Cough is a troubling cause and many reasons: it interferes with the routine of life, can cause pain, urination, rib fractures, and beyond the cough damage, which can be a mild and viral fever, the type of illness that afflicts us in the winter, such as colds, flu and strep throat, and Severe diseases such as tuberculosis, respiratory cancer, COPD and more. Cough can also be caused by asthma, allergy or smoking. The reasons are many, the solutions, unfortunately, few and some can also cause side effects.
Why are we coughing?
Coughing is a reflex, which is a natural reaction of the body with the aim of removing particles and pollutants that have infiltrated the airways. Medically, there are two main types of cough: acute cough, which lasts up to three weeks, often accompanied by mucus and is the result of winter sickness and a chronic (chronic) cough , lasting over three weeks, which is usually dry cough. But there is another divide, which distinguishes between cough with phlegm, also called productive (effective) cough , and dry cough , without phlegm so it does not eliminate the nuisance.
Phlegm is the secretion that the body produces in the airways - in the nose, sinuses, throat, and bronchial tubes. Cough with phlegm is actually part of the immune system's activities.
The cough reflex dashboard is located in the brainstem and is mediated by sensory receptors located in the airways. When airways are blocked by particles, viruses, bacteria, or other foreign bodies the receptors send a message to the brainstem. The brainstem activates the muscles of the respiratory and diaphragm and triggers the reflex. The result is a rapid burst of air in the air. The mucus created or accumulated in the airways collects and captures the particles and pollutants and is evacuated out of the body, using the cough.
Which cough medicine is considered effective?
As mentioned earlier, cough is actually a mechanism that helps us fight harmful causes, so cough with phlegm actually contributes to our health. Since this is the case, some argue that cough should not always be treated, especially when it comes to an acute cough that is the result of mild viral disease, as the cough will pass along with the disease that caused it even without treatment, within a few days.
In such cases, the recommendation is usually to use grandmother's medicine for a cough with phlegm that may ease the suffering and annoyance that the cough causes.
Cough medicines are divided into several types:
Cough suppressant drug: Most cough suppressant drugs are based on codeine, which is the opioid family's substance. These drugs are mainly sold as syrup and only on prescription.
There are drugs based on a substance called dextromethorphan, which is found in various medicines together with other substances. These drugs are sold in pills, as syrup and more, some are sold without a doctor's prescription.
A codeine cough medicine is prescribed in cases of troublesome dry cough. Medicines containing dextromethorphan are usually designed to relieve cold.
The main side effects of cough suppressants are sleepy and constipating, but it's important to remember that codeine and dextromethorphan are considered addictive.
Cough Cure: The purpose of cough medicine is to help secrete phlegm. These are drugs that most are sold without a prescription, as syrup, as pills and the like. Some are designed for other coughs, combined with other substances - anti-cold.
Detergents are considered safe (over the age of 6) and usually have no side effects. However, studies and publications by the health authorities in Israel and around the world emphasize that these drugs have not been shown to be effective and usually the diseases that cause nasal congestion and congestion go unnoticed even.
Phlegm Viscosity Reduction Remedy: These drugs are usually intended to relieve cough with phlegm and are sold as syrup without a doctor's prescription. A cough remedy that reduces the viscous viscosity is also considered safe in children over the age of 6.
Who should not take cough medicine?
A codeine cough drug is prohibited for use by children in general, and adolescents undergoing tonsillectomy or adenoid surgery as well as pregnant or lactating women. Drug-containing dextromethorphan is intended for use only over the age of 6 years. The other remedies for cough are also intended for use in children over the age of 6, and under this age, cough remedies can only be given on the recommendation of the attending physician.
When to see a doctor?
Recommendations to seek medical advice from a physician in the community clinic or emergency room are:
- When the cough lasts for more than 3 weeks, ie when it comes to bothersome and chronic cough
- When it comes to a child under the age of 6
- When using cough medicine but cough does not stop
- When in addition to the cough there is high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pressure and other worrying signs, such as when the blood is mixed with the phlegm
