How to treat a severe cough during pregnancy
The need to regularly visit an antenatal clinic, take tests, undergo an ultrasound scan, and finally go to work before maternity leave begins, exposes the expectant mother to the danger of contracting a cold, the viruses of which often live in crowded places.
Table of contents:
- How to treat a severe cough during pregnancy
- What does a severe cough mean during pregnancy?
- Why is a severe cough dangerous during pregnancy?
- How to treat a severe cough during pregnancy
- Drug treatment
- Rinse
- Inhalations
- Inhalation with chamomile
- Oil-salt inhalation
- Inhalation with saline solution
- Inhalation with mineral waters
- Herbal inhalations
- Other inhalation products
- Folk remedies
- Resorption of burnt sugar
- Potato compress
- What can pregnant women do if they have a severe cough?
- What to do if you have a severe cough at the beginning of pregnancy
- What to do if a severe cough during pregnancy does not go away
- Consequences of a severe cough during pregnancy
- Cough during pregnancy
- Cough in early pregnancy
- How to cure cough during pregnancy
- Treatment of cough during pregnancy with folk remedies
- Treatment of cough during pregnancy in traditional medicine
- Cough during pregnancy: reviews
- Cough until vomiting. Pregnancy 14 weeks.
- Read also
- Comments on this post
- Cough during pregnancy
- Causes of cough
- Diagnosis of the cause of cough
- What are the dangers of coughing during pregnancy?
- Treatment of cough in the 1st trimester of pregnancy
- Treatment of cough in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy
- Treatment of cough in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
- Effective methods to combat cough during pregnancy
- The main reasons for this condition
- The dangers of coughing while pregnant
- Correct treatment
- Use of medications
- ethnoscience
- Gargling and inhalation
- One comment on “Effective methods of fighting cough during pregnancy”
- Add a comment
- Cough during pregnancy: how to treat, types, causes
- Causes of cough during pregnancy
- Is coughing dangerous during pregnancy?
- Cough treatment
- Treatment in the first trimester
- Late treatment
- Cough prevention
Colds and severe coughs are especially dangerous at the beginning of pregnancy, when a woman’s body undergoes a period of active restructuring and the immune system is somewhat weakened.
In no case should a symptom such as a severe cough be ignored during pregnancy, since this condition can have serious consequences for the pregnancy and health of the child. Even if it is not a cold, but an allergic or other etiology, it cannot be considered harmless.
What does a severe cough mean during pregnancy?
In order for treatment of a severe cough in a pregnant woman to give quick results, it is necessary first to establish the exact cause of its occurrence. The diagnosis is established on the basis of laboratory tests of blood and sputum (if the cough is productive) and by visual assessment of the nature of the cough:
- in the presence of a dry “barking” cough, leading to hoarseness of the voice, the development of laryngitis is likely;
- paroxysmal with a sensation of pain or burning behind the sternum is characteristic of tracheitis;
- cough, provoked by a sore throat and sore throat, is observed with pharyngitis;
- strong wetness, often with purulent, foul-smelling sputum, may be a symptom of bronchitis or pneumonia;
- An unstoppable paroxysmal (sometimes to the point of vomiting) cough is observed with whooping cough;
- wet, with foul-smelling sputum may indicate a lung abscess;
- Protracted and severe attacks of morning cough are also characteristic of chronic bronchitis of smokers (mothers who continue to smoke should keep this in mind), it appears immediately after waking up and sometimes exhausts a person for several hours in a row.
A cough can also be of an allergic nature (for example, an allergy to house dust) or be provoked by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Then the acids of the gastric juice irritate the esophageal mucosa, causing heartburn or belching with the release of secretion into the larynx, which leads to the appearance of a cough reflex. It is not particularly long lasting, but its attacks can be severe. If this condition occurs during pregnancy, severe cough can be cured by eliminating the underlying cause - gastritis.
Why is a severe cough dangerous during pregnancy?
A severe cough during pregnancy is dangerous for several reasons.
1. If it has a viral or bacterial etiology, there is a risk of further development of the infectious process.
2. Constant tension in the abdominal muscles, caused by increased coughing, leads to overstrain of the uterine muscle and can also cause uterine bleeding and miscarriage.
3. Insufficient oxygen supply to the organs due to prolonged severe coughing during pregnancy also has consequences such as oxygen starvation in the fetus, which in turn is dangerous for the central nervous system of the baby developing in the womb.
4. In any case (not only during pregnancy), a long-lasting and untreated cough can acquire a chronic form, which you will have to live and fight with for the rest of your life.
How to treat a severe cough during pregnancy
Considering the variety of factors that contribute to the appearance of severe cough in pregnant women, only a qualified doctor can determine how to treat this condition.
Drug treatment
When prescribing a medicine, the specialist will first determine the etiology of the cough, and then determine which antitussive, and possibly antibiotic, drugs to prescribe to the pregnant woman. In this case, both the general well-being of the woman and the period will be taken into account, because what is possible for a pregnant woman with a strong cough in the 2nd-3rd trimester can be categorically contraindicated in the 1st trimester.
Schematically it will look something like this.
1. I trimester: Mucaltin, syrups based on marshmallow root, Eucabal - for dry cough. Dr. Theiss, Bronchipret (taking into account a possible allergic reaction), Linkas (with caution) - when wet.
2. II-III trimester: Mucaltin, Eucabal, Syrups with marshmallow, Bronchipret and Bronchicum with caution, as well as Gedelix, Falimint, Akodil, Libexin - for dry cough. Stoptussin, Doctor Theiss, Prospan, Gerbion, Linkas - from wet.
In addition to antitussive, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents, it is advisable to take vitamins and approved dietary supplements (BAA): Mamavit, Flora Force, Bifidophilus, which will support the immune system and the body as a whole while fighting cough.
Rinse
All kinds of gargles that soothe and soften the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are considered a good help for strengthening the body during the treatment of cough (in addition to tablets, syrups, lozenges and lozenges). Sometimes the consequence of a severe cough during pregnancy can be irritation of the throat and even rupture of the capillaries of the respiratory tract, so external protection of these organs alleviates the patient’s condition. The approved and most popular gargles for severe coughs during pregnancy are:
- salt - in a concentration of 1 teaspoon of product or mixture per 200 ml of water, you can use sea salt;
- herbs - you can use either individual ingredients or mixed in equal parts: grind the flowers of calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort, sage, brew a tablespoon of the raw material with 200 ml of boiling water, let it brew, and rinse several times a day for pharyngitis, laryngitis and other conditions , causing severe coughing in a pregnant woman.
Inhalations
One of the approved remedies for the treatment of severe cough is inhalation. Their advantage lies in the local effect of the drug used on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and bronchi.
However, even this seemingly harmless procedure has contraindications - for example, inhalation should not be used if there is a high temperature, heart disease, or a tendency to allergies. To avoid allergic manifestations, plants or extracts from them that cause an allergic reaction cannot be used as a medicinal substance. Some essential oils are also dangerous for pregnant women:
The most reasonable step for carrying out the inhalation procedure would be to purchase a special device - a nebulizer, which will save the pregnant woman from the need to cover herself with a towel and other inconveniences.
Inhalation with chamomile
Pour 2 tablespoons of chamomile into 100 ml of boiling water, hold for 5 minutes under the lid, add 5 drops of mint oil and inhale the vapors for minutes.
Oil-salt inhalation
Prepare a salt solution (a teaspoon per 500 ml of boiling water), when it has cooled to about 40 degrees, add 5-10 drops of mint, eucalyptus or anise essential oil and breathe for 5-7 minutes. You can use other essential oils - rose, pine, fir, lavender, lime.
Inhalation with saline solution
Ordinary saline solution is completely safe as an inhalation substance; it helps moisturize the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, quickly relieves swelling, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. To enhance the effect, you can dissolve a Mucaltin tablet or antitussive powder in 80 ml of saline solution.
Inhalation with mineral waters
For inhalation, you can use mineral waters such as Narzan or Borjomi. Before use, they need to be warmed to a temperature of degrees, inhalations should be done 4 times a day.
Herbal inhalations
There are no contraindications for use as inhalers during pregnancy and such phytotherapeutic agents as Tonsilgon, preparations based on calendula, eucalyptus.
Other inhalation products
If the doctor considers it possible, inhalations of Furacilin, Chlorophyllipt, Dexamethasone, Pulmicort are allowed, but the use of these drugs must be strictly controlled.
Folk remedies
The use of folk remedies based on medicinal herbs is perceived by many expectant mothers as the best alternative to drug therapy when the question arises of how to treat a severe cough during pregnancy. However, this is not entirely true, because many plants are not at all harmless.
To minimize the risk of complications from the use of natural remedies, it is better to select those that do not require additional stress on the digestive system, liver and kidneys. That is, give preference to local procedures, for example, inhalations, rubbing, compresses.
During colds, it is extremely important to maintain a drinking regime, so teas with the addition of medicinal herbs can be used as a warm drink. Here you also need to follow certain safety rules; you cannot use aggressive substances or potential allergens. And what is extremely important, folk remedies should also be used only in consultation with a doctor and simultaneously with drug treatment methods.
Resorption of burnt sugar
Another completely safe, but quite effective remedy to relieve a severe cough when pregnancy does not allow the use of many potent drugs is the resorption of burnt sugar. To prepare this homemade pill, melt the sugar in a ladle or iron mug over low heat and pour the caramelized mixture into a container of ice water in one motion to form a lollipop. Immediately drain the water, let the candy cool, and you can use it. The product perfectly relieves coughing attacks, softens the respiratory tract, and is effective against night attacks. The only contraindication is elevated blood sugar levels.
Potato compress
Since intense heating is contraindicated during pregnancy, warming compresses on the chest should also be agreed with your doctor. The safest are short-term compresses, for example, from boiled and mashed potatoes, which are kept on the chest while the mass remains warm. You can add honey to the potato mixture.
What can pregnant women do if they have a severe cough?
Based on all that has been said, we can draw the following conclusions.
- Treatment of severe cough during pregnancy involves the use of the safest, but fastest-acting therapeutic agents that do not have a detrimental effect on the internal organs of the pregnant woman and the health of the unborn child.
- To enhance the effect of traditional methods of treatment and alleviate the condition of the patient, the parallel use of measures such as rinsing, inhalation and folk remedies is allowed.
- When choosing any (including non-traditional) treatment methods, consultation with your doctor is required.
- In the treatment of cough in a pregnant woman, electrophoresis, mustard plasters and similar methods should not be used.
- When using herbal infusions, the possibility of an allergic reaction to the components should be taken into account; consultation with a doctor is required.
to contents ↑
What to do if you have a severe cough at the beginning of pregnancy
As already mentioned, the most unfavorable time for the use of intensive methods of anti-cough therapy is the first trimester of pregnancy, when a woman’s scale shows two problems - a severe cough and “I’m pregnant.” This is an extremely undesirable combination of circumstances that requires only a qualified approach, since we are talking about preserving the life and health of two people at once - mother and baby.
Therefore, as soon as a strong cough is detected in a pregnant woman in the first trimester, there should be no doubt about what the expectant mother should do - just consult a doctor immediately.
What to do if a severe cough during pregnancy does not go away
There are situations when a cough lasts a long time and does not go away, despite the measures taken. In this case, it is possible to assume an incorrect diagnosis and undergo a more in-depth examination to clarify it. If local diagnostic conditions do not allow such an examination, it is better to contact a modern diagnostic center or a paid clinic. In any case, the help should be medical; relying on the services of home-grown “healers” is not only unreasonable, but also unsafe.
Consequences of a severe cough during pregnancy
To finally dispel doubts about the need for a quick cure for cough during pregnancy, let’s consider the consequences this condition brings to both the woman and the pregnant child.
1. Cough provokes excessive tension in the abdominal muscles, which can lead to hypertonicity of the uterus and, as a consequence, to premature placental abruption and miscarriage.
2. A strong non-productive cough, which does not help cleanse the bronchi and increase the bronchial lumen, leads to a deterioration in the transport of oxygen to the organs and to the fetus, which can cause intrauterine hypoxia to develop.
3. Excessive coughing strains peripheral blood vessels, which leads to an increase in blood pressure in a woman with all the ensuing consequences.
4. With a strong, prolonged cough, weakening of the pelvic muscles is often observed, which leads to such unpleasant phenomena as urinary incontinence. This, in addition to understandable inconveniences, exposes a woman to the risk of inflammation in the urinary system, the development of chronic pyelonephritis, and so on.
The chain of diseases that develop against the background of a severe cough during pregnancy can continue and over time lead to a serious consequence - hypertension. And this is a direct road to the early development of other cardiovascular diseases.
Obviously, all of the above is quite enough to understand the danger of such a condition as cough in a pregnant woman. Therefore, in order to avoid the development of undesirable consequences for the mother and unborn child, the treatment of a severe cough must be approached with all responsibility, strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations and not experiment with untested treatment methods.
Did you like the article? Rate the material!
Do you have a question or experience regarding this issue? Ask a question or tell us about it in the comments.
There was such a strong cough that the uterus began to tone up. I was terribly scared. The doctor told me to drink Prospan syrup for several days and breathe over heated salt water. That's what I did. Somewhere from the third day, the pain in the sternum went away and the coughing began to be severe. But there was no longer that hysterical, dry, terrible cough. It got much better! She was cured without complications.
Source: http://www.pulmonologiya.com/preparaty/kashel/silnyj-pri-beremennosti.html
Cough during pregnancy
Despite the fact that the expectant mother always tries to pay more attention than usual to the state of her health, it is still not always possible to protect herself from some unpleasant painful conditions. Cough during pregnancy can easily be classified as such conditions: most often it appears in the spring-autumn period and becomes a harbinger or companion of the inflammatory process occurring in the organs of the respiratory system. Thus, a cough during pregnancy can occur against the background of a cold, acute respiratory infection or acute respiratory viral infection, becomes a sign of bronchitis or pneumonia, and less often - a consequence of allergic diseases.
In any case, the nature of the cough must be established by visiting a doctor: it is possible, of course, that the cough is nothing particularly terrible, but it is also very possible that it is a harbinger of a disease, the specialized treatment of which cannot be avoided. This is especially true when a cough during pregnancy lasts more than 5-7 days, despite the fact that the woman tries to cure it using safe methods according to traditional medicine.
Cough during pregnancy, in addition, can not only indicate an inflammatory process developing in the respiratory system, but also cause discomfort for both mother and baby.
Cough in early pregnancy
Cough in early pregnancy, associated with any unhealthy conditions, necessarily requires qualified treatment. Otherwise, without regular attempts to cope with the abnormal condition, you may subsequently encounter quite serious consequences, such as increased uterine tone or insufficient oxygen supply to the fetus.
Probably, any of us are aware that during a cough, tension and contraction of the abdominal wall occurs in an absolutely “independent” manner. The uterus contracts along with it, and if the cough is frequent and regular, the uterus also contracts frequently and regularly. Accordingly, with a strong cough, which occurs in attacks in a woman, the tone of the uterus increases. This condition, in turn, is dangerous due to premature spontaneous termination of pregnancy.
In addition, a constant severe cough interferes with a woman’s normal “consumption” of oxygen. And this leads to impaired blood circulation in the placenta, insufficient supply of blood, and therefore oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. In some cases, the result of this state of affairs may be fetal hypoxia.
An equally unpleasant consequence of constant coughing can be vomiting, which often overtakes the expectant mother after another severe coughing attack. Without a proper response to this fact, vomiting may recur in the future; repeated vomiting processes can cause dehydration and leaching of useful substances from the pregnant woman’s body.
In later stages, cough, among other things, also poses additional dangers. Thus, with low placentation or placenta previa, muscle tension that occurs during coughing can even provoke spontaneous bleeding.
But we are sure that you are unlikely to come to such terrible things: the reverent and attentive attitude of expectant mothers to the state of their health for the sake of the health and life of the child is well known. And, fortunately, the cases described above are still more rare than the norm - a woman tries to take a responsible attitude towards her own health and make the decisions necessary in a given case in a timely manner.
How to cure cough during pregnancy
So, we found out: cough during pregnancy must be treated immediately from the moment it appears. It is, of course, advisable to consult a doctor, but you can initially try to eliminate the cough using traditional methods. Moreover, during pregnancy you need to be very, very careful when taking medications, but the use of many medicinal herbs during the period of bearing a child is not prohibited.
Treatment of cough during pregnancy with folk remedies
Such herbs include chamomile, sage, linden, plantain - for dry cough; wild rosemary, string, yarrow, lingonberry leaves, snakeweed - for wet cough. You can breathe in herbal decoctions: passive inhalations are preferred, in which a hot decoction is poured into a basin, and the basin is placed in close proximity to the patient. You can also drink decoctions: for example, for chamomile decoction you will need 1 tablespoon of dry chamomile and a glass of boiling water. It should help with coughing and gargling with, say, a decoction of coltsfoot - it is prepared at the rate of half a tablespoon of herb per glass of boiling water. Inhalations will be good helpers for coughing - for them you can use the same herbal decoctions, boiled potatoes (remember how you breathed in their vapors in childhood? By the way, if the potatoes are boiled in their skins, then you can sprinkle soda on top - it will also not hurt when coughing ). Or you can resort to newfangled inhalers sold in pharmacies and use essential oils - say, eucalyptus.
But you will have to forget about mustard plasters as a means of eliminating cough during pregnancy - thermal procedures are contraindicated for expectant mothers. But instead of mustard plaster, you can effectively use compresses made from cabbage leaves or grated potatoes. If you have cabbage at home, then you need to separate one leaf from the fork, spread it with honey and apply it to your chest overnight, wrapping it in plastic and insulating it with a terry towel. As for the potatoes, you need to boil them, grate them, add honey and vegetable oil to the pulp, then, after mixing and forming a flat cake, use it according to the principle described above. It is advisable to leave such compresses overnight. Honey, by the way, can provide invaluable help for coughs - you can also take it orally. Just remember that honey is one of the strong allergens, and therefore you should not be too zealous in its use. How else can you use honey to treat cough during pregnancy? Drink it with hot milk and butter (not everyone can overcome such a mixture, and there is no need to force yourself - you don’t need to add butter); mix honey with onion juice from a pre-grated onion and drink a teaspoon of the mixture three times a day. Milk, which was mentioned above, is also useful for coughs: when hot, but not scalding, it can be mixed with Borjomi mineral water - it is believed that such a remedy effectively fights coughs.
Treatment of cough during pregnancy in traditional medicine
If a cough during pregnancy does not go away within a few days, despite all the efforts made, you should not put off going to the doctor. Perhaps the cough in this case is a symptom of some more serious disease, which cannot be cured without the use of medications. The doctor, having listened to the lungs and determined the severity of the inflammation, will prescribe the most optimal medications based on the condition of the expectant mother and, of course, the duration of pregnancy. Thus, for the treatment of dry cough at any stage of pregnancy, Breast Elixir or Sinekod can be prescribed; in the second and third trimester, the use of Stoptusin is acceptable. To treat wet cough during pregnancy, always after consulting a doctor, you can use Mucaltin, Bromhexine, Licorice root syrup, Bronchicum, Gedelix, Doctor MOM and Doctor Theis, Pectusin, Prospan. Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Flavamed are used with caution in the 1st trimester for the same purpose.
Sometimes a cough during pregnancy cannot be cured without antibiotics, for example, if the cough is a symptom of pneumonia. In this case, antibiotics Ospamox, Amoxil, Flemoxin (a group of penicillins) can be used; Fromilid, Macropen (macrolide group); Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone (group of cephalosporins). It happens that cough is not the only symptom of the disease - fever is also added to it. If this happens, it is permissible to use paracetamol (Panadol, Efferalgan), acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin). At the same time, drugs that contain analgin are prohibited, and at any stage of pregnancy.
In any case, before resorting to any medications, it is better to seek advice from a specialist. This way, the pregnant woman will have the opportunity to avoid annoying “mistakes” when choosing the appropriate medicine, and thereby protect both herself and the baby.
Cough during pregnancy: reviews
Copying information without written permission
Source: http://beremennost.net/kashel-pri-beremennosti
Cough until vomiting. Pregnancy 14 weeks.
Hello girls KK, Elena Petrovna and maybe the therapist will see the recording. I'm 29. I would like to keep it short, but to describe the whole problem we need emotions. It’s been very painful for 20 years ((In general, I’m worried about not quite ordinary coughing attacks. Since we’ve been living in the EOC for 7 years now, we can cope with a normal cough. Since childhood, I’ve been tormented by paroxysmal coughs, even when I’m absolutely healthy, once a month maybe at 3 months suddenly in the middle of the night (most often) a terrible cough starts, snot, tears, drooling, inability to breathe normally, I’m shaking all over, I can’t say anything at all, no amount of water helps, while I turn very pale, and the cough is very loud, guttural, as if I was about to throw up, and it all went away in 2 minutes. It’s clear that all the cosmetics that were on my face can no longer be used to “fix my makeup.” When my husband first saw this, he wanted to call an ambulance, I couldn’t say anything, I waved my hands so that he doesn't do this. The worst thing is when it happens in crowded places, and it's good when there is somewhere to hide, the last time I coughed like that was when I was riding on a tram with a stroller and 2 children, I was so ashamed, people probably thought that I contagious, some kind of leper, despite the almost jam-packed tram, soon there was no one near me, the granny said something stupid, I don’t even remember that I just cried and got off at the stop and no one even helped with the stroller. I am by nature a person who does not like attention to myself at all, but this is just terrible ((
Now why am I doing all this, when I am sick, attacks of such a cough often happen up to 3 times a day, and when I recover, then they go away once a day, but! ARVI is over, and on Saturday my husband and I have a long-awaited performance, I’ve been dreaming of going to it for 3 years, I bought good tickets, and then I just had an attack, it’s just terrible, I was walking along the corridor and started coughing, after a while I started vomiting and All this with a cough, my lower abdomen stung so much that I barely had time to crawl to the toilet and not all the contents of my stomach were seen by my frightened children, and with every coughing shock it was as if my stomach was being cut. Now I sat and cried, imagining what I would look like in the theater ((
I understand that the question is stupid and no one could tell me why this is so, and “cough syrup” is not the answer. I want to find out if there is an antitussive that will stop this at the brain level, that will really help, if possible even for pregnant women, this is great in general, I need to hold out for about 2 hours.
Thank you Elena Petrovna and sorry for disturbing you
Read also
Comments on this post
Only group members can comment.
Source: http://klubkom.net/posts/87725
Cough during pregnancy
Cough is a symptom that accompanies many respiratory diseases. Among expectant mothers, this symptom occurs quite often, becoming a cause of serious concern. Why does cough occur during pregnancy?
Causes of cough
Coughing is a reflex process aimed at clearing the respiratory tract of accumulated mucus and various foreign substances. Periodic coughing, which does not cause concern, occurs in all people. This condition occurs when dust and other elements enter the nasopharynx that interfere with normal breathing. In such a situation, the cough is physiological and does not require any treatment.
It’s a completely different matter if the cough continues for a long time and brings significant discomfort. Often this symptom is accompanied by a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and a rise in body temperature. In this case, a cough indicates the development of one of the respiratory tract diseases:
- Pharyngitis. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx is accompanied by sore throat and sore throat. Often these symptoms are accompanied by a dry and rather painful cough. Body temperature remains within normal limits or rises no more than 38° C. It is often combined with acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis). The cause of pharyngitis can be acute respiratory diseases, influenza, measles, scarlet fever and other infections.
- Laryngitis. Inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa is usually associated with various infectious diseases (whooping cough, measles, scarlet fever). Hypothermia and dusty air also contribute to the development of laryngitis. With this disease, severe hoarseness of the voice is noted, up to its complete loss. The cough with laryngitis is dry, barking and very painful. Often there is pain when swallowing and a feeling of lack of air. As the disease progresses, the cough turns from dry to wet, and viscous sputum appears. Body temperature usually does not exceed 38° C.
- Tracheitis. Tracheal disease is characterized by the appearance of a dry cough that worsens at night, as well as with deep inspiration. Tracheitis is also characterized by pain in the throat and behind the sternum. Body temperature usually remains within 38° C. Tracheitis is often combined with laryngitis or bronchitis.
- Bronchitis. When the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process, the cough changes from dry to wet, accompanied by the release of a large amount of viscous sputum. The cough gets worse at night and when the body is in a horizontal position. Fever with bronchitis rarely lasts more than 5 days, but a painful cough can persist for weeks. In some women, prolonged bronchitis can lead to the development of bronchial asthma.
- Pneumonia. Pneumonia is the most severe complication that occurs with respiratory diseases. Typical pneumonia is characterized by a significant increase in body temperature up to 40° C, chills, and headaches. The cough with pneumonia is severe, with copious discharge of purulent sputum. In some cases, chest pain occurs in the projection of the lungs. This type of pneumonia is caused by streptococci, Klebsiella, Haemophilus influenzae and some other microorganisms.
Atypical pneumonia caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma begins gradually, with a predominance of secondary symptoms: sore throat and muscles, weakness and general malaise. The cough in atypical pneumonia is dry and unproductive. On an x-ray, the changes are so insignificant that they are not always detectable the first time.
Special mention should be made about lobar pneumonia. The causative agent of the disease is pneumococcus. With this pathology, body temperature rises to 40° C, chills and other signs of intoxication appear. On the third day of illness, a wet cough with characteristic rusty sputum appears. Severe stabbing pain in the chest on the side of the affected lung is typical. Symptoms of the disease with lobar pneumonia last up to 10 days.
Diagnosis of the cause of cough
If a cough, sore throat or other signs of illness appear, the expectant mother should consult a doctor. In most cases, the diagnosis in pregnant women is made based on examination. Also, the doctor must listen to the bronchi and lungs for various wheezing. After an examination, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment that is safe during pregnancy.
If bronchitis or pneumonia is suspected, a general examination is often prescribed, including blood and urine tests. If necessary, sputum is collected to determine the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to antibiotics. X-ray examination during pregnancy is carried out only for health reasons.
What are the dangers of coughing during pregnancy?
Cough as a sign of a cold can occur at any stage of pregnancy. This symptom is a manifestation of a viral or bacterial infection, which means it can pose a serious threat to the fetus. In the first trimester, infectious diseases can cause the formation of congenital malformations of varying severity. The death of the embryo in the early stages of its development and spontaneous miscarriage cannot be ruled out.
A severe cough in itself can cause an increase in the tone of the uterus. In women with a low-lying placenta, constant tension in the abdominal muscles can lead to termination of pregnancy at any stage. Also, uterine hypertonicity inevitably affects the condition of the fetus. Constant spasm of blood vessels leads to insufficient supply of nutrients to the child and the development of hypoxia. In the future, this can lead to various health problems, especially from the nervous system.
A constant cough in the first trimester of pregnancy worsens the condition of the expectant mother in the presence of toxicosis. Irritation of the pharynx due to phlegm increases nausea and vomiting, and also decreases appetite. All this leads to the fact that a woman begins to eat worse. Often, against the background of colds and toxicosis, significant loss of body weight occurs, which adversely affects the course of pregnancy.
An illness that occurs immediately before birth can cause infection in the newborn. The severe condition of the mother during illness may prevent her from feeding her newborn with breast milk. All these factors adversely affect the child’s condition and provoke the development of various diseases.
Treatment of cough in the 1st trimester of pregnancy
From the moment of conception to 12 weeks, all the important organs of the child are formed. At this time, doctors do not prescribe medications to expectant mothers that can have a negative impact on the development of the embryo. In the first trimester, any medications are used according to strict indications and only if their use cannot be avoided.
To relieve cough and sore throat in the early stages of gestation, some antiseptic sprays (for example, Tantum Verde) are approved for use. These drugs destroy microorganisms that have settled on the mucous membrane of the pharynx and tonsils, and thereby contribute to the disappearance of cough. To irrigate the throat, you can also use various solutions that have an antibacterial effect (for example, Miramistin).
In the first trimester, broad-spectrum antiseptics are actively used to treat respiratory tract infections. Among the most popular drugs, “Lizobakt” and “Laripront” should be highlighted. These products are approved for use at any stage of pregnancy.
When a wet cough occurs, medications that improve sputum removal are prescribed. In the first trimester, Mukaltin and licorice root syrup are allowed for use. To facilitate coughing, it is also recommended to drink plenty of warm, but not hot drinks (fruit drinks, compotes, tea with honey and lemon).
Humidifying the air will help relieve coughing during pregnancy. The best way is to install a special humidifier and adjust it to the desired power. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can use improvised means in the form of wet sheets. Frequent wet cleaning and constant ventilation of the room also speed up the healing process.
Many women in the first trimester refuse to use any medications, preferring traditional methods of treatment. It is worth considering that not all herbs are safe for expectant mothers. Before using any herbal remedies, it makes sense to consult a doctor.
To alleviate the condition of a dry, painful cough, you can do inhalations with medicinal herbs. Sage, chamomile, plantain and linden flowers are the best to help cope with the disease. For inhalation it is good to use a nebulizer. This device helps the herbs penetrate the bronchi and lungs, thereby speeding up recovery. Inhalations can be done only in the absence of fever. Breathing hot steam during pregnancy is prohibited!
When a wet cough occurs, other herbs are used for treatment. Now inhalations can be done with string, wild rosemary, eucalyptus and yarrow. It should be remembered that some medicinal herbs can cause an allergic reaction. If a skin rash or severe sneezing occurs, stop treatment and consult a doctor.
Treatment of cough in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy
After 14 weeks of pregnancy, the list of drugs approved for use expands significantly. For coughs accompanied by sore throat and sore throat, antiseptic sprays (Hexoral or Tantum Verde) are prescribed. To alleviate the condition, you can also use lozenges (Strepsils or Faringosept).
If a dry cough occurs, medications that reduce the cough reflex are used. During pregnancy, such drugs are used quite rarely and only if there are serious indications. If a wet cough develops, mucolytics are used - drugs that activate the release of mucus from the respiratory tract.
Cough medications allowed in the second half of pregnancy:
Starting at 16 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat cough. The choice of drug and its dosage depend on the type of pathogen identified. The course of therapy is usually no more than a week. In the first weeks of pregnancy, antibiotics are prescribed only for health reasons.
Treatment of cough in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
After 24 weeks, treatment of cough in expectant mothers also includes the prescription of drugs that suppress the cough reflex or facilitate the discharge of sputum. The list of medications remains the same. In the third trimester of pregnancy, it is possible to use herbal remedies for gargling and inhalation. Breathing in steam and taking foot baths are still not recommended.
Cough in expectant mothers is often accompanied by fever. In the third trimester, women should be especially careful when using antipyretic drugs. Popular paracetamol and ibuprofen in the third trimester can cause the baby to be born prematurely. You can take anti-inflammatory drugs only when your body temperature rises above 38° C. The course of treatment with antipyretic drugs should not exceed three days. If the temperature does not subside, you should consult a doctor.
Do not forget that in rare cases, cough in expectant mothers can be caused by diseases of the stomach, heart and thyroid gland. Only a doctor can recognize these diseases after a thorough examination. That is why, when a cough occurs, pregnant women should see a doctor or call a specialist to their home. Timely diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases will help avoid complications during pregnancy.
Source: http://spuzom.com/kashel-pri-beremennosti.html
Effective methods to combat cough during pregnancy
Unfortunately, very rarely during pregnancy a woman is spared colds. The female body is especially susceptible to colds in the first months of pregnancy, which is explained by weakened immunity. Cough during pregnancy poses a great danger to the health of the expectant mother. That is why during this period it is so important to take care of your own health, and at the first manifestations of the disease you should immediately consult a specialist.
The main reasons for this condition
Coughing in pregnant women can also be caused by nervous tension and stress, which it is advisable for expectant mothers to avoid. True, such a reaction of the body to nervous overstrain is extremely rare. If a woman is in an environment where the presence of allergens becomes possible, she may constantly experience coughing attacks of allergic origin.
It is known that a pregnant woman should maintain a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits. But, as practice shows, not all women, once conception occurs, are ready to give up smoking, which causes severe coughing. In addition, nicotine has a detrimental effect on child development.
The dangers of coughing while pregnant
If you have a cough, you should consult a doctor
Coughing attacks always cause discomfort and even pain in the expectant mother, but in addition, they pose a threat to the baby. After all, a pronounced cough attack significantly increases the tone of the uterus, which impairs the blood supply to the fetus and often leads to intrauterine hypoxia.
Cough during pregnancy is especially dangerous for those women who have a threat of miscarriage or isthmic-cervical insufficiency. The complexity of the course of the disease lies in the fact that in the absence of timely treatment, miscarriage or intrauterine fetal death can occur.
A dry and suffocating cough during pregnancy often leads to premature placental abruption. Experts also note that coughing attacks greatly increase blood pressure, often causing nausea, dizziness and fainting.
Every woman who is tormented by a cough while pregnant should understand that it is just a sign of some disease, so it is the lurking disease that should be feared. Coughs are often accompanied by the following diseases:
- disorders of the thyroid gland;
- some gastric disorders - reflux;
- sexual infections.
A very unpleasant and dangerous consequence of a strong cough for a pregnant woman can be profuse vomiting. This phenomenon is observed quite often, especially with a dry, suffocating cough. The danger of vomiting for the body of the expectant mother and her baby is that it can lead to dehydration and loss of beneficial nutrients.
A cough during pregnancy that occurs at night leads to insomnia and fatigue.
However, pregnant women should not worry too much, since all of the listed consequences can only occur with a very advanced disease, the main manifestation of which is coughing.
Correct treatment
It is very difficult to treat any disease during pregnancy, since the choice of medications for women in this position is quite limited. In addition, the use of synthetic drugs is strictly prohibited, especially in the first trimester. To quickly cure a cough during pregnancy without harming yourself and your baby, you need to follow all the doctor’s recommendations without exceeding the permissible dosage of the drug. Traditional and folk methods of therapy can be used in treatment.
Use of medications
The choice of drug is made depending on the type of cough. So, for a dry cough in the first trimester of pregnancy, therapists, as a rule, prescribe syrups that promote the formation and separation of sputum such as Bronchicum, Stodal, Sinekod. If a woman gets sick in the second trimester, then it would be advisable to prescribe the following drugs: Stoptussin, Coldrex Knight, Fallimint, Libexin.
For wet coughs, syrups such as Bromhexine, Mucaltin, Bronchiprest, Gerbion, Chest collection, Doctor Mom, Theraflu are safe. They can be taken in the second trimester of pregnancy only after being prescribed by a specialist. At all times, syrups based on licorice root are absolutely safe.
It is strictly forbidden for pregnant women to treat the disease with such drugs as Tussin Plus, Glycodin, Grippex, Codelac, Terpincode, Bronholitin, Pertussin, ACC, Ascoril, Travesil. In addition, it is necessary to exclude hot baths, physiotherapy, UHF, as well as the use of mustard plasters and cupping.
ethnoscience
Based on the fact that treatment during pregnancy should, first of all, be safe and effective, proven traditional methods should be used. But you should not assume that folk remedies, in particular medicinal herbs, have a slow effect on the body, because when using them, overdoses are also possible. In addition, there are certain herbs that are very dangerous for the fetus, so it is necessary to treat cough during pregnancy with the chosen means only after the approval of a therapist.
- Fresh radish juice will help reduce coughing attacks. To prepare the product, you need to mix radish juice with honey in proportions 2: 1. Mix well and consume 2 tablespoons 6 times a day. It is important to use black radish for juicing as this root vegetable has many beneficial properties that are beneficial for pregnant women.
- Take figs - 3-4 fruits, milk - ½ liter, put on fire and cook until the milk turns brown. This medicine is not only effective in treating cough, but also very tasty. You need to drink 100 ml three times a day.
- Grate the onion to make 500 g of gruel, dilute it with 2 tablespoons of honey. Take the medicine ½ tsp. every time before meals. You can also rub this paste on your chest when you have a very bothersome dry cough.
- Mix chopped hazelnuts and honey in a 1:1 ratio, take a spoon 5 times a day.
- Horseradish juice will help reduce coughing attacks, and it also promotes mucus separation. To prepare the medicine, you need to mix the juice with honey in a 2:1 ratio. Drink three times a day in small portions with plenty of water.
- Pour a glass of milk into a saucepan, put on fire and add a spoonful of sage herb, boil for a few minutes. Then the medicine must be left for 4 hours, placed in a warm place. Drink 100 g of decoction before bedtime for severe coughing attacks.
Treatment of cough should be comprehensive, so you need to take medications internally and use them externally. For these purposes, applying a cabbage leaf smeared with honey to the breast is considered effective. You need to wrap a scarf around your chest, cover yourself with a warm blanket and not take it off until the morning.
Since mustard plasters are prohibited during pregnancy, you can massage with honey. This treatment procedure should be carried out before bedtime, since after it you need to be warm.
Gargling and inhalation
Gargling when coughing is considered an additional treatment method to the main therapy. The procedure should be carried out before, after and between meals 6 times a day. To do this, it is recommended to use anti-inflammatory herbs - sage, chamomile, calendula, coltsfoot. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour a spoonful of herbs with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 15 minutes. You can also gargle with plain water with added salt, baking soda or apple cider vinegar. When using soda and vinegar, it is important to prevent such a solution from getting inside. Gargling with water and onion or beet juice in a 1:1 ratio is also considered effective for coughing.
Inhalations have a softening and antiseptic effect on the mucous membrane. To carry out the procedure, you can use herbs such as chamomile, plantain, linden blossom, eucalyptus, calendula, string, wild rosemary. A decoction or infusion is prepared as follows: for a glass of water you need a tablespoon of a medicinal plant, which must be infused for 15 minutes. Strain and take for inhalation. You can eliminate cough during pregnancy at the initial stages of its development by using mineral water or saline solution for inhalation.
When treating a cough, do not forget about such an ancient method as warm drinks. Drinking such a delicious medicine at night as a glass of warm milk with honey and butter, you can make your sleep peaceful and your rest complete.
Cough during pregnancy is a serious cause for concern, since in the absence of proper and timely treatment it can cause many complications that are dangerous for the expectant mother and child. A pregnant woman should remember that she can use any medicine only after it has been prescribed or approved by a specialist.
One comment on “Effective methods of fighting cough during pregnancy”
Having a cough during pregnancy, I immediately went on sick leave. She lay down, rested, drank herbal teas, and often ventilated the room. And the doctor also prescribed Prospan syrup, which is natural and safe. The dry cough quickly turned into a wet one, it became easier to breathe and cough up phlegm. After 5 days I was completely healthy.
Add a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
When copying materials from the site, an active backlink is required.
All materials on the site are for informational purposes only.
Specialist consultation is required. Feedback
Source: http://nasmorkunet.ru/nasmork/nasmork-pri-beremennosti/effektivnye-metody-borby-s-kashlem.html
Cough during pregnancy: how to treat, types, causes
During the period of off-season outbreaks of colds, the health of a pregnant woman requires compliance with preventive measures. Increased attention should be paid to emerging symptoms of respiratory diseases. Especially such as cough during pregnancy. The immunity of the female body during gestation is significantly reduced in order to avoid its rejection as a foreign body. As a protective mechanism for the child, immunosuppression makes the mother's body more susceptible to various types of infections.
Causes of cough during pregnancy
Coughing during pregnancy is usually a sign of an acute or chronic respiratory tract infection.
- Sinusitis, rhinitis and adenoiditis are characterized by abundant mucus formation in the nasopharynx. Flowing down the back wall, it provokes a reflex coughing reaction
- Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the trachea, pharynx and larynx also causes cough
- With bronchitis and pneumonia, a lot of sputum accumulates in the lower respiratory tract, released during an expectorant cough
- Often a severe cough occurs in diseases of allergic origin (bronchial asthma, obstructive bronchitis, tracheitis)
- In rare cases, a cough can be a sign of neurotic reactions, disruption of the cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal tract.
Is coughing dangerous during pregnancy?
In the early stages, treatment of cold symptoms is difficult due to the limited list of drugs approved for use. The penetration of potent substances through the placenta in the first trimester can cause fetal malformations and provoke spontaneous abortion.
Frequent dry cough during pregnancy causes tension in the muscles of the abdominal wall, which can cause an increase in the tone of the uterus. Contraction of the uterus leads to deterioration of blood supply and hypoxia (lack of oxygen) of the fetus. In the last trimester of pregnancy, coughing attacks can cause premature birth.
If the placenta is poorly attached, coughing during pregnancy can provoke abruption and dangerous uterine bleeding.
The main threat to the health of the expectant mother and child is an infectious disease, the symptom of which is cough. Some infections in the first trimester (measles, rubella) can not only weaken the pregnant woman’s body, but also cause severe organic damage and fetal development abnormalities.
Cough treatment
A physiological decrease in immunity during pregnancy requires a responsible approach to treatment and contacting a doctor when the first signs of a cold appear. Drug therapy in the early stages is difficult due to the limited range of drugs approved for use. Treatment of cough in pregnant women is carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor.
Self-medication is strictly prohibited, since even proven and harmless medications can pose a threat to the health of the expectant mother and baby due to unexpected allergic reactions.
Treatment in the first trimester
In the first trimester, it is advisable to use traditional medicine recipes. But before using traditional methods of treatment, you should definitely consult with the gynecologist managing the pregnancy. If necessary, specialists of the relevant profile are involved in prescribing therapy, determining what exactly can be applied in this case.
The safest and most effective methods include:
- Inhalations from decoctions of medicinal plants (chamomile, linden, sage, eucalyptus, string). You can use essential oils of mint or eucalyptus, sold in pharmacies. Using an inhalation nebulizer allows the active components to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, maximizing the impact on the foci of infection. The traditional remedy - ordinary steam inhalation - is also effective and does not require special equipment (you can take a saucepan or kettle to prepare and use the decoction)
- Decoctions of medicinal herbs for oral administration. After consulting with your doctor, it is permissible to use cough preparations sold in pharmacies. Brew and drink according to the instructions (usually 1 spoon per 1 glass of boiling water)
- Compresses to the chest area are quite effective in relieving the symptoms of colds. Pregnant women can use the option of applying a cabbage leaf smeared with honey (the leaf is placed with honey on the skin). Covered with polyethylene, a warm cloth and left until the morning, a cabbage leaf is an effective cough remedy.
- Warm milk with honey is a classic anti-cold recipe. However, pregnant women should drink this mixture with caution, since honey can cause severe allergic reactions.
- Gargling with decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants is a proven and reliable remedy for coughing over the years.
- Black radish juice with honey will help you quickly and effectively get rid of a cold and overcome a severe cough. This popular folk remedy is very effective in treating the throat. If there are no contraindications, it is enough for pregnant women to drink 2 tablespoons of juice up to 6 times a day for cough. You can prepare it quite simply: cut a hole in a washed root vegetable and fill it halfway with honey. After a few hours, the drug is ready for use. Radish juice should be used with caution during the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Traditional medicine is not always able to cope with the manifestations of respiratory infections. A severe cough is dangerous due to the threat of miscarriage, and the transition of the disease from acute to chronic form during pregnancy is extremely undesirable, so drug treatment is indicated. In the first trimester, the homeopathic remedy “Stodal” is optimal for getting rid of cold symptoms.
Late treatment
Treatment of cough during pregnancy after 12 weeks allows the use of a wider range of drugs. Traditional medicine recipes can continue to be used due to the low likelihood of side effects, but the threat of the disease becoming chronic requires the use of medications.
Cough tablets are prescribed quite rarely during pregnancy. This dosage form often contains potentially dangerous components. The only acceptable option is to use tablets made from herbal raw materials (pregnant women can take mucaltin and bronchipret).
In the second trimester, when the vital organs and systems of the fetus are already formed, the use of various cough syrups for pregnant women is allowed. The choice of these drugs in pharmacies is quite large, so only the attending physician can determine how to treat a cough during pregnancy.
The most commonly prescribed medications are:
- Gedelix (syrup based on ivy extract)
- “Althea” (active substance – marshmallow herb)
- Herbion (with plantain and mallow extracts)
- Linkas (herbal medicine)
- Stodal (a homeopathic medicine that can be taken already in the first trimester of pregnancy).
You should take prescribed tablets and drink syrups in strict accordance with your doctor’s instructions, since treatment of cough during pregnancy requires an individual approach and is not always clearly stated in the instructions for use.
Pregnant women are prohibited from using medications such as Stoptussin, ACC, Codelac, Bronchicum, Travisil due to the content of potent substances in them. The list of prohibited procedures includes: applying mustard plasters, cupping, using hot foot and general baths. These cold remedies can cause increased blood circulation in pregnant women and provoke bleeding or miscarriage. Premature birth is possible in the last trimester.
Cough prevention
Taking care of the baby’s health and your own is an important condition for the proper course of pregnancy and easy childbirth. Cough during pregnancy, as a symptom of an onset of illness, is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. However, any disease is easier to prevent than to cure, so the expectant mother must adhere to certain rules.
Pregnant women need to walk in the fresh air as often as possible. Moderate physical activity and the atmosphere of a park or forest have a beneficial effect on the immune system. But during the period of exacerbation of seasonal diseases, the expectant mother needs to avoid public places and large crowds of people. The last trimester requires special attention, when there is a risk of premature birth.
Rational nutrition is one of the foundations of a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention. A pregnant woman should eat a balanced diet and drink enough fluids. After consultation with your doctor, you can use immunostimulating dietary supplements and vitamin supplements to improve your health.
Source: http://lekhar.ru/simptomy/dyhatelnaya-sistema-cheloveka/kashel-pri-beremennosti/