Means for sputum removal in children

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How to get rid of phlegm in a child: treatment at home

Bronchitis is the most common disease during which a child produces sputum. The bronchial mucosa becomes inflamed and swelling forms, which, when subsided, leaves the body in the form of sputum.

Table of contents:

A cough that produces phlegm is called a wet cough.

· Taking infusions and decoctions.

· Inhalation using medicinal herbs.

· Your diet should include more foods high in vitamins.

· Massages with therapeutic effects that stimulate the thinning of mucus.

· It is strictly contraindicated to carry out the procedure if the child has a temperature above normal.

· Before you start doing massage, you should give your child a drug with an expectorant effect.

· After the procedure, give the child 1 glass of warm liquid to drink. This can be water, milk, tea and other drinks, but always be warm.

The neck, lower back, legs are sore spots for many people, alas, not so.

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Source: http://moy-znahar.ru/745/Kak_izbavitqsya_ot_mokroty_u_rebenka_lechenie_v_domashnih_usloviyah/

We help remove mucus from the child’s bronchi: basic methods

Only at an early stage, in the first few days, bronchitis occurs without a cough or with a dry, unproductive cough. After this, the bronchi begin to actively and in significant volumes produce sputum, which is not always easily separated. And if the secretion is poorly removed and stagnates in the bronchi, then it blocks their lumen, interferes with normal breathing, and pathogenic microbes accumulate in it. This makes it difficult to fight the infection and the recovery process is delayed.

The problem of insufficient sputum discharge is especially pronounced in young children. To remove it from the child’s bronchi, additional efforts must be made.

Why do children have trouble releasing sputum?

Increased sputum production is a normal reaction to respiratory inflammation at any age. The mucous secretion of the bronchi serves as a barrier to viruses, bacteria, and foreign substances, preventing them from penetrating deeper. Normally, the activation of sputum production is accompanied by more active work of the epithelial cilia, which cover the inner surface of the bronchi. They push mucus up and out, preventing it from accumulating and stagnating.

But in children, the structure and functioning of the respiratory and nervous systems have their own characteristics, which make it more difficult to remove mucus from the bronchi. Features of childhood bronchitis are the following factors:

  1. Children's sputum contains less protein with bactericidal properties, and the body tries to compensate for the reduced protective characteristics of mucus with its quantity. Children with bronchitis produce more of it than adults.
  2. The sputum of babies is characterized by increased viscosity and density; microorganisms are well retained in it, but are poorly neutralized; the high density of mucus makes it difficult for the cilia to remove it. Lingering in the bronchi, sputum with a high concentration of microbes becomes a source of secondary infection.
  3. The cough reflex is just developing at an early age; it is still imperfect; infants simply do not know how to cough up phlegm.
  4. Coughing requires significant effort from the baby; muscle tension during and after a prolonged coughing attack can lead to obstruction of the bronchi, narrowing of their lumen, and this is an additional obstacle to the removal of bronchial secretions.
  5. The bronchial mucosa in a child is overly sensitive to irritants and is characterized by an increased tendency to swelling, which in turn also contributes to the narrowing of the lumen and worsens the discharge of mucus.

One of the main tasks in the treatment of bronchitis in a child is to liquefy viscous sputum and stimulate its removal from the bronchi. For this purpose, medications are used and special procedures are performed.

Mucolytic and expectorant agents for children

Drugs that help rid the bronchi of excess mucus can enter the body in different ways:

  • oral administration - children in this form take mainly syrups, as well as herbal decoctions;
  • in the form of inhalations - the active substances are delivered directly to the bronchi, and their undesirable effects on the digestive system are also limited. But inhalations with expectorants and mucolytic drugs are recommended for children after 5-6 years of age;
  • in the form of intravenous or intramuscular injections, such drugs are rarely used, mainly in the treatment of weakened, premature infants. The indication for such use is, as a rule, not bronchitis, but severe respiratory failure not associated with the accumulation of sputum - respiratory distress syndrome.
There are several groups and many forms of drugs to facilitate the removal of sputum, not all of them are used in pediatrics. So:
  • herbal preparations based on thermopsis are contraindicated for children under 12 years of age; they are dangerous because they can cause respiratory depression;
  • Do not use reflex expectorants that irritate the gastric mucosa and vomiting center when treating children under 2 years of age. They increase the volume of sputum produced, and the child’s body is already unable to cope with its elimination;
  • It is preferable to take expectorants that act directly on the bronchial mucosa and stimulate the activity of the epithelium. But they are not effective enough for thick, difficult to separate sputum;
  • Mucolytics help children well, changing the composition of sputum, making it less viscous. Most drugs combine mucolytic and expectorant effects; this is the optimal solution.

The most popular medications for removing phlegm

Herbal syrups are effective when you need to remove phlegm from the bronchi. In addition, they often have a bactericidal effect. It is not advisable to give children syrups that contain ethyl alcohol.

Effective medicines are:

  • Alteika - a syrup based on marshmallow root, thyme herb and a number of other plant components, reduces the viscosity of sputum, stimulates its secretion and excretion, and relieves inflammation. Can be prescribed to children up to one year old, up to 6 years old, diluted with water;
  • Bronchicum S - combined action syrup with thyme extract, contains ethanol, can be used from 6 months;
    • Prospan is an expectorant and phlegm-thinning syrup with ivy extract. Indicated for children after one year;
  • Doctor Mom - contains extracts of more than a dozen plants and levomenthol, has an expectorant effect, is prescribed to children from 3 years of age.

Of the synthetic drugs, the most popular are ambroxol, bromhexine, acetylcysteine, and combination drugs are also used:

  • Ambroxol (Lazolvan, Ambrobene), Bromhexine are mucolytics with an expectorant effect. Syrups can be used in the treatment of children under 2 years of age, solutions for inhalation - from 5 years of age;
  • Coldrex broncho is an expectorant with synthetic and herbal components, available in the form of syrup, can be prescribed to children from 3 years of age;
  • Pertusin - contains potassium bromide and thyme extract, combined effect, suitable for early ages, available in the form of syrup and solution;
  • ACC (Fluimucil, Vicks active) is a mucolytic in the form of effervescent tablets, powders, granules, not intended for children under 2 years of age.

Mucaltin, Bromhexine, Solvin tablets or Bronchicum S lozenges are not recommended for treating children under 6 years of age. In the treatment of young children, Prospan and Tussamag drops are recommended to be diluted with water, and Bronchosan can be given from 3 years of age, dripping onto sugar.

For inhalation, solutions of Ambroxol, Bromhexine, as well as sodium bicarbonate mineral water Borjomi or Narzan can be used. They help remove mucus from the bronchi. Pediatricians often recommend dry cough medicine, an expectorant with sodium bicarbonate, licorice and marshmallow extracts, and anise oil to treat a child.

Other effective methods

To treat bronchitis in children and improve sputum discharge, folk remedies are used, for example, warm milk with the addition of butter or goat fat, soda; a mixture of honey with radish, onion or garlic juice; puree syrup made from bananas, boiling water and sugar. You can give your child infusions of medicinal herbs or use them for steam inhalations.

The expectorant effect is:

  • plantain leaf, coltsfoot;
  • herb wild rosemary, thyme;
  • marshmallow roots, licorice;
  • breast fees.

In addition to medications and traditional medications, postural drainage is very effective. After this procedure, bronchial secretions are released much more actively. On the eve of the procedure, it is necessary to give the little patient expectorants, if age permits, perform inhalation, and give him a good drink. During the execution, the head of the lying child should be lowered.

The postural drainage technique involves alternating actions between the massage therapist and the patient, but for young children it has its own characteristics; it is dominated by tapping and vibration massage. Older children should do breathing exercises and cough. In children, you have to induce a reflex cough by pressing on the root of the tongue. The optimal method for a specific age and characteristics of the course of bronchitis should be recommended by a doctor.

To facilitate the breathing of a child with bronchitis and cleanse his body of toxins, it is necessary to stimulate a more active discharge of sputum from the bronchi.

This can be achieved by taking expectorants and mucolytic drugs orally, performing inhalations, and special massage. Mucus is removed much better after a warm alkaline drink; in addition, humidifying the air in the room also plays a huge role.

We recommend reading: important help for a child - how to strengthen the bronchi and avoid bronchitis.

Author: infectious disease doctor, Memeshev Shaban Yusufovich

Thank you very much for collecting all the necessary information. We got sick a couple of days ago, and I found this article just in time. Immediately there was a dull dry cough. We immediately started doing inhalations with Borjomi, drinking teas and warm milk with honey and bought Bronchicum S. Firstly, I liked that the included ingredients are all natural, and secondly, both me and my son can take it (after all, it’s a savings). The child takes the syrup without problems, the taste is pleasant. Following your advice, I tried massage. My son has already started coughing up mucus, it seems to me that this is a good result. Thank you, even the doctor said that we were doing everything right.

All information provided on this site is for reference only. Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of disease, consult a doctor. An active link is required when quoting.

Source: http://prolegkie.ru/rekomendatsii-pri-bronhite/kak-vyvesti-mokrotu-bronhov-rebenka.html

How and with what can you remove sputum from a child?

A child's cough with sputum is a serious cause for concern for any mother, especially when it comes to an infant. The newborn’s immune system is not strong enough, so new parents should be extremely careful when treating diseases whose symptoms include mucus formation and coughing.

And even after infancy, it is much more difficult for a baby, in comparison with adult family members, to remove mucus from the lungs and bronchi. This is explained by the fact that the baby’s internal organs are not yet fully developed.

Today there are many known ways to relieve a child of a wet cough with sputum. These are numerous techniques of folk and traditional medicine that can be used in combination.

However, before moving on to treatment, you should understand the reasons for the appearance of sputum.

Causes of excess mucus

There are three most common childhood diseases that are accompanied by excessive mucus.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia, also called pneumonia, is a disease caused by microorganisms that attack the lungs. The inflammatory process can occur in one or two lungs at once. In the vast majority of cases, the cause is untreated or untreated bronchitis.

Bronchial asthma

This disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the respiratory system, which causes an increase in bronchial reactivity. In children, asthma is diagnosed quite often. One of the requirements for monitoring the baby’s condition is the timely disposal of the resulting sputum.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a disease characterized by inflammatory processes in the bronchi. It can be called one of the most common diseases associated with the respiratory system of children.

And the main symptom of chronic and acute childhood bronchitis is profuse sputum.

How to help your baby remove mucus: folk remedies

If a child coughs and produces a lot of mucus, the parent should know how to behave correctly. Remember, under no circumstances should you be forced to cough up accumulated mucus.

The mother should try to distract the child, which can be done with a sugar cube with two drops of mint infusion or mint candy. The action of mint will muffle the cough and also make breathing easier.

It often happens that the sputum formed in the bronchi or lungs thickens. This makes it difficult to cough it up. Having noticed that the child cannot cough, parents should help thin the mucus to speed up its elimination.

Honey with onions or radishes

The most effective product used in folk medicine to remove mucus is honey, which can be mixed with mixed nuts or cranberry juice.

Consuming honey with the addition of radish or onion juice is also good for thinning phlegm. To get juice, you need to grate the radish (onion) on a fine grater and squeeze the resulting pulp through thick gauze.

Milk with figs

An excellent “grandmother’s” remedy is hot milk with the addition of grated figs. The resulting composition must be given to the child twice a day, a glass.

To improve your baby's well-being before bed, you can offer him to drink a glass of water with two drops of iodine.

Milk with garlic

Cow's (natural) milk also helps to deal with phlegm faster. You can drink it in its pure form, without additives, but warmed up. Mashed garlic significantly increases the effectiveness of warm milk.

For one liter of milk, you need to finely grate or crush five cloves of garlic using a garlic press. The baby should drink the resulting mixture in one day.

Inhalations

Drugs that enter the body through inhalation are also considered effective. The speed of action of inhalation agents is explained by the fact that the drug penetrates precisely at the site of formation of the source of infection.

If the baby is already 2 years old, you can safely use inhalation to combat phlegm.

Features of the procedure

This event requires compliance with certain rules:

  • one of the parents must be nearby during the entire procedure;
  • You can start inhalation only 10 minutes after the water boils, as it should cool down a little;
  • the total duration of inhalation cannot exceed 5 minutes;
  • After the procedure, the baby should not inhale cold air. It is best to provide him with bed rest.

Water with honey

It is not necessary to buy a product for inhalation of a child at a pharmacy; it can be prepared at home. The most common recipe is when water and honey are mixed in a ratio of five to one.

The baby must be seated so that his face is above the bowl with the solution heated to 45 degrees, and covered with a blanket. It is best if the mother does inhalation directly with the child and teaches him to breathe alternately through his mouth and nose.

It is forbidden to heat the product more strongly, as the healing properties of honey will be lost.

Alkaline mineral water

If expectoration is very difficult, you can give the child inhalation using alkaline mineral water. Before the therapy session, you need to open the water with mineral water so that the gas comes out.

For a liter of boiled water, take 4 tablespoons of mineral water. A product with a similar composition allows you to quickly get rid of phlegm located not only in the child’s throat, but also in the bronchi and lungs.

Herbal infusions

In addition, modern mothers often use herbal infusions for this purpose. Thus, inhalation with chamomile, concentrated mint infusion, eucalyptus leaves, dry birch leaves, and sage help thin mucus.

These products not only facilitate expectoration, but also soothe the nasopharyngeal mucosa.

Onion and garlic juices

If a child complains of a sore throat or chest, the parent can inhale with squeezed onion juice or garlic paste. Boiled water is mixed with juice in a ratio of one to 10.

How to speed up the removal of mucus in a baby?

Massage for babies

It is difficult to offer any of the above remedies to children who have not yet turned 1 year old. Therefore, if a wet cough appears in a baby, it is best to speed up the removal of mucus with the help of a special massage.

The procedure will not take much time, it will only take about 10 minutes. Before starting a massage session, the baby must be given a medication whose effect is aimed at thinning mucus (it must be prescribed by a doctor).

Massaging can be turned into an exciting game; during the process, the mother should talk to the child so that he can be distracted and get the most positive emotions from the massage.

How to do it?

The massage technique is quite simple. The baby should be placed on his stomach and thoroughly rubbed over the entire surface of his back, including the lower back and shoulders. When the skin turns a little red, use the edges of your palms to lightly tap on the ribs.

Gentle pinching will also help. At the end of the session, you need to press on the child’s back with your fists without touching the spine.

In most cases, immediately after the session, the body rejects mucus, and the child begins to cough it up from the bronchi and throat. When the baby clears his throat, he must be turned onto his back. The breasts are not massaged. It is enough to lightly stroke the baby from the navel to the collarbones, without touching the heart area.

Traditional methods: chamomile tea and compresses

So, to ease expectoration in a child under one year old, you can brew tea from chamomile flowers and make compresses from mustard. To prepare the mixture for the compress, mom will need 1 spoon of honey, flour, vegetable oil, and mustard.

The resulting composition is brought to a boil, cooled to a warm state and placed on a piece of thick gauze, which is placed on the baby’s chest. Mom should be extremely careful; it is forbidden to apply such bandages to the heart area. The procedure is best performed before bedtime.

For heating in the form of compresses, you can also use potatoes that have been boiled in their jackets, or cabbage leaves smeared with honey. It is important to remember that any of the compresses should not touch the area of ​​the chest where the heart is located.

General recommendations

Don't forget about the need to drink plenty of fluids. In case of illness in a baby, rosehip decoctions, as well as all kinds of fruit drinks, will help.

An infant is susceptible to external factors affecting him. Therefore, the most favorable climate should be created in the room. The air must be humidified. For this purpose, you can place towels soaked in water on the radiators.

Traditional medicine for the treatment of wet cough

Very often, when removing sputum from a child, it is not possible to use only folk remedies. Therefore, if the baby is choking and coughing, the doctor prescribes medication for him.

Cough syrups

To treat a child under two years of age and older, you can use Ambroxol, which is produced in the form of syrup. The liquid consistency makes it easier to take the medicine, because infants do not yet know how to swallow tablets.

Lazolvan, which modern parents use for inhalation, is also considered a popular medicine. Drugs called Bromhexine are also available in the form of syrups.

It is important to remember that it is impossible to treat a child’s cough without prior medical consultation. Only a pediatrician can prescribe treatment that will be successful.

When is urgent medical attention required?

The main parental task in treating a wet cough is monitoring the color and consistency of the mucus. And if the sputum begins to come out yellow-green, it means that pathogenic microbes have joined the process.

In this case, the child may develop a serious illness with complications, so he must be seen by a doctor immediately. Most pediatricians prescribe antibiotics based on examination results.

After taking the prescribed drug, the baby’s symptoms often disappear after three days, but it is necessary to continue treatment exactly as long as prescribed.

Source: http://otvetprost.com/607-kak-vyvesti-mokrotu-u-rebenka.html

How to help a baby cough up: what can be done at home to remove phlegm from a child?

Phlegm is a fluid that is produced in the body for the functioning of the respiratory system. Under normal conditions, a small amount of sputum is produced. An increase in mucus indicates the onset of the disease. It may be accompanied by a cough and fever. In this case, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician to determine the cause of the mucus and begin treatment in a timely manner.

What diseases are accompanied by sputum production?

Most often, sputum production is associated with infections of viral or bacterial origin. The child begins to cough and snot, and the body temperature rises (for more details, see the article: how to treat a wet allergic cough in a child?). A severe cough and thick secretions appear with the following diseases:

  • Bronchitis. The inflammatory process occurs in the bronchi.
  • Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia). A disease in which the lungs are affected and an inflammatory process develops. The cause of pneumonia is advanced bronchitis.
  • Bronchial asthma. Chronic inflammation of the respiratory system is observed. In this case, it is necessary to completely cleanse the organs of sputum.

The appearance of sputum may not be accompanied by a cough. Diseases characterized by the presence of mucus without coughing:

  • Rhinitis. In this case, mucus forms in the nose and flows down the throat, since it is difficult to blow it out due to swelling of the mucous membrane. It is recommended to gargle to prevent bacteria from spreading to other respiratory organs.
  • Pharyngitis. A disease in which the mucous membrane of the throat becomes inflamed. Coughing up the mucus that has formed is made difficult by pain. Occurs when rhinitis is not treated correctly.
  • Allergy. During allergic reactions, the secreted secretion accumulates in the throat.

There are many diseases of viral and bacterial etiology, accompanied by the presence of sputum.

Why doesn't phlegm come out when I cough?

When a virus and bacteria enter a child’s body, a large amount of mucus is released. This is explained by the fact that there are not enough special proteins in sputum that can stop the development of bacteria.

The consistency of mucus can be liquid or thick. Liquid sputum is easily cleared from the respiratory system by coughing. A viscous secretion is formed when a large number of pathogenic bacteria accumulate in the bronchi. Young children have difficulty clearing thick mucus because they do not have the strength to cough up. The secretion does not leave the bronchi, but remains on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

In infants, the process of sputum discharge is complicated by the fact that their cough reflex is poorly developed, and babies spend a lot of time lying down. To thin the mucus, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment with special medications.

How to help your baby get rid of mucus?

A small child cannot cough up the mucus that constantly forms, so he needs help. The main task of parents is to go to the clinic. The doctor will determine the reasons for the secretion of mucus and prescribe the necessary medications, tell you how to remove phlegm from an infant, taking into account the age of the child and the type of disease.

Medicines

Medications are used depending on the cause of mucus formation and can help clear mucus. Before using the drug, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications and features of use in childhood - many drugs are prohibited for infants and are prescribed from 3 years of age.

  • Antiviral agents. Used to treat influenza, acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections at the initial stage of disease development. Drugs such as Ergoferon, Kagocel, Ingaverin enhance the body’s immune response and stop the inflammatory process.
  • Sprays and aerosols. Prescribed for throat diseases. They relieve inflammation, reduce pain and thin mucus in the throat. Some drugs have antiviral and antibacterial effects. The more common sprays are Tantum Verde, Cameton, and Lugol.
  • Pills. Their action is aimed at thinning mucus, reducing pain and relieving cough. These include “Strepsils”, “Septolete”, “Grammidin”, “Faringosept”.
  • Antibiotics. Used to treat bacterial infections. To diagnose them, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory analysis of the secreted secretion. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Amoxicillin, Sumamed, and Azithromycin.
  • Expectorants. Necessary for removing mucus from the lungs. Available in the form of syrups based on medicinal herbs. Can cause coughing (“Ambrobene”, “Ambroxol”, “Gerbion”).
  • Thinning drugs. Their action is aimed at thinning thick mucus (“Mukoltin”, “ACC”, “Bronchobos”).
  • Antihistamines. Used to reduce the amount of phlegm during allergic reactions. Products such as Suprastin, Zodak, Zyrtec relieve swelling and inflammation and reduce mucus secretion. In addition to taking medications, it is necessary to avoid contact with the allergen.

Folk remedies

Before treating a child with folk remedies, you should consult a pediatrician. The baby's body may react to such methods by exhibiting an allergic reaction. Most often, folk remedies are used as additional therapy in the early stages of the disease.

  • Gargling with decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, sage. The procedure is carried out 3-4 times a day, an hour before meals. Allowed for children from 3 years of age, provided that the child does not swallow the solution. Relieves inflammation, improves sputum production, and stops the development of infection.
  • Propolis. The tincture is added to warm water or milk and drunk before bed. The medicine reduces pain and sore throat, helps get rid of secretions.
  • A mixture of lemon and honey. The method is effective for dry cough.
  • Honey with radish or onion juice. It thins mucus well. To prepare, you need to grate the onion or radish, squeeze out the juice and mix with honey.

Radish with honey is an effective cough remedy, provided the child is not allergic to bee products

Massage

To speed up the process of mucus removal in children under one year old, you can massage. Before the procedure, give your child an expectorant to induce a cough. Rubbing at elevated body temperatures is not allowed.

How to perform a massage:

  • Using stroking movements, rub the child’s back from the shoulders to the lower back, the skin should turn slightly red;
  • lightly pinch the skin with your fingers;
  • stroke your back in a circular motion;
  • tap on the baby's back with the edge of your palm, while the child should lie so that his legs are higher than his head;
  • massage your back with your fist;
  • Turn the child over and rub the chest from the collarbone to the heart area.

The massage should be done with warm hands, all movements should be performed from top to bottom. Such manipulations help to liquefy mucus and remove it from the lungs. Don't be alarmed if your child coughs a lot - this is a natural process. You need to teach your child to spit out mucus if she coughs up.

It is advisable that the first massage session be conducted under the guidance of an experienced specialist.

Inhalations

Inhalation is an effective method in the fight against phlegm. Inhalations with a nebulizer effectively thin the mucus in the throat and lungs. Medicines penetrate into inflamed tissues without entering the bloodstream or digestive system.

To extract sputum, the following drugs are poured into the device:

  • "Berodual", "Salgim" - means that dilate the bronchi;
  • “Lazolvan”, “Ambroxol” - medications that dilute secretions and help reduce mucus in the respiratory tract;
  • "ACC" is a drug that dilutes and removes mucus well;
  • "Gedelix", "Sinupret" - reduce inflammation and swelling of the airways.

In the absence of a bacterial infection, it is recommended to inhale with saline solution or mineral water. This method is most suitable for one-year-old children, as it does not cause allergic reactions. During such procedures, it is necessary to additionally use expectorants.

Inhalations are carried out in courses 2 times a day for a week. The duration of the procedure is 5 minutes.

Child care rules

Helping your child at home:

  • maintain a normal indoor climate - regularly ventilate the room; to increase humidity, you can use a humidifier or place a container of water next to the battery;
  • spend time outside (if there is no elevated body temperature);
  • provide the baby with plenty of warm drinks - water, unsweetened juices, compotes, fruit drinks are suitable;
  • perform physical exercises (if you feel normal);
  • Do not bathe your baby when the temperature rises.

When a child has a cough, I always inhale Berodual, because without it the cough simply does not go away. My 1.5 year old daughter does not like massage at all. Often with a cough you also get snot, so you also need to treat your nose

I don’t think that a child should have inhalations, he might get burned by the hot steam. I always give cough syrup and rub it with warming ointment. And to prevent it from turning into a cough from the very beginning of a cold, I rinse my nose every hour with saline solution.

Attention! All information on the site is provided for informational purposes only and is for informational purposes only. For all questions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, you must consult a doctor for an in-person consultation.

Source: http://vseprorebenka.ru/zdorove/procedury/kak-vyvesti-mokrotu-u-rebenka.html

Expectorants for children and adults: how they work, differences, names

Most respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis require complex treatment, including antibacterial or antiviral therapy, antipyretics and antihistamines, immunostimulants and immunomodulators. Pathogenetic treatment is aimed at reducing signs of inflammation, bronchodilation, restoring the patency of the respiratory tract, as well as liquefying and removing sputum. For this purpose, patients are prescribed expectorants. This is a group of drugs that ensure the removal of bronchial secretions from the respiratory tract.

Healthy people constantly produce a mucous secretion designed to moisturize and cleanse the epithelium of the respiratory tract. With infection and inflammation of the respiratory tract, the activity of the cilia of epithelial cells decreases and sputum production increases. It becomes viscous and difficult to separate. To cope with this problem and eliminate a productive cough, medications that help thin and expectorate sputum will help. They restore the functioning of the ciliated epithelium and accelerate the movement of tracheobronchial secretions.

Drugs in this group are divided into 2 large subgroups:

  • Secretomotor agents that directly stimulate expectoration.
  • Mucolytics or secretolytics, thinning sputum.

Expectorants are intended for the treatment of productive cough with viscous and thick discharge, which occurs when the bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, trachea are affected, as well as bronchial asthma, atelectasis, COPD and other diseases.

Mucolytic and expectorant drugs are auxiliary drugs that make the patient’s life easier, but do not eliminate the cause of cough. They should be used only in combination with etiotropic antimicrobial therapy.

Mucolytics thin the thick bronchial secretions, have a mild anti-inflammatory effect and prevent mucus from sticking to the walls of the respiratory tract.

Mechanism of action

Coughing is a reflex act that protects the body from foreign substances by removing them from the respiratory system. This is the most important sign of bronchopulmonary diseases. The cough reflex occurs when the receptors of the mucous membrane of the bronchi and trachea are irritated, which becomes inflamed and swollen. It intensively produces thick mucus, which does not come out, but continues to stimulate cough receptors.

The cough can be wet or dry. In the first case, it is necessary to use drugs that improve the removal of sputum, but do not suppress the cough - mucolytic and expectorant drugs. They dilute mucus and promote its movement from the lower parts of the respiratory tract to the upper ones. Despite the fact that this group includes a large number of drugs, they all differ in their main pharmacological action.

  • Reflex drugs. They irritate the gastric mucosa, as well as the cough and vomiting centers in the brain. The work of the glands that produce bronchial secretions is reflexively stimulated, the peristalsis of the bronchioles is enhanced, and sputum leaves the body. This subgroup includes herbal remedies based on licorice, marshmallow, and thermopsis.
  • Medicines that have a direct effect on the bronchial receptor apparatus. Constant stimulation of the bronchial mucosa leads to increased secretion.
  • Mucolytics that thin sputum. Drugs of this group are used for pathologies of the respiratory system, accompanied by the formation of thick discharge that clogs the bronchi. They are prescribed to patients with tracheostomy and in the postoperative period, especially after anesthesia with tracheal intubation. This group includes enzymes, sulfur-containing compounds, and vizicine derivatives. This is a substance of plant origin that destroys mucopolysaccharides and mucoproteins of sputum, enhancing its secretion and the activity of the cilia of the respiratory epithelium.
  • Bronchodilators - expand the lumen of the bronchi and relieve bronchospasm, due to which liquid or thick sputum is eliminated faster. They are prescribed for the treatment of spasmodic cough in bronchial asthma or allergic bronchitis. “Salbutamol”, “Eufillin”, “Berodual”, “Berotek” have bronchodilator activity.

Medications

Medicinal herbs, herbal infusions, pharmacological preparations and folk remedies have an expectorant effect.

Only a doctor must select one or another cough medicine, taking into account the form and stage of the disease, the patient’s condition, the nature of the sputum and the presence of concomitant pathologies. Herbal medicines and folk remedies are safe, but often ineffective. Potent synthetic drugs that have a number of contraindications and side effects deserve special attention. Most of them have a symptomatic effect, and some drugs have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

Synthetic secretolytics are used to eliminate cough, which is a symptom of inflammation of the bronchi, lungs, and trachea. They are prescribed to premature babies and young children who have reduced synthesis of surfactant, a substance that stabilizes the pulmonary alveoli.

  • "Bromhexine" is an effective mucolytic, which is prescribed to persons with tracheobronchitis, spastic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis. Bromhexine is a synthetic analogue of the active plant substance vasicin, which can thin and remove mucus. In the human body, bromhexine is absorbed into the blood and, as a result of a number of metabolic reactions, is converted into ambroxol. The drug is produced in tablet form, syrup and drops for inhalation. The effect of the drug begins one day after the start of treatment: the viscosity of sputum decreases, the work of the ciliated epithelium increases, the volume of sputum and its excretion increases. Bromhexine ensures stability of the alveoli during breathing through the production of pulmonary surfactant. Side effects are dyspepsia and allergies. Currently, bromhexine is considered an outdated drug, and doctors recommend it less and less.
  • "Ambroxol" is a medicine that protects the mucous membrane of the respiratory system from external influences, including infection. This drug is considered vital and is widely used in medical practice. Thanks to the effect of the drug, the mobility of the villi of the ciliated epithelium is activated, mucociliary transport is restored, resulting in the formation of a less viscous discharge. Increased surfactant production protects cells and tissues from the invasion of pathogenic microbes. Ambroxol is a metabolite of bromhexine and has identical properties. It has a pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The drug is used for prophylactic purposes before and after operations. Ambroxol is used in tablet form to treat wet cough in adults. Children under one year old are given delicious syrup in an age-appropriate dosage.
  • Acetylcysteine ​​is the main active ingredient of the drug "ACC" and its analogues. This is an effective mucolytic that can dilute viscous bronchial secretions and remove it from the body. "ACC" is prescribed to persons with infectious pathology of the respiratory system, accompanied by the formation of thick mucus: bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, as well as rhinitis, otitis, sinusitis. Acetylcysteine ​​is used to treat colds and is included in the complex therapy of such serious diseases as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary tuberculosis and others. Acetylcysteine ​​is an important medicine that is available in the form of powder and effervescent tablets. Side effects include allergic reactions, shortness of breath, and bronchospasm.
  • Carbocisteine ​​is a mucolytic agent with a bronchosecretolytic effect. It thins, breaks down and dissolves difficult to expectorate viscous mucus, and also slows down the process of its formation. “Carbocisteine”, “Libexin Muco”, “Mukosol” and other analogues normalize the condition of the mucous membranes and promote their regeneration. These medications do not provoke bronchospasm and are safer than ACC. The very next day after the start of treatment, the discharge of sputum and mucus from the respiratory tract improves, which makes breathing easier and reduces coughing.
  • Combined expectorants are potent drugs used according to strict indications and doctor’s recommendations. The most common representative of this group is Ascoril. Despite their high efficiency and rapid onset of therapeutic effect, drugs in this group have many contraindications and cause a variety of side effects. Codelac Broncho is available in different dosage forms: tablets, syrup, elixir. The syrup is prescribed mainly to children in a dosage appropriate to their age. It reduces the viscosity of mucus, promotes its removal, weakens the cough reflex and reduces the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract.

"Bromhexine" and "Ambroxol" promote the penetration of antibiotics from the group of penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones into the sputum. In this regard, expectorants based on these drugs are prescribed together with antimicrobial agents.

In case of chronic obstructive inflammation of the bronchi, a good therapeutic effect is achieved by the combined use of mucolytics, bronchodilators, antispasmodics - “Salbutamol”, “Eufillin”. During the treatment process, the work of the ciliated epithelium is enhanced, inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane is reduced, and sputum production is facilitated.

Phytotherapy

Some medicinal herbs have an expectorant effect and clear the bronchi of mucus. Official medicine allows the use of these herbs for wet coughs. You can purchase them at the pharmacy chain and use them strictly according to the instructions.

Expectorant herbs include:

These herbs irritate the gastric mucosa and brain centers, and then reflexively activate the mucous glands in the bronchi and the contractility of the bronchial muscles. Thanks to this, sputum becomes liquid and abundant, it moves faster through the respiratory tract and leaves the body.

Breast mixtures are prepared from medicinal herbs or brewed separately. Decoctions, infusions, syrups, herbal teas and drinks provide a good therapeutic effect. Most people suffering from productive cough choose natural remedies and confirm their high effectiveness. Modern pharmaceuticals produce a huge number of herbal medicines based on medicinal herbs.

  • "Gedelix", "Gerbion" and "Prospan" are cough syrups of plant origin based on ivy. They dilute sputum, relieve muscle spasms from the bronchi, and remove liquid secretions. These remedies can be used for both dry and wet coughs.
  • "Doctor Theis" is a syrup with plantain that has an expectorant effect for all types of cough. It reduces signs of inflammation, stimulates the immune system, relieves spasms in the bronchial muscles, kills germs, and soothes throat irritation. The drug is used as an addition to basic drug therapy.
  • Thyme-based products gently and effectively thin mucus and promote its removal from the body. These include the drugs “Bronchicum”, “Bronchipret”. They reduce swelling of the mucous membrane and increase the lumen of the bronchi, alleviating the symptoms of a painful, paroxysmal cough. “Pertussin” is a cough syrup known to almost everyone since childhood. It has an expectorant, antimicrobial and analgesic effect and promotes rapid evacuation of bronchial mucus.
  • “Thermopsis tablets” are traditional, inexpensive cough medicines that thin and remove mucus. "Thermopsol" is a similar product that is suitable for both adults and infants, which speaks in favor of its safety. This drug stimulates the respiratory center in the brain, stimulates the production of mucus in the bronchi, has a weak anti-inflammatory effect, increases the tone of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and kills pathogenic bacteria.
  • Preparations obtained from marshmallow root combine effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The most common among them is “Mukaltin”. This is a medical drug used to treat respiratory diseases as a secretolytic. It stimulates the activity of the ciliated epithelium, the secretion of mucous glands and the peristalsis of the bronchial muscles.
  • Combined herbal remedies - “Stoptussin”, “Amtersol”, “Pektusin”. Drugs in this group eliminate frequent coughing attacks and make it productive. They have an analgesic effect, are well absorbed by the body and are quickly absorbed. Linkas increases productivity and reduces cough intensity. This drug has an expectorant, bronchodilator, antipyretic, sedative and antimicrobial effect. "Linkas" copes well with even the most painful cough.

Folk remedies

Traditional cough medicine, actively used at home, is quite effective and accessible to everyone. This mild expectorant therapy gives good results, the main thing is to stock up on the necessary ingredients and patience. Before proceeding to self-medication, you should consult a specialist.

To cleanse the bronchi from unwanted and excessive mucus, you need to drink as much liquid as possible and do herbal and essential inhalations.

  • Remove the core from the black radish, add honey and leave for several hours. The resulting syrup is taken several times a day. You can grate the radish, squeeze out the juice and mix it with honey.
  • A folk remedy consisting of warm milk, honey, cognac, and baking soda improves sputum discharge.
  • Mix butter and honey in equal proportions, add aloe juice and take a teaspoon twice a day.
  • A decoction of oats mixed with milk and honey is drunk warm in small sips up to 6 times a day.
  • Lingonberry juice is mixed with honey and taken a tablespoon several times a day.
  • Viburnum is the best cough remedy that has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Boil viburnum fruits, add honey and take the remedy until the cough disappears completely.
  • The chopped onion is sprinkled with sugar and left to infuse overnight. In the morning, drain the onion syrup and treat cough with it.
  • Pine buds are boiled in milk and the resulting decoction is taken several sips throughout the day. Pine milk removes phlegm and normalizes body temperature.
  • Before going to bed, apply a cloth soaked in vegetable oil to your chest, cover it with cellophane and leave it overnight.
  • Essential oils of fir, eucalyptus, thyme, cedar and lavender help relieve coughs. Add a couple of drops of one of the oils to boiling water and inhale the healing vapors.
  • If the child does not have a fever or lesions on the skin, a compress can be placed on the chest to treat a cough. To do this, lubricate the skin with vegetable oil, moisten gauze folded in several layers in vinegar, honey, vodka or oil and apply it to the chest, avoiding the heart area. Place polyethylene on top and cover with a warm blanket. The compress is left on all night and removed in the morning, the skin is wiped and lubricated with baby cream. The compress is an excellent addition to medications or a complete replacement. In some cases, it acts faster and more effectively than tablets and does not cause side effects.

Source: http://uhonos.ru/gorlo/lechenie-gorla/otxarkivayushhie-sredstva/

Expectorants for children

You can often see parents buying cough medicine for their children at pharmacies. That’s what they say: “for cough.” Not every pharmacist, after such a request, will clarify what kind of cough it is and what the problem is. And a prescription for most of these drugs is not required at all. So moms and dads buy it because they want to do what’s best, but it’s not at all what their baby needs.

I won’t talk about all cough suppressants, there are many of them, let’s talk about expectorants and mucolytic drugs. When and why do our children need them?

What it is

Expectorants are a separate group of herbal and synthetic drugs, the main task of which is to ensure the process of removing bronchial secretions (sputum) from the respiratory tract. The body really needs the secretion; it is produced to protect the respiratory system from bacteria and viruses.

When the child is healthy, the secretion is eliminated without any problems, unnoticed by the body. But if the baby has a cold, or a foreign object is stuck in the respiratory tract, the transportation of bronchial secretions, which are produced several times more in response to pathogenic microorganisms, is disrupted. A cough appears. This condition requires the use of expectorants.

Why can't we leave everything as it is? Because bronchial secretions are an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria, and such stagnation can have very disastrous consequences.

And now a short video by Dr. Komarovsky about expectorants.

All drugs of this action profile are divided into two categories:

Secretomotor. They stimulate expectoration. Some do this reflexively (irritating the cough center in the medulla oblongata), for example, licorice root or Alteyka syrup. Others increase the production of the liquid component of bronchial secretions, sputum becomes thinner and easier to remove.

Mucolytic. They act on phlegm, diluting it at the cellular level. This group also includes drugs of a new generation, mucoregulators, which increase the secretion of pulmonary surfactant and balance the liquid and mucous parts of the sputum. These are the most popular medications today, including, in particular, Bromhexine, Ambroxol, etc.

Indications for use

Expectorants are not a panacea; they only temporarily relieve symptoms without eliminating the underlying disease. Therefore, they should be used as part of complex treatment for diseases of the respiratory tract, both acute and chronic, in which the child has abundant viscous sputum, which is difficult to cough up independently. Most often, such medications are needed for bronchitis, bronchial obstruction, if the child gets the flu or ARVI and the viral infection is complicated by a secondary one.

So, to put it simply, expectorants are needed when a child’s cough is accompanied by the release of thick and viscous sputum, or the removal of sputum is difficult. These medications will be effective for wet cough, wet cough. A baby with a dry cough (barking, non-productive) does not produce sputum, and he needs other drugs - antitussives. Medicines that thin and remove mucus have proven themselves in the treatment of bronchitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis and tracheitis.

Release forms

Modern products for thinning and removing phlegm for children are often produced in the form of syrups and drops, but they are also available in tablet form, in capsules. Quite often, pediatricians advise parents to buy their child an inhalation solution. Syrups and drops are more suitable for young children; after 6 years, tablets can be given. Doctors recommend taking capsules for children over 12 years of age.

Most syrups and mixtures with expectorant and mucolytic effects are herbal preparations or combination products containing natural herbs. Pediatricians, oddly enough, more often prescribe synthetic medications, since herbal ones can cause severe allergies.

The danger of self-medication

There are situations in which it is not worth treating a child’s wet cough on your own. It would be better to consult a specialist if your baby:

  • A wet cough does not go away for a long time (lasts more than a week and a half);
  • Severe shortness of breath appeared;
  • Temperature increased;
  • Obvious wheezing appeared when coughing;
  • Sputum with blood or green purulent impurities comes out;
  • Cough worsens at night;
  • The child complains of pain in the sternum.

Popular drugs

Brief information about them is presented in the following form:

  • Drug name
  • Action, release form
  • Age restrictions
  • Dosage

"Alteyka"

  • Secretomotor, expectorant.
  • Syrup
  • From 6 months.
  • Up to one year – 2.5 ml per dose,
  • after 1 year – 3 ml, after 5 years – 5 ml per dose.
  • The frequency of administration is 3-4 times a day.

"Mukaltin"

  • Secretolytic expectorant action.
  • Pills.
  • From birth
  • Up to 1 year - half a tablet three times a day, from 1 to 3 years - 1 tablet three times a day, from 3 to 5 years - 1.5 tablets three times a day.

"Codelac Broncho"

  • Mucolytic agent. Syrup.
  • From 3 years old.
  • Children from 3 to 6 years old - 2.5 ml of syrup three times a day,
  • children from 6 to 12 years old - 5 ml three times, from 12 years old - 10 ml four times a day.

"Gerbion" (for wet cough)

  • Mucolytic agent.
  • Syrup.
  • From 2 years old.
  • From 2 to 5 years - 2.5 ml of syrup after meals three times a day.
  • From 5 years, 5 ml of syrup three times.

"Ambroxol" ("Lazolvan")

  • Mucolytic action.
  • Syrup, solution for internal use, capsules and tablets, effervescent soluble tablets.
  • From birth - for solution, from 1 year - for syrup, from 6 years - for tablets, from 12 years - for capsules.
  • Syrup: three times a day, children under 12 years old 15 mg per dose, children over 12 years old – 30 mg.
  • Solution: two or three times a day, children under 1 year old - 1 ml, children from 1 to 5 years old - 1.5 ml, from 5 years old - 2 ml.

"Gelomirtol"

  • Mucolytic, anti-inflammatory agent.
  • Capsules and forte capsules.
  • Capsules – from 6 years,
  • Forte - from 9-10 years old.
  • Children from 6 to 10 years old take 1 capsule twice a day, in case of acute illness - three times.
  • Children from ten years old – 2 capsules 4-5 times a day.

"Bromhexine"

  • Mucolytic drug.
  • Syrup, dragees, solution for internal use, tablets. All forms have separate adult and pediatric dosages.
  • From 6 years – for dragees and tablet forms, as well as syrups.
  • From 6 months – for internal solution.
  • General dosages:
  • children under 2 years old - 2 mg three times, from 2 years old - 4 mg, from 6 years old - 8 mg, from 14 years old - adult dose.
  • Drops: up to 2 years - individually, from 2 to 5 years - 12 drops three times a day, from 5 to 9 years - 20 drops at a time three times. From the age of 10 – drop by drop.

"Amtersol"

  • Expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Syrup.
  • From 3 years old.
  • From 3 to 6 years – half a teaspoon three times a day.
  • From 6 to 12 years, a whole teaspoon three times a day.
  • For children over 12 years of age, the single dose is increased to the volume of a dessert spoon.

"ACC" ("Acetylcysteine")

  • Mucolytic action.
  • Effervescent tablets, powders for preparing hot drinks, children's powder for internal use.
  • From birth (from one and a half weeks).
  • From the 10th day of life to 2 years – 50 mg three times,
  • From 2 years to 5 years – 250 mg twice a day,
  • from 5 to 12 years – 400 mg three times a day.

"Vicks Active"

  • A combined drug of mucolytic and secretomotor action with an anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Effervescent tablets and syrup.
  • From 2 years - for effervescent tablets with a dosage of 200 mg.
  • From 14 years of age – for effervescent tablets with a dosage of 600 mg.
  • From 1 year – for syrup.
  • Daily doses of syrup:
  • children under 2 years old - 5 ml, children from 2 to 5 years old - 7.5 ml, children from 6 years old and older.
  • Effervescent tablets are dosed daily:
  • children from 2 to 6 years old - 300 mg (in 2-3 doses), children from 10 years to 10 years - 400 mg (in 2 doses).

"Fluimucil"

  • Mucolytic agent.
  • Granules for preparing a solution at home, effervescent tablets.
  • From 18 years - for effervescent tablets, from 6 years - granular form.
  • 200 mg. 2-3 times a day.

"Libexin Muco" for children

  • Mucolytic agent.
  • Syrup.
  • From 2 years old.
  • Children from 6 years old: 1 measuring spoon three times, children from 2 to 6 years old: 1 measuring spoon twice a day.

"Bronchobos"

  • Mucolytic agent.
  • Syrup.
  • From 3 years old.
  • Children from 3 to 6 years old - one measuring spoon three times a day, children from 6 years old and older - 2 measuring spoons three times a day.

"Fluifort"

  • Mucolytic drug.
  • Granules for diluting syrup and finished syrup.
  • From 1 year - for syrup, from 16 years - for granules.
  • Children from 1 to 5 years old - no more than 2.5 ml of syrup, children from 5 years old and older - 5 ml of syrup.

"Liquorice root"

  • Expectorant.
  • Syrup.
  • From birth
  • Up to 1 year, the dose is determined by the doctor.
  • From 2 to 4 years – 3 drops at a time,
  • From 5 years of age, a single dose is half a teaspoon. The syrup is diluted with water.

"Gedelix"

  • Expectorant.
  • Drops and syrup.
  • Syrup - from birth.
  • Drops - for children from 2 years old.
  • For children under 2 years of age, the dose of drops is calculated by the doctor.
  • From 2 years - 2.5 ml of syrup three times a day or 16 drops.
  • From 4 years - 5-7 ml of syrup four times a day or 21 drops three times a day.

"Doctor MOM"

  • Secretomotor, expectorant.
  • Syrup, lozenges.
  • From 3 years - for syrup.
  • From 14 years old - for lozenges.
  • The syrup is given half a teaspoon three times a day to children from 3 to 5 years old.
  • From 5 years – a teaspoon.
  • Lozenges – for children over 14 years old, 1 lozenge every two hours.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers an incredible selection of remedies for the treatment of damp and wet coughs in children, to facilitate the discharge of sputum. We ourselves know many of these methods from childhood, because they are practiced and passed on from generation to generation. Let's look at the main recipes from the arsenal of alternative medicine.

We invite you to look at several recipes for coughs from traditional medicine expert Olga Papsueva.

  • Turnip and black radish. These healthy vegetables have long been known as effective and inexpensive remedies for wet coughs. In order for the sputum to begin to liquefy, turnip juice must be mixed with milk and honey. The milk should be warm, not hot, otherwise all the beneficial properties of turnips and honey will be reduced to zero. You need to drink this rather tasty drink about five times a day. Turnips can be replaced with black radish. A hole is cut in the top of the vegetable, and after freeing a little of the pulp, milk and honey, previously mixed, are poured inside. Leave it for several hours and give it to the child to drink 4 times a day.
  • Aloe. If you have this beautiful plant growing at home, then treating a wet cough will be as easy as shelling pears. Take a few aloe leaves, chop as thoroughly as possible, mix with the jam that the child likes. If your baby is not allergic to bee products, add a little honey. Give your child a teaspoon of this tasty and sweet mixture after each meal. Your child will like this healing dessert, and the mucolytic effect will become noticeable within a couple of days after starting the intake.
  • Figs It is included in many pharmaceutical mucolytic and expectorant syrups. At home, their figs are used to prepare a milk-based drink. Heat 2 cups milk (skim milk will not work). Add 1-2 figs with warm milk and simmer covered over low heat for about 20 minutes. After the fig drink has infused, it can be given to children a quarter of a glass during the day and half a glass before bed. Such doses are appropriate for children who are already 3 years old; for younger children, the fig drink is dosed in tablespoons (two before bedtime and one during the day).
  • Onion. This vegetable, which is not the most favorite among children, copes well with productive coughs and overcomes expectorant coughs without fever. To prepare the medicine, take half a kilo of onion, chop it as finely as possible, add a liter of boiling water and let it brew. After the liquid has cooled, strain and add 100 grams of honey and a little badger fat. Due to the possibility of developing an allergic reaction to the components, this product is not usually used for children under 4 years of age. Before bed, give your child half a glass of onion drink. It will not be bitter and disgusting, because all the bitterness will disappear during infusion, and a pleasant taste will appear with the addition of honey.
  • Milk with soda. Add a pinch of soda, a piece of butter and a spoon of honey to half a liter of warm milk. Mix everything thoroughly and give it to the child to drink before bed. Our grandmothers and mothers were inseparable from this recipe; each of us had to drink milk with butter at least once in childhood, remember? This is a very powerful phlegm thinner that works after just 2-3 doses.
  • Birch sap with milk. Add one part of birch sap to warm milk (2 parts). Gently add a teaspoon of flour to a glass of liquid and, stirring continuously, bring to a boil. Then cool and let the child drink this thick, but quite tasty drink, which tastes like milk jelly. This remedy can be given up to 3 times a day.

Other methods

Chest charges No. 1,2,3,4

In order not to have to mix herbs in the required proportions, especially if you are not a herbalist or a pharmacist, it makes sense to buy ready-made cough preparations at the pharmacy. There are four collections in total, different in composition, but approximately the same in effectiveness and scope of application.

Each of them, with certain restrictions, can be used for wet coughs to facilitate the removal of sputum in a child.

  • Collection No. 1 - oregano, marshmallow root, coltsfoot (leaves) is not often recommended for children, since it contains oregano, which in pediatrics is usually used exclusively externally.
  • Collection No. 2 – licorice root, plantain, coltsfoot. This collection is used carefully so as not to cause allergies in the child.
  • Collection No. 3 – pine buds, sage, marshmallow root and anise. This remedy is usually brewed for children from 7 years of age.
  • Collection No. 4 – wild rosemary, chamomile, violet, mint, licorice root and calendula. This complex collection with a large number of components is not recommended for young children. Age limit: 10 years and older.

The mixture should be brewed carefully, following the instructions; exceeding the dose is prohibited, as this may negatively affect the child’s health.

Massage

Without it, it is sometimes difficult for small children to cope with a wet cough. Drainage and vibration massage will help the discharge of bronchial secretions. It is usually performed on very young patients, from 3 months to 1 year. The baby perceives stroking and light tapping on the back and chest as a game; this procedure is painless. There is no need to do massage from the first day of illness; the time for it will come when the acute phase of the illness has passed (4-6 days).

A visual aid by Dr. Komarovsky on how to massage a child when he or she coughs.

Vibration massage for an infant, associated with light tapping with the fingertips, is accessible to every mother, but effective drainage massage must be done according to certain rules. However, caring parents are able to master them too.

Compresses

Our great-grandmothers also noticed that respiratory diseases can be cured by external influence. Therefore, recipes for compresses and rubdowns for wet coughs are already thousands of years old. The most famous is badger fat, which was slightly melted in a water bath without allowing it to boil. The fatty substance is mixed with honey, some healers advise adding a little vodka. This warm mixture is rubbed on the chest, upper back and sides an hour before bedtime. Cover with a warm blanket or towel and leave for 40 minutes.

Camphor alcohol is also used as a rubbing agent if the child is already 1 year old.

Potato compress is made from boiled potatoes in their jackets. It is mashed into a puree, placed on gauze, wrapped on both sides and applied to the sternum and on the child’s back for an hour. Make sure your baby doesn't get burned.

A visual aid on how to make a potato compress for a child when he or she coughs.

General recommendations

  • Mucolytic and expectorant drugs should never be taken simultaneously with antitussives! These are drugs whose essence of action is diametrically opposite.
  • You should not use expectorants without a doctor's recommendation. This is especially true for children who have not yet turned 2 years old and children who are prone to allergies. The fact is that many syrups and mixtures contain herbal extracts and food colorings, as well as flavoring additives, which can be quite allergenic and cause bronchial spasm. This is a very dangerous condition that can lead to suffocation.
  • Parents are often concerned with the question of how quickly an expectorant medicine will work? Most of the drugs listed above begin to demonstrate a pronounced effect within minutes after administration. The effect of modern mucolytic drugs lasts 9-12 hours. No one can tell you for sure how long the effect of folk remedies lasts, because herbs and vegetable juices affect everyone differently.
  • When treating with traditional methods, remember that decoctions of herbs that have an expectorant effect can be given for internal use only to children over six months old.
  • If, with home treatment with alternative medicine, improvement does not occur within 7 days, you should definitely contact a pediatrician and pulmonologist for a thorough examination and prescription of drug treatment.

Komarovsky about expectorant medications

Evgeny Komarovsky, a recognized pediatrician of the highest qualification category, and a favorite of most mothers in Russia and the former Soviet republics, believes that expectorant medications should not be used at all for children under one year of age. The reason lies in the physiological characteristics of an infant - the baby does not yet know how to breathe the way adults do, he has a slightly different way of transporting bronchial secretions, and drugs that dilute sputum will increase its amount, and it will become difficult for the baby to breathe, and there will be mucus only accumulate in the bronchi, threatening the development of severe pneumonia.

Evgeniy Olegovich generally does not recommend that parents independently prescribe and choose such medications for their children. After all, mom and dad can make a mistake about the nature of the cough and only harm their beloved child with mucolytics.

The full episode of Doctor Komarovsky’s program dedicated to cough treatment.

A well-known doctor advises relieving a child’s wet cough without medication by providing the baby with proper care, including humidification of the air in the apartment, plenty of warm drinks, which should be dominated by berry fruit drinks, compotes, tea, which will help thin the sputum and certain efforts by adults aimed at to teach the child to expectorate phlegm correctly as early as possible.

The best remedy for treatment, according to Komarovsky, is a correct lifestyle, a healthy diet, exercise, and parents’ lack of addiction to medications. Children's immunity will work correctly if they do not drink different pills and mixtures too often and in handfuls.

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