Cough and sore throat: causes and treatment methods
A sore throat that causes coughing is the first sign of colds and flu, and is also observed with allergies and a number of non-infectious pathological conditions.
Table of contents:
- Cough and sore throat: causes and treatment methods
- Causes of sore throat
- About cough
- Treatment of dry cough for colds
- Treatment of allergic cough
- Therapy for neurotic cough
- Treatment of prolonged wet cough
- Causes and prevention of sore throat and dry cough
- Sore throat and cough: causes, treatment of dry cough, how to treat it, what to do
- Why a sore throat: reasons
- How to recognize and get rid of a sore throat: what to do?
- Sore throat: how to treat it and how
- Gargles and other remedies for sore throat
- Video: what causes a sore throat
- Reviews
- Sore throat: causes, treatment
- Sore throat: causes of discomfort
- Inflammatory and infectious diseases as causes of sore throat
- Pharyngitis
- Acute respiratory viral infections
- Sore throat as a sign of cancer
- Causes of a sore throat not related to infection and inflammation
- Throat neurosis
- Occupational diseases as causes of sore throat
- Allergies as a cause of sore throat
- Other causes of sore throat
It is believed that a sore throat is caused by irritation caused by inflammation or dryness of the epithelial lining of the larynx.
Causes of sore throat
Why does my throat feel sore? A feeling of tickling in the mouth and dryness in the larynx and pharynx may be associated with exposure to external environmental factors and occupational hazards.
Sometimes this is due to a person staying in a dry room, an area with low humidity, or the toxic effects of smoking, carbon monoxide, industrial and exhaust gases. Workers in occupations such as bakers, steelworkers, miners, and construction workers who work at high temperatures or in dusty environments often suffer from this syndrome. Singers, actors and teachers experience dry, itchy and sore throats that provoke coughing due to occupational traumatic exposure to the vocal cords.
These manifestations disappear over time if irritating factors are eliminated and treatment is carried out.
An itchy throat, rawness and pain when swallowing are common symptoms of viral and bacterial respiratory infections. In particular, laryngitis, an inflammation of the larynx, always manifests itself first as a sore throat, and then coughing attacks begin.
There are known diseases of a non-infectious nature, one of the characteristic signs of which is a sore throat:
- Allergic reactions of the respiratory tract. Itching, tickling in the throat and sore throat are manifestations of hypersensitivity.
- Diabetes. A sore and dry mouth is a common manifestation of xerostomia (unbalanced high blood glucose levels).
- Reflux isophagitis with esophageal hernia. The reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus causes a sore and burning sensation in the throat.
- Neurosis of the pharynx. The obsessive feeling that the throat is sore and itchy is caused by dysfunction of the central nervous system or peripheral nerves of the pharynx.
- Pathology of the thyroid gland. Hypertrophy of the thyroid nodules leads to squeezing, which causes a sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
- Irritation of the ear canal can sometimes cause reflex coughing attacks and soreness in the larynx.
A sore throat and cough can be signs of diseases of various etiologies and require a serious approach - correct diagnosis and reasonable treatment.
About cough
Cough in itself is not a disease. This is a reflexive protective reaction of the body that allows you to clear the airways of mucus or foreign particles.
Cough is controlled by a special part of the medulla oblongata, which becomes excited under the influence of impulses coming from the bronchial receptors.
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Doctors distinguish different types of cough depending on the nature of the disease. Doctors differentiate them based on the presence or absence of sputum, duration and characteristic sound:
- dry itching during colds;
- dry obsessive with allergies;
- with sputum periodically during bronchitis;
- short with wheezing with pleurisy;
- with sputum and chest pain due to pneumonia;
- causeless hacking cough due to lung cancer;
- whistling spasmodic suffocation in asthma;
- loud barking during hysteria and other neuroses;
- prolonged exhausting, accompanied by chest pain - with heart disease;
- with tuberculosis it is accompanied by bloody sputum;
- with damage to the vocal cords - silent hoarse;
- childhood infections are characterized by “whooping cough” - a spasmodic, convulsive and hoarse bark during croup, caused by a reflex narrowing of the larynx.
How to treat a sore throat that causes a cough? It is not recommended to immediately take medications (containing codeine) to suppress it when symptoms first appear. Since, firstly, a cough helps clear the respiratory tract, and secondly, based on the nature of the cough, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
A sore throat and a dry cough that scratches the throat, as a rule, appears at the onset of acute respiratory infections and flu. Respiratory allergies also include dry coughing and tickling in the throat.
With ARVI, sore throat, bronchitis and tracheitis, on the 2-3rd day of the disease, as the infection affects the deeper layers of the epithelium, purulent mucus accumulates in the bronchi. At this stage of the disease, a dry cough turns into a wet cough with sputum production.
Treatment of dry cough for colds
The main methods of treating dry cough are aimed at relieving inflammation and dryness of the upper respiratory tract and thinning sputum, which contributes to the transition of the cough to a productive one - with sputum. For example:
- phytopastils for resorption with an anti-inflammatory effect, containing menthol, mint or honey;
- gargling with Furacilin, Chlorphyllipt, herbal infusions, solutions of soda or sea salt, taking into account individual tolerance;
- cough syrups: “Linkas”, “Doctor Theiss”, “Ambroxol”, etc.;
- mixtures with an expectorant effect and herbal infusions (licorice root, marshmallow, thermopsis, thyme);
- inhalation of herbal remedies (“Gerbion”, etc.) using a nebulizer and steam inhalation with sea salt, soda, medicinal herbs and essential oils;
- use antibiotics for bacterial infections;
- often drink: tea with raspberries, linden, lemon, honey and fruit drinks made from wild berries.
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Treatment of allergic cough
A prolonged dry cough and a feeling of tickling and sore throat are characteristic symptoms of an allergy to pollen, house dust, various animal dander and other allergens.
It should be noted that both adults and children may experience signs of allergies such as rhinitis, swelling and skin rashes.
In this case, it is recommended to carry out specific diagnostics to identify the cause of the allergy. The patient can be cured only if the allergen is removed or its effect on the body is reduced. It should be borne in mind that an allergic cough is a harbinger of bronchial asthma.
For therapy you can use:
- To relieve allergy symptoms, antihistamines are used: Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, Zyrtek, etc.;
- mucolytics: “Ambroxol”, “Bromhexine”, “Lazolvan”, “Sodium cromlycate”;
- sorbents “Enterosgel”, “Sorbilact”, etc. help remove histamines from the body;
- To improve the effect of expectorants, you need to drink a lot.
Therapy for neurotic cough
Nervous coughing attacks often occur in children and adolescents, less often in adults. It occurs against the background of psychogenic pressure: anxiety, stress, or after suffering from lung diseases and psychosomatic disorders. Sometimes a neurogenic cough occurs reflexively in a person if someone coughs next to him.
Neurotic cough cannot be treated with conventional medications used for colds. A neurologist or psychotherapist will help you choose the right treatment tactics.
It is advisable to remove the source of psycho-emotional stress and use publicly available sedatives, for example:
- before bed, teas and tinctures with soothing herbal infusions (mint, heather, valerian, motherwort, etc.);
- sedatives: “Glycine”, “Novopassit”, “Afobazol” and others, taking into account individual tolerance;
- soothing baths with sea salt, plant extracts and oils (lavender, pine needles, chamomile, etc.)
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Treatment of prolonged wet cough
With bronchitis and other acute respiratory infections, a wet cough with sputum, the so-called productive cough, develops within 2-3 days. This helps the patient to remove, “expectorate” from the bronchi purulent mucus, breakdown products of leukocytes and epithelium, which are called sputum. Therefore, there is no need to hold back your cough.
The use of drugs that relieve cough at the level of the central nervous system is prohibited. If a bacterial infection is present, antibiotics are recommended. Treatment should help thin mucus, promote its clearance (coughing up) and prevent the spread of infection. The following drugs can be used:
- sputum thinners: containing ambroxol, guaifenesin, ACC tablets, etc.
- expectorants based on herbal raw materials: “Breast collection”, “Mukaltin”, “Evkabal”, etc.;
- antimicrobials (antibiotics) if bacterial infection is detected.
Coughing with phlegm is common in smokers. In this case, even quitting smoking and undergoing treatment do not always lead to complete recovery.
If the cough with sputum does not go away, you should consult your doctor.
It should be emphasized that chronic cough can develop with severe diseases of the lungs, heart, digestive organs, nervous and endocrine systems. Productively treating a sore throat accompanied by a cough is only possible with a correct diagnosis.
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Causes and prevention of sore throat and dry cough
Coughing is a natural protective reaction of the body when the respiratory tract is irritated. If it is physiological, then foreign inclusions and microbes leave the body along with sputum. During a dry cough, the throat feels very sore and you want to cough almost constantly, but the mucus does not come out. The reasons for this condition are different: unfavorable ecology, bacterial infections, dangerous diseases of the lungs and stomach, and many other factors. Therefore, a sore throat and dry cough should be eliminated at the first symptoms and the cause of the disease should be identified by the attending physician.
A dry cough is considered unproductive because it does not release mucus and sputum from the respiratory tract. Debilitating attacks interfere with sleep, and they cannot be stopped on your own. A sore throat and a cough occur almost simultaneously, because when the throat is irritated or phlegm collects in it, you involuntarily want to clear your throat.
Most often, a painful coughing attack appears as a consequence of the development of a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or the development of pathology in the respiratory tract. In each of these cases, the symptoms, nature and duration of cough will be different.
There are different types of dry cough:
- 1. Natural (physiological), caused by a harmful substance. It occurs as a reaction to a pungent odor that irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Coughing can be caused by cigarette smoke, dust or dry indoor air.
- 2. Spicy. It appears very abruptly and always occurs against the background of a cold or acute respiratory viral infection. Almost immediately a runny nose and high temperature appear, aches throughout the body and a sore throat. The damaged mucous membrane of the nasopharynx constantly tickles, causing coughing.
- 3. Recurrent. Paroxysmal coughing, which returns after symptomatic treatment within a month. It is considered a clear sign of the development of bronchitis or asthma. Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a professional physician.
- 4. Chronic. A respiratory tract disease that does not go away for a long time. In this case, eliminating only the symptoms will be ineffective. Most often, chronic cough is observed in people whose professions are associated with harmful chemical production, and in smokers.
- 5. Pathological. Such a cough indicates the development of a pathology or dangerous disease in the body.
The first manifestations of respiratory tract damage often begin at night, when the person is in a horizontal position. The precursors of a dry cough are often:
- shortness of breath and coughing;
- hoarseness, hoarseness;
- labored breathing;
- feeling of mucus in the throat, expectoration of phlegm;
- dryness and irritation in the nasopharynx;
- temperature from 37°C and above.
At the first signs, you need to do simple procedures: gargle and irrigate it with antiseptics, do wet inhalations, and rinse your nose regularly. When you have a sore throat and a dry cough that doesn’t go away for more than a week, you should definitely see a doctor. The attending physician will prescribe an examination to identify the real causes of painful attacks, and, if necessary, refer you to specialized specialists.
Unpleasant irritation in the throat and spasm can be caused by both internal and external causes. Doctors count more than 50 reasons why a sore throat and dry cough suddenly begin. The main ones are diseases of the respiratory system, cardiac pathologies, bacterial infections of the paranasal sinuses and larynx, stomach diseases and viral infections. But whatever the reason for the unpleasant cough, it must be removed. Because constant irritation of the throat can provoke inflammation of the mucous membrane, accompanied by high fever, insomnia and headache.
Physiological cough occurs due to irritation of the so-called “cough” receptors, which are located in the nasopharynx, trachea and bronchi. Nerve endings in the ears, esophagus, diaphragm, pleura and pericardium of the heart react to irritation in the same way.
The urge to cough is triggered as a protective mechanism, for example, when foreign bodies are inhaled, objects enter the esophagus, etc. The body will have the same reaction upon contact with dust, strong odors, smoke and fumes. After damage to the laryngeal mucosa, a dry cough will continue to bother you until the inflammation disappears and its causes are eliminated.
Unfavorable environmental conditions seriously affect health. Even after an evening walk in the city, your throat may start to feel sore.
External causes of sore throat include:
- Dry indoor air. Normally, air humidity should be within 50%. If the rate is lower, viral infections spread quickly in the air. The skin, mucous membranes of the eyes and nasopharynx dry out, due to which the protective barrier is reduced and the body becomes susceptible to viruses. This is why employees of large campaigns and supermarket workers (where air conditioners do not humidify the air, but only distill it) constantly have a sore throat, itchy eyes and a desire to cough.
- Polluted air in industrial cities and megalopolises, filled with heavy metals and carcinogens, can cause allergies and itchy throat. City residents experience a metallic taste in the mouth, soreness and irritation of the larynx. To relieve an unpleasant symptom, you need to constantly drink water, then the mucous membrane does not dry out.
There are many more internal reasons than external ones. Each of them has its own symptoms, which every person suffering from a constant sore throat and coughing attacks needs to know about.
A cough can be cured only by discovering the true cause of its occurrence. This should be done by an experienced doctor based on tests and examination. You can first contact a therapist or otolaryngologist. A phthisiatrician or pulmonologist can also look at your lungs.
Doctors say the main reasons why a sore throat and a persistent cough are:
- Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI, acute respiratory infections). Accompanied by a dry cough, fever, sore throat, and high temperature. Treated with immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory drugs, inhalations, analgesics, gargling.
- Pharyngitis. Inflammation of the throat mucosa and enlarged lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection or hypothermia. Pharyngitis begins with a constant sore throat and coughing. The posterior wall of the larynx becomes lumpy and red. There is a strong burning sensation and pain when swallowing. If rinses and lozenges do not help, the throat is sore and the dry cough does not go away, treatment with antibiotics cannot be avoided.
- The most unexpected cause of cough for many is ordinary heartburn and reflux. In people who are bothered by belching in the morning, with the release of gastric juice into the esophagus, sore throat and hoarseness become a constant problem. The acidic environment of the stomach corrodes the walls of the larynx, and there is a danger of tumor development. If you have a sore throat from heartburn and want to cough in the morning, you need to consult a gastroenterologist. Most likely, he will prescribe a new diet and proton pump inhibitor drugs.
- Runny nose. The contents of the nose fall into the throat during sleep, so in the morning a person feels phlegm in the throat and tries to cough it up. Regular rinsing of the nose with saline solution and vasoconstrictors will solve this problem.
- Allergic reaction. A dry cough occurs during a certain period (for example, only in the spring), after eating a new product or taking medications. You need to contact an allergist or therapist, do an allergy test and select an effective antihistamine.
Often a dry cough is a symptom of serious diseases, such as:
- Tracheitis. A long walk in cold air can provoke inflammation of the trachea, which is accompanied by irritating, paroxysmal coughing.
- Pneumonia. Pneumonia can also begin with attacks of a dry cough, which quickly becomes wet and deep. Accompanied by heavy breathing and wheezing. There is pain in the lungs.
- Tuberculosis. An irritating cough that does not go away for more than two weeks. If, in addition to a cough, the temperature rises, dizziness bothers you, and sputum begins to be coughed up, this may be a sign of pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient loses his appetite, loses weight, and blush appears on his face. You need to urgently consult a TB doctor.
- Asthma. Coughing attacks during bronchial asthma are life-threatening, as the person practically suffocates at this moment.
- Blood diseases. Against the background of the disease, the lymph nodes enlarge and compress the bronchi. In this case, the coughing reflex is accompanied by sweating, weight loss and weakness in the body.
- Whooping cough. The toxin of the whooping cough bacillus affects the bronchi and irritates the cough center, which is located in the brain. Causes severe coughing attacks, including vomiting.
- Pleurisy. When coughing there is a sharp pain in the side.
- Parasites. Helminths not only release toxic products of their vital activity into the body, but are also capable of destroying organs. Therefore, a severe dry cough in autumn and winter can be a symptom of helminthic infestation.
Bad habits, such as smoking cigarettes and hookahs, including passive smoking, will sooner or later lead to problems with the respiratory system. This is fraught with the development of asthma, bronchitis and chronic smoker's cough.
If the cough persists for a month, it is considered chronic. In this case, an examination must be done. The doctor prescribes sputum tests, if any, and blood tests. He is sent for an X-ray of the lungs to rule out the presence of a tumor in the chest organs. And if no pathologies are found in the image, additional examinations may be prescribed:
- Spirometry. This special examination is also called spirography. The method allows you to measure the volume of air in the lungs and see if there is any narrowing in the airways.
- Tussography. It is carried out in specialized clinics to study the intensity and frequency of coughing attacks and identify its cause.
- Bronchoscopy. The mucous membrane of the respiratory apparatus is examined using a special probe - a bronchoscope. At the time of the examination, part of the lung tissue may be taken for examination. Allows you to accurately determine the cause of a dry, lingering cough.
If all indicators are normal, but the cough does not go away, the doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics and drugs to improve breathing.
If the cough is unproductive, without sputum production, it is suppressed with the help of antitussive drugs. If sputum appears occasionally, expectorant medications and physical therapy (inhalations, massage, etc.) are prescribed. The goal of this therapy is to make the cough productive, that is, wet, with sputum discharge, and relieve inflammation.
Most often prescribed:
- Expectorant medications. Mucolytics thin and remove mucus, reduce the sensitivity of nerves in the respiratory tract, and relieve inflammation. The drugs are sold in the form of tablets, syrups, herbal preparations and lozenges. The main active ingredients of such drugs are ambroxol, carbocisteine, bromhexine. Sometimes herbal preparations are prescribed - syrup from marshmallow or licorice root.
- Inhalation using a compressor nebulizer. For the procedure, use saline solution or Borjomi mineral water. Inhalations generously irrigate the airways, helping to remove mucus. The only contraindication to the procedure is elevated temperature, since inhalation can worsen the patient’s condition.
- Steam inhalations with herbs. Relieves inflammation and warms up the vocal cords. The water temperature for inhalation should not be higher than 40°C. You can do the procedures at home with chamomile infusion or eucalyptus tincture (15 drops per 0.5 liter of hot water).
- Gargling with bactericidal solutions.
- Irrigation of the oral cavity with antibacterial drugs. Dissolving tablets that soften the mucous membrane of the throat.
- Chest massage. Improves blood circulation in the lungs, helps remove phlegm. It is carried out in the form of tapping with the edge of the palm. During the procedure, a wave is “driven” along the back from bottom to top, periodically stroking and relaxing the muscles. Movements are performed from the shoulder blades to the shoulders. The massage course lasts 10 days.
A prerequisite for treatment is to drink enough water (minimum 1.5 liters). It is useful to drink alkaline drinks, still mineral water, and milk with honey will help soothe your throat at night. You should include foods containing vitamin C in your diet to support your immune system.
To ensure that an unproductive cough and sore throat no longer bother you, you need to create favorable indoor conditions, review your eating habits and stop smoking. Doctors recommend:
- Remove all chemicals and fragrances.
- Regularly ventilate the apartment, carry out wet cleaning, wipe furniture and wash floors.
- Use a humidifier and maintain the temperature in the living room within 22°C.
- Drink a lot of warm liquid, sometimes drink decoctions of herbs and berries that are good for the respiratory system.
- At the first signs of a sore throat, you can gargle with a strong solution of soda with salt and iodine, then suck honey and lemon.
- Wash your hands more often and wear gauze during seasonal colds and flu epidemics.
- Drink vitamin complexes in spring and autumn and do not get too cold.
Prevention of dry cough will help protect against relapse of the disease only in cases where the dry cough was caused by external irritants or a cold. If a more serious condition is suspected, there is no need to treat the cough with home remedies. It is urgent to see a doctor and undergo an examination.
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Sore throat and cough: causes, treatment of dry cough, how to treat it, what to do
Surely some of us have experienced a constant sore throat and a strong dry cough for some period. It is interesting to know the causes and treatment of this phenomenon, what can be done at home and how to treat a long-term dry cough.
It’s a no-brainer that if you have a very sore throat for a long time, a sore throat and a persistent dry cough, it is necessary to start treatment as early as possible in order to restore comfort, health and productivity in everyday life.
This is especially true for those whose work or favorite activity involves constant or periodic strain on the vocal cords, giving lectures in educational institutions, or being present in large crowded places.
At the same time, do not forget that self-medication is undesirable, and in some cases dangerous, seek advice from a general practitioner or ENT doctor.
Why a sore throat: reasons
A sore throat and a dry (wet) cough are often - often - symptoms of inflammation of the respiratory system, but there are other reasons. The causes of inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, vocal cords, and larynx usually occur with infectious diseases of the upper or lower respiratory tract:
There are also other reasons why a dry and severe cough and sore throat may occur. One of them is pharyngeal neuralgia. This condition occurs in patients with dysfunction of the swallowing apparatus, which is caused by defective activity of the central nervous system (CNS) or nerve receptors located in the brain.
It is clear that there is a lot to know about how to get rid of it and what medications to use.
The patient may not only have a sore throat, but also experience a burning sensation, loss of sensitivity of the mucous membrane, or, on the contrary, its sensitivity may increase excessively, the patient may experience a gnawing sensation of a lump in the throat, pain that radiates to the ear or sublingual area.
Pharyngeal neuralgia, causes:
- Syphilis.
- Tumor formations of any nature in the body.
- Pathologies of the nervous system, mental disorders.
Often, prolonged sore throat and coughing are caused by allergies. Irritants can be house and book (archival) dust, animal hair, duvets and pillows, medications, food, and pollen during the flowering period.
When your throat is scratchy, but it doesn’t hurt, there are no other symptoms, most likely the cause is allergic reactions. Allergies can be relieved with antihistamines and medications.
Sometimes my throat gets sore due to constant stress on the vocal cords associated with professional activities. For example: work as a television announcer, teacher, lecturer. Then the best remedy for a sore throat is a vacation, or perhaps a temporary change of profession.
Other reasons for a sore throat are pathologies of the digestive system. This:
- Gastritis;
- Stomach ulcer;
- Cholecystitis;
- Irritation of the esophageal mucosa, which causes the release of acidic digested food from the stomach with reflux gastoesophagitis;
- Hernia in the larynx or esophagus.
With hormonal imbalances, the thyroid gland enlarges and nodules form on it. They put pressure on the trachea and cause irritation of the larynx - as a result, the patient has a sore throat. He loses his appetite, loses weight, or, on the contrary, suddenly becomes fatter, becomes lethargic and irritable. Heavy smokers have a very sore throat in the morning.
The causes of a sore throat are varied, often associated with serious chronic diseases of the internal organs.
Therefore, treatment with folk remedies is not always effective: a herbal decoction will soften the throat, but will not help get rid of the factor that caused this symptom.
How to recognize and get rid of a sore throat: what to do?
Treatment for a sore throat is selected depending on the severity of the disease that caused it. It is not a disease in itself, but only a symptom of it. Under the influence of certain factors, the patient feels like a tickling in the throat, the desire to clear his throat well.
The cough can be wet or dry. A dry, persistent cough does not produce mucus, which could soften the larynx and relieve some irritation.
Therefore, the throat hurts even more. Typically, a dry cough is characteristic of infectious and viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract. At the same time, after a while, other typical symptoms of a cold or flu join the soreness:
If you cannot get rid of a dry cough and sore throat for a long time, tablets for a sore throat and treatment with folk remedies do not help, we can say that the pathology has become chronic and treatment requires correction.
Quite often, patients complain that their throat hurts more at night. Why does this happen and what to do in this case? The reasons are usually that during night sleep the muscles of the larynx and nasopharynx relax, blood circulation slows down, and mucus does not separate, but thickens and accumulates in the upper respiratory tract.
Flowing down the walls of the larynx, they irritate the mucous membrane and cause coughing attacks; it can also be pus in the throat. Treatment in this case is aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease and removing phlegm from the bronchi. It doesn’t have to be a cold or flu, chronic respiratory pathologies, allergies or overstrain of the vocal cords at work.
Don't forget about bad habits - abuse of alcohol and cigarettes can cause chronic sore throat. And sometimes a foreign body gets into the throat - for example, a fish or meat bone - and thereby provokes a constant cough and discomfort.
Therefore, the treatment will not be effective; neither pills nor traditional recipes will help until the provoking factor is eliminated.
Sore throat: how to treat it and how
Treatment should be comprehensive - local remedies will soften and soothe the mucous membrane, and systemic drugs will help cope with the underlying disease.
In the first case, you can take tablets and lozenges, gargle or inhale for a sore throat. Such medications are popular.
Hexoral. The drug can be bought at a pharmacy. In the form of a solution, it is used for rinsing. They should be done after meals, three to four times a day. The duration of the procedure is 3-4 minutes. Duration of treatment is up to ten days.
In the form of a spray, the drug is used twice a day, spraying it in the larynx for at least two seconds. The medicine can cause allergic reactions, if the swelling of the mucous membrane becomes stronger, a rash occurs, the cough intensifies, treatment should be stopped.
Faringosept. These tablets should be dissolved no earlier than fifteen minutes after eating. You can do the procedure up to five times a day. After taking the pill, it is not recommended to drink or eat for two hours to maintain its effect.
Cefaclor. This drug belongs to the group of antibiotics. The dosage is determined on an individual basis; the standard dose is no more than 4 grams. per day, dividing this amount into several doses of 250 mg.
Tetracycline. It is rarely prescribed today, in cases where the use of other drugs is contraindicated due to the patient’s individual intolerance to its components. Adults are prescribed PMG at one time up to six times a day. You should take the tablets no later than half an hour before meals.
Bioparox. This drug is in the form of a spray. Bioparox should be used for irrigation of the oral cavity and larynx. The procedure is carried out up to five times a day, after meals. The course of treatment lasts about seven days.
Tavegil. This is a common and affordable antihistamine. It is used to treat coughs and sore throats caused by allergies. First of all, you need to humidify the air in the room and eliminate the irritant. It is necessary to ventilate the rooms well. Tavegil is taken 1 mg twice a day before meals. The daily dose should not exceed 6 mg.
You can reduce sore throat and sore throat at home and with folk remedies. The following medicinal herbs and plants help:
You can gargle or inhale the throat using folk remedies. But it is imperative to combine them with drug treatment, otherwise the effect will be short-lived and the disease may become chronic.
What else needs to be done? Doctors recommend following a diet. You need to give up salty, sour, spicy foods and drinks that are too hot or cold; naturally, alcohol and cigarettes are inappropriate now.
Gargles and other remedies for sore throat
Angilex. At the pharmacy you can find a wide variety of remedies for a sore throat. If the disease has just begun, you can try to cure it with folk remedies. If the herbs are ineffective and the disease worsens, stronger medications should be selected.
For example, Angilex is a very effective solution for rinsing, but it must be diluted before use. For a quarter glass of warm water you need to take two teaspoons of solution. Before the procedure, you need to rinse your mouth with plain clean water. Then use Angilex.
Rinsing is done up to four times a day, the duration of treatment is five days. An alternative is the drug Givalex. This is also a rinse solution that needs to be diluted with water. The package contains a measuring cup along with the solution. First, two teaspoons of the product are poured into the glass - this is 10 ml.
Then add another 50 ml of water at a temperature of degrees. After this, the solution is ready for use. But it cannot be made in advance; it must be used immediately.
Angisept, Septifril. For resorption, it is convenient to use tablets that have emollient, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. Angisept and Septifril are popular. They are placed in the oral cavity and slowly dissolved until completely dissolved. These drugs are used 4-6 times a day. The course of treatment does not exceed seven days.
It is convenient to carry aerosols for irrigating the larynx - Ingalipt and Kameton. They are sprayed onto the mucous membrane for 1-2 seconds. You can repeat the procedure up to four times a day.
Even very severe itching can be relieved at home using inhalations. Folk remedies include baking soda or sea salt, a decoction of calendula and chamomile, or an infusion of eucalyptus. You can buy Ingalar in pharmacies. This drug is added to the inhaler or to a container of hot water. It is enough to do inhalations twice a day.
An approximate treatment regimen for a sore throat: inhalation twice a day, dissolving lozenges or tablets throughout the day, if required, taking antibiotics in the dosage prescribed by the doctor, or antihistamines. It is recommended to follow a gentle diet and give up bad habits.
Video: what causes a sore throat
Elena Malysheva will tell you in this video what causes a sore throat.
Reviews
Maria. With a strong, dry cough, my throat began to feel sore. I drank Prospan syrup for a dry cough. I am very glad that in just a few days I got rid of my dry cough. I gargled with a soda solution. He always helps me.
Pauline. My occupation is a seller of household chemicals. My throat very often dries out and starts to feel sore. The doctor told me it was an allergy and prescribed Isla-Moos lozenges. I started sucking on the lozenges and the soreness quickly went away. They moisturize the throat mucosa well.
Svetlana. My cold begins with a sore throat, a slight cough, headache, aches and chills. The last time I got sick, I went to the hospital. The doctor prescribed Influcid antiviral tablets. I dissolved them almost every hour (according to the instructions for use of the drug) and after some time the disease subsided. Thanks to him, my sick leave turned out to be several days shorter than I would have had to self-medicate.
Rose. Last winter at the university where my daughter studies, the heating system in the building practically did not work. The children sat in outerwear and shivered from the cold. A few days later, my daughter started coughing. I bought her Prospan effervescent tablets so that my daughter could dilute them with warm water in the cupboard. Fortunately, the cough subsided within a few days.
Sore throat: causes, treatment
A sore throat is an unpleasant symptom that every person has encountered at least once in their life. Suddenly, without any noticeable reason, an unpleasant sensation of slight itching or “tickling” appears in the throat, and a loud, jerky dry cough begins. Tears come to your eyes, your breath catches. Such an attack can be stopped only after a few minutes.
Some people experience this symptom almost every day. Someone suffered from an unpleasant manifestation only once. But even a person who has experienced such an attack once is interested in the question: what causes a sore throat? Is it a symptom of some disease? Let's try to figure it out.
Sore throat: causes of discomfort
Unpleasant sensations in the throat can occur for various reasons. Conventionally, they can be divided into internal and external.
External reasons include:
- Long stay in a room with insufficient humidity. It is known that the humidity in the room should not be lower than 50% -60%. If this indicator is lower, then significant damage can be caused to a person’s health and appearance. The skin and mucous membranes become dry, and a constant tickling sensation appears in the throat. In this case, getting rid of the unpleasant symptom is simple: just buy and install an air humidifier in the room.
- Unfavorable environment. In big cities, where smog is a constant component of the air we breathe, there are many times more people suffering from unreasonable coughs and tickles than in the suburbs. The explanation is simple: exhaust gases and dust, when inhaled, irritate the mucous membranes, causing bouts of dry coughing and an unpleasant tickling in the throat. What to do in such a situation, if it is impossible to change your place of residence? Carry water with you and take small sips very often. This will help partially relieve irritation and avoid drying out of the mucous membranes.
The list of internal causes of a sore throat is much more extensive. These include:
- Bad habits, such as smoking. Volumes of scientific research have been written about the dangers of inhaling tobacco smoke. The only way to eliminate this cause of cough is to give up cigarettes, cigarettes, and hookahs forever.
- Inflammatory or infectious diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- Allergic diseases.
- Non-inflammatory throat diseases.
- Disruption of the central nervous system.
- Occupational diseases.
- Side effects of certain medications.
Let's consider each of these reasons separately. Let's try to find out whether it is possible to get rid of a cough caused by internal causes.
Inflammatory and infectious diseases as causes of sore throat
A sore throat can be one of the symptoms of inflammatory diseases of an infectious and non-infectious nature. To get rid of a cough, you need to eliminate the disease that caused it.
Most often, unpleasant, “dry” or “tickling” sensations occur with the following diseases of the pharynx.
Pharyngitis
The most common causes of sore throat and sore throat:
This inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa is very common because it can be caused by various reasons. Experts, based on the type of causative agent of the disease, distinguish pharyngitis caused by:
Doctors have their own approach to each of these diseases, but one thing remains the same: pharyngitis must be treated. Self-medication can lead to the spread of infection to all respiratory tracts. Streptococcal or staphylococcal types of pharyngitis, if left untreated, can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream and lead to a general infection.
A dry cough and sore throat most often occur with the atrophic or subatrophic form of pharyngitis. The patient's mucous membranes dry out and become so thin that blood vessels are clearly visible through them.
To get rid of the symptoms of pharyngitis, you need to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of warm liquid a day, gargle and lubricate your throat with medications prescribed by your doctor, and exclude irritating foods from your diet. In advanced cases, antibiotics are prescribed to treat pharyngitis.
Acute respiratory viral infections
ARVI is the scourge of our time. As soon as the warm summer days end, residents of megalopolises and large cities begin to cough, complain of high temperature, and general malaise. The doctor usually makes a diagnosis: ARVI. So what is this disease and why is it accompanied by a cough, sore throat and tickling in the throat?
ARVI is not one, but a whole group of catarrhal diseases caused by viruses. These include:
- flu;
- parainfluenza, which affects the upper respiratory tract and larynx, spreading through the air.
- adeno-, rhino- and respiratory syncytial viral infections.
They are rapidly covering cities, therefore they are transmitted by airborne droplets, oral, and contact (by touching). A sore throat and dry cough are just one of the symptoms of this group of diseases. Unfortunately, narrowly targeted, potent drugs for many ARVI pathogens have not yet been found, and in each case, the doctor, when prescribing treatment, is guided by the general condition of the patient. To relieve sore throat and cough, special throat soothing tablets, gargles, and mandatory intake of large amounts of liquid are usually prescribed.
Itching can also be caused by other inflammatory or infectious diseases: sore throat, scarlet fever, etc.
Only a doctor can identify the disease and prescribe effective treatment.
Sore throat as a sign of cancer
Unpleasant sensations in the throat can be a sign of cancer. Most often, this is how throat or larynx cancer begins. Its initial symptoms are not specific; they are very similar to the symptoms of laryngitis, pharyngitis, ARVI or tonsillitis. The first to appear are usually:
- hoarseness, hoarseness, tickling in the throat;
- dry cough;
- slight pain or sore throat.
Later, hoarseness and hoarseness can develop into complete loss of voice. The swallowing reflex is disrupted, coughing attacks either disappear or become very protracted. Dryness develops into a sensation of a foreign object that interferes with breathing. Internal organs are affected.
To avoid such a dangerous diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo examination for tumor markers at least once a year. Doctors select treatment for cancer individually for each patient. Important: the sooner the patient consults a doctor, the shorter and more successful the treatment will be. Therefore, if the soreness does not go away within a few days, you should consult a doctor.
Causes of a sore throat not related to infection and inflammation
Throat neurosis
One of the most common causes of sore throat, not associated with infections or inflammation, is pharyngeal neurosis. This pathological condition is usually caused by disturbances in the central nervous system or abnormalities in the innervation of the pharynx.
Causes of pharyngeal neurosis:
- Bulbar palsies. This is the name for damage to the cranial nerves, the nuclei of which are located in the medulla oblongata. Along with a dry cough and sore throat, other symptoms are observed: impaired speech intelligibility, difficulty swallowing, saliva leaking from the corners of the mouth. Treatment of bulbar palsy takes a long time. That is why, if the soreness does not go away for a long time, it is advisable to undergo a medical examination.
- Paralysis of nerve endings after colds.
- Diseases of the spine (most often the cervical spine).
- Complications after diphtheria or tonsillitis (rare).
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Syphilis.
- Malignant or benign brain tumors.
- Diseases associated with mental disorders. Especially often, tickling and coughing can be observed during hysteria or neurasthenia.
Hysteria used to be called complex neurosis, which manifested itself in pronounced emotional and affective phenomena or somatovegetative manifestations. Attacks of hysteria are based on human character traits (for example, increased suspiciousness), which developed under the influence of neuropsychic stress.
Neurasthenia is a mental disorder that occurs as a result of a combination of several factors: constant overwork, mental trauma, endocrine disorders, weakened immunity. A sore throat is just one of the signs of hysteria and neurasthenia.
Pharyngeal neurosis can take various forms.
- Hyperesthesia. Usually develops against the background of frequent colds or infectious diseases of the respiratory system. The main symptom of hyperesthesia is increased sensitivity of the pharynx and mucous membranes of the throat. The desire to cough in order to remove a non-existent cause of itching from the throat often leads to vomiting.
- Paresthesia. It develops more often in women in the climatic period, individuals prone to hysteria.
- Anesthesia. Soreness and cough may be absent, but the patient’s swallowing function is impaired.
A sore throat and attacks of dry cough caused by pharyngeal neurosis are usually treated simultaneously by two specialists: a neurologist and an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT doctor).
The consequences of untreated diseases can be complete loss of voice.
Occupational diseases as causes of sore throat
The cause of attacks of “farting”, a tickling sensation in the voice and bouts of coughing (dry) can be occupational diseases. There are usually two groups of occupational factors that cause discomfort.
- Air pollution. Constant inhalation of fine or medium-dispersed dust is a powerful irritant for the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. Workers of flour mills and spinning plants, miners, librarians or archivists, metallurgists, builders working with concrete, plaster, etc. are usually susceptible to coughing and coughing. In this case, only proper organization of the workplace and good ventilation will help eliminate the cough.
- Voice overstrain. Usually it is this reason that causes tickling and coughing in people of creative professions: teachers, announcers, actors, singers. Incorrect voice placement, prolonged strain on the ligaments, and the desire to speak louder than one’s own vocal apparatus allows often lead not only to a dry cough and unpleasant sensations in the throat, but also to a complete (temporary or permanent) loss of voice. To avoid this, at the first problems with the voice, a person should speak only in a whisper, or even better, observe a regime of absolute silence.
There are no special remedies for the treatment of occupational laryngitis. However, to alleviate the condition, specialists can prescribe:
- irrigation;
- rinsing;
- tablets or mixtures that moisturize and soften the mucous membranes and vocal cords.
Folk remedies help get rid of the burning sensation and dryness in the throat. So, for example, you can boil 4 figs in a glass of milk, and then gargle with this mixture or drink it in small sips.
Important: professional voice loss can be avoided if you undergo regular examinations with a phoniatrist.
Allergies as a cause of sore throat
The most common cause of a sore throat, dry cough and watery eyes is allergies. This is what is called the body’s inadequate response to certain substances called allergens. The most common allergens that cause irritation of mucous membranes are:
- dust (including house dust);
- plant pollen;
- animal wool;
- perfumery;
- mold;
- some food products.
Interestingly, in different combinations these substances may or may not be allergens.
An allergist treats hypersensitivity of the immune system. Self-medication is usually a course of procedures aimed at increasing immunity to a specific type of allergen. In severe cases, the allergist may prescribe medications that can block the action of allergy mediators.
Important: it is necessary to treat allergic manifestations. A patient who neglects treatment may develop anaphylactic shock, which is dangerous to health.
Other causes of sore throat
Sometimes a sore throat or dry throat can be a consequence of taking certain medications. Such phenomena are especially often provoked by medications for hypertension or heart disease.
If a cough occurs while taking tablets, “choking” appears, or a desire to cough up, you should consult your doctor to select other medications.
A sore throat, cough, dry throat is not an independent disease, but a symptom of a number of diseases. That is why, when these “signs” appear, you need to undergo a thorough medical examination.