Overusing cough lozenges can easily cause respiratory infections

Not effective in treating cough

Cough and sore throat are common diseases in many people. There are many types of cough medicine on the market, not only pills but also syrup and lozenges advertised as very effective in curing coughs, effectively controlling coughs, inhibiting the cough center… The price of these drugs ranges from only a few tens of thousands of VND to more than 100,000 VND.

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Huu Duc – Faculty of Pharmacy (Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy) said there are many different types of cough lozenges, some even have attractive flavors. Because of its convenience, many people choose and abuse it. However, cough lozenges contain antiseptic substances that help soothe coughs, soothe the larynx, help disinfect the respiratory tract, and support the treatment of coughs, sore throats, hoarseness, etc., but do not have the effect of curing coughs or completely treating them. cough. Overuse of this type of lozenge is harmful to health. The fruit flavors are just flavorings added to make them delicious and eye-catching and easy to use.

There are many cases where the disease is aggravated by buying cough lozenges or Use oral cough syrup. Cough has many causes, but it is often due to colds and respiratory diseases such as nasopharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia… To completely treat the disease, the cause must be found. Cough.

There are two types of cough: dry cough and cough with phlegm. A dry cough often causes an itchy throat and without phlegm can cause hoarseness or loss of voice. Dry cough is often caused by inhaling irritating dust such as cigarette smoke, chemical smoke, or the body’s reaction to sudden weather changes. People with a dry cough usually still feel healthy without a feeling of heaviness in the chest or difficulty breathing. People with phlegmy cough have a feeling of suffocation and difficulty breathing, which often makes the patient exhausted. Symptoms often increase when talking. Cough with phlegm can be a remaining symptom after sore throat, rhinitis and sinusitis… Treatment for these two types of cough will be different. The doctor must examine to know whether there is phlegm or not. Cough with phlegm and using only medicine to treat dry cough is not effective because additional medicine is needed to expel phlegm.

“ Cough is just a symptom of a disease, so Cough treatment must be accompanied by treatment of the cause of the disease, then cough symptoms will decrease. If you have a cough due to nasal discharge running down your throat, just use nasal drops to clean your nose and the cough will go away. In case of cough with fever, dry nose, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing… you need to see a doctor because if you have pneumonia, laryngitis, asthma, the cough reflex is important to expel mucus. Or when there are factors that stimulate the cough response, it will help push foreign substances and secretions out to clean and clear the airways. Meanwhile, cough lozenges inhibit the cough reflex and sputum cannot be secreted but stagnates, causing the disease to progress quickly into chronic respiratory inflammation. Therefore, when prescribing, doctors often use expectorants,” Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Huu Duc said.

Regularly gargle with diluted salt water

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung – Head of Pediatrics Department (Bach Mai Hospital), before using medicine, whether oral or lozenge, you should consult doctor because cough medicine has many ingredients. Cough lozenges only relieve symptoms and do not replace medication. If the cough is caused by the internal respiratory tract from the pharynx going down to the trachea and lungs, it will not be effective. Treating the cause is most important. If your cough is caused by a cold, using anti-cold medicine will also cure it. As for coughs caused by tonsil problems, treatment requires finding the cause.

Parents need to be even more careful when letting children use cough lozenges. It is best not to give it because the child is at risk of choking. In case a child has a cough due to the flu, expectorants in syrup form can be used, but they are only supportive treatment, and for more severe coughs, a doctor’s instructions are required. If you cough for 3-4 days, you should see a doctor to see if you have sinusitis. Self-medication can prolong or worsen the disease.

Experts recommend that when you have a cough, you should follow your doctor’s treatment regimen because coughing is more likely to occur. The risk of infection will be high, so you must take the full dose of medicine. It is best for everyone to keep their mouth and throat clean by gargling with diluted salt water (0 9%) to prevent sore throat.

In addition, you can use some Natural treatments to limit side effects while still reducing itchy throat and cough such as ginger, honey, apricot licorice… With honey, you can combine it with chives, tangerine peel, kumquat, green leaves, basil leaves, lemon, roses. White… steamed and drank or sucked evenly has good effects in treating coughs.

According to Phuong Thuan

Family & Society

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