"Dry and wet" should be distinguished before using medicine for cough after COVID-19
2023-02-22
Coughing after COVID-19 infection is neurophagocytic, which is easy to lead to changes in neuropathy and inflammation, such as decreased smell or taste, which is actually pathological damage to the vagus nerve. Recently, Professor Zhang Shunan, director of the Chinese Medicine Respiratory Department of the China Japan Friendship Hospital, gave a detailed description of the choice of drugs for different coughs after COVID-19 infection in a live science popularization activity to guide people to use drugs safely. "The cough after COVID-19 infection is more persistent and durable than that caused by common cold or flu, and the treatment is relatively difficult." Zhang Shunan pointed out that the cough after COVID-19 infection is nerve eating, which is likely to lead to changes in neuropathy and inflammation, such as decreased smell or taste, which is actually pathological damage to the vagus nerve. Therefore, the cough after COVID-19 infection will be more serious and lasting than that of common cold and influenza related infection. Cough is a "double-edged sword". On the one hand, cough is a protective physiological reflex of the respiratory tract, which is conducive to the removal of respiratory secretions and harmful factors; On the other hand, severe or frequent coughing may also cause chest pain, syncope, fracture, and even most middle-aged and elderly women enuresis due to coughing, seriously affecting people's daily life. Professor Zhang Shunan introduced that cough after COVID-19 infection is caused by the virus damaging the airway mucosa. The exposure of submucosal nerves leads to increased responsiveness of smooth muscle, which is prone to airway contraction, leading to cough symptoms. Different cough drugs are also different. First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between dry cough and wet cough. "A cough with phlegm is called a wet cough, and a cough without phlegm is called a dry cough. The treatment methods of the two are diametrically opposite." Zhang Shunan said that patients with a dry cough without phlegm or less phlegm can choose cough drugs, such as Pentavirin, dextromethorphan, and Forcodeine, which play an antitussive role mainly by inhibiting the cough center of the brain. It is worth noting that Forcodeine can be used for coughing and expectoration because it contains expectorant ingredients, but this drug has sedative ingredients, so it is not suitable for people operating machinery or driving vehicles. Zhang Shunan reminded that if you are taking a syrup-type cough medicine, it is recommended to avoid dilution with water when taking it, and do not drink water within half an hour after taking it, because the syrups are used to cover the surface of the pharyngeal mucosa to reduce the irritation of inflammation to the mucosa, relieve cough, and drinking water will affect the efficacy. For patients with cough and phlegm, it is more suitable to take cough and expectorant drugs. "It is not beneficial and harmful to use antitussive drugs alone. Patients with cough and phlegm should first dissolve sputum before stopping cough. Because it is a hidden danger that sputum remains in the body after the cough is stopped." Zhang Shunan pointed out that patients with thick sputum and difficult to cough up can choose mucus regulator or mucus soluble expectorant, such as ambroxol, acetylcysteine, etc. However, it is necessary to avoid taking strong antitussive drugs, such as dextromethorphan, at the same time to prevent sputum from blocking the airway. In addition to western medicine, Chinese patent medicines such as Qingfei, Runfei, Xuanfei and expectorant can also be selected, with significant effects and high safety, such as Compound Fresh Zhuli Oral Liquid, Chuanbei Pipa Ointment, Suhuang Cough Capsule, etc. However, neither western medicine nor traditional Chinese medicine can be used in combination. Zhang Shunan said that pregnant and lactating women should weigh the advantages and disadvantages and use them carefully when choosing cough drugs
Edit：Ying Ying Responsible editor：Shen Chen
Source：chinanews.com.cn
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