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.
Table of contents:
- 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
- How to get rid of a sore throat and dry cough
- External reasons
- Internal reasons
- Treatment of acute cough
- Treatment of chronic itching
- Treatment during pregnancy
- Treatment of children
- What not to do
- Preventive measures
- Test: Which cough medicine is best for you?
- Navigation (job numbers only)
- Information
- results
- Categories
- Syrups:
- Pills:
- Sprays:
- Syrups and drops:
- Pills:
- Sprays:
- Test: Is your lifestyle causing lung disease?
- Navigation (job numbers only)
- Information
- results
- Categories
- You lead the right lifestyle
- It's time to think about what you are doing wrong...
- It's time to sound the alarm!
- What to do if you have a sore throat and a dry cough?
- Why there is a sore throat - the main reasons
- Low air humidity
- Internal pathologies
- Allergic reactions
- Diabetes
- Neuroses
- Endocrine diseases
- Gastrointestinal pathologies
- Occupational hazards
- Bad habits
- Diagnostics
- Methods for treating a sore throat
- Doctor Mom
- Dr. Theiss
- Strepsils with menthol and equalipt
- Linkas
- Ambroxol
- Rinsing
- Antibiotics
- Leave a review Cancel
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.
How to get rid of a sore throat and dry cough
When a sore throat causes a cough, before thinking about how to treat the disease, you must first establish what causes these symptoms.
A sore throat and cough are the result of:
- endogenous factors, i.e. adverse external influences leading to irritation or drying out of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system;
- exogenous reasons, i.e. various pathological processes in internal organs.
Even if the tickle does not end in a cough, such a symptom is still defined as a dry cough.
External reasons
In many cases, tickling and coughing are the body’s response to irritating environmental factors resulting from unfavorable ecology or an imbalance in the indoor microclimate.
A sore throat and dry cough that occurs after a sore throat have the following exogenous causes:
- Dry air in long-term rooms. If the air in the bedroom or office is dry, moisture on the mucous membranes does not have time to be produced in sufficient quantities. Receptors on overdried mucous membranes respond to dryness with irritation, causing a feeling of soreness, and then a dry cough. Most often, the symptoms of dry itching occur in winter due to the operation of heating appliances and in hot, dry summers.
- Unfavorable environmental conditions. In large cities, the cause of tickling is a large flow of road transport, creating a high concentration of exhaust gases in the inhaled air. Also large industrial enterprises that emit various chemical compounds into the atmosphere that irritate the respiratory tract, causing coughing and even spasms of the bronchial muscles. The quality of inhaled air in autumn is greatly influenced by the smoke generated by burning dry leaves.
Internal reasons
A dry cough and sore throat can be provoked by processes occurring inside the body. These causes can have both infectious and non-infectious etiologies.
Infectious agents are various viruses, bacteria, fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms that cause inflammatory processes in the respiratory system, accompanied by irritation of the cough center.
Diseases arising from pathogenic microflora:
- inflammation of the pharynx, trachea, larynx;
- acute respiratory viral infections;
- tuberculosis;
- pneumonia;
- angina.
In children, so-called childhood infections - scarlet fever, whooping cough, etc. - are also a common cause.
Non-infectious causes can be various chronic or systemic diseases of internal organs:
- Professional overload of the vocal cords. Speakers, teachers, singers, lecturers, actors, etc. usually suffer from this condition.
- Allergic conditions. Most often, coughing is caused by various chemical compounds that are part of paints, glue, and fabrics. Also common allergens that provoke a dry cough are pet hair, dust, bird feathers, pollen and others.
- Diabetes. An excess of glucose in the body causes a decrease in the amount of moisture on all mucous membranes.
- Heart diseases leading to such a serious condition as cardiac asthma. Heart failure also causes bouts of dry cough.
- Damage to the throat nerves can be either infectious or traumatic.
- Diseases of the thyroid gland, accompanied by its enlargement. In this case, mechanical compression of the upper respiratory organs occurs, leading to coughing.
- Traumatic injuries to the throat from small foreign objects.
- Formation of various tumors in the neck area.
Treatment of acute cough
If a sore throat causes a cough, before treating the symptoms, it is necessary to eliminate the cause causing this pathology. Most often, acute attacks occur after respiratory viral infections. To soothe a severe sore throat and attacks of dry cough, you can do warming procedures.
To do this you can:
- rub the throat and chest with ointments Doctor Mom, Travisil or their analogues. After this, put on tight-fitting warm clothes and go to bed;
- You can also relieve a cough with warm foot baths;
- Warm drinking or rinsing with solutions that relieve inflammation and irritation (decoction of chamomile, marigold), this will also help with frequent coughing attacks.
To do this, you can take the following mucolytic drugs: Ambrobene, Mucaltin, Gedelix, ACC and others. Peripheral cough suppressants will reduce the soreness, frequency and severity of attacks. These include Libexin, Bithiodine.
Drugs that inhibit the cough center in the medulla oblongata (central action) should not be taken independently, because they contain potent substances such as Codeine. Treatment with such drugs should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
Treatment of chronic itching
A sore throat and dry cough over a long period of time require a specific approach, so treatment in such cases begins only after examination and identification of the cause causing this condition.
If the air is extremely dry, measures should be taken to create a microclimate favorable to health. It is necessary to ensure that the humidity in living and working areas is not lower than 50%. Although sanitary and hygienic standards provide for lower indicators, objectively most people notice a dry throat at lower humidity.
If a prolonged cough is a consequence of chronic diseases of the internal organs, then before treating a sore throat, you should undergo a course of specific therapy for the underlying disease from a specialist. Typically, a sore throat and dry cough are treated for a long time by several specialists at once - the attending physician, an otolaryngologist and a doctor specializing in the disease that is the main one for a particular patient.
The following medications will help stop an attack of dry cough during treatment:
- if the cough has an allergic etiology, antihistamines will help - Diazolin, Claritin, Tavegil, Suprastin and others;
- in case of inflammation and overstrain of the vocal cords, the following remedies will help stop the cough: Kameton spray, Tantum Verde, Bioparox;
- Tablets for a sore throat will also be effective: Grammidin, Strepsils, Faringosept.
Treatment during pregnancy
A sore throat that causes a dry cough during pregnancy requires very careful selection of medications. Many substances can negatively affect the development of the fetus and lead to severe pathologies of internal organs, sometimes incompatible with life. Also, a number of drugs have the ability to increase the tone of the uterus, which leads to miscarriages or premature birth.
The most common dosage form of drugs that soften phlegm and relieve a sore throat are syrups.
The safest are:
- plantain syrup, Dr. Theiss;
- Stodal;
- Overslept.
Also safe is a cough remedy such as gargling with warm solutions with the addition of Furacilin, Miramistin, Chlorophyllipt. Honey inhalations will also help.
Of the drugs that have an expectorant effect, it is better to opt for Mucaltin. These tablets contain only herbal ingredients. Mucaltin has not only an expectorant effect, but also an anti-inflammatory and enveloping effect, which will eliminate the feeling of sore throat.
During pregnancy, all prescriptions for cough treatment should be made by the doctor supervising the pregnancy.
Treatment of children
Particular attention is required when a child develops a sore throat or dry cough. It is very important not to miss the appearance of childhood infectious diseases accompanied by such symptoms. The greatest danger is diphtheria, which begins with a feeling of sore throat, pain in the larynx and slight coughing against a background of general malaise. On the second day of illness, characteristic light gray films with clear edges appear in the child’s throat, which are difficult to remove. Therefore, at the first appearance of such symptoms, children should be immediately shown to a doctor. It is also better not to neglect childhood diseases such as whooping cough and scarlet fever.
To relieve tickling and coughing in babies, you can use the following means and methods:
- warm drink. Milk with honey and butter is ideal for these purposes;
- A honey compress on the throat soothes coughs in children. It can also be placed on the chest and back;
- medications you can give your child Gedelix or Prospan;
- Medicines such as syrups with plantain, Solutan, Bronholitin will also moisturize the cough.
You can also wet clean the room, hang wet towels or sheets. In any case, a coughing child must be shown to a doctor so that he can determine the cause of the cough and prescribe the appropriate medicine.
What not to do
There are many tips on how to remove tickling and dry cough.
However, you should also remember what you should not do at this time, so as not to cause a worsening of the condition and the development of complications:
- If a cough and sore throat begin to develop, you should immediately stop smoking, at least for the duration of your illness. The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract become too dry due to exposure to smoke. The action of tobacco smoke dries them out even more, aggravating the course of the disease and aggravating the patient’s condition. Passive smoking also affects a sick person.
- You should not simultaneously take drugs that have an expectorant and sputum thinning effect with cough suppressants. Increased sputum production without the ability to expel it leads to the development of more severe diseases, including pneumonia.
- Warming procedures and inhalations are prohibited at body temperatures exceeding 38 degrees. You should also not put mustard plasters on or take baths.
- It is dangerous for a patient with a dry cough to be in a stuffy, unventilated room with low humidity.
- After inhalations or warming procedures, the patient is prohibited from entering rooms with lower air temperatures. Such a difference can lead to increased coughing attacks.
Self-treatment, even with proven traditional methods, can also be dangerous.
Preventive measures
The occurrence of a dry cough can be prevented or mitigated by taking appropriate measures:
- Taking into account the fact that a sore throat often occurs due to inhalation of dry air, care should be taken to create a microclimate favorable to the respiratory system in living and working rooms. Regular ventilation and daily wet cleaning will increase the humidity of the premises. During the heating season, you can place wet towels or sheets on the radiators at night.
- A persistent dry cough often occurs in smokers. In this case, quitting smoking will help relieve attacks of sore throat and spasms.
- For cough caused by chronic pathology of internal organs, thorough treatment of the underlying disease should be carried out. In the absence of specific therapy, the use of cough suppressants will be ineffective.
- If the respiratory mucous membranes become dry and there is a constant sore throat due to exposure to an unfavorable environmental environment, then the most radical method would be to change your place of residence or work. You can also purify the air using air conditioners and special household purifiers. However, the use of such a technique does not replace ventilation, but only complements it.
- Increasing immunity with a balanced diet, regular exercise and the use of vitamins will increase the resistance of the mucous membranes of the throat to the effects of adverse external and internal factors.
- You should not limit the amount of water you consume, especially during the hot season and when you are in rooms with dry air.
Test: Which cough medicine is best for you?
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A test that will allow you to determine which cough medicine is best for you.
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Syrups:
Bronholitin syrup - perfect for treating dry cough in children (Average cost in a pharmacy is 100 rubles)
Paxeladin syrup is an analogue of the above product, but in a different price category (Average cost in a pharmacy is 250 rubles)
Pills:
Stoptussin - excellent and inexpensive cough tablets for children (Average price in a pharmacy is 110 rubles)
Sinekod - excellent tablets for dry cough for children (Average price in pharmacies 200 rubles)
Glauvent is also a very good tablet for cough treatment (Average price in pharmacies is 250 rubles)
Sprays:
Ingalipt is an excellent and inexpensive cough spray for children (Average price in a pharmacy is 60 rubles)
Faringosept is also a very good cough spray (Average price in a pharmacy is 110 rubles)
Tantum Verde is an excellent drug in the form of a spray, in a high price category (Average price in pharmacies is 300 rubles)
Syrups and drops:
Stoptussin syrup - perfect for treating dry cough in adolescents and adults (Average cost in a pharmacy is 150 rubles)
Sinekod drops are also an excellent product, but in a different price category (Average cost in a pharmacy is 350 rubles)
Pills:
Mucaltin - excellent and inexpensive cough tablets (Average price in a pharmacy is 50 rubles)
Sinekod - this excellent drug is also sold in tablet form (Average price in pharmacies is 150 rubles)
Solutan is also a very good cough tablet (Average price in pharmacies is 200 rubles)
Sprays:
Inhalipt is an excellent and inexpensive cough spray (Average price in a pharmacy is 60 rubles)
Hexoral is also a very good cough spray (Average price in a pharmacy is 170 rubles)
Tantum Verde is an excellent drug in the form of a spray, in a high price category (Average price in pharmacies is 300 rubles)
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- Up to 100 rubles
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Test: Is your lifestyle causing lung disease?
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Since almost all of us live in cities with very unfavorable health conditions, and in addition to this we lead an unhealthy lifestyle, this topic is very relevant at the moment. We perform many actions or, on the contrary, we remain inactive, without thinking at all about the consequences for our body. Our life is in breathing, without it we cannot live even a few minutes. This test will help you determine whether your lifestyle can provoke lung diseases, and will also help you think about your respiratory system health and correct your mistakes.
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You lead the right lifestyle
You are a fairly active person who cares and thinks about your respiratory system and health in general, continue to play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle and your body will delight you throughout your life. But do not forget to undergo examinations on time, maintain your immunity, this is very important, do not overcool, avoid severe physical and strong emotional overload. Try to minimize contact with sick people; if forced contact, do not forget about protective equipment (mask, washing your hands and face, clearing your respiratory tract).
It's time to think about what you are doing wrong...
You are at risk, you should think about your lifestyle and start taking care of yourself. Physical education is required, or even better, start playing sports, choose the sport that you like most and turn it into a hobby (dancing, cycling, gym, or just try to walk more). Do not forget to treat colds and flu promptly, they can lead to complications in the lungs. Be sure to work on your immunity, strengthen yourself, and be in nature and fresh air as often as possible. Do not forget to undergo scheduled annual examinations; it is much easier to treat lung diseases in the initial stages than in advanced stages. Avoid emotional and physical overload; if possible, eliminate or minimize smoking or contact with smokers.
It's time to sound the alarm!
You are completely irresponsible about your health, thereby destroying the functioning of your lungs and bronchi, have pity on them! If you want to live a long time, you need to radically change your entire attitude towards your body. First of all, get examined by specialists such as a therapist and a pulmonologist; you need to take radical measures, otherwise everything may end badly for you. Follow all the doctors’ recommendations, radically change your life, perhaps you should change your job or even your place of residence, completely eliminate smoking and alcohol from your life, and reduce contact with people who have such bad habits to a minimum, toughen up, strengthen your immunity as much as possible spend more time in the fresh air. Avoid emotional and physical overload. Completely eliminate all aggressive products from everyday use and replace them with natural, natural remedies. Do not forget to do wet cleaning and ventilation of the room at home.
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Does your lifestyle involve heavy physical activity?
- Yes, daily
- Sometimes
- Seasonal (eg vegetable garden)
- No
How often do you undergo a lung examination (eg fluorogram)?
- I don’t even remember when was the last time
- Every year, without fail
- Once every couple of years
Do you play sports?
- No
- Yes, professionally and regularly
- It happened in the past
- Yes, amateur
- Yes
- No
- When I'm sick
- Sometimes
Do you treat acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other inflammatory or infectious diseases?
- Yes, at the doctor's
- No, it goes away on its own after some time
- Yes, I self-medicate
- Only if it's really bad
Do you carefully observe personal hygiene (shower, hands before eating and after walking, etc.)?
- Yes, I wash my hands all the time
- No, I don't follow this at all
- I try, but sometimes I forget
Do you take care of your immunity?
- Yes
- No
- Only when sick
- I find it difficult to answer
Have any relatives or family members suffered from serious lung diseases (tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia)?
- Yes, parents
- Yes, close relatives
- No
- I can not say for sure
- Yes, I live permanently
- No
- Yes, I work in such conditions
- Previously lived or worked
Do you or your household use sources of strong odors (aroma candles, incense, etc.)?
- Often
- Rarely
- Almost daily
- No
Do you have heart disease?
- Yes, chronic
- Rarely, but it does happen
- No
- If you have any doubts, you need an examination
How often are you in damp, dusty or moldy environments?
- Constantly
- I'm not there
- Previously was
- Rarely, but it happens
Do you often get sick with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections?
- I'm constantly sick
- Rarely, no more than once a year
- Often, more than 2 times a year
- I never get sick or once every five years
Do you or any of your relatives have diabetes?
- Yes, I have
- I find it difficult to answer
- Yes, with close relatives
- No
Do you have any allergic diseases?
- Yes, one
- No
- Not sure, needs testing
- Yes, even a few
What kind of lifestyle do you lead?
- Sedentary
- Active, constantly on the move
- Sedentary
Does anyone in your family smoke?
- Yes
- No
- Happens sometimes
- Used to smoke
- Yes, I smoke regularly
- No and never smoked
- Rarely, but it happens
- Previously smoked, but quit
Do you have air purification devices in your home?
- No
- Yes, I change filters all the time
- Yes, we use it sometimes
- Yes, but we don’t monitor the devices
Do you often use household chemicals (cleaning products, aerosols, etc.)?
Source: http://pulmonologi.ru/kashel/pershenie-gorle-lechit.html
What to do if you have a sore throat and a dry cough?
Every person at least once in his life has experienced a condition where he constantly has a sore throat and cough - we will consider what to do in this case, what treatment should be prescribed and what is the cause of such discomfort in this article.
Why there is a sore throat - the main reasons
A sore throat is a very unpleasant symptom and causes irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. Often this sensation is accompanied by a dry, painful cough. Cough shocks further irritate and dry out the mucous membrane, so it is very important for the patient to begin appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
There can be many reasons that provoke the development of unpleasant symptoms. All of them can be conditionally divided into exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal). External causes of sore throat and cough include:
- low indoor air humidity;
- presence of toxic compounds in the atmosphere;
- pollution and dustiness of the surrounding air.
Low air humidity
At low relative air humidity (less than 60%), a person’s respiratory tract begins to dry out, soreness and a mild cough appear. This is how the body tries to get rid of foreign particles that penetrate with air. In this case, the discomfort is short-term and disappears with changes in external conditions.
Internal pathologies
They are the most common causes of the symptoms in question. The provoking factors in this case are various diseases:
The first type includes ailments caused by various types of viruses, bacteria and fungi. If your throat begins to sore and your cough becomes stronger, this may indicate the development of an inflammatory-infectious process:
With a viral infection, the first alarm bell is nasal congestion. The next day, the patient has a sore throat, and a dry cough tears apart his lungs. ARVI, in addition to the listed symptoms, is accompanied by general malaise, weakness, headache, hyperthermia (increased body temperature).
Against the background of a viral infection, pharyngitis can develop, which is also accompanied by a sore throat and dry cough. The causative agents of this disease can be viruses, fungi or bacteria. With pharyngitis, the mucous membranes become very thin, dry out, and blood vessels are clearly visible through them. Characteristic symptoms occur in the atrophic or subatrophic form of this disease.
With laryngitis, the inflammatory process covers the vocal cords. A sick person suffers from a strong, “barking” cough, and he develops hoarseness in his voice. This disease is especially dangerous for children, because one of the complications may be stenosis (narrowing) of the larynx and the child may suffocate.
If you have a sore throat at night, and the next morning this unpleasant sensation intensifies and a dry cough appears, perhaps this is how tracheitis (inflammatory damage to the trachea) manifests itself. With this disease, the patient's breathing becomes rapid and shallow. Coughing attacks are accompanied by chest pain and can begin with a deep breath, when the air temperature changes, or while laughing or crying.
With angina, inflammation covers the tonsils, and the disease itself is caused by pathogens - streptococci. The disease is often accompanied by irritation of the mucous membrane and a prolonged cough without sputum production.
Sometimes the causes of tickling and coughing are non-infectious diseases. These include:
- allergic manifestations;
- diabetes;
- disorders of the central nervous system (throat neurosis);
- endocrine pathologies (endemic goiter);
- diseases of the digestive tract (reflux gastroesophagitis).
Allergic reactions
Unpleasant symptoms such as a constant sore throat and cough may be due to allergies. Discomfort occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane due to contact with the pathogen - an allergen. In addition, there is a runny nose, watery eyes and redness of the eyes. Depending on the allergen, this condition may be constant or occur rarely (seasonal allergies). To determine the exact cause, you need to monitor your condition and seek advice from an allergist. Allergens that cause such symptoms can be different, the most common of them are:
- plant pollen - ragweed, fescue, etc.;
- household allergens - cat or dog hair, insect bites, house dust, tobacco smoke;
- medicinal – medications, antibacterial agents;
- food - most often these are preservatives, artificial colors, flavors contained in food products.
Diabetes
With diabetes, the pancreas stops functioning normally. The production of insulin in the body is disrupted and due to a lack of this hormone, an increase in blood sugar levels is observed. In this condition, the functioning of the salivary glands changes, the patient complains of dry mouth and coughing attacks. Symptoms relieve when blood glucose levels normalize or after a few sips of water. Despite the fact that tickling and paroxysmal cough may not always indicate diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to consult with a specialist in order to eliminate the possibility of this serious disease.
Neuroses
Dryness and itching in the throat, paroxysmal cough without sputum production can be the causes of pharyngeal neurosis. More than half of patients complain of a “lump” in the throat, decreased appetite, depression and worsening mood. The list of symptoms for this disease is quite extensive and depends on the mental state of the patient. In addition to discomfort in the throat and cough, the patient may feel suffocated, and the sensitivity of the larynx is impaired.
Endocrine diseases
Endemic goiter occurs due to a lack of iodine in the body. A deficiency of this substance disrupts the functioning of the thyroid gland, it increases in size and the patient experiences several symptoms:
- dry cough;
- attacks of suffocation;
- feeling of tightness in the neck;
- headache;
- weakness and fatigue.
Gastrointestinal pathologies
Reflux gastroesophagitis is a disease in which stomach contents reflux into the esophagus. This causes irritation of the mucous membrane, heartburn, dry cough and sore throat. Reflux disease may also indicate other gastrointestinal pathologies - ulcers, cholecystitis, gastritis, pancreatitis.
Occupational hazards
Separately, it is worth noting occupational diseases that can cause a sore throat and dry cough. Similar symptoms often occur in librarians, plasterers or flour millers who work in rooms with dusty or polluted air. Public figures - singers, actors, lecturers - also suffer from such manifestations. Representatives of these professions often experience increased dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa and a characteristic cough.
Bad habits
A fairly common cause of constant discomfort and dry cough is smoking. Tobacco smoke dries out the mucous membrane of the throat, irritates it, and smokers suffer from a sore throat and coughing attacks. Sometimes symptoms begin to appear after a person quits smoking. This is due to the body's reaction to the absence of nicotine. A former smoker is bothered first by a sore throat, and then by a cough with sputum production. But this is temporary discomfort - thus, the body is cleansed of toxins.
Diagnostics
Since discomfort in the throat occurs due to a wide variety of reasons, before treating this condition, it is imperative to consult a doctor and undergo a diagnostic examination. The therapist will conduct an initial examination and give a referral for laboratory testing of blood and urine. Based on the results of these tests, it is possible to determine whether there is a focus of inflammation in the body, and to understand in which organ the pathological process occurs. A blood sugar test will help determine whether a patient has diabetes.
If the level of eosinophils in the blood exceeds, we can talk about the presence of an allergy. Then the patient is referred to an allergist to identify allergens and prescribe the correct treatment. Sometimes additional examination is required. The patient is sent for a chest x-ray, laryngoscopy or pharyngoscopy. If gastrointestinal disease is suspected, the patient must undergo an ultrasound of the abdominal organs and, if necessary, a computed tomography scan.
A complete and consistent examination will determine the true cause of symptoms such as dry cough and tickling. Depending on the diagnostic results, the attending physician determines what to do to improve the patient’s condition and what medications need to be included in the treatment regimen.
Methods for treating a sore throat
Depending on the nature of the cough and the reasons for its occurrence, various methods of conservative therapy are used. Treatment of tickling and dry cough during colds is aimed at relieving inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and thinning mucus. The most effective drugs and remedies in this case are:
- phytopastils and lozenges;
- cough syrups;
- antiseptic solutions for gargling;
- antibacterial agents to destroy infectious agents.
Lozenges and lozenges effectively soften the throat and stop coughing attacks. However, these remedies do not eliminate the cause of the disease, but only eliminate the main symptoms. There are several most effective means:
Doctor Mom
Lozenges have anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects. This is an excellent remedy for treating both dry and wet coughs. Doctor Mom relieves inflammation, eliminates sore throat and sore throat. The instructions for use indicate that this product should not be taken by persons under 18 years of age. To treat a cough and eliminate a sore throat, it is recommended to dissolve one lozenge every 2 hours.
Dr. Theiss
Lollipops contain essential oils and extracts of medicinal plants. Their action is aimed at relieving irritation and inflammation, normalizing the functioning of the upper respiratory tract. The drug treats cough, eliminates hoarseness, and soothes irritated areas of the throat. The daily dose is 3-5 lozenges.
Strepsils with menthol and equalipt
Menthol, which is part of the drug, has an analgesic effect and facilitates nasal breathing. Eucalyptus relieves inflammation and soothes the mucous membrane, removing soreness and softening dry cough. The recommended dose for adults and children over 6 years of age is 8 tablets per day. You need to dissolve one tablet every 2-3 hours.
If a child has a sore throat and cough, then various syrups are well suited for its treatment:
Linkas
A complex preparation based on herbal components, which increases cough productivity, has anti-inflammatory, expectorant and mucolytic effects. The main advantage of the drug is that it can be used to treat children from 6 months of age. The recommended dosage for adults is 10 ml of syrup up to 4 times a day. For children, the optimal dose of the drug should be recommended by the attending physician.
Ambroxol
The drug is used to treat respiratory tract diseases at different stages. The active components of the syrup work well with both wet and dry coughs. The drug stimulates the formation of sputum and its release from the respiratory tract, relieves inflammation and swelling. Children over 12 years of age and adults are prescribed 30 mg three times a day. For children from 2 to 12 years old, the recommended dose is reduced by half. Children under 2 years of age are prescribed no more than 7.5 mg of syrup twice a day.
Rinsing
Another effective way to eliminate a sore throat and cough is to gargle. For this purpose, you can use solutions based on furatsilin and chlorophyllipt. Their use is especially effective in the treatment of sore throat. The active components of these products kill staphylococcal infections, have an antiviral effect, help moisten dry coughs and eliminate sore throats.
To prepare the solution, take 1 teaspoon of 1% chlorophyllipt and 100 ml of heated water. To prepare a solution based on furatsilin, take 200 ml of water and 1 crushed tablet of the drug. The use of these products is recommended for adults and children over 12 years of age.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used only if the infection is bacterial in nature and, in addition to sore throat and cough, there is a sore throat, elevated body temperature and other symptoms of intoxication of the body. It should be noted that at the stage of tickling, antibacterial drugs cannot be taken. Only a doctor should prescribe such medications; self-administration of antibiotics is unacceptable.
If a prolonged dry cough and irritation of the throat mucosa were caused by allergies, you should definitely consult with an allergist. Only a specialist can select the appropriate drug and the correct regimen for taking it. As a rule, the following drugs are used to treat allergic reactions and relieve discomfort:
- Suprastin, Zyrtec, Cetrin - antihistamines for relieving allergic reactions;
- Ambroxol, Lazolvan, Bromhexine - mucolytic drugs to relieve irritation, dilute sputum and accelerate its removal from the respiratory tract;
- Enterosgel, Sorbilact are sorbents that remove toxins and allergens from the body.
For endemic goiter, complex treatment is selected by an endocrinologist. To eliminate coughing attacks caused by this disease, special medications are used. Typically these are drugs whose main active ingredient is codeine. The action of this component is aimed at stimulating the central nervous system and blocking the mechanisms that cause coughing attacks. These products include Sinekod, Codelac, Codipront, Piralgin, Terpinkod.
Treatment of cough with reflux gastroesophagitis is also impossible without an integrated approach. Getting rid of the symptoms in question involves the use of a number of drugs. Depending on the stage, different medications and treatment methods are prescribed:
- use of antacids (for example, Gaviscon);
- taking H2 receptor blockers (Cisapride or Metoclopramide);
- use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (Omeprazole);
- surgical intervention.
Surgical intervention is advisable for persistent damage to the respiratory tract due to a severe stage of the disease.
Treatment of any diseases that cause cough and sore throat must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate. An experienced specialist will conduct diagnostic measures, determine why the sore throat and cough occurs and prescribe the correct course of therapy. It is especially important to remember this when treating children, since many medications have age restrictions for use.
Thank you very much for the competent and useful information.
I wish good health to all of you.
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Before using medications, consult your doctor!