Can someone with asthma take cough medicine?

If you’re someone who suffers from asthma, then you know that any issue relating to your respiratory system is serious and requires special consideration. One such case is when you have a cough. While for most people, coughing is nothing more than an irritable nuisance; for asthmatics, coughing could lead to severe breathing difficulties or even result in hospitalization.

But what happens when the need arises to take cough medicine? Is it safe for someone with asthma to take it? In this article, we will explore different types of cough syrup and analyze whether they are safe for people suffering from asthma.

Understanding Asthma

Before delving into our discussion on whether people with asthma can take cough medicine, it’s essential first to understand what lets us be able to breathe smoothly – the airways located in our lungs.

When a person without asthma inhales fresh air through their nose or mouth down their throat into their lungs’ airways (bronchioles), oxygen passes through them with ease. However, If you suffer from asthma (1) , these airways tend to narrow due to inflammation and create excess mucus production that blocks airflow causing breathing issues (2)

As per reports by The American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (3) . “Asthma affects about 25 million Americans: adults make up around 61 percent of patients while children comprise roughly 39.”

Given how prevalent this condition is worldwide, it makes sense that we must scrutinize every product consumed by those who suffer from symptoms relatingto chronic allergic reaction leading problems like chest tightness..

What Causes Coughing?

Coughs occur due as a response mechanism by the body alerting an individual’s respiratory system about irritants present there.Examples include dust,harmful gases,pollen,fume Additionally,inflammation-causing infections in the lungs also cause coughing.

Types of Cough Medicine

Now that we have given an overview to asthma, let’s discuss different cough medicines in the market today:

Expectorants

Expectorants help you break up mucus and clear your respiratory system by stimulating your body’s natural abilities. They contain guaifenesin (4) which helps to thin out mucous allowing it to be easily expelled through the nose or mouth.

It’s important here (5) for asthmatics sufferers not with experience airway blockages via increased production of phlegm due o use of expectorant thus should seek advice from expert medical personnel before taking these types.

Suppressants

Cough suppressants suppress cough reflexes, a method slightly effective in ensuring individuals are neither interrupted nor disturbed during illness being nursed but might disrupt the elimination fireign agents like foreign particles present within respiratory system thereby worsening certain breathing conditions.Change induced in airflow could lead one into a fit or trigger sudden asthmatic attack.

Combination Syrups

These syrups basically combine both methods discussed above -suppressing AND breaking down mucus- according to manufacturers intended purpose.Instead of proving relief for ailments their made suppressess excessively causing patients more harm than good.

So Can People With Asthma take Cough Medications?

The answer is yes; people with asthma can take cough medications but must adhere only if prescribed by professional doctors after assessments as per individual needs.Generally speaking,it depends on what variety asthmatics sufferer need since some aren’t safe depending on other underlying illnesses.The three discussed would make one suffer ,so it’s necessary selection only medicine that enhances healing processes without worsening symptoms.

However, caution must always be taken as what may work well for someone who does not have this chronic condition could turn out unsafe when used differentlyby those living it. In this line, cough medicine containing the following products should be avoided by asthmatics:

  • Decongestants which narrow airways
  • Antihistamines
  • Combination of suppressants and expectorants

These drugs listed above could potentially increase asthma symptoms, leading to hospital visits or even worse scenarios like bleeding lungs (6). Therefore, consulting a doctor is important for proper guidance according to individual severity levels.

Conclusion

In conclusion; just because you live with asthma does not necessarily mean that you can’t take certain therapies when down with a cough. Coughs respond well to medication treatment as long they’re used in ways prescribed responsibly by experts -not forgetting if one has an allergy then it’s better refrain from using them altogether(7). Seeking advice from professional practitioners who are already familiar with one’s medical history,makes sure necessary precautions are taken at all times while medication consumption takes place so inhaler usage may become less frequent in future.

Remember always to err on the side of caution,doubt or uncertainty about particular dosage since symptoms might differ between individuals.. Safety first not just when driving but also regarding your health status!

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