Cough remedies for children are commercially available in a wide range, but they must be taken very responsibly: those drugs that are shown to a child, for example, at 8 years old, may be prohibited for use in a newborn of 6 months, according to Pannochka, an online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old.. net Effective cough remedies for children are represented by drugs from several groups. Each of them has a specific point of application and causes characteristic changes in the functioning of the respiratory tract.. To know what to give a child for a speedy recovery, it is necessary to understand the specifics of diseases accompanied by a cough..
Antitussive medicines for children can only be taken as directed by a doctor. What diseases are most common for coughing? Cough in pediatric practice is ubiquitous, for several reasons:.
the frequency of acute respiratory diseases is steadily increasing, bronchitis in the autumn-spring period develops in approximately 300 out of 1000 children;
every year the number of children with increased allergic readiness and allergopathology of the respiratory tract increases;
researchers note an increase in the number of chronic forms of diseases accompanied by cough, and a more protracted course of acute processes;
increased resistance of pathogens to treatment.
That is why it is extremely important to choose drugs that will help get rid of a cough..
Depending on which component of sputum is affected by the active substance of the drug, they are all divided into two large groups: secretory drugs and mucolytic drugs..
In the list of pathologies accompanied by cough, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis are in the lead.. Bronchial asthma is much less common, and with pneumonia, contrary to popular belief, cough may be completely absent..
All of these diseases can be both infectious and non-infectious in nature..
In the first case, pathogenic bacteria or viruses enter the child's respiratory system by airborne droplets.. This occurs when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or shares cutlery or utensils with them.. Microorganisms are fixed on the mucous membrane, invading its cells, and begin to multiply, provoking active inflammation.. The ciliated epithelium, the villi of which are swept out by infectious agents, various allergens, dust particles, etc., becomes less active.. The protective mucus of the respiratory tract acquires a viscous, thick character, its amount increases. Stagnation is formed, sputum begins to irritate the receptors, provoking a protective reaction - cough.
With the non-infectious nature of cough, the mechanism of its occurrence is similar to that presented above, the main difference is the causes of the disease:.
passive smoking, when parents or other relatives of the child systematically smoke in living quarters;
allergic diseases;
chronic sluggish diseases of the nose, nasopharynx;
living in an unfavorable ecological environment (near industrial production, mines, quarries, etc.).
unfavorable climatic conditions, in particular, damp cold ambient air or, conversely, dry and hot;
hereditary predisposition to diseases of the bronchopulmonary zone;
exposure to toxic substances on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
Expectorants improve the properties of sputum, ensuring its speedy removal, thereby eliminating the cough reflex.
Why does a cough occur? With the development of inflammation in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, the goblet cells located in it begin to intensively produce mucus. If normally the daily amount does not exceed a few tens of milliliters, then with illness it increases significantly. In addition, the bronchial secret becomes difficult to separate, thick. It adheres tightly to the walls of the bronchi, its removal is difficult.
The stagnant content of the bronchial tree irritates cough receptors, a protective reaction of the body occurs - cough. As soon as this symptom appears in a child, we can say that the natural mechanisms for removing mucus from the trachea and bronchi have become untenable.
If the cough is dry - this indicates that the sputum is too viscous, it is not removed from the bronchi efficiently enough. In this case, it is called unproductive, since such a cough does not provide a complete cleansing of the respiratory tree.. When the cough becomes " As a rule, this occurs on the third or fourth day of the disease..
Cough preparationsThe basis of drugs that help resolve coughs are expectorants. They improve the properties of sputum, ensuring its speedy removal, thereby eliminating the cough reflex..
Expectorants can be of natural or synthetic origin, and they are available in a variety of forms: dry medicines in paper packaging, medicines in vials, tablets, including lozenges, syrups, granules, solutions for inhalation, etc..
Bronchial secretion consists of two main components: soluble and insoluble. The insoluble is mainly represented by mucin, a glycoprotein having a viscous gel-like consistency..
When taking any expectorant against cough, one must remember the need to increase the amount of fluid consumed, on average per liter per day.
Depending on which component of sputum is affected by the active substance of the drug, they are all divided into two large groups: secretory drugs and mucolytic drugs..
Secretomotor drugsDrugs of this group stimulate the formation of the amount of the liquid component, thereby provoking liquefaction of sputum. Their action is accompanied by an increase in the volume of bronchial secretions..
In turn, the drugs of this group are divided into reflex and resorptive. Reflex when taken orally, they can indirectly stimulate the vomiting center located in the medulla oblongata. At the same time, the patient does not experience discomfort in the form of nausea, vomiting, or pain in the stomach and intestines.. Resorptive directly affect the production of the liquid component of mucus.
Secretomotor agents are widely represented by herbal preparations, the most famous of them and having a large number of positive reviews is dry cough syrup for children.. In accordance with the instructions for use, the dry matter is diluted with distilled or boiled water and taken according to the scheme as a regular mixture.. From what age can it be used? The manufacturer does not describe age restrictions, that is, theoretically, its use is possible even in newborns. The medicine has a complex anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antispasmodic effect.. In its composition: dry extract of marshmallow and licorice roots, sodium bicarbonate and benzoate, ammonium chloride, anise oil. Dosage is individual for different ages. This cough remedy for children from 2 years old is used in teaspoons, if the child is younger - in drops. So, for a 4-year-old child, half a teaspoon is needed, for a 5-year-old child - three-quarters of a spoon, and for a 7-year-old patient - a full teaspoon.
Secretomotor drugs stimulate the formation of a quantity of the liquid component, thereby provoking sputum liquefaction. Their action is accompanied by an increase in the volume of bronchial secretions..
The main limitation to the use of secretomotor herbal remedies is the presence of an allergy in a child.. Perhaps the development of dyspeptic disorders associated with irritation of the gastric mucosa. This group of drugs should be used quite often - 3-4 times a day, which can lead to refusal of treatment in young children.. The use of secretory cough medicines for children from 1 year is not recommended if the child has an excessively active gag reflex.
Mucolytics Such agents break the internal chemical bonds of a viscous secretion, cutting it into shorter fragments.. Due to this, sputum is easily evacuated from the lumen of the bronchi. There is no increase in its quantity..
The group of mucolytics includes proteolytic enzymes, sulfur-containing drugs (ACC, Acetylcysteine) and vizicine derivatives (Ambroxol).
The use of proteolytic enzymes in pediatrics is not indicated due to their ability to provoke the development of allergic reactions and cause spasm of the smooth muscles of the bronchi.
Sulfur derivatives show high efficiency, but their use in pediatric practice is also limited.. This is due to the fact that in case of failure of the cough reflex in young patients under the age of 3 years, these drugs can cause waterlogging syndrome.. The resulting copious sputum is not excreted efficiently enough when coughing and stagnates in the lower sections of the bronchi. In such a situation, prerequisites are created for the attachment of a bacterial infection, the risk of developing complications, including pneumonia, increases..
The optimal choice for the treatment of cough in children are vizicine derivatives, for example, Ambroxol. They are commonly known as mucoregulators.
The main limitation to the use of secretomotor herbal remedies is the presence of an allergy in a child.. Perhaps the development of dyspeptic disorders associated with irritation of the gastric mucosa.
The main advantages of this group of funds:.
can be given at any age (even in children 3 months or younger);
do not increase the amount of sputum, swamping syndrome in this case is excluded;
are available in various forms, including in the form of a solution for inhalation;
in the complex treatment of a child with the use of antibacterial drugs, they ensure their maximum penetration into the bronchial secret;
have a pronounced antitussive activity;
stimulate local immunity in the bronchopulmonary zone;
stimulate the production of pulmonary surfactant;
activate the work of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium.
When taking any expectorant against cough, one must remember the need to increase the amount of fluid consumed, on average per liter per day.
Cough medicines for children are usually prescribed in the form of syrups, mixtures, drops. Currently, the substance guaifenesin, which occupies an intermediate position between secretomotor drugs and mucolytics, is actively used in the treatment of children.. Its action is based on reducing the adhesion of sputum to the bronchial mucosa and reducing its viscosity.. However, the drug has the ability to increase the amount of bronchial mucus, so it can not be used as a cough remedy for children from 1 year old, its use is allowed after 3 years. There are no side effects of guaifenesin, however, there is also no convincing evidence base for its effectiveness..
When a cough is accompanied by symptoms of bronchospasm, the use of bronchodilators is recommended, for example, Teo- or Eufillin. With an active inflammatory component, the doctor may prescribe inhalations of glucocorticosteroid hormones, which will help to stop inflammation as soon as possible and minimize the risk of complications.
The optimal choice for the treatment of cough in children are vizicine derivatives, for example, Ambroxol. They are commonly known as mucoregulators.
If the child has a cough without fever, antibiotics are not indicated.. Drugs in this category are prescribed exclusively by the attending physician and are under strict prescription. It is strictly not recommended to make an independent decision on their admission.. If the cough does not become wet for 3-4 days, the temperature rises and the general state of health worsens, you should consult a doctor to prescribe antibiotic therapy..
As adjuvants in children 6 years of age and older, when there is no risk of small parts of the tablets getting into the respiratory tract, cough softening lozenges demonstrate a good effect.. Such absorbable preparations contain essential oils that have a lubricating effect and eliminate discomfort..
Despite the fact that the range of pharmacies includes an impressive range of over-the-counter drugs, it is up to a specialist to decide how to treat a cough.. In order to choose the best remedy, it is necessary not only to assess the condition of the child, but also to take into account many related factors, which is not possible to do on your own..
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