Than to treat a cough during pregnancy?
Last reviewed: 01.06.2018
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
There are many medicines, which include phytopreparations, so they are allowed to take from a cough during pregnancy. Also, there are many alternative ways of treating this pathology, which are very effective.
Than to treat a cough during pregnancy? This question is asked by many women, since it is important during pregnancy not only to cure the symptoms of the respiratory system, but also not to harm the child.
Than to treat a dry cough during pregnancy?
First, before you start cough treatment, you need to know exactly its cause, because the treatment of this symptom can not be separated from others. It is necessary to treat the whole pathology of the respiratory system in a complex, including cough. Cough is of great importance, because it is the protective mechanism of our body. It occurs when you irritate an object - mucus, foreign body, microorganisms, swollen tissue. At the same time receptors in the bronchi, trachea, larynx or pharynx irritate, which causes a protective reaction to such irritation. To treat a cough you need to know some of its features - dry or wet, when it appears, persistent or symptomatic. Such osbennosti allow to facilitate breathing and are able to as quickly as possible resolve the pathological process in the bronchi.
Dry cough during pregnancy is very debilitating, as it causes additional irritation of the mucosa and a violation of its integrity, which prolongs the healing process. In addition, dry cough in the third trimester of pregnancy can cause complications in the form of premature birth. Therefore, it is important to properly treat dry cough, and the main purpose of such treatment is to change the nature of the cough to wet. To do this, use medicinal preparations on a plant basis, as well as alternative medicine methods.
Read also: What is possible from a cough during pregnancy?
The main medicines are mainly taken in the form of a syrup, since it is an available medicamentous form, which also has a pleasant taste.
Herbion is a herbal remedy for cough, which is also recommended during pregnancy due to its composition.
In the treatment of dry cough, the advantage is based on a plantain. HERBION syrup of plantain has activity in dry cough. This is due to the fact that the preparation has in its composition biologically active substances and vitamin C. These substances bind to specific receptors in the gastrointestinal tract and they stimulate the secretion of bronchial glands, which increases the moisture of the cough.
Also, the drug has an immunomodulatory effect, which increases the synthesis of interferons and shows its antibacterial effect. Vitamin C, which is part of its composition, has an antioxidant effect and increases the vascular resistance to the action of cytokines. It is used in the same way.
In the studies, Herbion had no teratogenic effect on the fetus, so during pregnancy it is allowed.
Stoathal is a homeopathic remedy with a combined composition that has herbal components - Pulsatilla, Ipecacuana, Spongia, Rumex, Bryonia. This composition makes it possible to use carelessness during pregnancy. But you should clearly limit the dose, because the composition includes alcohol. Stodal has an effect on the cough center and reduces the severity of coughing when it is dry and unproductive. Also, the drug has spasmolytic activity in relation to the muscle fibers of the bronchi, which further reduces their spasm. The substances that make up the preparation have an expectorant and bronchodilating effect, and they make the cough softer and dilute sputum. All this contributes to the wide possibility of using the drug even at the beginning of the cough. The drug is available in the form of a syrup and is applied fifteen milliliters three times a day. In pregnancy, such a drug is allowed because of its minimal harm according to the plant composition.
It is also possible to treat dry cough with other drugs for a more pronounced effect and prevent complications. To do this, use lozenges and sprays for the throat.
See also: Drops from a cough
Pharyngosept - a trochet for the throat of cough, which have a local bacteriostatic property in the coccal flora and fungus. The drug acts only locally, does not affect the intestinal biocenosis of a pregnant woman, so it can be used during pregnancy. In the treatment of cough, the drug moistens the nasopharyngeal cavity and increases the amount of saliva that improves the spontaneous properties of phlegm. Therefore, the drug is used to treat a cough one tablet three times a day.
Miramistin is a solution that can be used as a spray for the throat. It has an antiseptic effect on many bacteria and fungi. Also, the drug has a reparative effect on the bronchial mucosa, which strengthens their walls and reduces the severity of cough, and also with a dry cough promotes faster regeneration of the bronchial tree.
Different methods using alternative means have priority, because they are harmless and easily accessible. Use a lot of tools that are always at hand, as well as infusions of herbs.
Read also:
Among the plants the most famous chamomile and plantain. Plantain is a plant that has many beneficial properties and is more active with dry cough. This is due to the fact that the plantain has in its composition biologically active substances that bind to specific receptors and stimulate the secretion of bronchial glands, which increases the moisture of the cough. Chamomile has many useful fatty acids that are able to react with polysaccharides of sputum and split them, making the cough softer, more productive, and quickly passes all the symptoms. To prepare an infusion for the treatment of dry cough, you need to take dried leaves of chamomile and plantain in equal amounts of each component and pour boiling water, after which you need to cover and insist tea for about ten minutes. After that, you can drink this tea throughout the day often in small sips. This infusion is effective for dry cough, as it increases the secretion of mucus and cough becomes more moist.
Cocoa butter, like other aromatics, stimulates the secretion of bronchial cilia and improves the rheological properties of sputum. For coughing, steam inhalations with cocoa butter are used, using a nebulizer or simple home inhalation. To do this, you need to boil water, add two or three drops of cocoa butter, cover yourself with a towel and breathe for twenty minutes. After such procedures, cough will become more productive. With a dry cough, such inhalations very well strengthen bronchial secretion.
These are the main drugs that are used for dry cough, and then, when the cough becomes more mild, you need to use other methods to better cure it.
Than to treat a wet cough during pregnancy?
The appearance of a wet cough is a good sign, which indicates a positive dynamics of the disease. When the alveoli of the pulmonary tree begin to clear from the pathological secret, a wet cough appears, which is initially unproductive and has a viscous character. Such a cough is poorly coughing up and it requires additional funds to make it more mucous and better off. Then the breathing and the general self-awareness of the woman improve. Therefore, if in the treatment of a cough came the stage when it became more liquid, then it is necessary to improve the sputum discharge and thus to bring about a recovery. In this case, it is necessary to change the cough remedy, which will be directed to a wet cough. To do this, use medicinal products in the form of syrups on herbs, as well as alternative methods of treatment, taking into account the state of pregnancy.
Among medications, the same effect is revealed by the same Herbion syrup, but with ivy extract, which is directed specifically at wet cough in pregnant women.
HERBION syrup of ivy is shown with a damp cough, because due to the composition it clears sputum and improves its excretion. The drug helps to reduce the level of calcium in the muscle cells of the bronchial tree and activates beta-adrenoreceptors, which in turn expands the bronchi and improves the outflow of mucus. Also, the drug activates the work of alveolocytes of the second order and this increases the synthesis of the surfactant, which improves the protective mechanisms of the alveoli. The drug is produced in syrup and is taken five millillers twice a day. If the drug is taken regularly, then on the second day you can feel the effect, and after three days the cough will remain only small.
There are also other phytopreparations in the form of syrup, which are shown with a damp cough.
Dr. Theiss is an effective medication for cough, which has virtually no contraindications due to the composition. This drug has an expectorant and mucolytic effect due to the action on the gland of the bronchial tree and the reduction of the secretion of mucus. The main component is plantain, which, as part of other components, has a different mechanism of action, so it is recommended for a damp, low-performance cough. The drug is produced in syrup and is applied on a tablespoon, that is, fifteen milliliters three times a day.
Also there is Dr. Theiss with an extract of Echinacea. The given preparation is issued in the form of tablets and tablets for resorption. Such a drug has no significant effect on cough, and to a greater extent it is an immunomodulator, so with this purpose in complex therapy can be used. In pregnancy, such a drug is allowed because of its minimal harm according to the plant composition.
Read also: Cough lozenges
Mukaltin is an expectorant, the main component of which is the althea medicinal plant. This drug is recommended for a damp, low-performance cough, as it strengthens the bronchodilator effect and promotes the advancement and better excretion of sputum from the lower respiratory tract. The drug also has an anti-inflammatory effect and bales the bronchial wall, which reduces the irritating effect of viruses and bacteria and speeds up recovery.
The drug is available in the form of tablets of 50 milligrams, as well as in the form of a syrup called the main active ingredient - Alteika. Use one tablet three or four times a day. In pregnancy, such a drug is allowed because of its minimal harm according to the plant composition.
Bronchicum is a herbal preparation based on thyme, which has an antispasmodic and bronchodilator effect, as well as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant property. It has an effect on the bronchial secret and promotes the synthesis of more liquid compound sputum, so that the secret becomes more mucous, and the bronchi are cleared more quickly. The drug for coughing is used as an elixir and take one teaspoon five to six times a day.
A good effect in the treatment of a wet cough is given by aerosols because of its local action, which reduces the local mucosal edema and the secret leaves the bronchial tree better.
Givalex is an effective effective drug that is used in the complex therapy of respiratory diseases. It has antibacterial effect, antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
The drug is used with pregnancy during pregnancy, but it is very effective in case of bacterial lesions. In this case, he locally dezinifies the mucous membranes and removes the swelling of the tissue, which improves breathing and sputum is better coughing up.
Bioparox is a local antibacterial agent that has activity against many microorganisms. It is often used to treat a cough, especially if the cough is caused by a sore throat and accompanied by a discharge of purulent sputum.
This is a spray that contains an antibiotic, so it is really very effective, but remember that there is no data on the clinical trials of this drug during pregnancy. Therefore, the drug during pregnancy can be used as a local remedy, but only according to the doctor's recommendations and strict indications.
Pastilles for the throat well envelop the mucous membrane of the epithelial cover of the respiratory tract, and therefore improve the severity of cough with its wet character. Use similar pastilles, the same as syrups - Dr. IOM, Pharingocept, Mukaltin. Such pastilles, due to the rich plant composition, have an expectorant and bronchodilating effect, as well as relieve mucosal edema, reduce the severity of the inflammatory reaction. Thanks to such effects, sputum is better left, transforming a dry cough into a wet cough with a quick resolution of the situation.
Isla-Moos are pastilles that have a pronounced local effect upon coughing and contribute to its reduction. This drug is developed on the basis of an extract of Icelandic moss and due to this it additionally acts on dryness and perspiration in the throat. The local imunomodulatory effek of this drug is also expressed, which increases its effectiveness in the treatment of cough as a symptomatic agent. The drug is available in the form of tablets for resorption and is used throughout the day with a sensation of a rough cough or a sore throat, it is possible to take every two hours, but not more than a daily dose in the volume of twelve tablets. Side effects of the drug is not found, use during pregnancy teratogenic effect does not.
Alternative means for treating wet cough are used very widely, because they are available and easy to prepare. There are many herbs that help to sputum, as well as alternative means.
Lime and viburnum have long been considered a good cure for cough and any manifestations of viral infections, given their diaphoretic and detoxification properties. It is very useful instead of water or simple tea to drink tea from a linden with addition of grated viburnum, and also it is possible to add a raspberry if there is no allergy. In this case, this tea very well warms and thanks to the diaphoretic effect it reduces edema, improving the outflow of sputum in the bronchi.
Eucalyptus contains a huge amount of vitamins B, C; amino acids; phytoncids; tannins; flavonoids; calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, iodine, which contributes to its widespread use in coughing in pregnant women, because it has an anti-edematous effect and improves the outflow of sputum along the airways.
Therefore tincture of leaves of a plantain is very recommended to drink even instead of medicines.
Compresses from a wet cough during pregnancy have a very good effect. In the case of moist, low-productivity cough, these compresses improve sputum discharge and facilitate breathing due to its local vasodilating action. For the compressor, it is possible to use various warming agents - potatoes, borsus fat, honey.
Honey has a pronounced immunomodulatory effect, and also improves local blood circulation, which improves the outflow of sputum. For such a compress, you need to take honey, warm it up to a liquid state, spread the skin with this solution and put a piece of woolen cloth on top, then muffle and lie down for about twenty minutes.
The potato compress also improves local blood circulation, enhances the expansion of the bronchi and sputum easily moves along the respiratory tract. Such a compress is better done at night, but one should be careful with the temperature of the potato to avoid a burn. For such a compress, it is necessary to weld the potatoes in the shell, then to cover it and emboss it in a cotton cloth. It is necessary to put on the chest, preferably on some clothes, and then cover it with a woolen shawl. Keep such a compress until it cools.
In the pharmacy you can buy fish or borsus fat, which also needs to spread your breasts and cover yourself with a warm scarf. Such drugs help to dilute sputum and quickly resolve cough.
Treatment of cough with nebulizer during pregnancy is of great importance and high efficiency. This is due to the fact that inhalations have a very good effect on sputum, and with the help of a nebulizer the active substance gets directly into the bronchi, where the "focus" of coughing. The nebulizer is a delivery device that facilitates the transformation of liquid into steam, inhaled by a person through a special mask with a tube. Thanks to this device, you can directly deliver the medicine to the respiratory system. Treatment with steam inhalations is very effective especially with wet cough, as this contributes to better sputum discharge, it becomes less viscous. As an active substance for the treatment of wet cough, it is good to use physiological saline with ventolin. Horomons during pregnancy for inhalations can only be used with the appointment of a doctor.
You can also carry out inhalations at home, in case you do not have a nebulizer at home. You can use baking soda for steam inhalations at home. To do this, you need to add two tablespoons of soda to a liter of hot water and mix it, you need to breathe such a solution for up to twenty minutes a day. Even for pregnant women such inhalations are allowed and they can be used up to five times a day.
Soda because of its alkaline properties is able to make the sputum more fluid and coughing is easier because the alkaline base liquefies the polysaccharide sputum complexes.
There is another way of conducting inhalations at home, which is widely known. To do this, you need to boil the potatoes in the shell, after which it is shattered without cleaning the peel. Then over the pot with hot potatoes you need to bend over and cover yourself with a towel and breathe for a few minutes. Hot steam from potatoes dilates the bronchi and dilutes sputum, which is very good with a damp cough.
But you should remember that you can not do any warming procedures, if you have bacterial angina or pneumonia. Compresses, thermal inhalations are possible only with influenza and other viral lesions.
A great method of treating wet cough during pregnancy is massage. It very well promotes the removal of viscous sputum and can be easily used in pregnant women. This physical effect improves local blood circulation, the outflow of lymph and sputum becomes more fluid. You can take several procedures for a special therapeutic massage, but you can also just ask your husband to do a few massage movements, which also gives good effect. Such movements should have the nature of stroking in the direction of the axillary lymph nodes, as well as vibration. After the massage, a draining position is recommended, which can completely drain the bronchial tree and cough becomes less pronounced.
Treatment of an allergic cough during pregnancy is especially important, as it is necessary to use antihistamines along with expectorants. If a pregnant woman suffers from bronchial asthma, and now she is sick and has a cough, especially in the spring or summer, when there are provoking factors, antiallergic drugs should be added to the treatment. Then it will reduce the risk of exacerbation of bronchial asthma. If a woman does not have bronchial asthma, but she has an anamnesis for allergic diseases, it is also necessary to add an antihistamine supplement when coughing. If the cough is allergic, that is, it appears in a certain place at a certain trigger factor, then it is necessary to use taoke treatment. You can add an ampoule of an antihistamine in the inhaler - Tavegil, Suprastin. Also, there is a variant for using an allergic cough to use systemic antihistamines.
Erius is an antiallergic drug that is used to treat allergic reactions. The mechanism of action of the drug in the treatment of allergic cough is due to the inhibition of receptors for histamine by blocking them, which prevents histamine from showing its activity. Due to this, there is no tissue edema, increased sputum secretion and possible skin rash. The drug does not cause hypnotic activity, as its predecessors, due to which it is widely used. In pregnancy, this drug was not tested quite widely, so its use in the first trimester is not recommended. Eryus is available in the form of tablets and syrup. Syrup for adults, as a more pleasant form, can be used one teaspoon twice a day. Side effects of the drug are possible in the form of dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, impaired liver function with increased liver enzymes, dryness in the mouth and throat.
It is also necessary to approach the issue of cough treatment in accordance with the term of pregnancy with differentiation. To treat cough during pregnancy in the first trimester follows with the restriction of medicines from the group of antihistamines and antibiotics. During this period, for the treatment of cough, it is necessary to give preference to herbal remedies and folk remedies. In the second and third trimester, syrups on a plant basis, as well as strict antibiotic prescriptions in the case of a bacterial process, can be used to treat cough during pregnancy.
Treatment of cough during pregnancy by alternative means
The use of alternative means for treating a cough is of high priority, because there are so many methods that are very effective. You can use them as independent methods of treatment.
Recipes for cough during pregnancy with milk are very common because of its pronounced effect and pleasant taste, in addition, and minimal harm. Milk is a natural product rich in nutrients and vitamins. It has many properties that can be used even by compresses. A method of treatment with hot milk is very common. To do this, boil the milk and add honey and soda. Such milk with honey and soda is very useful and it helps to dilute viscous sputum. You can also add a little oil to such milk, which reduces the irritation of the bronchi.
Another method of treating a combination of milk with a mineral water is widely used. For this, Borjomi is best suited, since it is the lagoon water that promotes the splitting of the polysaccharide secretions of the bronchi and sputum becomes more fluid, the acacia is more productive. To do this, in a glass of warm milk you need to add half a glass of mineral water, then drink in a warm form at least three times a day.
Treating a radish cough during pregnancy is also often used, although it seems an amazing phenomenon. But the radish, especially the black variety has a pronounced mucolytic effect and in combination with honey its beneficial properties increase. To do this, the juice of the black radish must be mixed with honey and aloe juice, and take iaco remedy on a teaspoon three times a day.
Honey is a rich natural product, which is often used in different branches of alternative medicine. Honey for cough during pregnancy is used very often as compresses, teas, infusions and other recipes. It has a mild effect and many properties of imunomodulating, which not only cures cough, but also prevents the development of complications in the form of a prolonged dry cough after the disease.
Onions with honey have an effect not only on cough, but it also has a bactericidal property and inhibits the synthesis of bacterial wall components. To make a recipe, juice from grated onions should be mixed with liquid honey in a ratio of one to one and take a teaspoon every four hours in an acute period. Then on the second day, when symptoms decrease, you can take three times a day.
Compresses from honey are also very useful . To make a honey compress, use one tablespoon of honey, dried mustard and a teaspoon of olive oil. These ingredients are mixed and make a compress, which is put on the chest and covered with cellophane film, and then with a woolen scarf. Such a remedy improves the outflow of sputum in the bronchi, and the cough becomes less pronounced. The use of the drug is possible only in the absence of allergy to components, as well as in the viral etiology of the process.
Frequently used medicinal teas from herbs and fruits. Lemon is a known remedy for cough and treatment of viral respiratory diseases. It is added to tea, where it also has a diaphoretic effect, thus removing toxins. If you drink tea with ginger, then the useful properties increase. Ginger and its fruits are widely used in medicine, especially in the treatment of respiratory diseases in pregnant women. For the treatment of cough, it is used as an expectorant and anesthetic, which is especially important when irritating the bronchial mucosa with a dry nauseous cough. Ginger is also known for its high immunomodulatory effect. Therefore, it can also be used as a preventative for pregnant women especially.
Than to treat a cough during pregnancy is from a serious side a complex question, but with another - very simple. It is necessary to differentiate with dry and wet cough, and also need to beware of complicated medications in the treatment of cough in the first trimester. Many methods of alternative medicine in the treatment of cough are very effective, so they can be used without fear in pregnancy.