancing, cycling, gym or just try to walk more). Do not forget to treat colds and flu in time, they can lead to complications in the lungs. Be sure to work with your immunity, temper yourself, be in nature and fresh air as often as possible. Do not forget to undergo scheduled annual examinations, it is much easier to treat lung diseases in the initial stages than in a neglected form. Avoid emotional and physical overload, smoking or contact with smokers, if possible, exclude or minimize.

It's time to sound the alarm!

You are completely irresponsible about your health, thereby destroying the work of your lungs and bronchi, pity them! If you want to live long, you need to radically change your whole attitude towards the body. First of all, go through an examination by such specialists as a therapist and a pulmonologist, you need to take drastic measures, otherwise everything may end badly for you. Follow all the recommendations of doctors, radically change your life, it may be worth changing your job or even your place of residence, absolutely eliminate smoking and alcohol from your life, and keep contact with people who have such addictions to a minimum, harden, strengthen your immunity, as much as possible be outdoors more often. Avoid emotional and physical overload. Completely exclude all aggressive products from everyday use, replace them with natural, natural products. Do not forget to do wet cleaning and airing the room at home.

Coughing is a reflex that helps clear secretions from the airways, protects the airways from foreign body aspiration, and may be symptomatic. Cough is one of the most common complaints for which parents bring their children to health care providers.

When nerve endings located in the larynx, windpipe, or lungs feel irritated, they reflexively force air out through the airways.

Typically, cough is associated with respiratory illnesses such as colds/upper respiratory infections, bronchiolitis, croup, influenza, or pneumonia. If a child's cough is accompanied by a high fever, general agitation, or difficulty breathing, they may have one of these infections.

If a child has a cold, the cough may be wet (productive or congestive) or dry and irritating; the cough may not go away longer than the concomitant runny nose. If there is a high fever and difficulty breathing along with the cough, the child may have pneumonia. The breathing of a child with pneumonia is more frequent than usual. If you notice these signs in your child, see your doctor.

In many ways, the source of the health problem is determined by how the cough sounds: when the throat (larynx) is irritated, as during croup, the cough becomes like a barking dog or seal. If the larger airways, such as the trachea (windpipe) or bronchi, are irritated, the cough becomes deeper and sharper, and is clearly worse in the morning.

Allergic reactions and sinus infections can cause chronic coughing because the mucus that runs down the back of the throat causes a dry, persistent cough that is especially bad at night. A child who only coughs at night may have asthma.

The respiratory system is the place where air from the environment enters and where it interacts with the internal environment. The main purpose of this interaction is gas exchange: the replacement of carbon dioxide accumulated by the blood flowing through the capillaries, delivered here as part of the inhaled air with oxygen. But at the same time, all sorts of other substances enter the respiratory tract: dust particles, poisonous gases and other toxins, viruses and bacteria. Depending on their size, these "particles" - let's call them that - penetrate the respiratory tract, which are further, which are closer.

The bronchial tree is covered from the inside (think of a sheepskin coat) with cilia, hair that constantly vibrates. The movements of these cilia allow you to constantly clean the bronchi, removing all unnecessary. And a cough completes the cleansing process, because it is thanks to it that either foreign bodies, or sputum, or mucus containing dust particles are pushed out - in a word, everything that prevents the bronchi from functioning normally. Investigator - we can say that cough is a reflex mechanical protective process that promotes healing and which, therefore, should not always be suppressed.

However, a cough may equally indicate a special sensitivity of the bronchi to certain pathogens that come into contact with them. And if a cough of this kind often recurs, then it should be stubbornly and vigorously treated.

Cough is the main symptom of a number of bronchopulmonary diseases, but you need to be able to distinguish one of its varieties from another.

The cough may be dry (unproductive). Such a cough affects only the upper respiratory tract (throat, larynx, trachea).

But it can become wet (productive) if accompanied by expectoration of sputum. This indicates that the disease has spread to the lower respiratory tract, i.e. to the bronchi.

The tone of the cough may vary depending on the nature of the disease: with tracheitis it will be hoarse, and with laryngitis it will be “barking” (similar to a puppy barking). ". The frequency of coughing fits can also be one of the symptoms. Infrequent attacks of coughing (sometimes occurring during the day), sometimes expressed in a normal cough, do not require the same urgent measures to be taken as for frequently recurring attacks.

Convulsive (convulsive) cough, as a rule, the child endures with great difficulty. Attacks can last from a few seconds to 10-15 minutes, depending on which parts of the respiratory system are affected.

Cough can appear in a child at different times - and this is also a symptom. Cough during the day and cough at night are signs of different diseases.

A seasonal cough, as well as a cough that occurs when moving from an area with clean air to another where environmental conditions are worse, should suggest some kind of asthma-like illness. The same applies to spasmodic cough. Cough that occurs only when moving to the supine position (in an infant of the first year of life) may be a sign that the child has gastroesophageal reflux.

In order to make a more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to look closely at what additional symptoms are. So, when coughing, you should definitely measure the temperature (preferably every 3 hours) and record the thermometer readings. In addition, if a child has purulent discharge from the nose, this should also not be ignored. Skin rashes should also alert parents, because in this case we are most likely talking about a viral infection.

We must always remember that most of the infectious diseases of the respiratory tract are of viral origin, so antibiotic therapy can be dispensed with. But a viral infection most often passes into a bacterial one or is supplemented by it. So in any case, no drugs can be used without consulting a doctor!

If the baby simply “flows” from the nose (the discharge is liquid and light), the temperature is normal, and the dry and rarely occurring cough during the day turns into a wet cough a few days later, it is necessary to rinse the child’s nose with saline (salt water) and thus clear upper respiratory tract.

With frequent bouts of dry cough, expectorants are used (usually they are produced for children in the form of delicious syrups). But with a wet cough, it is not worth giving drugs that stop the attack, because by doing this you will deprive the child of the opportunity to get rid of sputum (either by swallowing it or spitting it out), and therefore freeing the airways from it.

Parents should understand that the baby is not able to blow his nose or spit out sputum on his own to clear the airways. Therefore, they must learn to rinse his nose with a special solution, and if this is not enough, to pull out the snot with a device designed for this, resembling a small enema (you can buy it at a pharmacy or in a store that sells goods for newborn care). In addition, you can thin the bronchial secretions (and thereby promote its release) with the help of expectorants. And for those cases when the bronchi are heavily clogged with mucus and it is difficult for the child to breathe, massage techniques and sets of physical exercises have been developed. And all these parents are advised to master in a timely manner.

It should also be remembered about the “little tricks” that can improve the condition of a sick baby: sometimes it is enough to humidify the air in the room, slightly lower the air temperature in it, hold the child in a warm bath longer twice a day. If the general condition of the child is not too severe, and it is not cold and damp outside, there are no contraindications for walking.

Causes of a cough in a child

Causes of cough vary depending on whether the symptoms are acute (less than 4 weeks) or chronic.

In acute cough, the most common cause is viral infections of the upper respiratory tract.

For chronic cough, the most common causes are:

asthma (most common);
gastroesophageal reflux disease;
postnasal drip.

Foreign body aspiration and diseases such as cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia are less common, although they can all lead to a persistent cough.

Spicy:

Cause	Suspicious Symptoms	Diagnostic approach
Bacterial tracheitis (rare)	Prodromal period similar to upper respiratory tract infections, stridor, barking cough, high fever, respiratory distress, toxic reactions, purulent discharge	Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the neck
bronchiolitis	Rhinitis, tachypnea, wheezing, retractions, burning in the nose, post-cough vomiting possible, paroxysmal cough In infants up to 24 months; most common among 3-6 month olds	Clinical Assessment Sometimes chest x-ray and nasal swab for virus culture
Croup	Prodrome similar to upper respiratory tract infections, barking cough (aggravated at night), stridor, nasal burning, retractions, tachypnea	Clinical Assessment Sometimes x-rays of the neck and chest
Pulmonary environmental toxicants	Exposure to tobacco smoke, perfumes, or air pollutants	Clinical Assessment
Epiglottitis (rare)	Sudden onset. fever, irritability, marked anxiety, respiratory distress, salivation, toxic manifestations	If the patient is stable and clinical suspicion is low, a lateral neck x-ray is required. Otherwise, evaluate in the operating room using laryngoscopy.
foreign body	Sudden onset of coughing and choking Initially no fever In the prodromal period, there are no infections of the upper respiratory tract	Chest radiograph Sometimes bronchoscopy
Pneumonia (viral, bacterial)	Viral: dyspnea, fever, retractions, staccato or paroxysmal cough, possible muscle soreness Bacterial: wheezing, decreased breath sounds, retractions, tenderness, fever, chest pain, possibly stomach pain or vomiting Signs of consolidation (change from E to A, muffled percussion sound)	Chest x-ray
Upper respiratory tract infections	Rhinorrhea, red swollen nasal mucosa, possible fever and sore throat, fibrocystic cervical adenopathy (many small, painless nodules)	Clinical Assessment

Chronic:

Cause	Suspicious Symptoms	Diagnostic approach
Respiratory tract disorders (tracheomalacia, TEF)	Tracheomalacia: congenital stridor or barking cough, possible respiratory distress TEF: history of polyhydramnios (if accompanied by esophageal atresia), cough or respiratory failure with feeding, recurrent pneumonia	Tracheomalacia: CT or MPT Sometimes TEF bronchoscopy: attempting to insert a catheter into the stomach (helps in diagnosing TEF with esophageal atresia) Chest radiograph Bronchoscopy and endoscopy
Asthma	Intermittent coughing episodes on exertion, allergens, or weather changes; upper respiratory tract infections Family history of asthma History of eczema, nocturnal cough Wheezing, weakened breath sounds, retractions	Clinical Assessment Research into anti-asthma drugs Pulmonary function test
Agipneumonia (caused by mycoplasmas, Chlamydia)	Gradual onset of the disease Headache, malaise, muscle pain Possible ear pain, rhinitis, and sore throat Possible wheezing and crackling Persistent staccato cough	Chest radiograph Complement fixation reaction (IgM, IgG) Cold agglutinin test Testing for Chlamydia pneumoniae is controversial, but serologic tests (MIF test) are the most commonly used.
cystic fibrosis	History of meconium ileus, recurrent pneumonia, developmental delay, sinusitis, steatorrhea, foul-smelling stools, clubbing syndrome, or cyanosis of the nails	Sweat Sodium Chloride Test Molecular diagnostics with direct mutation analysis
foreign body	History of sudden cough and choking, prolonged cough Possible development of fever No UTI in the prodrome The presence of small objects or toys near the child	X-ray (review of inhalation and exhalation) Bronchoscopy
Gastroesophageal reflux	Infants and toddlers: history of regurgitation after feeding, arching of the lower back (Sandifer syndrome), coughing when lying down Older children and adolescents: chest pain or heartburn after eating and when lying down, possible shortness of breath, hoarseness, nausea, regurgitation	Infants: a clinical study Sometimes X-rays of the upper GI tract to determine anatomy Research on H2 blockers Esophageal pH determination and swallowing assessment possible Older children: clinical evaluation Investigation of H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors Endoscopy possible
Whooping cough (parapertussis)	1-2 week catarrhal phase with mild symptoms of upper infection, progressive paroxysmal cough, difficulty eating, apnea episodes in young children, whooping breaths in older children, gagging after a severe coughing fit	Intranasal culture and PCR test for bacteria
Postnasal drip (allergic)	Headache, itchy eyes, sore throat, pale turbinates, thickening of the posterior oropharyngeal wall, history of allergies, nocturnal cough	Antihistamine test
Post-respiratory urinary tract infections	History of respiratory infection followed by persistent hacking cough	Clinical Assessment
Primary ciliary dyskinesia	History of recurring respiratory tract infections and frequent sinusitis	Chest CT (characteristic features include hyperinflation, peribronchial thickening, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, transposition of internal organs) Microscopic examination of living tissues to detect abnormalities of cilia
psychogenic cough	Barky's persistent cough, possibly severe during activities and absent during play and at night No fever or other symptoms	Clinical Assessment
Tuberculosis	Exposition history Immunodeficiency	Most children are asymptomatic Atypical symptoms: weight loss, stunting, fever, night sweats, chills Dry tuberculin purified from medium proteins

When to See a Doctor...

While your baby is considered a newborn, i.e. in the first months of life.

When a child coughs, the temperature rises and the discharge from the nose becomes greenish, purulent.

When coughing fits are too frequent (even at normal temperature).

When a child does not tolerate a cough, the attacks are painful for him, accompanied by nausea (sometimes they can cause vomiting).

When suffocation, difficulty in inhaling or exhaling join the coughing fits.

When, due to coughing, the baby cannot sleep or seizures prevent him from eating normally.

When, in addition to coughing, skin rashes also appear, the temperature rises and other signs of a deterioration in the general condition of the baby are observed.

How to determine the disease by the nature of the cough?

Rhinopharyngitis: dry cough, but soon turning into a wet, attacks are not too frequent.

Laryngitis: "barking" cough, wheezing.

Bronchitis: moist cough.

Tracheitis(or spasmodic cough): a hoarse cough that begins when the child is laid down.

Whooping cough: attacks of hoarse convulsive cough, accompanied by suffocation (the child suffocates and turns blue).

Increased excitability of the bronchi: dry cough with recurring bouts that occurs with the slightest physical effort or with the usual runny nose, or with bronchitis.

Gastroesophageal reflux: hoarse cough that occurs some time after eating, especially if the child is laid down.

Foreign body in the airways: sudden attack of convulsive cough, in which all its types are mixed, incessant change in the timbre of the cough. Most often this happens during a meal or during a game.

Assessing a child's cough

Story. The medical history should cover the duration and quality of the cough (barking, harsh dry, paroxysmal), its onset (acute or chronic). The doctor should ask about associated symptoms, some of which are common (eg, runny nose, sore throat, fever). Other associated symptoms suggest a cause and include headache, itchy eyes, and sore throat (postnasal drip); wheezing and cough with tension (asthma); night sweats (tuberculosis); gagging after a violent bout of coughing, spitting up after a feed, or obvious discomfort or arching while lying down (GERD). For children 6 months to 4 years of age, parents and older siblings should be asked about the possibility of foreign body aspiration, access to small objects, and consumption of small, smooth foods (eg, peanuts, grapes).

Review of systems should identify symptoms of possible causes, including abdominal pain (some bacterial pneumonias), weight loss or poor weight gain, foul-smelling stools (cystic fibrosis), and muscle soreness (possibly associated with viral disease or SARS, but usually not with bacterial pneumonia).

Past medical history should include recent respiratory infections, recurrent pneumonias, known history of allergies or asthma, risk factors for developing tuberculosis (for example, contact with a person who has or is suspected of having tuberculosis infection, time in prison, HIV infection, travel or immigration from countries endemic for this infection), as well as exposure to respiratory irritants.

Physical examination. Vital signs including respiratory rate, temperature and O 2 saturation should be assessed. Signs of respiratory distress (eg, nasal burning, intercostal retractions, cyanosis, groaning, stridor, severe anxiety) should be recorded.

Examination of the head and neck should be aimed at identifying the presence and amount of nasal discharge and the condition of the turbinates (pale, flabby, or inflamed). The pharynx should be checked for postnasal drip.

The neck and supraclavicular areas should be examined and palpated for lymphadenopathy.

Evaluation of the lungs focuses on the presence of stridor, wheezing, wheezing, dry rales, decreased breathing, signs of consolidation (eg, egophony, E to A change, dullness on percussion).

Examination of the abdomen should look for pain, especially in the upper quadrants (indicating possible left or right lobe pneumonia).

Evaluation of the extremities is followed by clubbing of the fingers or cyanosis of the nail bed (cystic fibrosis).

Warning Signs. The following signs are of particular concern:

cyanosis or hypoxia on pulse oximetry,
stridor,
respiratory failure,
toxic manifestations,
abnormal lung examination results.

Interpretation of results. Clinical manifestations often point to specific causes; distinguishing between acute and chronic cough is particularly useful.

Other cough characteristics are important but less specific. Barki's cough suggests croup or tracheitis and may also be characteristic of a psychogenic cough or cough after a respiratory infection. A staccato cough is consistent with viral or SARS. Paroxysmal cough is characteristic of whooping cough or some viral pneumonias (adenoviral). Developmental delay or weight loss can occur with tuberculosis or cystic fibrosis. A nocturnal cough may indicate postnasal drip or asthma. Cough at the beginning of sleep and in the morning on waking usually indicates sinusitis; coughing in the middle of the night is more consistent with asthma. Sudden cough in young children in the absence of fever or symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections should raise the suspicion of foreign body aspiration.

Testing. Children with warning signs should receive pulse oximetry and a chest x-ray, as should children with prolonged symptoms (eg, more than 4 weeks) or deterioration.

Children with stridor, drooling, fever, and marked restlessness should be evaluated for epiglotitis, usually in the operating room by a laryngologist who is ready to immediately insert an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube.

Children with repeated episodes of pneumonia, poor growth, or foul-smelling stools should have a chest x-ray and a sweat test for cystic fibrosis.

Acute cough in children with symptoms of upper respiratory infections and no warning signs is usually caused by a viral infection, and testing is rarely indicated. Many children without dangerous symptoms are given a presumptive diagnosis after taking a history and physical examination. In such cases, testing is not mandatory, but if empiric treatment has been initiated but has not been successful, testing may be necessary. For example, if allergic sinusitis is suspected and treated with an antihistamine that does not relieve symptoms, a head CT may be needed for further evaluation. Suspected GERD not responding to H2-blocker treatment may require pH testing and swallowing assessment.

What to do when coughing?

A dry cough (accompanied by a runny nose), turning into a wet one for several days, but remaining predominantly daytime, should not cause much excitement. Simple measures are recommended to eliminate symptoms: cleaning the nose, if necessary, expectorants (herbs, syrups, etc.).

A "barking" cough that occurs near midnight, accompanied by difficult wheezing - all these signs help to immediately recognize acute laryngitis (or false croup). You should immediately take the child to the bathroom and hold him over a washbasin filled with very hot water (it gives off steam!). Sometimes this is enough; to stop the attack. If this does not happen, you should immediately call an ambulance. The doctor will use strong anti-inflammatory drugs, most likely corticosteroids. Such drugs act quickly, and if after half an hour it turns out that the child has not improved, he must be hospitalized for sure.

Wet cough in the evening or at dawn (and besides, during the day the child coughs) for several days Suggests that the baby has bronchitis. It is urgent to show it to the doctor, especially if the coughing fits become more frequent and the temperature rises.

A hoarse cough of a spasmodic nature, convulsive, accompanied by the fact that the baby "flows" from the nose, breathing becomes wheezing and difficult (especially with difficult exhalation and signs of suffocation), makes one suspect the presence of bronchiolitis and requires immediate medical consultation. Spasmodic cough, hoarse, convulsive, occurring in a one-year-old child mainly in a lying position, rarely occurring during the day, should suggest that this is tracheitis, i.e., inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. It is recommended to raise the child higher and apply the simplest methods of treatment (cough syrup, expectorants), and if this does not help, you need to show the baby to the pediatrician.

Coughing attacks with suffocation, observed throughout the day, at normal or elevated temperatures, ending with a characteristic sound reminiscent of a rooster crowing, make it possible to suspect a disease that is called false in everyday life, croup, and in the language of medicine - acute laryngitis like whooping cough. Urgent examination of the child by a pediatrician and vigorous therapeutic measures are necessary.

A hoarse cough that occurs regularly at certain hours of the night (about 11 p.m. or before dawn) during the first months of a child’s life, or at least up to a year, often indicates that he has, regardless of whether the attack is accompanied by habitual vomiting or not, gastroesophageal reflux.

Spasmodic cough that occurs with a runny nose or after bronchiolitis should be considered as a sign of excessive excitability of the bronchi. To prevent the disease from becoming chronic, the use of preventive measures and preventive therapy, which will be prescribed by the attending physician, is required.

A wet cough accompanied by bronchial obstruction in combination with gastroesophageal reflux suggests that one should not only treat the reflux itself, but also prescribe breathing exercises and physiotherapy, at least 1-2 sessions per week.

"Coughing" - a cough (usually beginning during play), in which the child's complexion changes (cyanosis appears), and then a slight dry cough is observed over a long period, makes one suspect that a foreign body has entered the child's respiratory tract, which he never managed to "cough" out. The same phenomenon can be observed while eating, if a piece of food or a sip of liquid "hit the wrong throat." It is urgent to take the child to an appointment with an otolaryngologist in order to perform an endoscopic examination.

What to avoid if a child has a cough

To think that a child is seriously ill if he often has nasopharyngitis, accompanied by a cough, but without bronchitis and otitis media.

In general, if your child is constantly in the children's team and acquires immunity in contact with other children, you have nothing to worry about (as well as if your child is brought up at home, but he has brothers and sisters who walk kindergarten or school).

Trying to treat a recurring cough on your own, claiming that "now everything is exactly the same as last time."

To do so is to get rid of the symptom without finding out the cause of its occurrence!

Assert that a sneezing newborn coughs.

Nothing of the sort: sneezing is the only way for him to “blow his nose”, to clear his nose.

Ignore coughing when it looks like a foreign body has entered the airways or food has “gotten down the wrong throat”.

First of all, you need to make sure that this did not happen, that neither small objects nor pieces of food could penetrate the bronchi. If necessary, it is necessary to quickly take an x-ray, and sometimes a bronchoscopy (this study allows you to see the bronchi from the inside with a special probe and make sure that there are no foreign bodies in the upper respiratory tract).

Call asthma excessive excitability of the bronchi.

Such a child will not necessarily become asthmatic if preventive measures are taken in a timely manner and general strengthening treatment is started.

Cough is an extremely versatile symptom, and different types of cough can be signs of different diseases. No matter how much parents worry about the fact that the child is coughing, first of all, you should figure out what's wrong. When the cause of the cough is established, one must begin to treat it - on their own (if possible) or resort to the help of a doctor. In the event of a relapse, you need to remember whether the current cough is similar to the one that was already there when the child was sick.

Here are some moments in the life of children associated with coughing.

You should be serious about any infant cough that is not an isolated case. The most common causes are colds and bronchiolitis, which improve within a few days. It is important to monitor the manifestation of signs of difficulty breathing and seek medical help in time. These signs include not only rapid breathing, especially during sleep, but also retraction of the ribs and sternum (chest).
Some children cough so hard that they vomit. The contents of the stomach are usually vomited in the form of liquid and food, but vomit can also contain large amounts of mucus, especially during a cold or asthma attack.
Wheezing is a tense wheezing sound during breathing that occurs when there is airway obstruction in the chest. This is one of the symptoms of asthma, but it can also occur if the child has bronchiolitis, pneumonia, or something else.
In children with asthma, coughing is often accompanied by shortness of breath and wheezing. This mainly happens during active games or at night. Sometimes you can hear the child coughing, but whistling and wheezing can only be heard by a doctor when listening with a stethoscope. Coughing (and wheezing) usually resolves with asthma medication.
Most often, the cough worsens at night. A child's nighttime cough may be caused by throat irritation or a sinus infection. Another cause of night cough is sometimes asthma.
In a child, a sudden cough may begin simply because the child is choking. This means that some food or liquid goes down the wrong throat and ends up in the lungs. Coughing will help clear your airways. However, if the cough does not stop within a few minutes, or if the child has difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention. Don't try to put your fingers in your child's mouth and clear their throat, as you can only push the food or whatever is causing the obstruction further.

When Should You Call Your Pediatrician?

An infant under two months of age who starts coughing should be seen by a doctor. If your infant or older child starts coughing, call your doctor when:

coughing makes it difficult for the child to breathe;
the child has a painful incessant cough, accompanied by increased convulsive breaths, vomiting or blue skin;
cough does not stop after a week;
cough begins suddenly against the background of the child's high temperature;
cough begins after the child chokes on food or other object.

The pediatrician will try to determine the cause of the baby's cough. If the cough is caused by a health problem (other than a cold or flu), such as a bacterial infection or asthma, it must be treated. In some cases, when the cause of a chronic cough cannot be determined, further tests may be needed, such as a chest x-ray or a skin test for tuberculosis.

Treating a cough in a child

The choice of treatment depends on the cause of the cough. But whatever the reason, extra fluid never hurts. Your child may feel better, especially at night, if you increase the humidity with a humidifier or spray bottle.

A cold water humidifier is just as effective as a hot water sprayer. In addition, a cold water humidifier is considered safer if accidentally dropped. However, be sure to thoroughly rinse the appliance with detergent and water every morning to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for harmful bacteria or fungus.

Be sure to check with your pediatrician before giving your child any cough medicine.

Treatment consists of treating the underlying disorder. For example, antibiotics should be given for bacterial pneumonia; bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs - in the treatment of asthma. Children with viral infections should receive supportive care, incl. O 2 and bronchodilators as needed.

There is little evidence to support the use of antitussive and mucolytic drugs. The use of non-specific cough suppressants in children is not recommended.

With many serious diseases, a barking cough appears. It indicates that the focus of inflammation is located near the glottis. The appearance of such a symptom in a child is especially dangerous. If signs of a pathological process occur, it is necessary to provide first aid correctly and in a timely manner, consult a doctor, treatment is carried out with the help of medicines and folk remedies.

The main causes of occurrence

Barking (seal) cough is more commonly diagnosed in children than in adults. It appears against the background of damage to the vocal cords by viral and bacterial pathologies.

What diseases are accompanied by a strong barking cough:

diphtheria;
laryngitis, laryngotracheitis, pharyngitis;
tuberculosis, pneumonia, pleurisy, pulmonary cystic fibrosis;
whooping cough, parawhooping cough - dry cough for a month or more does not go away, often accompanied by vomiting;
false and true croup;
with bronchitis, a rough barking cough occurs at the initial stage of the development of the disease;
adenovirus, different strains of influenza, acute respiratory infections - an unproductive cough with a runny nose, fever, pain in the joints, muscles, throat;
neoplasms in the larynx;
the presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract;
very dry and hot air in the room;
cicatricial changes in the tissues of the larynx and vocal cords after trauma, intubation, radiation therapy.

If there is no temperature, runny nose, a rare barking cough appears near trees, substances with a pungent odor - this is a sign of allergies, seasonal fever. Without proper treatment, bronchitis and bronchial asthma begin to develop. Similar symptoms almost always occur in heavy smokers, people who work in hazardous industries, after severe hypothermia.

Important! If a dry, hysterical, barking cough appears without fever, you should immediately call an ambulance - a similar symptom often occurs with swelling of the larynx, which can result in suffocation, death.

Symptoms and complications

Distinguishing a barking cough is not difficult. It really resembles the barking of a dog, accompanied by a strong sore throat, discomfort when swallowing and talking.

How it manifests itself:

hoarse voice due to severe swelling, a whistling sound appears when coughing;
paroxysmal cough, a person cannot cough for a long time, vomiting may occur;
sometimes a barking cough is wet, with a scant amount of sputum;
attacks of dry hysterical cough are debilitating, severe weakness occurs;
rhinitis with the release of clear mucus;
sore throat:
cephalgia of varying degrees of intensity;
breathing problems, shortness of breath;
temperature rise;
enlargement and hardening of the lymph nodes.

Without proper treatment, dry cough can cause respiratory failure, asphyxia, asthma, pneumothorax in adults and children. During pregnancy, due to the constant tension of the muscles of the peritoneum and uterus, severe bleeding and miscarriage can occur. If the expectant mother coughs for a long time and painfully, the fetus begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen.

Important! You should immediately consult a doctor if a barking cough does not stop for a long time, is accompanied by wheezing, convulsions, fainting, hyperthermia, the skin becomes pale, pus and blood are present in the sputum.

An hysterical dry cough is not an independent disease, but a sign of serious pathological infectious processes in the body, therefore, in order to recover, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of its occurrence. In therapy, antibacterial drugs, mucolytics and expectorants are used, inhalation with a nebulizer, and chest massage help well.

The main groups of drugs:

antitussive drugs affect the functioning of the central nervous system, suppress cough urges - Sinekod, Codeine, Bronchicum;
expectorants help to accelerate the outflow of sputum - Gedelix, Mukaltin;
mucolytics - Bromhexine, ACC;
antihistamines - Fenistil, Loratadin;
medicines with combined action - Stoptussin.

In order for the therapy to be effective, it is necessary to observe bed rest, since often a cough begins even with minor physical exertion, anxiety. It is necessary to maintain the optimum temperature and humidity in the room.

Important! Mucolytics should not be taken simultaneously with antitussive drugs, so as not to provoke stagnation of sputum in the bronchi.

Antibiotics for barking cough

If the tests show that bacteria are the cause of the dry cough, antibiotics should be taken. Sometimes these drugs are also prescribed for viral pathologies in children, debilitated and elderly people to reduce the risk of secondary infections. But most doctors consider such prevention inappropriate.

What drugs can be used:

antibiotics of the penicillin series - Flemoxin, Amoxiclav;
macrolides - Azithromycin, Sumamed;
cephalosporins - Suprax, Cefabol.

The duration of antibiotic therapy is 5-7 days, after its completion it is necessary to drink a course of probiotics to restore the balance of intestinal microflora.

Important! Plentiful warm drink and diet food contribute to a speedy recovery from dry barking cough.

Inhalations

Nebulizer procedures are one of the most effective methods for treating dry cough, and various medications are used for them.

What medicines can be used for inhalation:

with spasm of the bronchi - bronchodilators Ventolin. After 3-4 hours, do inhalations with alkaline mineral water, saline to moisturize the mucous membrane;
with the appearance of sputum - mucolytic Ambroxol;
with abundant sputum - antiseptic drugs Dekasan, Dioxidin.

You can also do ordinary steam inhalations - add pine needles, coltsfoot, chamomile and calendula inflorescences, mint and eucalyptus essential oils to the water.

Important! Steam inhalations can only be done at normal temperatures, if there are no serious disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. After the procedure, it is undesirable to go outside. You can also use a nebulizer if you have a fever.

Traditional medicine recipes

Treatment with folk remedies can be carried out at the stage of recovery, when bouts of unproductive coughing occur rarely, are not accompanied by suffocation, and other negative symptoms.

Simple recipes to combat dry cough:

In a skillet, melt 1 tbsp. l. sugar until a pleasant brown color, add 50 ml of water, mix the resulting syrup in equal parts with fresh carrot juice. Drink adults 15 ml, children 5 ml 4-6 times a day.
In 200 ml of warm milk, add a crushed garlic clove of medium size, 0.5 tsp. butter.
Mix equal parts of aloe juice and honey, drink 5 ml several times a day, do not drink. The medicine has a pronounced antibacterial, softening effect, quickly helps with a hoarse voice.
Put at night compresses from a mixture of corn oil, flour and honey, crushed boiled potatoes, lubricate the chest area with badger fat, warm eucalyptus oil to eliminate pain and ease breathing.

Important! Chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70% is an excellent antitussive.

Treating a barking cough in a child

A barking cough in a child most often occurs under the age of 5 due to some anatomical features in the structure of the larynx, against the background of viral pathologies. Attacks usually develop at night or in the morning. For treatment, expectorants are used in the form of syrups, inhalations, antipyretics and antihistamines.

How to treat a cough in a child:

syrup Lazolvan, Gedelix, Ambrobene, Dr. Mom - take within 7-10 days;
antiviral drugs - Immunoflazid, Viferon, they can be taken only if the barking cough is really caused by viruses;
broad-spectrum antibiotics from the group of cephalosporins - Cefazolin, Cefotaxime;
hormonal agents - Prednisolone, are necessary for severe swelling of the larynx;
antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol, ibuprofen;
antihistamines - Zirtek, Telfast.

After eliminating the signs of the inflammatory process, physiotherapy is prescribed - massage, UHF, electrophoresis, inhalation, heating.

Any cold with a dry cough for a small child can turn into stenosing laryngotracheitis - an attack develops suddenly, breathing is difficult, it is impossible to take a full breath, the face turns red, panic begins.

What to do with spasm? First aid - to provide an influx of fresh cool air, to put mustard plasters on the feet and shins, on the chest - it is absolutely impossible, to calm the child, give him warm milk or tea to drink.

Dr. Komarovsky advises to maintain complete vocal rest for several days with a dry cough in order to speed up the healing process. Give the child more to drink warm fruit drinks, compotes, tea with jam. All food should be light, have a comfortable temperature and a soft texture. The temperature in the room is within 18–20 degrees, humidity is 60–70%.

Dry cough may indicate the presence of severe viral, bacterial diseases, allergies, helminthic invasion. The pathological condition is fraught with dangerous complications, in some cases an attack can be fatal. To avoid this, it is necessary to provide first aid correctly, call a doctor, strictly follow all his recommendations.

Every person has faced such a problem as a cough. This symptom may appear for various reasons: infection, inflammation, or foreign body entering the respiratory tract. The cause of a cough can also be allergens, which, after penetrating the body, contribute to, less commonly, a wet cough. A prolonged cough in an adult or it can be a symptom of a dangerous disease that occurs in the body, therefore, when a cough occurs, you need to contact specialists as soon as possible to determine the etiological factor. Very often, parents observe a rare cough in a child. Many do not betray him much attention, but still it is worth knowing for what reasons he can disturb the baby and whether there is any danger in this.

Rare coughing is usually observed after a person has undergone complex treatment for a cold and is in the recovery stage. This symptom is due to the fact that there is still sputum in the lungs, which slowly comes out. There are other reasons that can cause such a symptom:

dry indoor air;
fever, sore throat, runny nose, you should consult a doctor, as in these cases there is an uncured cold;
a person who has had pneumonia often suffers from bouts of rare coughing;
the child may develop a cough if he has an allergy;
an adult working in hazardous working conditions may also suffer from a prolonged cough due to polluted air;
asymptomatic pneumonia;
psychoneurological disorder;

In a situation where you have recently had a viral disease, and a rare cough has not gone away, do not despair. Continue treatment with pharmacy medicines or traditional medicine.

Read also - What causes it and how to treat it?

Symptoms

With the help of a wet cough, the body is freed from dust particles, dangerous and toxic substances. There are many receptors on the mucous membrane of the larynx. When they are irritated, the person begins to cough. In addition to the cough itself, it is important to monitor its frequency and intensity:

Ordinary. The baby coughs about 5-7 times a day, while not experiencing pain. In children, as in adults, this type of cough often goes away without fever, it is considered the norm.
accompanied by pain in the chest, arising from the tension of the respiratory muscles. Such a symptom may be a sign of the development of an inflammatory process in the lungs.
usually occurs in various pathological conditions. It is usually not accompanied by fever.

With such a cough, the child cannot fully sleep, respectively, the protective functions of his body are reduced. Thus, it becomes more difficult to recover from a cough.

Children develop a rare cough for a variety of reasons. For example, allergies, passive smoking or prolonged exposure to dust.

Other causes of coughing in children.

The immune system is weakened.
The presence of irritating factors.
The presence of a viral infection in the body.

Diseases of the pleura and lungs may be accompanied by a dry cough. In this case, the child may have a high fever or chest pain.

What is a dangerous symptom

Rare and shallow. This is due to the fact that the problem may lie in the larynx, trachea, or throat. Distinguishing these types of cough is easy.

Dry pulmonary cough. With this symptom, the chest suffers, therefore, with it, the child may experience pain. Seizures last about a minute. Pulmonary cough greatly exhausts the body.

The superficial dry cough lasts less than the pulmonary form. This symptom is quite quiet, but is often accompanied by hoarseness. Occurs with an inflammatory process in the larynx.

How to treat a rare cough

In the case when the cough is not caused by viral diseases or a cold, it is necessary to exclude tuberculosis, cardiac, allergic and oncological etiology of its origin. Only after a thorough examination by a doctor, he will prescribe an effective treatment for you. There are many folk methods of dealing with cough in a child or adult. Each of them has certain contraindications that must be considered.

Medications

Among pharmaceutical products, it is better to choose such drugs.

This medicine is often prescribed by pediatricians to eliminate dry cough. The active ingredients have an antitussive effect on the cough center, improves breathing. Available in the form of syrup, tablets and drops.
Glauvent. This medication is used to eliminate cough and ease breathing. It has an analgesic effect. Medicine in the form of syrups can be used by children after 6 years, after eating. The active ingredient is codeine, which effectively fights cough.
It is used both in the form of tablets (children over 12 years old) and in the form of drops for internal use (children over six months old). Take the medicine after a meal. The composition of the drug contains herbs.
Glycodin. This is a multicomponent preparation in the form of a syrup, which helps to have a mucolytic and antitussive effect on the body. The drug helps to inhibit the excitability of the cough center. It has an antitussive and analgesic effect.
Libeksin. This drug is effective in eliminating cough. Produced in the form of tablets. Contraindicated in case of abundant sputum formation.

These medicines can be taken only after consulting a doctor in accordance with the instructions in the instructions.

Traditional medicine recipes

There are a lot of effective traditional medicine recipes against a long cough. They can be prepared without much effort.

Clay compress. You need to take 100 grams of this substance, dilute in hot water to the consistency of sour cream and add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar there. Apply the mixture on a rag, put it on the throat. The compress should be kept for half an hour.
Sage leaf tincture. It is necessary to take 1 spoon of raw materials, pour a glass of milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and strain. A hot decoction should be drunk before going to bed. Continue the course of treatment for 5-6 days.
Tangerine peels. Can be dried, ground in a coffee grinder. Pour half a glass of boiling water over one spoonful of the mixture, let it brew. Drink one tablespoon for 5 days in a row.
Dry cough mashed potatoes. It is necessary to boil potatoes, ceiling, add butter, 2 cloves of garlic. There is this drug 2 times a day, previously, warming up.

Treatment helps to quickly eliminate a prolonged cough. The above recipes are not only effective, but also delicious.

Local treatment

Local treatment of dry cough involves the use of complex therapy. A rare cough without fever in an adult or a child is treated with massages and rubbing, as well as compresses. Ointment can be used for rubbing

"Badger"
"Pulmex".

Most pediatricians do not advise the use of these drugs in children under 2 years of age. If the child is prone to allergies, they will be inappropriate.

Massage is best done after bathing. Pay special attention to the area of the shoulder blades. After this procedure, the baby should lie down in a warm bed for about half an hour.

For a compress, you can make a solution of one tablespoon of sunflower oil, vodka and honey. This mixture must be heated in a water bath. Soak a linen rag in the solution and put it on the neck area, between the shoulder blades, put cellophane and a towel on top. Keep the compress for 30 minutes.

It should be remembered that all pharmaceutical preparations should be taken only as directed by a doctor.
Self-medication is dangerous with serious consequences.
Some folk remedies also have their limitations. They can be used by children under 5 years of age with caution, make sure that the child does not have an allergy to certain drugs.
Massage should be entrusted to a specialist, carried out only during the recovery period of the body after an illness.
Inhalations with a rare cough are quite useful, but they are indicated only in the absence of elevated body temperature.

A rare cough in a child is not always a pathology, so before taking any treatment measures, you need to consult a doctor.