Any cough is unpleasant and requires treatment. But when a person is faced with constant attacks of a strong dry, suffocating cough, the patient begins to rush in search of an effective remedy that can alleviate his condition as soon as possible. Of course, it is necessary to remove the attack, but you should not rush to choose a method for treating such a cough. Simple folk remedies often do not help here. A suffocating cough in an adult generally has serious causes, and further therapy depends only on them.
The mechanism of the appearance of bronchospasms
Any attack of severe coughing is a reflexive defense reaction of the body to any irritant, from which the body is thus trying to get rid of. All the reasons why a person starts coughing can be divided into:
- allergic;
- infectious;
- non-infectious.
A severe choking cough begins when the irritation is too strong or there is a danger of a foreign body entering the respiratory tract. In this case, a strong spasm occurs, which blocks the larynx, and with it the access of air to the lungs. The same spasm provokes a cough in bronchial asthma.
But with allergies, the situation is slightly different. The body reacts to the effects of the allergen with abundant mucus production, as well as inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes. Due to edema, air access to the lungs deteriorates, and the person begins to suffocate. In severe cases, this can be fatal.
When a suffocating cough is caused by a disease provoked by exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, then most often it is a way to get rid of the accumulated thick mucus.
If the phlegm is too thick or the swelling of the larynx does not allow it to go out unhindered, the body still tries to push it out with the help of a strong cough. Lumps of mucus trapped in the upper respiratory tract cause a choking attack.
Cough as a symptom
A strong, severe, choking cough can be one of the symptoms of serious, and sometimes life-threatening diseases, so in no case should it be left unattended. The sooner an accurate diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is started, the faster it will be possible to get rid of this unpleasant symptom, as well as avoid possible complications.
Here are some diseases that a strong dry cough, reaching the point of suffocation, can signal:
- Chronic bronchitis - respiratory spasm most often occurs in the morning or in the second half of the night. During the night, a large amount of phlegm accumulates in the bronchi, which makes breathing difficult. The body tries to push it out with a cough.
- Tuberculosis is a deaf, paroxysmal cough that can appear at any time of the day. If it is accompanied by the release of sputum with blood, this means that the disease has already started and, possibly, urgent hospitalization is required.
- Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx due to a cold or infection. The cough is usually accompanied by a strong increase in body temperature, as well as a small amount of thick phlegm.
- Bronchial asthma - respiratory spasm is especially strong, it seems that it is impossible to breathe at all. Most often, the attack begins at night. Sputum production is minimal, and severe chest pain may occur during spasm. Severe shortness of breath usually develops after an attack.
Oncological diseases. The first sign indicating a high likelihood of the presence of malignant neoplasms is blood in the sputum. If you find it, immediately go for an examination. Also, cancer is accompanied by a sharp decrease in immunity, constant weakness, shortness of breath. In this case, the cough is especially strong, reaching the point of suffocation and vomiting.
Oncological diseases. The first sign indicating a high likelihood of the presence of malignant neoplasms is blood in the sputum. If you find it, immediately go for an examination. Also, cancer is accompanied by a sharp decrease in immunity, constant weakness, shortness of breath. In this case, the cough is especially strong, reaching the point of suffocation and vomiting.Often, a choking cough occurs as one of the manifestations of a strong allergic reaction. It's easy enough to recognize him. Bronchospasm does not appear regularly, but only upon contact with an allergen. Almost always accompanied by a profuse outflow of fluid from the nose, severe swelling, tearing. But this type of cough is the easiest to cope with: it is enough to take a good antihistamine, and the symptoms will disappear within a maximum of half an hour.
We remove a coughing attack
Of course, in the event that an attack of severe coughing makes breathing difficult, first of all it is necessary to stop it. And you need to do this in any of the available ways:
- taking antihistamines helps not only in case of allergic cough, but also in case of any suffocation;
plentiful warm drink, herbal tea or milk with honey is better, but clean water is also suitable, which must be given carefully so that the patient does not choke;- pharmacy cough syrup or just a spoonful of honey, placed under the tongue or dissolved in a small amount of warm water;
- antitussive pills that inhibit cough reflexes.
plentiful warm drink, herbal tea or milk with honey is better, but clean water is also suitable, which must be given carefully so that the patient does not choke;If the patient is in a supine position, it is imperative to raise his upper body. It is necessary to provide the patient with an inflow of fresh air: open a window or window, take it outside. If the clothes are tightening on the neck or chest area, open or loosen them.
In no case should you panic. If the attack of a suffocating cough intensifies, the patient begins to choke, you notice blue lips and severe pallor of the skin - call an ambulance. Sometimes there is such a strong swelling that it counts for minutes, and only a doctor can provide qualified assistance.
How to treat
When a patient constantly has a suffocating cough, treatment should be prescribed only by a specialist after a thoroughly conducted comprehensive examination. The effectiveness of the drugs used directly depends on the correct diagnosis. Usually, the following groups of drugs are used for treatment in one combination or another:
antitussives;- antiseptic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- bronchodilators;
- expectorant.
antitussives;The combination of drugs is selected strictly individually and depends on many factors: the underlying disease, the general well-being of the patient, the presence or absence of chronic diseases. Therefore, we will not give any specific advice on treatment. The wrong choice of medication can have serious consequences.
Of those funds that should be at hand all the time to quickly stop a strong cough, you can recommend: Bronholitin, Bromhexin, Codelac, Bronchicum, Terpinkod. Their one-time use in emergency situations is allowed without a doctor's prescription, but about the advisability of long-term use of these funds, it is imperative to consult a doctor.
If a choking cough occurs regularly, and the examination revealed its infectious nature, taking antibiotics is often the only way to completely get rid of respiratory cramps.
In severe cases, hospitalization and complex medication may be required, which should not be abandoned. With a recent cough, you can try alternative methods of treatment.
Folk recipes
The first folk remedy for any cough, including a choking cough, is a warm drink. It warms an irritated throat, relieves spasms, flushes away mucus and relieves pain. These can be decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, coltsfoot, oregano, thyme, calendula, elecampane, plantain, thyme. You can add some honey to a warm drink.
Milk with various additives helps well from an attack of choking cough: ghee, cocoa butter, badger or goat fat, honey, soda, decoction of anise seeds. Milk should not be drunk hot, but pleasantly warm, in small sips. After that, it is better to be silent a little so that the throat will completely calm down, and not eat or drink for half an hour, so as not to break the formed protective film.
An excellent remedy for relieving coughing attacks is inhalation: soda water, with decoctions of the herbs listed above or essential oils. The strongest anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect is possessed by coniferous oils (fir, cedar, thuja, pine), eucalyptus, tea tree oil. Essential oils or decoctions of mint and lemon balm can quickly stop a coughing fit.
For adults, an alcoholic tincture of plantain with honey is a good medicine. But you will have to prepare it in advance. Collected (not near the road!) Plantain leaves must be chopped or minced, filled in a glass container with the same amount of vodka and honey added at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. honey in a glass of the finished mixture. Close the dishes with the mixture with a lid and leave in a dark place at room temperature for at least two weeks. Take a teaspoonful of medicine during an attack or for prophylaxis 3-4 times a day. You can dilute the product in warm milk or water (in half a glass).
You can try other folk remedies, recipes for which can be easily found on the Internet.
The main thing is to remember that it will not work to eliminate a painful suffocating dry cough without curing its cause. It will come back again and again, becoming chronic and provoking more and more serious diseases.
If, after several attempts to cope with the disease on your own at home, you have not achieved tangible results, stop self-medication and go to the doctor. Even if you prefer to be treated with folk remedies, you must first undergo an examination, and then select a treatment.
