One of the oldest methods of treating respiratory pathologies is inhalation of vapors enriched with medicinal substances. Modern medical advances have made inhalations even more effective due to the invention of nebulizers. The use of such devices is absolutely safe even for young children.
Dry cough - Causes
All infectious pathologies of the respiratory tract are accompanied by the described symptom. There are other reasons why there is a dry cough:
- prolonged smoking;
- laryngitis ;
- bronchial asthma ;
- tracheitis;
- ingress of foreign objects and substances into the respiratory tract;
- benign and malignant tumors;
- heartburn;
- bronchitis ;
- whooping cough;
- pleurisy;
- inhalation of toxic substances;
- allergic reactions;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- pneumonia;
- heart disease;
- cystic fibrosis;
- stagnant phenomena in the postoperative period and other factors.
Can I do inhalation with a dry cough?
The presented method of therapy helps to reduce spasms of the respiratory muscles, moisten the mucous membranes and remove irritation, promotes the dilution of viscous mucus. Before performing the procedures it is important to ask the family doctor or therapist whether inhalation with a dry cough in a particular case. Such manipulations have a number of contraindications:
- propensity to nosebleeds;
- acute inflammation;
- purulent processes;
- high body temperature;
- emphysema of the lungs;
- tuberculosis;
- hypertension;
- severe cardiovascular diseases.
Even if the listed problems are not present, it is important to consult a specialist about the drugs used to prepare the medicinal liquid. The safest are inhalations with a dry cough with mineral water or saline. They provide instant moisturizing and softening of mucous membranes, getting rid of irritation and facilitating the excretion of sputum, acceleration of expectoration.
What inhalations do with dry cough?
There are 2 options for the procedure under consideration. Therapeutic inhalations for dry cough at home can be done with a special apparatus (nebulizer) or with the use of hot water vapor. The first method of treatment is the most safe and suitable for therapy of people with sensitive mucous membranes, preschool children and even infants.
Inhalation by nebulizer
A modern device sprays a room temperature liquid with medicament particles through compressed air or ultrasound. Such inhalations with dry cough exclude the risk of burns and respiratory tract irritation. Splitting the solution without boiling helps to preserve all the medicinal properties of the preparations, which can disappear or decrease after heating.
The device emits fluid clouds containing finely dispersed medicinal particles, which ensures their instantaneous penetration into all parts of the lungs and bronchi. Inhalations with a dry cough nebulizer are carried out using a mask or tube-mouthpiece. For the treatment of babies, you can just put a working machine for a short while next to the cradle.
Steam inhalations
Performing the described type of manipulation does not require special devices. Warm and hot steam inhalations for coughing suggest heating the water to the boiling point and adding to it medicines, herbal infusions or essential oils. The particles of the selected drug are captured by the molecules of the liquid and enter the lungs and bronchi by inhalation. The presented version of inhalation with a dry cough is easier to perform than the procedure with a nebulizer, but it is necessary to monitor the temperature of the solution. If the steam is too hot, its inhalation can trigger a burn of the mucous membranes.
With what to do inhalations with a dry cough?
The choice of a medicament depends on the severity of the symptom in question and the cause of its occurrence. It is advisable that the doctor advise what to do inhalation with a dry cough, based on the results of the examination, laboratory or instrumental tests. Self-administration of strong medicines, especially antibiotics and corticosteroid hormones, can lead to negative consequences and side effects.
Preparations for inhalations
The proposed method of therapy is used primarily to dilute sputum and facilitate its removal from the respiratory tract. This is helped by bronchodilators for inhalation with a nebulizer. In addition, they relieve irritation in the larynx, stop the inflammatory processes and temporarily stop the pain syndrome. Experts often prescribe inhalation with Berodualom with a dry cough, but it can be replaced with other bronchodilators:
- Salgim;
- Berotek;
- Trent;
- Ventolin ;
- Bering;
- Fortulen;
- Nebutamol;
- Salvobent;
- Zafiron
- Tussamag and others.
The listed medicines are necessary for serious diseases of the respiratory tract, accompanied by a dry painful cough and obstructive processes in the lungs or bronchi. If the described sign arises against a background of light respiratory pathology or hypothermia (cold), it is better to simply moisten the mucous membranes. For this, household inhalations with saline solution are recommended for dry cough or alkaline mineral water, for example, Borjomi.
Bronchodilating sessions can be combined with procedures that ensure acceleration of expectoration and excretion of sputum (20 minutes after the first manipulation). Suitable inhalation with Lazolvanom for dry cough or similar drugs:
- Ambrogen ;
- Fluimucil;
- Mukaltin;
- Pertussin;
- ATSTS and analogues.
In severe cases, against the background of asthmatic attacks or acute manifestations of allergic reactions, procedures with antihistamine solutions and glucocorticosteroids help:
- Dexamethasone;
- Pulmicort;
- Cromohexal.
If bacterial inflammatory processes are diagnosed, additional inhalations with dry coughs with antimicrobial medications or antiseptics will be required:
- Furacilin;
- Dioxydin;
- Miramistin;
- Gentamicin;
- Chlorophyllipt;
- Rotokan;
- Tonzylgon H;
- Malawi.
When severe bronchoconstriction begins or a pronounced laryngeal edema is observed, emergency manipulations are recommended, involving the inhalation of decongestants and vasodilators:
- Epinephrine;
- Naphthysine;
- Adrenalin.
Herbs for inhalations
Natural extracts and decoctions also produce a pronounced effect, comparable to concentrated pharmacological solutions. For this reason, any household steam inhalation with a dry cough is important to coordinate with the doctor. The independent use of improperly selected herbal remedies can worsen the activity of the respiratory system.
To facilitate dry cough and accelerate expectoration, the following herbs or dental preparations are used (2 tablespoons per 1 cup of boiling water, infusion - 20 minutes):
- eucalyptus;
- calendula;
- Linden;
- sage;
- St. John's wort;
- mint;
- chamomile;
- mother and stepmother;
- yarrow;
- liquorice root;
- thyme;
- thyme;
- thermopsis;
- anise;
- althea root;
- plantain;
- elder;
- gentian;
- sorrel;
- verbena.
Oils for inhalations
Vegetable esters are used in conjunction with hot water so that warm saturated steam enters the respiratory tract. Preliminary it is necessary to ask the therapist what inhalations can be done with a dry cough. Some oils are strong allergens and can cause laryngeal edema, intensify inflammation, irritate mucous membranes and provoke their dryness.
The most effective and safe esters (2-3 drops per 0.7-1 liters of water):
- tea tree;
- chamomile;
- eucalyptus;
- lavender;
- thuya;
- Pine;
- fir;
- cedar;
- peppermint;
- incense;
- cypress;
- black pepper;
- cardamom;
- rosemary;
- anise.
Home remedies for inhalations
If you do not have special medicines, medicinal herbs and essential oils at hand, you can ease the condition with more affordable products that are easy to find in any kitchen. The simplest option - inhalation of potatoes with a dry cough. Immediately after boiling the tubers, you should breathe the steam rising above the pan, covering your head with a towel.
Another home prescription replaces inhalation with a dry cough with saline or mineral water. When added to 1 liter of boiling water 3 tbsp. spoons of baking soda produces an alkaline liquid with similar properties. Such a 10-minute steam inhalation will help soften the mucous membranes, moisturize them and facilitate expectoration. Regular procedures will ensure rapid dilution and excretion of thick sputum.
How correctly to do inhalation?
Having selected the necessary medicines for manipulation, it is important to follow the instructions for its implementation. The sequence of actions depends on the method of the procedure and the diagnosis. A solution for inhalation with a dry cough with a nebulizer should be at room temperature and exact concentration. If you have to breathe the steam, you need to check its safety (water should not boil), so as not to get burns. There are additional recommendations for the treatment in question.
How to do steam inhalation?
For 1-1,5 hours before the start of treatment, it is better to refrain from eating and drinking any drinks. The time of the inhalation with soda with a dry cough is a quarter of an hour (maximum), for the remaining options of therapeutic supplements - 3-5 minutes. After manipulation, do not:
- speak;
- there is;
- smoking;
- to drink tea;
- to go out;
- sing;
- laugh.
In the first few days of the progression of respiratory disease, it is recommended to perform 4-5 procedures per day. Inhalation with a painful dry cough without expectoration, with noticeable signs of airway obstruction, it is better to conduct even more often, up to 8-9 times a day. Immediately after relieving the condition, you can reduce the number of manipulations.
How to do inhalation nebulizer at home?
Performing procedures with the help of a special device is greatly simplified due to the availability of detailed instructions to the device. Inhalations with a dry cough nebulizer with saline or other medical fluids are performed daily, up to 3 times a day. The time of manipulation is limited by the amount of the drug, its total consumption occurs in approximately 8-10 minutes. It is important to strictly observe the recommended dosage of the chosen medication, to breathe through your mouth, evenly and deeply.