The dry cough does not go away for a very long time. How to treat dry cough in adults. What does a prolonged cough with sputum discharge mean?

Cough is a protective reaction of the body to various irritants, which most often are various infections. This problem can occur in a person of any age at any time. Cough causes a lot of discomfort, disrupting the usual way of life, especially annoying at night, when the body requires sleep and rest.

My story about dry cough with a happy ending

Since childhood, I have often suffered from all sorts of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, so I am familiar with coughing firsthand. When I moved out from my parents to live in my small apartment without a balcony, with cast iron radiators that mercilessly dried out the air in the winter, laryngitis settled into my life. I coughed all the time, no medicine helped, and more often than not it ended in hospitalization in the hospital. The situation was resolved when I changed my place of residence.

Having two children, being sick became an unaffordable luxury for me. When youngest child I was 1.5 months old, and the whole family was just lying there with fever, snot and cough, I almost got sick myself. It all started with a sore throat and a dry cough. But, since I was breastfeeding, I could not be treated with regular adult medications. My nightly attacks of dry cough began to wake up the baby, so I actively began treatment.

  1. Inhalations using a nebulizer with regular saline 4-5 times a day, literally in a couple of days they saved me from an incipient cold.
  2. Whenever possible, I herded everyone into one room and ventilated the rest of the apartment.
  3. I can't stand warm milk since childhood, but... warm tea with chamomile and milk significantly relieved coughing attacks.
  4. Cough lozenges Lysobact are allowed even during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They have antiseptic property. I still don’t understand whether they had an effect. But I took it just in case.
  5. Gargling a solution of salt and soda after 2 times immediately eliminated the itching effect. Baking soda is great at killing germs and viruses, but frequent gargling can dry out your throat, causing an even worse cough.
  6. 2 humidifiers worked in our apartment non-stop for several days. As soon as they ran out of water, I immediately added new water and turned it on again.

As a result, the cough stopped after a couple of days, and I felt that I had successfully dealt with the disease using very humane measures.

A little about dry cough: its causes

Anything can cause a cough: from a banal foreign body getting into the throat to a tumor.

But still, the most common causes of this symptom may be:

  • infections of various nature;
  • allergy;
  • excessively dry air;
  • side effects of medications;
  • an abundance of dust or chemical compounds in the inhaled air;
  • neurological abnormalities.

If we are talking about the infectious nature of cough, then it can be caused by the following diseases:

  • diseases of the ENT organs (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, various acute respiratory viral infections);
  • diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchial asthma);
  • whooping cough;
  • pulmonary tuberculosis.

Dry cough remedies in my medicine cabinet

Having tried many cough remedies, I chose the most effective and safe drugs and methods that have shown effectiveness in the treatment of viral diseases.

Medicines

  • Ascoril (syrup). A fairly inexpensive but very effective expectorant that helps quickly thin mucus and promote its removal. However, it cannot be used together with antitussives, otherwise all the phlegm will simply be stopped and remain inside.
  • Lysobacter. Antiseptic cough lozenges that help relieve coughs due to their bactericidal effect. They have practically no contraindications and even help my children very well.

  • Tantum verde (spray, lozenges). A good anti-inflammatory with a pleasant mint taste. It is also suitable even for children and quickly helps cope with an attack of dry cough.
  • Miramistin (spray). Has a bactericidal effect. Effective in complex treatment, although on its own it can help cope with a dry cough in the first stages of the disease.
  • Prospan (syrup, drops). Expectorant, antitussive and antispasmodic, which is effective for any cough caused by viral infection. Herbal preparation Based on ivy leaf extract, it does not contain alcohol, sugar or dyes. Showed good effect, but it appeared only on the third day of use. The cost is above average.
  • ACC (effervescent tablets). The most powerful and effective remedy for dry coughs, when it is necessary to thin the mucus as soon as possible. The result is felt after the first use. While taking this medicine, you should not take any other mucolytics to avoid excessive sputum production, which can cause complications.

Folk remedies

  • Breast collection. It has 4 categories depending on the severity of the disease. All variants contain chamomile, which has antiseptic effect, and licorice root, which is rightfully recognized as one of the best folk remedies for combating dry cough.
  • Linden tea with honey. Linden helps not only cope with viruses, but also helps lower the temperature during the acute period of the disease. And honey is recognized as the best folk remedy for almost all diseases, including dry cough. However, it is not recommended for allergy sufferers to consume honey.
  • Radish with honey. To prepare it, take a radish root, preferably black, cut a hole in the middle and pour it with honey for several hours. The resulting juice mixed with honey is consumed 1 spoon 3 times a day. I remembered this recipe from childhood, when my mother prepared it for a painful cough that did not allow me to sleep peacefully. Perhaps this has become the most effective folk remedy for cough that I now treat children with. The cough goes away incredibly quickly.

  • Burnt sugar. Melt a few tablespoons of sugar in a metal saucepan until Brown, scrape with a spoon and roll the resulting caramel onto sticks, and then cool. Oddly enough, such lollipops helped my daughter a lot when, in the first days of her illness, a terrible cough led to choking and vomiting.
  • Peach oil. It helped me very well with laryngitis. The oil must be instilled into the nose so that it flows into the larynx. In addition to its moisturizing effect, peach oil is rich in natural antiseptic components.
  • Gargling with herbal infusions and soda. Possessing an antimicrobial effect, these solutions can literally wash away most of the bacteria in the oral cavity and disinfect it.

Other treatments

As my experience has shown, a dry cough can be easily overcome without the use of drugs, if the disease is not too severe.

  • This is the number 1 remedy in my family in the fight against dry cough. It is enough to take several inhalations with saline solution or just salt water, and instant relief will come. Due to the fact that the liquid is sprayed into the oral cavity with cold steam, inhalations can be done even at elevated temperatures, at which steam inhalations Doing it over potatoes or hot water is contraindicated. The device is not cheap, but it fully pays for its cost due to its high efficiency of use. The nebulizer quickly helped my children when they were sick at a very young age, when the use of many medications is prohibited.
  • Room humidification. Obviously, a dry cough must be treated with moist air, because such a cough may appear not necessarily due to infection, but due to excessively dry air. If there is no humidifier in the house, then you can hang wet towels on the radiators or place basins with water. This method helped me very quickly: turn on the hot water in the bathroom to maximum, first closing the door to the room, and then sit there for several minutes, inhaling the moist air.

  • Saline solutions for rinsing the nasal cavity. With ARVI, a dry cough can often be caused by secretions from the nose flowing down the wall of the larynx and irritating it, causing a cough. In this case, it is enough to clear your nose by rinsing it with saline solution or sea water.
  • Ice cream or ice water. Oddly enough, even with a sore throat, you can eat a spoonful of ice cream or drink a sip of cold water to eliminate an attack of dry cough. The cold will help constrict blood vessels and relieve sore throat, temporarily stopping the cough. Of course, there is no need to drink buckets of cold water, but this remedy can be used if a dry cough attack does not allow you to breathe freely and causes suffocation.

Useless methods for treating dry cough: what is not worth wasting time on?

  1. Antihistamines. It is believed that anti-allergy medications help relieve swelling of the mucous membranes, stopping coughing. In the case of allergies, they undoubtedly help. However, use them against dry cough when infectious diseases doesn't make any sense. When my daughter coughed for several hours at a time at night, these remedies were completely ineffective.
  2. Throat warming. Our mothers and grandmothers always tied scarves around their children’s necks when they started coughing. Maybe, this method It makes sense to use it in complex treatment, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to cure a cough with only a scarf.
  3. Pepper plaster and mustard plasters. Previously, many tried to cure coughs with these remedies, hoping for a warming effect. But a dry cough cannot always be cured in this way, and in some cases it can even harm your health if an accurate diagnosis has not been made by a doctor.

If the cough does not go away, there is a possibility that pathogenic microorganisms will re-enter the body due to a weakened immune system after an illness. respiratory disease. Developing as a residual phenomenon, the symptom can bother a person during the recovery period. During this time, the lungs and bronchi are completely cleared of accumulated mucus. If the cough syndrome does not go away after 2 weeks, there is a reason to consult a doctor again. An unpleasant illness often indicates a serious pathology in the body. Your doctor will tell you what to do if your cough does not go away for a long time after an individual consultation.

A prolonged cough without fever is an involuntary reflex that occurs in response to a certain irritant. Development is so unpleasant symptom often signals that an infection of a bacterial, viral or allergic nature has entered the body. A cough that does not go away for a long time is also due to the fact that a foreign object or substance has gotten into the respiratory tract.

When coughing, the bronchi are cleared of mucus containing a pathogenic agent. Having gotten rid of the accumulated phlegm, the symptom stops, but not for long. This condition indicates a wet cough syndrome, when the body is already on the road to recovery. It's much worse when you can't clear your throat. In this case, a dry cough develops in an adult or child. Getting rid of it is quite problematic. It often drags on for a long period of time, during which the body becomes significantly weakened and depleted.

Why does the cough of adults and children not go away? A persistent cough often signals the development of a complication after the underlying disease or due to the addition of a secondary infection. In the first case, the causes of such an unpleasant symptom develop as a result of an uncured respiratory disease, as well as due to ill-prescribed therapy. In the second, the causes of the disease may signal the entry of pathogenic agents into the body against the background of weakened immunity after an illness.

In this case, the main harmful microorganisms are:
  1. Viruses.
  2. Bacteria (for example, Pneumocystis, tuberculosis bacteria).
  3. Fungi (candida, chlamydia).

Often prolonged cough in adults, it indicates the occurrence of an allergic disease, the source of which is a wide variety of pathogens:

  • wool, saliva or dander of domestic and wild animals;
  • dust mites;
  • bird feather (down);
  • pollen of flowering plants (indoor and garden);
  • Food;
  • materials made from artificial fabrics;
  • household and decorative cosmetics, etc.

The situation becomes significantly more complicated if two to several pathogens enter the body. In this case, the symptom can drag on for a long time, while the treatment lasts much longer than usual. How to treat a lingering cough in case of allergies, the doctor will tell you based on the results of diagnostic measures.

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 correct image life, this topic is very relevant at the moment. We carry out many actions or, on the contrary, 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, treat lung diseases initial stages much easier than in neglected form. 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 such specialists as a therapist and 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 make contact with people who have such bad habits to a minimum, toughen up, strengthen your immune system, spend time in the fresh air as often as possible. 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.

  1. With answer
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    Does your lifestyle involve heavy physical activity?

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    How often do you undergo a lung examination (eg fluorogram)?

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    Do you play sports?

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    Do you snore?

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    Do you treat acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other inflammatory or infectious diseases?

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    Do you carefully observe personal hygiene (shower, hands before eating and after walking, etc.)?

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    Do you take care of your immunity?

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    Have any relatives or family members suffered from serious lung diseases (tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia)?

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    Do you live or work in an unfavorable environment(gas, smoke, chemical emissions from enterprises)?

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    Do you or your household use sources of strong odors (aroma candles, incense, etc.)?

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    Do you have heart disease?

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    How often are you in damp, dusty or moldy environments?

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    Do you often get sick with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections?

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    Do you or any of your relatives have diabetes?

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    Do you have any allergic diseases?

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    What kind of lifestyle do you lead?

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    Does anyone in your family smoke?

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    Do you smoke?

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    Do you have air purification devices in your home?

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    Do you often use household chemicals(cleaning products, aerosols, etc.)?

  21. A long-lasting cough in an adult is a symptom of some pathology. Its main manifestations are the regular nature of coughing throughout the day, as well as an attack lingering cough with the removal of mucus.

    What is the treatment for persistent cough in an adult? Treatment of the pathology depends on the type of symptom.

    By nature, there are two main types of cough reflex:
    1. Prolonged dry cough.
    2. Wet cough.
    Dry cough syndrome, in turn, is divided according to duration into the following types:
  • acute (persistent cough for more than one week);
  • protracted (cannot pass for a long time - a month no more);
  • subacute ( coughing, which has not gone away for 1-2 months);
  • chronic (protracted cough in adults and children, lasting more than 2 months).

It is much more difficult to cure a lingering cough in an adult than an acute symptom. That is why experts do not recommend delaying treatment of the disease.

If you make a diagnosis in time and start treatment for the pathology, you can get rid of a lingering cough in as soon as possible.

It often develops on the first day of ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection), as well as during the recovery period. A prolonged cough is a contraction of the smooth muscles of the bronchi caused by severe irritation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, bronchial tract or trachea.

A dry cough does not go away for a long time in an adult, at most various reasons. It begins to bother a person immediately after the infection enters the bronchopulmonary tract. On the first day, the patient experiences a sore throat, which leads to coughing. After a few days, the patient begins to cough up, which indicates a speedy recovery. However, this does not always happen. If the cough does not go away for a long time with tracheitis, there may be a prolonged dry cough that does not cough up.

If a dry cough does not go away a few days after the onset of a respiratory illness, as well as after recovery, it becomes protracted.

As a result of an overly prolonged symptom, the body weakens significantly, which increases the risk of recurrent infection.

Treatment of persistent cough in adults and children should be given Special attention. Therapy of the pathological process consists of the use of mucolytic drugs. The action of their main components promotes the rapid production of sputum.

Moist cough

A wet cough is characterized by discharge with the development of pathology of the bronchopulmonary system. During the process of coughing, the body tries to clear itself of accumulated mucus in the nasopharynx, as well as the bronchial tract. A wet cough allows you to remove a huge amount of phlegm. This process is called expectoration. It can be very difficult for young children to clear their throat due to the fact that sticky mucus makes breathing difficult and can get stuck in the throat.

A wet, continuous cough is most often observed as a result of an advanced cold or infectious disease.

The color and consistency of mucus can reveal the nature of the pathological process:
  1. Transparent mucus of normal consistency signals a cold.
  2. A prolonged brown cough often indicates the development of pneumonia - an infectious inflammation of the lungs.
  3. A clear, wet cough with a thick (but not normal) consistency in most cases is a consequence of the development of bronchial asthma.
  4. Expectorant cough unpleasant strong smell in combination with the discharge of purulent contents from the bronchi, it can signal the progression of tuberculosis, lung abscess or chronic bronchitis.

Situations are often observed when, during recovery from an infectious disease, there is moisture in an adult or child. An incessant cough is possibly a consequence of the removal of residual mucus from the bronchi, when the disease has practically passed, while the symptom still bothers the person due to the flow of residual mucus down the back wall nasopharynx.

It is possible to treat a prolonged cough with the help of special expectorants and antibiotics. medicines. IN the latter case potent drugs are prescribed when a bacterial infection occurs.

If the cough does not stop for a week, this process should not cause much concern. With properly prescribed treatment, approximately this amount of time is needed for full recovery from a respiratory disease. In case of infectious pathology of the bronchopulmonary system, it may take some more time (usually several days) to rid the bronchial tract of residual effects.

When the cough does not go away for about a week or two, you should consult your doctor again. In this case, a complication or secondary infection is likely to develop.

Why does the cough not go away for two weeks or a little more?

Experts include the following main provoking factors for this phenomenon:
  1. A cold or infectious disease.
  2. Promotion allergic reaction.
  3. Reduced stress resistance of the body.

The above reasons can lead to progression of the symptom regardless of moist cough or dry.

How to cure a persistent cough if it does not go away for a long time?

In this case, therapy will be prescribed depending on the underlying disease:
  • if there is a persistent symptom caused by a cold, the patient is prescribed special antiviral drugs, and in addition, plant-based products that have an expectorant effect. According to indications, immunomodulatory medications can be taken;
  • when an adult’s paroxysmal cough does not go away, and the body temperature rises to febrile levels, there is a risk of contracting pneumonia or acute bronchitis. The doctor will decide how to treat a lingering cough, but the main group medications antibiotics will be used - potent drugs aimed at destroying the bacterial pathogen;
  • when a persistent cough is a persistent manifestation of bronchial asthma, antiallergic drugs come to the aid of the patient. They allow you to stop the body’s reaction to an external or internal stimulus.

In some cases, the reason why a long dry cough does not go away for about several weeks is that a foreign object has entered the respiratory system.

The main recommendation in such a situation is also to consult a doctor. As a rule, there is no need to treat a prolonged cough. This is due to the fact that after removing the foreign object from the bronchial tract, the symptom goes away on its own.

Why can a cough bother a person for a month? a month does not pass as a result of severe infectious diseases. In this case, the symptom is often accompanied by other clinical manifestations pathology of the bronchopulmonary system.

The main ones are:
  1. Increased sweating.
  2. Swelling of the upper and lower limbs.
  3. Feeling of nausea, vomiting.
  4. A sharp decrease in body weight.
  5. Discharge of mucus that is clear or mixed with blood.
  6. Complete or partial loss of appetite.
  7. Trouble breathing, as if physical activity, and at rest.
  8. Increase in body temperature to febrile levels.
  9. Deterioration of general condition (lethargy, irritability, weakness).
  10. The patient feels pain in the chest, etc.

What to do if the cough does not go away for a month?

A wet cough may indicate the following: serious pathologies:
  • chronic lung disease (for example, tuberculosis);
  • malignancy(for example, sarcoidosis or lung cancer);
  • breakthrough of liver abscesses (in this case, a wet cough especially often bothers a person at night);
  • illness caused by work in hazardous work;
  • chronic inflammation of the pleura, bronchi or lungs;
  • chronicity of nasopharyngeal pathologies (for example, sinusitis);
  • severe cardiac dysfunction;
  • asthma of bronchial type.

When a dry cough does not go away for about a month, there is a risk of developing a chronic form of serious damage to the bronchopulmonary area (for example, chronic tracheitis).

Also, a dry cough that lasts a long time develops as a result of smoking abuse over a long period of time.

What to do if the cough does not go away for a long time? Treatment of persistent cough depends on the nature of the underlying disease. If the cough syndrome does not go away for a long time, the patient is prescribed medications aimed at destroying the causative agent of the pathology.

When a cough does not go away for more than a month, there is a possibility of developing cardiac, pulmonary, gastric failure, as well as malignant neoplasms in the pulmonary area. A wet or dry cough that does not go away for more than a month is also due to immunodeficiency, tuberculosis or bronchial asthma. Protracted cough in an adult - how to treat it? In addition to the main group of medications, the patient is prescribed immunomodulatory drugs that increase the body's defenses.

There can be many reasons why a cough does not go away for a long time. In some cases, this condition is caused benign formations in the lungs, smoker's bronchitis, dysfunction or blood vessels.

In addition to constant coughing, other symptoms may be present (wheezing in the lungs, runny nose, blood in the sputum, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, etc.).

The most common cause of persistent cough is asthma. With this disease, coughing may bother you constantly or periodically (in case of exposure to allergens).

An untreated cold can also provoke a lingering cough; as a rule, this condition is caused by increased susceptibility of the lungs, which is why coughing can appear at a reflex level.

Why does the cough not go away after a sore throat?

If after previous sore throat If the cough does not go away for some time, there may be several reasons for this. First of all, this condition is facilitated by a weakened immune system due to illness and treatment, which is unable to resist both new viruses that attack the body and “old” ones that are not treated. Sometimes it happens that the diagnosis was made incorrectly or that the sore throat occurred against the background of another disease.

For example, with viral rhinitis, mucus from the nasal cavity enters the throat, which causes a reflex coughing, thus the body rids the throat of pathological contents.

By external signs Sore throat is often confused with viral pharyngitis. An accurate diagnosis can be made using a smear and culture. Sore throats are caused by bacteria, while pharyngitis is caused by viruses. For angina, antibiotics are invariably prescribed, but such drugs are only harmful to bacteria, while viruses continue to attack the body. As a result, the immune system, weakened by antibiotics, cannot resist viruses, which leads to the progression of the disease and prolonged coughing. Viral pharyngitis against the background of inflammatory processes in the throat can cause a dry cough with spasms in the larynx.

Coughing can also be a sign of rheumatic fever; usually, in addition to coughing, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and rapid pulse are also disturbing.

If the cough does not go away for a long time, you need to see a therapist and undergo an examination, take an x-ray, after which the doctor will prescribe treatment.

It often happens that after a cold, the cough continues to torment. If cough treatment does not show proper results and this condition lasts more than two weeks, then you should not postpone your visit to the doctor. In most cases, coughing is caused by a new infection or virus that the weakened immune system is unable to fight.

Why doesn't my cough go away for a week?

If the cough does not go away for a week, and other symptoms are observed (runny nose, low temperature), then most likely the body has been affected by a common cold. With timely and correct treatment, both colds and coughs are quite easy to cope with. With improper treatment, non-compliance with the regimen, or complete absence of treatment, a severe inflammatory process in the trachea or bronchi can develop.

To treat cough in the early stages, it is recommended to use inhalations. It has long been known that inhaling warm vapors creates a moist environment that improves the formation and removal of sputum. For inhalations, decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants and essential oils are used.

To prepare a solution for inhalation you need 1-2 tbsp. medicinal plant (chamomile, sage, mint, thyme) pour 400 ml of boiling water (you can also dissolve a few drops essential oil in hot water). You can carry out inhalation in several ways: breathe over a bowl of herbal infusion, covered with a towel, roll a tube out of paper and inhale medicinal vapors with it, or use a special inhaler.

Do not inhale over boiling water, or with high blood pressure.

Why does the cough not go away for 2 weeks?

Sometimes situations arise when, despite the prescribed treatment, the cough does not go away and continues to torment for more than a week. In this case, you must consult your doctor and undergo additional examination and, if necessary, undergo a new course of treatment.

Coughing that continues for a long time in most cases is caused by a new infection that the weakened body cannot cope with. The most common causes of prolonged cough are mycoplasmosis, pneumocystosis, and more in rare cases cause cough fungal infections(candida, chlamydia) or mycobacterium tuberculosis.

It is worth noting that incorrect diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe complications even with a common cold.

Why does the cough not go away for a month?

Coughing may appear as a reaction of the body to pollen, fur or medications. In this case we are talking about an allergic cough.

If a cough does not go away for several weeks under the influence of allergens, then in most cases it turns into bronchial asthma, so it is important to promptly identify and eliminate the irritant.

Prolonged coughing may also be caused by respiratory infection, against the background of which an inflammatory process occurs in the tonsils, pharynx, nasal mucosa, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

The cause of a prolonged cough in children may be the presence of a foreign body in the upper respiratory tract. With paroxysmal coughing with deep breaths, the development of whooping cough can be assumed.

Less often, if the cough does not go away for several weeks, the cause is fibrous cystosis, bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, tumors in the lungs.

Why doesn't my cough with phlegm go away?

Sputum is a discharge from the bronchi and trachea; it may be normal (in healthy person) and pathological (with the development of certain diseases).

In the human respiratory tract, mucus is constantly produced, which protects the body from pollutants (dust, small debris, etc.), and also resists pathogenic microorganisms.

The color of sputum can change from transparent to green due to the development of various respiratory diseases, and it may also contain various impurities (blood, pus, etc.).

Producing phlegm when you cough is a good sign because it helps your body get rid of germs. To help the body are prescribed medications, facilitating expectoration, promoting the removal of sputum (ambroxol, bromhexine) and restoring bronchial secretions (ACC).

For allergic cough, antihistamines (loratadine, fexofenadine) are prescribed.

If the cough does not go away, sputum is produced, and there is no fever, then the cause of this condition may be allergies, heart failure, toxic substances in the air, smoking, as well as mites that live in feather pillows.

To alleviate the condition of a wet cough, you need to drink more fluid, it will help reduce the viscosity of sputum and improve its removal from the bronchi.

If the cough with sputum does not go away during treatment, you need to inform your doctor about this and undergo additional examination (blood test, sputum test, x-ray).

Why does a dry cough not go away for a long time?

Coughing without sputum production is called dry coughing; it usually occurs against the background of various diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

If a dry cough does not go away for a long time, it is advisable to start drug treatment. There are several types of medications; drugs based on codeine and ethylmorphine (codeine, glaucine) have a central effect and suppress the cough reflex, acting on the medulla oblongata; drugs based on acetylaminonitropropoxybenzene (Codelac broncho, Omnitus, Falimint, etc.) act on cough receptors.

As auxiliary treatment you can use proven folk remedies, which alleviate the condition of a debilitating dry cough. The most effective method To treat this type of cough, warm milk with baking soda, this drink helps reduce the cough reflex and improve your well-being.

You can also drink a decoction of blackcurrant, peppermint, radish juice with honey, and anise fruit extract 2-3 times a day.

For dry coughs, inhalations with baking soda help a lot.

Why does the cough not go away after pharyngitis?

With pharyngitis, the pharyngeal mucosa becomes inflamed; it can occur in both acute and chronic forms. As a result of the disease, a dry cough occurs, which usually worsens at night and leads to spasms of the larynx.

If even after treatment the cough does not go away, then most likely the disease is not completely cured or ineffective therapy was prescribed.

Situations arise when treatment stops on its own, even after a slight improvement in the condition. Usually, in such cases, a person does not want to “poison” himself with chemicals and stops taking medications, in the hope that herbal decoctions or a strong immune system will help cope with the disease. However, such an attitude towards treatment is unacceptable, since after stopping the medication, the remaining viruses and bacteria can attack the weakened body more strongly, which will lead to the development of severe complications.

Why does the cough not go away after laryngitis?

With laryngitis, a dry cough without mucus discharge, hoarseness of voice is a concern. Usually the disease is a complication of a cold, but it can develop independently, after cold drinks, hypothermia, overstrain of the vocal cords, inhalation of icy or polluted air.

In the initial stages, inhalations, rinsing, warm drinks, medications to improve expectoration. Usually, after a few days, sputum production begins, and the disease gradually passes. If coughing does not go away for a long time after recovery, then additional examination is required. A cough can occur due to inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx (adenoids, tonsillitis), and a prolonged wet cough may indicate an infection in the lower respiratory tract.

Why does the cough not go away after pneumonia?

Pneumonia is infectious inflammation lungs. At the beginning, the cough is dry, but over time, as inflammation in the lungs intensifies, it becomes moist and mucous sputum appears. With pneumonia, the cough does not go away for quite a long time; on average, pneumonia lasts about a month, but after recovery, coughing is a necessity for the body, as it helps remove remaining mucus from the lungs; it is usually also called a post-infectious cough. The duration of a post-infectious cough can range from two weeks to several months, depending on the condition of the body.

To improve your well-being after pneumonia, it is recommended to do breathing exercises, as well as undergo a course of physical procedures.

After treatment, the sensitivity of cough receptors decreases, which is why coughing may occur when inhaling cold air, dust, etc., this condition is a consequence of an infection, but not a manifestation of the disease.

Why doesn't my cough go away after a cold?

A cough almost always accompanies a cold or viral diseases. As a rule, cold symptoms disappear after a few days, and after a week the body is completely healthy, but coughing may bother you for several more weeks.

It is believed that coughing after a cold (residual) is normal, but if it lasts more than three weeks, then in most cases it is associated with the development of complications (pneumonia, whooping cough, bronchitis, etc.).

The acute phase of the disease lasts several days, but during this period pathogenic microorganisms destroy the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which leads to increased sensitivity of the bronchi. After a cold, a person is often bothered by a sore throat, a slight cough, and the discharge of a small amount of sputum. After an illness, a weakened body needs some time to return to normal and restore the mucous membranes. During this period, it is necessary to avoid hypothermia, it is advisable to take a course of vitamins.

If after an illness the cough does not go away, becomes stronger, or other symptoms appear (chest pain, fever, sputum with purulent or bloody impurities, etc.), you must consult a doctor to establish the cause and exclude the development of serious diseases.

Why does the cough not go away after bronchitis?

After bronchitis, coughing is observed in approximately half of patients. Most often from residual cough Children suffer because their bronchi are more vulnerable than those of adults, and the recovery period takes longer.

If a cough does not go away after bronchitis, the reasons may be the following:

  • slow healing process;
  • severe damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract;
  • complications;
  • erroneous or inadequate treatment;
  • allergic reactions (particularly to medications).

Acute bronchitis lasts an average of 7 to 10 days, but even after visible improvements, the bronchi need time to recover.

On average, coughing completely disappears two weeks after bronchitis, provided that the treatment process proceeded normally and there are no complications. If the cough intensifies and lasts more than three weeks, you need to consult a specialist, since this condition may be associated with the development of other diseases (asthma, pneumonia, bronchial obstruction, allergies).

Why does cough not go away during pregnancy?

If a pregnant woman's cough persists for a long time, this can lead to severe consequences. During a cough, tension occurs in the abdominal wall and uterus, resulting in tone internal organs rises. Uterine tone on early stages pregnancy is in danger spontaneous abortion, on later– premature birth.

Coughing is usually a symptom of a viral or infectious disease, but it can also appear when exposed to irritants (allergic cough). A severe, debilitating cough requires immediate treatment, which should be prescribed by a specialist, taking into account the duration of pregnancy, the woman’s condition and the cause of the cough.

What to do if a child’s cough does not go away?

If a child’s cough does not go away for a long time, the first thing to do is to identify the cause of this condition. If coughing bothers you after an illness (ARVI, influenza, bronchitis, etc.), then in this case the cough may be associated with recovery period. Harmful microorganisms weaken the body, provoke inflammation and irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and the body needs time to completely free the bronchi from mucus residues and restore the epithelium.

In this case, coughing does not pose a danger; usually the child coughs occasionally, and there may be a slight discharge of sputum.

It is worth noting that each organism is individual, and the recovery process in each special case progresses in its own way and can sometimes drag on for months.

If the cough continues for more than three weeks, while the amount of sputum increases, the cough becomes stronger, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor, as in this case there may be a secondary infection, the development of complications or a severe allergic reaction.

Folk remedies for cough

If the cough does not go away for a long time, you can use folk remedies that will help soothe the irritated mucous membrane, improve the process of removing phlegm and speed up the healing process:

  1. Infusion dill seeds– take 1 tsp. dill seeds, crush, pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave for 20-25 minutes. It is recommended to drink this infusion instead of water throughout the day until complete recovery.
  2. Serum with garlic – 2 tbsp. garlic pour 250ml whey cow's milk and put on fire, immediately after boiling, remove from heat and cool. This decoction should be drunk throughout the day.
  3. Honey – has unique anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; with a prolonged cough, you can dissolve 1 tsp in your mouth. honey several times a day.
  4. Medicinal decoction - mix licorice, marshmallow root and elecampane in equal parts, take 1 tbsp. mixture and pour 200 ml of cold water, leave for two hours. Then put on fire and bring to a boil. Drink the cooled and strained broth in three doses during the day, the course of treatment is 10 days (it is recommended to prepare a new portion every day). If coughing continues, you can repeat the course of treatment after a week.

As already noted, coughing is a protective reaction of the body that helps clear the airways from small particles of dust, various contaminants, viruses, etc. If the cough does not go away for a long time, you need to determine the cause of its occurrence. It's worth remembering residual effects, which is observed during the period of recovery of the body and helps cleanse the bronchi from mucus residues. Also, coughing may appear due to increased sensitivity of the receptors; in this case, coughing is disturbing after inhaling cold air, dust or the action of allergens.

Prolonged coughing, which becomes stronger over time, is accompanied by copious discharge sputum or other symptoms (chest pain, fever, runny nose, weakness, etc.) requires urgent consultation with a specialist, since this condition may be associated with a serious illness (asthma, tuberculosis).

Ever experienced terrible bouts of dry cough? Do you always get rid of infections easily? Still, you'd better read this. After all, a problem can overtake your loved ones at any moment.

Cough is a reflex response of the respiratory tract to all kinds of irritations. It occurs as a reaction to stimulation of thousands of cough receptors located not only in the larynx, but also in the lungs, esophagus, nose, ears, pericardial sac and diaphragm. Two types of cough receptors respond to different stimuli. C-receptors respond to stimulation by inflammatory mediators during the course of infectious diseases. Irritant - react to chemical, thermal and mechanical factors.

Types of dry cough

According to the official classification, both productive (wet) and non-productive (dry) cough can have acute, subacute and chronic forms. However, both the nature of the phenomenon and its immediate duration are extremely different for non-sputum and sputum reflexes.

In general, types of dry cough are described based on the duration of symptoms experienced.

Generally accepted logging standards:

  • 3-4 weeks for acute
  • 4-9 weeks for subacute
  • over 9 weeks for chronic

Causes of a severe dry cough

Unpleasant tickling, a feeling of spasm, tickling and a persistent lump in the throat - these phenomena are accompanied by an acute non-productive cough in adults.

Depending on the occurrence factor, it can be:

  • infectious, developing against the background of viral and bacterial rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis
  • aspiration, flaring up due to the penetration of foreign bodies and substances into the respiratory tract
  • inflammatory, manifested as a symptom of vasculitis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroiditis, as well as in case of toxic poisoning
  • thromboembolic, beginning due to blockage of the lumens of the pulmonary artery by large blood clots
  • cardiac, appearing as a complication of congestive left ventricular failure or pericardial pathology
  • pleuritic, formed due to protein damage on the surface of the serous membrane of the lungs

Under the influence of the factors described above, thinning and dehydration of the mucous membranes of the throat lead to constant or intermittent unproductive coughing. With timely correction, symptoms disappear 1.5-2 months after the end of the acute phase.

A lingering dry cough in an adult can be cured with:

  • complete refusal/withdrawal from irritants
  • taking specific vitamin complexes
  • taking medications that suppress the cough reflex
  • being in a humid climate or in rooms with significantly humidified air

Persistent dry cough in an adult

Chronic and recurrent non-productive dandruff is confirmed three to eighteen months after the first symptoms are diagnosed. Wherein constant coughing may indicate life-threatening pathologies.

Chronic cough is most often caused by:


A recurrent, persistent dry cough in an adult is provoked by:

  • eozonophilic (allergic) bronchitis
  • reception ACE inhibitors- drugs for the prevention of renal and heart failure, high blood pressure
  • neuroses

Dry cough in the morning in an adult

Without the presence of infectious pathologies of the respiratory system, morning coughing is often provoked by dry/polluted air and heart failure.

Infectious laryngotrachetes and smoking cause a painful, unproductive cough in the morning, when the sputum has not yet been liquefied and the throat is very dry from intense night breathing.

A dry cough in the morning in an adult can be a symptom of much more serious diseases: chronic sinusitis, dry bronchiectasis, cancer, specific helminthiasis.

Syrups for dry cough for adults

Suppressing the nonproductive cough reflex is one of the main goals of treating seasonal respiratory tract infections. Special cough syrups help deal with painful manifestations.

Stoptusin with butamirate citrate exhibits mucolytic, expectorant and antitussive effects.

Broncholithin with glaucine hydrobromide and ephedrine hydrochloride:

  • suppresses the cough center
  • dilates the bronchi
  • eliminates swelling of the mucous membrane
  • has minor antimicrobial, antispasmodic and sedative effects

Clenbuterol with clenbuterol hydrochloride instantly removes pulmonary spasm, promotes relaxation of the bronchi, and prevents the worsening of inflammatory processes and edema.

Tussin Plus with guaifenesin and dextromethorphan hydrobromide increases the cough threshold, reduces the viscosity of sputum, and relieves irritation in the throat.

Natural syrups for dry cough for adults are no less popular than artificially synthesized ones, for example: marshmallow, herbion, gedelix, eucabal, linkas, Doctor Mom.

Inhalations for dry cough in adults

Today, in addition to steam inhalers, convalescents have access to devices for converting medications into aerosols:

  • compressor nebulizers
  • ultrasonic nebulizers
  • mesh inhalers

They do a great job with delivery. active ingredients directly to the sites of infectious irritation. However, only steam inhalers can work with infusions and decoctions of natural ingredients.

Hot inhalations for dry coughs are prescribed to adults today with caution, since purulent sore throat or the complete absence of a complete mucous membrane in the nasopharynx can “correct” the expected result of inhalation breathing to the exact opposite.

Remedies for dry cough during pregnancy

Approximately 76% of pregnant women who seek help from specialists in the treatment of seasonal infectious diseases experience a persistent annoying non-productive cough. In 5-10% it is in the nature of a real threat of miscarriage or premature birth.

Therefore, the use of antibiotics during gestation is often justified as much as the use of truly effective antitussives is required.

Antibiotics for dry cough during pregnancy (for all trimesters): cephalexin, amoxicillin, penicillin, azithromycin. The use of cifuroxime is allowed only in the second and third trimesters.

Antitussives for the first trimester: mucaltin, eucabal. For the second and third: sinecode, pertussin, bromhexine, broncholitin, stoptussin, intussin, omnitus, panatus, pectolvan Ts.

The use of herbs during pregnancy is justified when there is a threat unpleasant consequences after taking medications is too high. Indeed, in addition to useful chemical compounds, brewed parts of plants can contain poisons and mutagens.

How to cure dry cough with folk remedies

Treatment recipes “from the people” can be quite strange and unsafe. Their real usefulness has to be carefully rechecked every time. However, there are several dozen truly healing solutions.

Among other things there are:

  • hot and cold (for some sore throats) compresses
  • decoctions of herbs, roots, assorted fruits in water and milk
  • alcohol tinctures of root vegetables, flower buds, green plants
  • sugar and honey syrups enriched with bactericidal components
  • inhalation of fragrant herbs and essential oils
  • drinking mash with butter
  • ointments with birch tar, lard

How to cure dry cough with folk remedies? Strictly follow all instructions for preparing mixtures, observe temperature conditions excerpts, do not put inside what is intended for external use.

Milk with honey for dry cough, recipe

Softening, deep penetration into tissue, nourishment damaged cells amino acids necessary for restoration - these are the main properties of the milk-honey base for the formation of effective drinking mash.

Milk with honey for dry cough: a recipe with the addition of soda and butter will surprise you with its amazing effectiveness.

Take a glass full fat milk and heat it well. Add:

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon soda
  • a piece of butter the size of half a matchbox


When drinking, the mixture should be noticeably warm, even hot. You should swallow the mash in small sips, while gargling your throat with it. Soda will move changed acid-base balance towards the norm. The oil, together with honey, will create a long-lived protective film on the mucous membrane “burnt” by the infection.

Cabbage for dry cough

Hot cabbage mustard plasters ( cabbage compress) is a fairly effective remedy for a painful dry cough. Warming up provokes intense blood flow to the bronchi and releases the mucus that forms there.

  • Take the required number of large cabbage leaves and keep them in boiling water for a minute
  • Take out and spread with a mixture of vodka, dry mustard and honey
  • Quickly place the sheets on the patient’s chest (back, neck) with the clean side up
  • Cover them with a terry towel heated in boiling water, wrapped in heat-resistant polyethylene. Wrap the person completely in a warm blanket
  • The first compress should be kept for no more than half an hour, since skin that is not accustomed to the action of mustard can quickly get burned
  • You can plan the duration of the next procedure based on the reaction you experience.
  • Cabbage for dry cough is also used in the form of juice with additives. But only if the source of the urge is located in the bronchi
  • Cabbage scrambles can cause great harm to irritated cough receptors in the throat.

What herbs to drink for dry cough

Plant mucolytics (thin the mucus): fennel, calamus, fir, dill, lemon balm, cumin, eucalyptus, thyme, wild rosemary, anise, chamomile, pine, oregano, sage, lavender.

Relieves spasms of the human respiratory system: angelica, linden, lemon balm, nettle, meadowsweet, chamomile, coriander, elderflower, coltsfoot, oregano, cumin, anise; rhizomes of valerian, calamus, dandelion and elecampane.

From parts of these plants you can prepare expectorant infusions: caraway, thermopsis, wild rosemary, thyme, marshmallow, calamus, oregano.

Biomaterials that relieve pain in the respiratory system: linden, calamus, elderberry, pine buds, coltsfoot, St. John's wort, thyme, anise. What herbs to drink for a dry cough? There is enough choice to create effective medicinal preparations. However, you should use wild rosemary, calamus and St. John's wort with great caution. They often provoke allergic reactions from many subsystems of the body. Combination of herbal medicine and drug treatment without professional medical supervision is strictly prohibited!

Chest collection for dry cough, recipe

Pharmacists have formed and approved for mass use the four safest combinations of antitussive herbal raw materials. The first is composed of marshmallow oregano and coltsfoot. The second is made from plantain, licorice and coltsfoot. The third is made from anise, pine, marshmallow and sage. The fourth is made from chamomile, wild rosemary, mint, violet, and calendula. They are called chest charges No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. If desired, these combinations can be purchased ready-made or formed independently.

Chest collection for dry cough: the recipe may be more “aggressive”. Take calamus, valerian rhizome, pine buds, cloves (myrtle tree buds) and chamomile. Pour a teaspoon of each item into an enamel bowl and pour in 500 g of cold water. Cook over medium heat. Remove from heat 15-20 minutes after boiling.

This collection will help get rid of severe spasmodic cough and relieve pain in the inflamed areas in the nasopharynx and lower respiratory tract.

Calendula for dry cough, recipe

Mononast of flowers of this plant is a good antispasmodic and has high efficiency in the fight against infectious pathologies of the mucous membranes of the pharynx. It is prepared like this:

  • take a tightly sealed container (thermos)
  • 2 tablespoons of crushed flowers pour 250 g of boiling water
  • let the phytomaterial stand in a warm room for 2-3 hours
  • strain, pour into a glass container
  • drink concentrated or diluted, gargle with it


Calendula for dry cough: the recipe can be supplemented with chamomile or elderberry flowers, eucalyptus leaves. This will give a good synergistic effect. The bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties of the infusion will increase many times over.

Sage for dry cough for adults

Along with the high quality and speed of sputum separation, unpleasant symptoms are observed when using this herb. side effects: increase blood pressure, headache, nausea, cessation of lactation. That's why the best solution The use of sage infusions and decoctions will only be used at night, when the main effects of the intake appear against the background of physiological sleep.

It is logical that nursing mothers are strictly not recommended to be treated with this herb.


Sage for dry cough for adults in the form of a monoinfusion is prepared as follows:

  • pour three teaspoons of coarsely ground sage into a ceramic cup with a lid
  • pour 200 g of boiling water over the herb, leave for 15 minutes
  • add 200 g of hot water to the slightly cooled brew
  • quickly drink 400 g of the resulting medicinal solution
  • we try not to empty bladder until morning

Plantain for dry cough

This wonderful plant quickly turns unproductive coughing into a full-fledged process of low-painful expectoration. It also has obvious anti-inflammatory properties.

Plantain for dry cough is produced in convenient pharmaceutical forms:

  • it is pressed into Gerbion tablets
  • juice is extracted from it for oral use
  • its leaves are dried and crushed into different fractions medicinal powders

Plantain does not require long-term heat treatment. It is advisable to consume its infusions and decoctions fresh. The juice of the plant can be mixed with water, milk and honey. With the onset of excessive sputum production, taking psyllium preparations should be stopped immediately.

St. John's wort for dry cough in adults, recipe

Treatment with this herb requires strict adherence to the norms and duration of consumption. Incorrect dosage will definitely lead to liver problems, gallbladder and skin.

St. John's wort is a strong anti-inflammatory and regenerating agent. Its pronounced astringent, antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties are used in the most advanced cases of overexcitation of the cough center.

St. John's wort for dry cough in adults: the recipe for a mono-decoction is simple.

  • Water is boiling in an enamel bowl. The dried herb of the plant is poured into it at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 150 g of water.
  • The broth, bubbling for exactly 15 minutes, is filtered immediately after removal from the stove.
  • The resulting medicinal solution is stored well in the refrigerator, especially when adding a small amount of alcohol or vodka
  • Therefore, you can prepare several liters of broth at once
  • Take it in 100-gram portions every 3 hours. Course duration: 7-10 days

Treatment of dry cough with homeopathy

Efficiency homeopathic treatment wears fickle character, therefore in modern world they rarely resort to it.

The drugs here are formulated in such a way as to introduce microdoses of dangerous/beneficial substances with similar symptoms into the body of a sick person.

The use of small doses of poisons should configure the body to effectively resist specific diseases and have a result similar to a vaccination.

Treatment of dry cough with homeopathy involves the use of the following dilutions:

  • Aconitum. It is formed from the turnip borer, the use of which in macrodoses causes sharp increase pressure, headache and heart pain, dry cough
  • Nux vomica. It is created from the seeds of chilibuha emetic, macrodoses of which lead to an increase in the sensitivity of the nervous system, pain, spasms and vomiting.
  • Spongia. It is prepared from Greek sea sponge, which is super effective in the treatment of infectious pathologies of the trachea and larynx
  • Hepar sulfuris. Made from artificial chemical compound CaCO3+S. In high concentrations it causes severe irritation respiratory tract, increase lymph nodes, multiple inflammations and suppurations


Universal homeopathic medicines for the treatment of non-productive cough, including suppression of the cough center: Conium, Lobelia, Hyosciamus, Cuprum metallicum, Rumex, Sticta pulmonaria, Drosera, Lachesis, Sulfuris, Coccus cacti, Apis, Laurocerasus.

  • It is better not to overdo it with iodine, soda, salt and alcohol-containing sprays. They give lightning-fast results, but can permanently change the structure of the tissues underlying the thinned mucosa, leading to chronic inflammation of the pharynx
  • Raspberry jam is definitely not suitable for treating dry cough. After the cup delicious tea Raspberries can also reduce coughing
  • Viburnum brewed with boiling water will help quickly cure bronchitis

Video: How to treat dry cough without cost?

Video: treatment of dry cough in the “Live Healthy” program

Video: Prolonged cough

Among the many symptoms of disease, cough is a complex and unpleasant manifestation. Therefore, if it does not go away after a week or a month, then the patient begins to worry and suspect the presence of serious illnesses.

Sometimes after leakage colds cough remains and never ends long time. At the same time, we tried various means and treatment methods. In this case, for medical care You should contact us if your cough does not go away for more than 15 days.

But why doesn't this symptom disappear quickly? Perhaps the body was exhausted during the course of a cold and at this inopportune time an infection or virus entered it.

The body can overcome viruses on its own, but only if it is not weakened. Therefore, in order to successfully cure a long-term cough, it is necessary to find out which microorganism provoked its appearance, so you need to carry out all the necessary research.

Prolonged cough: causes

If the cough does not go away for a long time, for example, the cough does not go away for a month, then the following infections and diseases contribute to it:

  1. pneumocystis;
  2. mycoplasma;
  3. fungal microflora (chlamydia, candida);
  4. tuberculosis.

In addition, the infection can be mixed. This option is the worst, because the course of such diseases is quite severe. At the same time, the patient experiences weakness, his temperature rises strongly and sweat profusely.

It is worth noting that incorrect, defective or untimely treatment of such diseases leads to their progression.

All of the above microorganisms can enter the body through airborne droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

The chances of infection double if an adult’s body is weakened or if he experiences severe stress at work.

Therefore, you should strengthen your immune system, eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, get enough sleep and exercise.

What to do if the cough does not stop for a week?

Cough is an involuntary expiratory reflex that occurs as a result of irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, bronchi or throat and lung tissue. Thanks to this symptom, the airways are cleared of foreign bodies, harmful microorganisms, mucus, dust and sputum.

The reasons that provoke a prolonged cough include:

  • colds;
  • allergies;
  • emotional overstrain.

Moreover, the cough can be wet or dry, night, daytime, periodic, paroxysmal, etc.

If the cause of a week’s cough is, then the doctor prescribes antitussive drugs, but you cannot take antibiotics, since they only affect bacteria. But antibacterial agents may be appropriate for bronchitis and pneumonia, which are accompanied by symptoms such as fever and severe cough.

In addition to antibiotics, if a week does not go away severe cough, expectorants based on medicinal plants are prescribed. In addition, the doctor can prescribe immunomodulatory drugs that activate the body's protective functions and reduce the effect of antiviral drugs.

It is worth noting that if the cough not only does not go away for more than a week, but is also accompanied by chest pain, high temperature(38 or more), and when expectorating, bloody, green or yellow sputum is released, then you cannot self-medicate, but you must quickly consult a doctor.

There are some recommendations that are important to follow when treating a persistent cough in an adult. To prevent your throat from getting dry, you need to drink plenty of fluids. For this purpose, you can drink warm milk with honey every evening.

Fruit drinks and juices are no less useful. In addition, if a dry cough does not go away for more than a week, you should drink fresh black radish juice (1 tablespoon three times a day).

What to do if the cough does not stop within a month?

Why does a prolonged cough occur and what can be done to eliminate it? If this symptom does not go away for a month, then the following factors may be to blame:

  1. congenital lung pathologies;
  2. bronchitis;
  3. foreign body in the respiratory tract;
  4. pneumonia;
  5. tuberculosis;
  6. bronchial asthma.

To successfully treat a long-term cough, it is important to know whether this symptom was the root cause of the disease or whether it developed during its course. In addition, you need to determine its nature - productive or unproductive, frequent or rare, spastic or paroxysmal, etc.

You should quickly consult a doctor if your cough with phlegm does not go away for more than a month and is accompanied by symptoms such as:

  • severe swelling;
  • sweating;
  • nausea;
  • weight loss;
  • colorless, thick discharge or sputum with blood impurities;
  • lack of appetite;
  • dyspnea;
  • heat;
  • fast fatiguability;
  • chest pain.

In addition, a cough that does not stop for a long time can become chronic. To prevent this from happening, you need to go to the doctor if the cough reflex does not stop within five days. Many do not pay due attention to this symptom, and even more so if it is not accompanied by weakness, runny nose and elevated temperature, but if not treated, time will be irretrievably lost.

When the cough does not stop for about four weeks, you need to make an appointment with an ENT specialist, a therapist, an allergist, a TB specialist, and possibly a pulmonologist. Doctors, after conducting an examination, will be able to determine why the cough does not stop for so long and what to do to cure it.

So, a cough that lasts for a month may indicate the presence of:

  1. pneumonitis;
  2. chronic bronchitis;
  3. heart failure;
  4. bronchial asthma;
  5. cancer metastases or lung cancer;
  6. sinusitis;
  7. asbestosis;
  8. tuberculosis;
  9. whooping cough;
  10. pleurisy;
  11. silicosis.

But in order to definitively determine the cause of a prolonged cough, it will be necessary to carry out additional research. This may be a blood test, sputum culture for flora, a blood test for the presence of mycoplasma and chlamydia, a Mantoux test and an x-ray of the lungs.

In addition, a cough that does not subside for more than 4 weeks is typical for smokers and people working in hazardous industries, where they constantly inhale mold and dust.

Thus, silicosis often develops in miners, asbestosis in construction workers, and pneumonitis in agricultural workers.

Treating a cough that lasts longer than a month

It is worth noting that it is not advisable to treat a prolonged cough without medical advice. Indeed, depending on the cause, a certain method of treatment is necessary, for example, in case of heart failure, it makes no sense to drink antitussive syrups, swallow tablets or take inhalations.

So, for successful treatment persistent cough in an adult it is important to restore water balance, so the patient needs to drink a lot of fluids. In this case, the patient’s diet should not be too high in calories; it is best to enrich it with fruits and vegetables.

In addition, it is effective to carry out with the addition of pine oil, coltsfoot, baking soda, thyme, sage and chamomile.

At productive cough With viscous secretions, you need to use medications that thin the sputum. These medications include mucolytics and expectorants.

Moreover, it is better if such remedies are based on medicinal plants. And with a small amount of discharge, expectorant syrups and tablets are prescribed.

But it is worth noting that such drugs cannot be taken together with antitussive drugs.

Prolonged cough

A persistent cough is one that does not go away for 4-8 weeks. Therefore, a two-week cough is considered only a suspicion of a long-term symptom.

So, if a cough does not go away for a long time, then its causes may lie in the presence of the following diseases:

  • bronchial asthma;
  • left ventricular failure;
  • HIV infection;
  • tuberculosis;
  • lungs' cancer.

In addition, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the patient to identify the causes of a long-lasting cough. Thus, rapid and confused breathing is characteristic of cardiac (acrocyanosis) and pulmonary insufficiency. If bronchiectasis and lung cancer are suspected, the ENT performs an examination called “drumsticks.”

It is also necessary to examine the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx or pharynx. In this case, the doctor examines nasal discharge, confirms or excludes the presence of polyps in the nasal cavity and sinusitis, which manifests itself painful sensations in the projection of the paranasal sinuses.

It is worth noting that the temperature with a prolonged cough may not always be elevated. It accompanies only some diseases, such as sinusitis, tuberculosis and pneumonia.

In addition, the doctor should examine the patient's neck. During the study, manifestations such as a positive venous pulse may be revealed, which indicates pulmonary insufficiency.

When increasing the rear or anterior cervical lymph nodes and nodes of the supraclavicular region, there is a suspicion of cancer of the larynx or lungs. And when listening, signs such as noise, local or scattered dry rales may be revealed.

To get rid of a lingering cough, medications that activate the immune system are most often prescribed. For this purpose, the patient should take products based on Rhodiola rosea, ginseng, and Eleutherococcus. As a rule, they are used after antibiotic therapy. In the video in this article, a specialist will tell you. what to do with a prolonged cough.



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