Diagnosis of lung pain when coughing
Lung pain when coughing is initially a symptom that can indicate many illnesses. The most important step in the diagnosis is the doctor-patient consultation. During this discussion, the physician asks the person concerned about the type of symptoms as well as triggers and the course of the disease.
Often this provides the most important clues as to the cause of the lung pain when coughing. This is followed by a physical examination, during which the lungs should be listened to and a look down the throat can also be useful in the case of a cold. If there are indications of problems in the chest, it should be additionally palpated. If there is a severe cough, an imaging, usually an x-ray, is often performed.
Therapy of lung pain when coughing
The therapy of lung pain when coughing depends on the cause of the symptoms. If it is a purely mechanical problem, e.g. due to muscular overexertion or tension, a wait-and-see approach to therapy, which provides for a purely symptomatic treatment of the pain, is often most appropriate. The focus here is on physical protection.
The pain can also be treated with painkillers such as ibuprofen, Novalgin and paracetamol. If an infection is the cause of the lung pain when coughing, the pathogen should also be combated with the therapy. In the case of a bacterial infection, this can be done with antibiotics.
There is usually no medication against viruses, and here too, purely symptomatic therapy should be used. In addition to pain relief, this includes therapy for fever, also with ibuprofen or paracetamol. Accompanying symptoms such as sore throat and rhinitis are best treated by a sufficient fluid intake.
Nasal spray and cough sweets can additionally relieve the symptoms. In cases of lung pain due to chronic inhalation of toxins that irritate the respiratory tract and settle in the lungs, further contact with these substances should be avoided. If the substances are inhaled at work, appropriate masks should be worn.
Tobacco smoke and nicotine can be avoided by avoiding cigarette consumption. Lung pain when coughing can be treated with various home remedies. Most of them are aimed at relieving general cold symptoms.
These include calf compresses to reduce fever. Various teas with anti-inflammatory agents (sage, ginger, lemon, honey) can relieve the infection in the respiratory tract. Most important is often a sufficient fluid intake, therefore the stereotypical chicken broth is also very helpful. More about this:
- Home remedy for cough
- Cold teas
