A dry cough is usually, but not always, the first symptom of a viral infection. Dry cough is often referred to as tiring cough and is especially annoying at night, it causes a scratchy throat and prevents sleep. which diseases are most often associated with dry cough, how is it treated? When does a dry cough require consultation with a doctor?

Dry coughis a troublesome and tiring symptom of an infection. It is characterized by bouts of dry cough and an unpleasant scratching sensation in the throat. See how to treat a dry cough and what will help you get rid of this ailment.

Dry cough - symptoms

The symptoms of dry cough are easy to recognize. Dry cough, unlike wet cough, is characterized by little or no discharge.

It is often accompanied by dryness and scratching in the throat - the feeling of irritation of the mucosa as if a feather is constantly sitting there is a typical symptom of a dry cough.

Dry cough is tiring, both for a child and an adult, especially at night, when sleep is disturbed by sudden attacks of coughing, provoking constant coughing.

Dry cough - causes

A dry cough most often starts a viral respiratory infection, the popular common cold. It can also be a symptom of the flu. However, it is not always possible to be sure that a dry cough is just a symptom of an infection.

We often cough when a foreign body gets stuck in our esophagus. A dry cough can also be a symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and is caused by the irritation of the respiratory tract with acidic gastric contents.

The causes of airway-related dry cough are:

  • chronic airway inflammation
  • viral infection
  • bronchial asthma
  • cigarette smoke irritation
  • whooping cough

A dry cough, especially a tiring one that lasts much longer than with a common cold, should start to bother us. It can be caused by other ailments not necessarily related to the respiratory system.

For reasons not related to the respiratory system:

  • animal hair allergy
  • reaction to pollution from air conditioning
  • heart disease
  • circulatory failure
  • reflux
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • lung cancer
  • bronchial cancer

Dry cough after infection

Cough is a common remnant of flu, which torments us up to several weeks, and in the case of whooping cough. If it is not a symptom of a flu complication, e.g. bronchitis, then you shouldn't be alarmed.

Its immediate cause is often smoke or changes in temperature or air humidity. This reaction is caused by post-infection damage to the respiratory mucosa.

During infection, the ciliary epithelium is damaged and exfoliated - our first line of defense against microbes and air pollution. Destroyed mucosa is easily irritated, which causes a cough reflex.

In such a situation, a dry cough can be tiring until the epithelium regenerates, which may take several weeks.

Dry cough - antitussive drugs

A dry cough that starts with a cold or flu turns into a wet cough as the infection develops. But before that, a dry cough should be soothed, especially at night, so that it does not disturb your sleep.

For this purpose, you can use antitussive drugs that inhibit the cough reflex. They are syrups with ingredients such as codeine and dextromethorphan. Dry cough attacks also become less severe thanks to antihistamines. However, they can only be used:

  • after finding the cause of a dry cough. Coughing may be a sign of more serious ailments in the course of which the use of inhibitory drugs is contraindicated
  • when the cough is very persistent and tiring, making it impossible, for example, to sleep. In this situation, it can be used overnight. Remember - during coughing, pathogenic microorganisms are removed from the body, so it is not advisable to suppress the cough at all costs
  • for a short time (codeine can be addictive if used for long periods)
  • in adults and adolescents (not for use in children under 12 years of age)

It is also worth remembering that there are situations in which suppression of cough is highly recommended, e.g. after neurosurgical and ophthalmic surgery, because the general agitation and increase in pressure in the chest accompanying coughing may cause an increase in pressure inside the skull and eyeball.

Dry cough - expectorants

Dry cough also requires the use of medications to make it wet. This causes secretions to appear in the airways which are removed simultaneously with the microbes.

Onion syrup is effective in this situationantibacterial and additionally stimulating the production and removal of secretions. It is a good cough medicine in pregnancy - natural treatments are the safest for a mother-to-be.

If the dry cough is caused by post-infection irritation of the epithelium, then its regeneration must be stimulated, which may take several weeks. During this time, it is worth taking care of good hydration of the mucous membranes and supporting its functions. An invaluable help is sipping a linseed infusion.

Dry cough - home remedies for dry cough

Homemade dry cough remedies are effective and tried for many generations. However, you should know that home treatment of dry cough can only be used for a while.

If you have been coughing for a long time and a dry cough does not turn into a wet cough, be sure to consult a doctor to rule out more serious causes, such as heart disease and even cancer.

Here are the most popular and effective home remedies for dry cough:

1) Herbs and homemade cough syrups

  • thyme - facilitates expectoration, increases the secretion of liquid mucus thinning thick secretion
  • marshmallow - expectorant
  • Icelandic lichen - has an antitussive effect and soothes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract
  • coltsfoot - soothes inflammation of the respiratory tract, has an expectorant and antispasmodic effect
  • mullein - helps to deal with persistent cough (dry - protects the irritated mucosa and wet - helps to expectorate)
  • propolis - bee putty - has antibacterial properties
  • honey - buckwheat honey is believed to be effective in relieving night-time cough accompanying a cold
  • linseed - linseed infusion relieves the reflex of unproductive (dry) cough
  • pine syrup - it will also help with rhinitis, when there are chills and a feeling of breakdown. During illness, adults should take it 3-4 times a day for one teaspoon, children 3 times a day for one teaspoon
  • onion syrup has an expectorant effect and is a natural antibiotic.

Read also:

  • Drosera - an ornamental plant that helps with cough

2) Dry cough inhalations

Inhaling water vapor, preferably enriched with antibacterial and antiviral agents, will also help to relieve a dry cough. Add a few five drops of eucalyptus, sandalwood, rosemary, fennel, marjoram and pine essential oil to hot water. You can also make inhalations with herbal infusions, e.g. chamomile.

3) Humidifying the air in the house. Includingfor example, you can hang wet towels on the radiator.

4) Moisturizing the mucous membranes, drinking often water or herbal infusions. Drinks should be at room temperature or slightly warm.

Read also:

  • Tiring cough - causes. Remedies for a tiresome cough

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