Hoarseness with cough
Hoarseness often occurs as an accompanying symptom of severe coughing. The combination of both symptoms is usually an indication of a viral or bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. There are about 200 different pathogens that can cause such an infection.
For this reason, it is necessary to narrow down the pathogen before determining the causative pathogen. This can be done, for example, on the basis of the age of the affected patient. While bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract are quite common in infants and children, the symptoms “coughing and hoarseness” in adults are usually caused by viruses.Coughing, which is associated with hoarseness in the course of a respiratory tract infection, is in principle a useful defensive reaction of the organism.
The cough reflex allows the causative pathogens to be transported from the airways. In addition to coughing and hoarseness, an infection of the respiratory tract often leads to an increase in body temperature (fever), fatigue and exhaustion. In addition, muscle, head and limb pain are typical symptoms of a virally induced respiratory tract infection.
The treatment of the symptom combination “coughing and hoarseness” always depends on the underlying cause. Bacterial infections usually require antibiotic therapy. If, on the other hand, the cough and hoarseness are caused by a viral infection, only symptomatic treatment can be given.
Patients affected should ensure that they have a sufficient fluid intake. High fever can be reduced with antipyretic medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. The use of cough suppressants, on the other hand, has become controversial and should only be considered in cases of particularly severe cough.
Hoarseness in the presence of an allergy
An allergy can cause various complaints in the persons concerned. Besides watery eyes, blocked or runny nose, and cough-cough, hoarseness is one of the typical symptoms of an allergy. In addition, a pronounced allergic reaction can lead to impaired breathing.
Hoarseness, which occurs in the course of a less pronounced allergy (for example in the case of allergic reactions to pollen and/or grasses), can usually be alleviated by simple household remedies. Persons suffering from a severe allergic reaction, on the other hand, should additionally take a so-called antiallergic (synonym: antihistamine). These drugs counteract the increased release of histamine in allergic persons.
Histamine causes a narrowing of the respiratory tract. As a result, the affected persons suffer from respiratory distress symptoms. In addition, the mucous membranes in the nasopharyngeal area can increasingly dry out due to the allergic reaction.
For this reason, the hoarseness caused by an allergy can be treated in many affected persons by a sufficient fluid intake. In addition, special throat pastilles containing essential herbs can be taken. The herbs ensure that the irritated mucous membranes in the nasopharyngeal area are calmed.
Persons suffering from an allergy associated with hoarseness should also try to avoid the causative allergen as far as possible. In the case of a pronounced allergic reaction, which in addition to hoarseness causes complaints such as shortness of breath and conspicuous skin symptoms, a specialist should be consulted urgently. Depending on the severity of the allergy, a potentially life-threatening situation may arise.
There can be many causes of hoarseness in children and babies. Especially in the course of an infection of the upper respiratory tract, both children and babies often experience hoarseness. In most cases, this symptom is accompanied by an inflammatory reaction in the area of the throat, larynx or vocal folds.
In the course of the infection, fluid can accumulate in the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, especially in children and babies. This leads to local swelling, which causes hoarseness but is in most cases completely harmless. Hoarseness caused by a cold in children usually heals completely within a few days without permanent impairment of the voice.
Other causes of hoarseness in children or babies are allergic reactions. Affected children and babies should be promptly presented to a pediatrician. Once the trigger of the allergic reaction has been identified, symptomatic treatment can be initiated if necessary.
Although most causes of hoarseness in children and babies are completely harmless, potentially life-threatening conditions must be excluded. Particularly in infants or babies aged six months to five years, hoarseness can be an indication of a pseudocroup attack. The term “pseudocrupp” (synonym: croup cough) describes a disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by viral pathogens.In general, it can be assumed that about 15 percent of children between the ages of six months and five years suffer at least one pseudocroup seizure.
In older children, on the other hand, pseudocroup seizures are extremely rare. If the upper respiratory tract is infected, the mucous membranes in the pharynx and larynx swell. This does not cause any problems for school children and adults due to the comparatively large diameter of the trachea.
In small children as well as in babies, however, the airways have a significantly smaller diameter. The local swelling of the airways can restrict breathing in those affected. A pseudo croup attack occurs.
Typically, such a seizure is announced by hoarseness and dry, barking cough-cough, which usually occurs in the evening or at night. In addition to the increasing hoarseness, the affected children suffer from shortness of breath and whistling noises when breathing in (so-called inspiratory stridor). The shortness of breath caused by the blockage of the upper airways can in some cases become life-threatening.
For this reason, a pediatrician should be consulted immediately the first time the combination of symptoms “hoarseness, barking cough and shortness of breath” occurs. If a pseudo croup seizure occurs, the parents of affected children can positively influence the course of the seizure by acting correctly. In this context, it is particularly important that the parents remain calm and reassure the affected child (or baby).
Excitement and stress can cause the airways to narrow more quickly, leading to a rapid increase in respiratory distress. In addition, cold air can help reduce the swelling of the mucous membranes. The pseudo croup attack, which is usually accompanied by hoarseness, subsides within a few minutes without further complications if treated appropriately. It has also been observed that children or babies who frequently suffer such a seizure become completely seizure-free when they are five to six years old. The reason for this is the growth-related increase in the diameter of the windpipe.
