Contents
How to cough correctly
A cough is an increased exhalation through the mouth, which occurs when the airways are trying to free themselves from an external stimulus. The cough is caused by the contraction of the muscles in the airways due to irritation of special receptors. Dust, dry air, pieces of food, mucus, pus can act as an irritant.
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Coughing is a protective reflex in the body that keeps the airways clear.
The cough mechanism is as follows:
Foreign agent enters the respiratory tract
Decreased respiratory lumen
Cough receptor becomes irritated
Coughing occurs
A cough is usually an involuntary reaction of the body, but it can also be caused by force.
The most common cause of cough is a cold or a viral infection.
Cold cough can be divided into three stages:
2-3 days – dry, unproductive cough without coughing
up to 14 days – acute bronchitis, cough with sputum and mucus separation
up to 8 weeks – mild cough, coughing
The cough is productive and unproductive.
Productive Is a wet cough in which mucus is easily cleared up. Together with the secreted mucus, pathogens are excreted from the body. Therefore, a productive cough cannot be suppressed.
Unproductive Is a dry cough. With this cough, you feel severe irritation in the throat, dry urge to cough, but there is no coughing up. Such a cough must be translated into a productive one.
It is important to know that any type of cough is a cause for concern, since cough is not the disease itself, but a symptom of the disease. If you are coughing, you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis and proper treatment.
How to cough correctly if you have a productive wet cough
How to help the body with a cough
A productive cough is characterized by the coughing up of sputum and mucus. It cannot be suppressed with antitussive drugs, which block the cough reflex and thus prevent coughing. The mucus should flow out of the respiratory system without hindrance, thus clearing it.
When you feel the mucus rise high in your throat, take a short, deep breath for 2-3 seconds. This will lead to a contraction of the muscles of the larynx and an increase in the tone of the bronchial muscles. Then the abdominal muscles contract reflexively and a forced exhalation occurs. Together with it, mucus is separated and comes out.
Do not squeeze your lips tightly – this will prevent phlegm from escaping.
In order to relieve a productive cough, it is recommended to perform the “Kucher” exercise:
Sit on a chair
Place your feet shoulder-width apart
Lean forward slightly
Keep your back straight
Place your elbows on your knees
Hands facing forward
Relaxed neck
Take 10 deep breaths through your nose
How to cough properly if you have a non-productive dry cough
An unproductive dry cough often causes excruciating contractions of the diaphragm without coughing. It can be accompanied by a tickle in the throat and severe tickling. This is due to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
To ease a dry cough, follow these guidelines:
Drink plenty of water.
Breathe frequently, shallowly. Deep breaths provoke a cough reflex.
Swallow saliva while holding your breath, in several steps.
In order to alleviate the unproductive cough, it is recommended to perform the Wall exercise:
Approach the wall at a distance of about 30 cm.
Push one leg forward, bend slightly at the knee
Raise your arms up, bend at the elbows
Place your hands on the wall
Put your head in your hands
Keep your back straight
Take 10 deep breaths through your nose
Also, if you have a dry cough, you can try the “Rider” exercise:
Sit facing the back of a chair
Bend your arms at the elbows, put them on the back of the chair
Lean forward slightly, keep your back straight
Put your head in your hands
Take 10 deep breaths through your nose