What to do when a persistent cough persists.

       Persistent cough, coughing in waves, coughing in the whole throat, suffering from coughing – is a symptom that is very common in living conditions with a lot of pollution, wet weather, changes in state from cold to sudden heat.

Sudden… So what should the patient do to relieve the cough? Persistent cough, coughing in waves, coughing in the whole throat, suffering from coughing – is a symptom that is very common in living conditions with a lot of pollution, wet weather, changes in state from cold to sudden heat. Sudden… So what should the patient do to relieve the cough?

* Cough – why, how?

Cough is a sudden, forceful exhalation. Coughing is an important physiological self-cleaning mechanism for the expulsion of foreign bodies in the upper respiratory tract that may cause airway obstruction. Cough can also be a symptom of certain disorders in the body. People can cough actively, but in most cases, coughing happens unintentionally and this action is reflexive. However, many viruses and bacteria can be transmitted from person to person through coughing.

* Experts classify cough symptoms as follows:

Acute cough: A cough that comes on suddenly, most commonly due to inhalation of dust or irritants. Acute cough can also be caused by: Bacterial infection, pharyngitis, laryngitis, ear infection, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleural effusion. Sometimes cough symptoms appear in ENT diseases and asthma. Symptoms of acute cough can also be caused by diseases that cause blood stasis in the lungs such as pulmonary edema, heart disease, and are common in people with a history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, etc.

Cough: Coughing repeatedly over a short period of time, typically pertussis; The patient coughs for a while, then takes a long breath and coughs again. A prolonged cough often causes increased pressure in the thoracic cavity, causing stasis in the superior vena cava causing the patient to blush, bulging neck veins, the cough can cause tears, sometimes even causing the vomiting reflex. . Patients may experience pain and tenderness in the chest, back, and abdomen due to excessive contraction of the respiratory muscles.

Persistent dry cough: is a cough that does not produce sputum even though the patient may cough a lot. However, some people swallow sputum either because they don’t want to or because they don’t know how to spit. Prolonged dry cough needs attention: Diseases of the larynx, ear infections, chronic mastoiditis; Due to bronchial cancer: occurs in people who have been smoking cigarettes for a long time (over 10 years). Prolonged dry cough is also caused by interstitial diseases of the lung such as pulmonary fibrosis, subacute pulmonary edema, lung cancer or tuberculosis or chronic pleural effusion. A persistent cough can also be caused by certain toxins that are directly irritating to the allergic (asthmatic) immune system. Some cases of mental disorders show a lot of cough, no damage to the respiratory tract. But those are rare cases. Prolonged dry cough is also a side effect of some drugs, especially antihypertensive drugs (coversyl).

Cough with phlegm: This is a condition in which the patient has a cough and feels heavy in the chest, the cough often produces mucus and sputum. The patient has a feeling of suffocation and shortness of breath, fatigue. Symptoms often increase with walking and talking. Cough with phlegm is mostly caused by chronic bronchitis, sometimes it is a cough symptom after pharyngitis, rhinitis and sinusitis… In a person who smokes pipe tobacco, a long-term cigarette smoker has a persistent cough with phlegm. , and the nature of the cough changes or the cough is a sign of bronchial cancer. Coughing up a lot of sputum accompanied by superinfection, always pay attention to cancer of the throat – larynx, esophagus, trachea…

Hemoptysis: This is a condition in which blood is accompanied by coughing up. It ranges from mild to severe. It can be a sign of acute and chronic pneumonia, lung cancer… Coughing up blood can happen suddenly while the patient is feeling well or after vigorous activity… Usually, 90% the case of coughing up blood is due to active tuberculosis (if it is accompanied by a persistent cough, low fever, and weight loss, it is more certain). If coughing up a little blood mixed in sputum, recurring a few times without fever or weight loss, tuberculosis should also be considered.

* What to do when you have a cough?

Cough is a good defense mechanism of the respiratory system, sometimes very useful, so it should be respected. In case of an acute cough for less than 3 days without fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, or sputum of blood or pus, there is no need to use medicine.

Cough can be just an annoying symptom, but it can also indicate a serious illness, especially in children and the elderly. Be careful when coughing accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, cyanosis, prolonged cough, exhaustion…, the patient should be examined carefully. Patients who cough for more than 5 days, regardless of the cough, need to see a doctor immediately. If the cough persists for more than 3 weeks, does not improve with drug therapy, is accompanied by fever, cough with green, rusty brown, yellow sputum, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, or chest pain when coughing can be a sign of some illness. dangerous reason…

For patients with a history of asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, high blood pressure, stomach pain, and weight loss, it is recommended to visit a doctor to find the cause to treat the root cause such as: asthma, chronic bronchitis, congestive heart failure , pneumonia, tuberculosis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, lung cancer…

The most important thing is to prevent illness, especially on cold days. Patients need to practice appropriate sports, eat properly, maintain oral hygiene, practice adaptability to the weather and climate, and create a clean living environment – that is to have a practical effect. long term health.

Cough patients should drink plenty of water every day, avoid being in a dry and cold environment (especially air conditioning); avoid irritating factors such as smoke, coal smoke, dust, foreign odors, pollen, animal hair…; Do not eat or drink too hot foods that irritate the nasopharynx, keep your neck and chest warm. It is recommended to take a hot steam bath for the nasal passages with menthol, eucalyptus. Inhaling the heat will help thin the mucus, and the thick sputum makes it easier to spit out sputum. You should rest a lot, eat fruit, drink orange juice, lemon, eat garlic, onions, chives to further support the immune system.

People with acute cough, intermittent cough and mild dry cough can apply folk remedies such as: can use lemon and honey mixed or mix lemon with honey in warm water to drink to help treat cough and inflammation. throat. Another way is to use steamed kumquats and honey to suck on coughs without using medicine.