During the spring, many seasonal illnesses worsen, one of which is coughing, which can be painful. If not treated properly, it can develop into pneumonia — inflammation of the lung tissues.
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Dr. Olga Shubo, a specialist in immune rehabilitation, adaptive medicine, and preventive medicine, says: "The nature of the cough may not always be associated with an infectious disease. For example, heart-related cough occurs in adults and the elderly when taking blood pressure medications. It also happens with reflux when stomach contents flow into the esophagus and irritate the throat. In children and adults, coughing can be caused by nasopharyngitis, when mucus flows into the throat, causing irritation and triggering involuntary coughing."
According to her, respiratory infections can cause various symptoms, as viruses and bacteria gradually spread, causing inflammation in different parts of the respiratory system at the same time. Pharyngitis causes frequent coughing, laryngitis causes a rough, "barking" cough that is recurrent, and tracheitis causes a dry cough that is difficult to stop. The nature of the cough can vary in cases of bronchitis and pneumonia. Therefore, in such cases, patients need to consult a doctor to accurately determine the site of the inflammation and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
She points out that in many cases, the patient does not need specific treatment. For example, rare wet cough, when mucus is easily expelled without intermittent nighttime coughing, does not require medical treatment.
According to her, it is enough to provide a comfortable environment for the respiratory system in the room to facilitate the expulsion of mucus during coughing. For this, the temperature and humidity of the air should be monitored, and a proper drinking regimen should be maintained. The optimal room temperature is 23°C, with air humidity ranging between 40% and 60%.
However, if mucus begins to irritate the throat — which happens when it becomes impossible to expel or swallow — to ease the condition, one can drink warm sweet beverages and suck on lozenges for throat inflammation. The last meal should be taken at least three hours before bedtime, and the head of the bed should be elevated to facilitate the flow of mucus into the throat. Inhalers can also be used at home, as they penetrate deep into various parts of the airways, working locally, leading to noticeable improvement in 2-3 days, with the nature of the cough changing and mucus beginning to be expelled.
After determining the cause of the cough, doctors typically prescribe medications that act on the sensitive endings in the mucous membrane of the respiratory system, reducing the "cough triggers" in the throat, trachea, and bronchi.
The doctor also notes that a sharp increase in body temperature, chills, and chest pain during breathing or coughing are symptoms of pneumonia. Therefore, if these symptoms appear, immediate consultation with a doctor is necessary.
Source: Izvestia Newspaper
