mentorasfen.blogg.se

Women are more likely to develop chronic cough than men as they are born with a relatively sensitive cough reflex.Ĭhest congestion may exhaust you and disrupt your daily routine.Chronic lung diseases such as COPD, bronchiectasis (enlarged airways), and asthma, and previous lung infections that left scars can increase susceptibility to developing a chronic cough.Environmental irritants whether occupational (allergens, organic dust, or toxins) or household (smoke from cooking on a coal fire, pet dander, etc.) – may trigger a cough.People with preexisting allergies have a tendency to break into uncontrollable coughing spells when exposed to specific allergens.Exposure to someone with a contagious respiratory infection increases your risk of picking up the infection easily.Direct smoking or secondhand inhalation of tobacco smoke causes chronic inflammation in the airways and the lungs. Cigarette smoking increases your likelihood of developing a chronic cough, even after you have quit the habit.The following are the risk factors for chronic cough: Pulse oximetryĪ small clip-like device that has a sensor is placed on your finger or toe to measure the oxygen saturation in your blood. X-rays enable the doctor to assess the extent of congestion and detect any structural abnormalities within the respiratory tract. Sputum and nasal discharge testsĪ sample of your sputum or nasal discharge is examined to identify the infection-causing agent. Some noninvasive diagnostic tests may also be recommended by the doctor, including: 1. Physical exam entails the visual inspection of your throat and ears and examining the lymph nodes in your neck. The doctor usually considers your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical evaluation to determine the triggers of your allergic reactions. It is important to contact your physician to obtain a proper diagnosis. It may predispose your child to Reye’s syndrome, a rare condition that usually affects children in the wake of a viral infection and can cause serious liver or brain damage.Ĭhest congestion, along with a chronic cough, may indicate allergy or asthma. Avoid giving aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin to children younger than 19 years, unless recommended by your healthcare provider.Consult your doctor before starting any over-the-counter drug or complementary medicine (vitamins, herbal products).

Some medicines may have adverse interactions when used together.The total dose should not exceed 2,400 mg daily, and it should be distributed throughout the 24 hours. Guaifenesin, in larger and more effective doses, comes in tablets ranging from 400 mg to 1,200 mg per tablet. However, overdosing on any of these medications to get more of guaifenesin can trigger dangerous side effects, so stick to the prescribed dosage. Low doses of guaifenesin are used in many cough syrup preparations and in combination with decongestants, antipyretics, and cough suppressants. Cough expectorantsĬhest congestion is caused by the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract, which is generally triggered by viral respiratory infections such as the common cold or flu.Ĭough expectorants such as guaifenesin help to dilute the consistency of thick, coagulated mucus to make it easy to expel. The following types of medications are generally used to relieve the symptoms of chest congestion. Pain when swallowing or coughing when swallowing.Impaired hearing and olfactory function (sense of smell).