Patient's question:
What should I do if my child has a cough and has taken many medications but it hasn't improved? First follow-up question: 2 weeks, no phlegm, children's cough syrup. Second follow-up question: Used "children's cough syrup," but it hasn't improved!Doctor's answer:
Hello: Cough itself is not an independent disease but a defensive response to clear foreign substances from the respiratory tract. Mild cough is harmless to the body and can be treated by addressing the cause without the need for cough suppressants. However, when severe cough causes suffering to the patient, cough suppressants can be used appropriately. There are many causes of cough, such as acute or chronic respiratory inflammation, respiratory foreign bodies, compression of the respiratory tract, allergic reactions, pleural irritation, and so on. Therefore, when a patient presents with cough, a comprehensive analysis of the condition is necessary to identify the cause. On the basis of treating the underlying cause, appropriate cough suppressants should be selected for symptomatic treatment.Medications for treating cough are mainly divided into three major categories: antitussives, expectorants, and bronchodilators.
Antitussives mainly include: codeine, morphine, pholcodine, butamirate, glycyrrhiza preparations, etc. These drugs are effective for mild respiratory inflammation and irritative dry cough, but certain anesthetic drugs in this category must be used under the guidance of a doctor.
Expectorants include: juniper oil, ammonium chloride, potassium iodide, acetylcysteine, rhododendron, and small cough syrup, etc. These drugs are effective for clearing excessive and viscous respiratory mucus.
Bronchodilators include: ephedrine, salbutamol, theophylline, and vitamin K1, etc. Asthma is often caused by allergies or inflammation stimulating bronchial smooth muscle spasm. The pharmacological action of bronchodilators primarily involves relaxing bronchial smooth muscle spasm, which facilitates mucus expulsion. When using these medications, it is important to choose those with minimal side effects and that are safe and reliable for children.