Smoking is a bad habit that is known to cause significant harm to the body. Tobacco smoke interferes with the function of the respiratory system, and more than 70% of smokers suffer from a chronic cough. People who decide to overcome addiction hope to immediately get rid of all the consequences of tobacco, but the cough after quitting smoking in most cases does not disappear, but is increasing. How to deal with a cough for ex -smokers, and whether treatment is needed - we will consider in this article.
Why does coughing occur after quitting smoking
At the time of smoking, tobacco smoke enters the lungs, which in its contents are poison. It contains chemicals, resins, dust and other toxic components. Gradually, a large number of them accumulate in the lung tissue.
Coughing when quitting smoking is a protective response aimed at clearing the body of harmful substances. In healthy people, such a reaction is always real, but in smokers this process is blocked under the influence of smoke inhaled from cigarettes.
Note! In the tissues of the upper respiratory tract there are epithelial cilia, which, when pathological particles penetrate, provoke a cough, thus preventing intoxication of the body.
Cough when quitting smoking occurs due to restoration of bronchial cilia function. In the first period after quitting the smoking habit, many people begin to experience severe cough attacks. This process is considered natural, because addiction leads to an inflammatory process on the mucosa. As a result, phlegm forms in the bronchi, and lung tissue can be affected by toxins. The organs of the respiratory system at the time of coughing cleanse themselves.
How long does the cough last after quitting smoking
Respiratory disorders are observed in most people who have recently stopped smoking. In rare cases, such manifestations do not occur. As a rule, cough does not bother people who very rarely smoke cigarettes or have little experience.
But how long a cough can last for a former smoker depends on many factors:
- the duration of the smoking period;
- number of smoke bursts per day (number of cigarettes smoked per day);
- the presence of concomitant diseases;
- the degree of influence exerted by tobacco smoke;
- patient age;
- have other bad habits.
There is no accurate data on the type of cough that should be after smoking cessation, and how long this period lasts. Recovery happens differently and individually for everyone.
According to statistics, if respiratory problems arise after a person stops smoking, then after 1 to 3 months the respiratory system is fully restored. However, if the smoking experience exceeds 10 years, the problem may become chronic.
Usually, even with a strong cough, after 2-3 weeks, an increase should be observed in the form of a decrease in the intensity and frequency of attacks. If after a month the condition does not change, it is necessary to visit a doctor.
Types of cough after smoking cessation
Great importance is attached to the nature of cough in people who have quit smoking. Pathological symptoms may indicate complications arising after smoking.
The nature of the cough that appears after leaving a bad habit, according to medical information:
- wet;
- dry;
- with secretions.
Wet cough is a reflex rejection of purulent mucus (sputum) that has accumulated in the lungs or respiratory tract. There may be a small amount of phlegm, or, conversely, mucus is excreted in large amounts, which gives rise to a strong and frequent attack of cough. But it is phlegm with phlegm production that is considered normal.
Suspicion of pathological processes in the respiratory organs during the recovery period after smoking cessation causes tuberculosis. Difficulties with sputum release occur when ciliated fiber activity is lost, as well as bronchial disease accompanied by edema.
Tuberculosis when quitting smoking should be treated with medication. Lack of therapeutic help can lead to complications: intoxication, spastic shortness of breath, formation of toxins in the lungs, and others.
The greatest danger for ex -smokers is phlegm "with impurities. " If at the time of expectoration, along with sputum, brown or black mucus, or blood is removed, an immediate visit to the doctor is required.
Pathological discharge may indicate serious lesions on the bronchial walls, lung tissue and trachea. Tobacco smoke can cause respiratory burns that do not heal due to the constant supply of toxins, resulting in an infection that can spread quickly in the damaged area.
Important! Smoking can cause life-threatening respiratory diseases (tuberculosis, cancer, cirrhosis, etc. ). Although nicotine enters the body, the symptoms become dull, but as soon as a person decides to give up the habit, the pathology begins to manifest itself intensively.
What to do first - how to alleviate the situation
For people who smoke has been a daily habit for so long, quitting smoking seems impossible, but if a person still decides to do this, then he or she will have to go through a difficult recovery period.
The most difficult is the psychological desire, which few can overcome. The condition is exacerbated by a cough attack. Many smokers know that if you "drag" it back, then your breath will recover. However, there are other ways to alleviate the situation. To do this, use medicines or folk remedies.
Therapeutic approach
Persistent cough attacks cause serious breathing problems, and it can also disrupt a person’s life. To alleviate the condition of smokers, it is recommended to take medications that have expectorant and sedative effects.
Note! After quitting smoking, the use of cough suppressants is not recommended, its use can cause lung abscesses.
In most cases, the doctor, when the patient stops smoking, to facilitate the removal of sputum, prescribes a mucolytic group preparation.
You can speed up the body’s cleansing of toxins by taking enterosorbents.
Depending on the characteristics of the cough and the presence of possible diseases of the respiratory system, antihistamines, immunomodulators and antibiotics can be prescribed.
People's method
Treatment of disturbing respiratory disorders after long-term smoking cessation can be supplemented with folk remedies. The use of alternative medical methods should be carried out only with the consent of a specialist and after confirming the absence of allergic reactions that can cause anaphylactic shock and swelling of the respiratory system.
You can reduce the frequency and intensity of cough if you use folk remedies:
- milk. You can add a teaspoon of honey or soda to warm milk. Drink three times a day.
- Garlic syrup. Medium -sized onions are rubbed on a grater (finely) and mixed with two cups of sugar. The drug must be insisted for at least three hours. After - put on low heat until the mixture acquires a state of syrup. Take one teaspoon during the day with an interval of three hours.
- Propolis eggnog. Egg yolks are ground with honey and beaten. 2 drops of liquid propolis are added to the mixture. Close the lid in a small jar and put in the refrigerator. Drink 10 ml. twice a day.
- Herbal decoction. Suitable chamomile, St. John's wort. John, sage or wild rosemary. One tablespoon of ground grass is steamed with 0. 5 liters. boiling water. Insist about half an hour, then strain. Drink three to four times a day for a cup of tea.
- Boil birch. Crushed birch shoots (1 tbsp. L) are laid out in melted butter (100 gr. ). Transfer to a container and simmer over high heat for 30 - 40 minutes. After cooling, add honey. Take 10 gr. funds twice a day.
Do not abuse traditional medicine, self -medication or refuse medication. Folk remedies have additional effects and may not be effective enough in severe pathological processes.
When should you see a doctor?
After quitting smoking, even someone who smokes in a short time can experience serious health problems.
It is necessary to consult a doctor if the following symptoms begin to interfere:
- cough attacks are too frequent and cause severe chest pain;
- sputum discharge accompanied by the release of blood or dark mucus clots;
- when breathing, whistling and wheezing are heard;
- shortness of breath occurs;
- with a deep breath, there is a sharp pain in the chest;
- there is a general weakness of the body.
Any pathological manifestation in a state of health is a signal for a visit to a specialist. It is advisable to take steps to recover from smoking immediately, as the consequences of smoking can be very serious.
Conclusion
Coughing can begin to torment smokers while smoking and be a signal that it is necessary to get rid of bad habits. After quitting smoking, cough attacks may worsen, however, this recovery period should be passed. In most cases, the condition returns to normal after 2 to 3 weeks. For full recovery, of course, more time is needed, but the main stage of body cleansing is already complete.
After quitting smoking, experts recommend visiting a medical institution to consult a doctor and undergo diagnostics to determine whether there are any complications from addiction, and if indicated, undergo the necessary treatment.