How to distinguish cough dry from wet: the main manifestations, signs and recommendations

Reflex sputum expectoration is a standard reaction to irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. The effect of adverse factors on sensitive receptors causes a sudden release of air from the lungs, in other words, cough. Diseases of the respiratory organs do not always lead to this. Cough often arises as a protective mechanism when it is necessary to release airways from mucus, liquid, foreign bodies.

How to distinguish dry cough from wet? What methods of treatment should be resorted to when such reactions occur? You will find answers to these and other questions in this article.

How to recognize dry cough?

How to distinguish between dry and wet cough? With the development of respiratory diseases at first, the desires of dry cough are most often manifested. But gradually expectoration of sputum, which leads to the formation of a wet cough.

There are several features, according to which you can recognize a dry cough:

• The process is of a paroxysmal nature;
• Coughing starts and ends abruptly;
• In most cases there is a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract;
• Attacks periodically repeat for several minutes;
• During a dry cough, a person experiences difficulty breathing;
• Attacks occur at night, not allowing to fall asleep;
• During a dry cough, there is no abundant separation of mucus;
• Sensation of itching in the airways does not disappear even after the end of the attack;
• After a dry cough can cause pain in the chest as a result of a prolonged sharp contraction of muscles and bronchi.

Based on the above features, you can understand how to distinguish between dry and wet cough. Next, consider the common reasons for the appearance of dry cough.

Causes of dry cough

The appearance of a dry cough testifies to the development of a certain disease:

1. Laryngitis - at the beginning of the disease the mucous membrane of the throat is irritated. It is for this reason that there is a dry cough. The patient feels a sore throat. Since there is no sputum in the respiratory tract, the cough is dry.
2. Tracheitis - inflammation of tissues in the respiratory tract leads to protracted coughing attacks, which are extremely difficult to eliminate. The contraction of the muscles is extremely painful. During a dry cough, a person feels like he is being turned inside out.
3. Asthma - in case of a disease, not only are attacks of dry coughing. The disease proceeds with periodic occlusion of the respiratory passages. During a dry cough, choking may occur.
4. Bronchitis - one of the most common diseases, which is accompanied by bouts of dry cough. With the development of the disease, seizures are extremely debilitating, since the body reacts inadequately to the course of inflammatory processes.

Non-infectious causes of dry cough

Far from always, respiratory tract infections and colds cause a dry cough. It can be manifested by the spread of chemical substances dispersed in the air. Attacks often occur simply on the street, when living close to metallurgical enterprises.

Another common cause is a foreign body in the air-conducting ways. In this case, the body by any means tries to get rid of the irritant of the mucous membrane of the throat as soon as possible. Thus, attacks of dry cough are formed.

To develop attacks of dry cough may lead to:

• Irritation of the respiratory tract with exhaust gases;
• Specific reactions of the body to household chemistry, cosmetics, perfumes;
• Inhalation of building dust;
• Allergies;
• Stress.

Features of wet cough

How to distinguish dry cough from a wet cough? In medical practice, a wet cough is called productive. Because at the end of the attack a person feels relief. In this case, a positive result of the manifestation of the expectorant reflex is noticeable.

How does dry cough differ from wet cough? With a wet cough, a person expects lumps of phlegm, which come out of the bronchi. In the course of attacks there are no painful sensations. During sleep, rales often occur, sometimes shortness of breath appears. Attacks of a wet cough do not last long.

Causes of wet cough

To the occurrence of attacks of a wet cough often leads to the development of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza conditions. Diseases of the presented category usually start with a dry cough. Further such ailments pass into reproductive expectoration of mucus.

How to distinguish dry cough from wet? The main manifestations of a productive cough are sputum production. The latter can be formed with abscesses of lung tissue. With this disease, expectorated mucus has a greenish tint, and also has an unpleasant odor.

Another cause of the emergence of a wet cough is pulmonary tuberculosis. The disease is accompanied by the formation of abundant sputum with impurities of blood or pus. This specific mucus is formed as a result of the decomposition of lung tissue.

Treatment of dry cough

So we found out how to distinguish between dry and wet cough. Now let's figure out what are the ways to fix the problem.

Currently, a wide range of medicines is available, the reception of which helps to get rid of attacks of dry cough. Preparations of this spectrum of action are divided into synthetic and natural. The active substances in the first are chemical components. The latter are developed on the basis of raw materials of plant origin.

With dry cough medicines are used, the action of which is aimed at calming down receptors and lifting spasms ("Libexin"). An effective solution is also the use of expectorants. The latter contribute to the moistening of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and, as a result, to alleviate the coughing attacks.

It should be noted that the means based on plant components have a softer effect. Therefore, having figured out how to distinguish dry cough from wet in a child, it is worth concentrating on precisely such medicines.

Treatment of a wet cough

Eliminate a wet cough in most cases is more difficult compared to dry cough. After all, the main task here is the prompt removal of the accumulated sputum from the respiratory tract. In this case, it is necessary to resort to the use of expectorant and mucolytic drugs. The best means in the fight against wet cough are the following:

1. "Prospan" is usually prescribed to children. It produces a gentle effect without causing tissue irritation. Understanding how to distinguish dry cough from wet in a child, it is worth paying attention to this drug, because its active substances effectively affect the separation of sputum.
2. "Herbion" - a means of plant origin. Taking the drug allows you to get rid of sputum as soon as possible.
3. "Bromhexine" effectively dilutes sputum. This contributes to its rapid removal from the lungs.

As for folk methods of treating a wet cough, inhalations from chamomile, licorice, calendula, coltsfoot come to the aid. Also, the use of licorice-based syrup helps in separating the sputum.

Prevention

We figured out how to distinguish dry cough from wet, examined the ways of treatment. Now let's find out how to protect yourself from such manifestations. In order not to suffer from cough, first of all it is worth to give up smoking. It is also important to drink warm drink, maintain the immune system, lead a healthy lifestyle in general. Proper nutrition, hardening, avoiding drafts, maintaining your own body in good physical shape - all this will not make you think about how to distinguish between dry and wet cough.

Eventually

Consider how to distinguish between wet and dry cough, signs of such manifestations, can be long. The above features are known to every adult person. Some manifestations of dry and wet cough are purely individual. Whatever causes cause coughing, do not delay treatment. After all, eliminating the complications of diseases is much more difficult, especially if the ailments have acquired chronic character.