Asthmatic cough: symptoms, treatment, prevention

Asthmatic cough can occur as a result of an inflammatory process in the bronchial tract. The reason for this may be a decrease in the bronchial lumen, provoked by muscle spasms.

Most often, the disease has an allergic path of development and arises in response to external and internal stimuli. Typically, the intensity of the cough increases at night. At the same time, it is characteristic that cough in bronchial asthma proceeds without hyperthermia and does not provide for antibiotic therapy.

The reasons for the development of cough

The most common dry allergic cough in asthma occurs as a result of:

• close contact with animal waste products;
• in adult patients, and especially a child, a cough may occur as a result of inhalation of house dust;
• coughing and choking attacks can be caused by pollen from flowering plants;
• in addition to allergens, active physical activity, harsh unpleasant odors, contrast of hot and cold air, loud laughter, etc., can provoke a dry cough;
• often a genetic predisposition contributes to the disease;
• negative reaction to various medications taken to neutralize symptoms.

In addition, viral and chronic infections can increase bronchial activity. Therefore, timely sanitation of foci of infection is necessary, especially in a child. In the case when, despite the ongoing therapy, dry cough does not go away, it can be argued that these are the first symptoms of asthmatic manifestations.

Symptoms

With direct contact of a child and an adult with allergens, attacks of severe choking cough are possible, as well as other symptoms characteristic of allergic manifestations.

These include:

• increased secretion of mucus from the nose;
• sore throat;
• cough in bronchial asthma can be paroxysmal;
• during auscultation, bronchial wheezing is heard;
• cyanosis of the skin may be observed;
• asthma cough may worsen with little exercise;
• in severe cases, signs of suffocation are possible.

It is worth noting that the symptoms of the cough form of bronchial asthma differ significantly from the common cold. For example, in a child, a coughing fit is accompanied by a rapid inhalation and a slow exhalation. During the development of an exacerbation, asthmatic cough is accompanied by wheezing with minimal sputum discharge.

The development of asthmatic cough in childhood

Asthmatic cough is possible at any age, but the attack is especially difficult in adolescents and young children. A dry cough can occur as a result of exposure to adverse environmental factors. Its symptoms are manifested by the development of severe shortness of breath.

In addition, it was found that in children who attend preschool institutions, signs of the development of a cough form of bronchial asthma are more pronounced than in those who did not attend kindergarten. In addition, asthmatic cough develops more often in children prone to allergic diseases.

As a rule, cough in children can be latent, but if lingering symptoms are not treated, then child, attacks can take on a chronic form due to an increase in obstructive changes in bronchi.

Treatment activities

Despite the fact that almost all the symptoms of the pathological process are the result of the influence of external allergens, it can be very difficult to determine them. Therefore, first of all, it is recommended to perform the necessary diagnostic examinations and laboratory tests (especially in a child) in order to prescribe the necessary medicine. Children are most often prescribed tablets or syrups. This dosage form is the most convenient to use.

If the diagnosis confirms the allergic nature of the cough, it is recommended to limit contact with the allergen as much as possible. If the allergic diagnosis is confirmed in a child, then medications (syrups, tablets, etc.) can be taken under the direct supervision of the attending physician.

To relieve acute allergic symptoms, drugs can be prescribed based on cromones and glucocorticosteroids. When choosing drug therapy, one should take into account which asthmatic form the cough belongs to.

The use of systemic glucocorticoids in order to neutralize an attack is recommended only if absolutely necessary and for a very short period of time. Long-term use of hormonal drugs can provoke a number of negative consequences (diabetes, obesity, cataracts, hypertension, etc.).

You can treat adults and children with beta2-adrenergic agonists. These drugs have minimal side effects, so they often play a major role in therapy specifically in children with bronchial diseases.

First of all, in case of an asthmatic attack, inhaled bronchodilators and tablets are prescribed. Treatment of asthmatic cough with inhalation can significantly reduce the amount of drugs (tablets, injections, syrups, etc.), as well as enhance the recovery process of bronchial functionality. With the consistent observance of all the necessary conditions and recommendations, such therapeutic measures will achieve a positive result.

Along with drug therapy, you can relieve dry and wet cough in asthma with folk recipes that can significantly reduce the manifestations of asthma and reduce the frequency of attacks. Pharmaceutical drugs can cause irreparable harm during treatment, especially in children, but a positive effect can be achieved by using herbal infusions and decoctions.

Treatment with folk remedies

Dry cough accompanying asthma can be successfully treated with decoctions:

Recipe number 1

• you need to take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of valerian and motherwort herb;
• add 1.5 tbsp. tablespoons of chopped licorice root;
• 2 tbsp. spoons of chamomile and peppermint.

The prepared mass (1 tablespoon) is poured into 200 ml. boiling water and infused for half an hour. Then you need to filter the solution and use this drug daily (1/4 cup) after each meal.

Recipe number 2

• 3 tbsp. spoons of birch buds;
• 2 tbsp. horsetail ephedra spoons;
• 10 st. tablespoons of dry chamomile flowers and marsh rosemary.

All ingredients must be mixed. 2 tbsp. spoons of the prepared mixture are poured into 0.5 liters. boiling water, leaving the solution for infusion for 5-6 hours. Then the medicine is filtered and 3 r. during the day before meals (125 grams).

It is important to bear in mind that decoctions and herbs should in no case completely replace the main treatment. They can only be used as an adjunct to basic treatment. With their help, you can muffle the main symptoms of the disease and reduce attacks of suffocation to a minimum.

Prevention of the onset of the disease

In addition to relieving acute symptoms with the help of medication, bronchial asthma requires preventive measures that can neutralize the signs of its development.

1. Primary prevention involves daily walking, avoiding contact with substances that can cause severe allergic cough. In addition, it is recommended to carry out hardening procedures and sports, as well as quitting bad habits, especially smoking.
2. Secondary prophylaxis is used to relieve symptoms of suffocation that appear and through general health recommendations. Timely diagnosis is one of the main factors in effective treatment of the asthmatic form of the disease. The sooner the nature of the development of cough is revealed, the higher the chance of full recovery and prevention of complications.