How to take care of your child's cough at night.
Many coughs get worse at night because the baby's nose and sinuses collect
water in the throat and cause irritation while the baby lies in bed. This is
only a problem if your child is unable to sleep. Coughing at night can be
distressing for children and their parents or caregivers. In general, coughing
at night is nothing to worry about, however, and is likely a sign of a virus
that will clear up on its own.
Most coughs in young children get better within a few weeks. However,
researchers estimate that 5-10% of children have a chronic cough.
Postnasal drip (PND) in children occurs when there is excessive secretion of mucus from the posterior pharynx. This mucus usually exits through the nose or back of the throat and often goes unnoticed. When excess mucus runs down a person's throat, it's called postnasal drip. It is a common trigger for nighttime coughs and sore throats. However, a runny nose is usually not accompanied by a prominent or wheezing cough.
Helping the baby sleep in a higher position can reduce post-nasal drip cough. If a toddler coughs more at certain times of the year or at night after playing with certain animals, they may have allergies. Urgent care for children or a consultation with an allergist can help identify what they are allergic to and determine the best treatment.
Barky cough.
If your child is coughing like a seal, it could be barky cough. A common condition in young children, barky cough causes inflammation of the larynx and larynx. Swelling can make breathing difficult, which can be scary for parents and babies. Whooping cough is most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Symptoms include a characteristic barking cough that is usually worse at night.
Other symptoms are:
- Difficulty breathing
- Noisy breathing
- Loud voice
- Fever
Cold symptoms may appear before the rash. This condition
occurs when the trachea and vocal cords become swollen and inflamed. Boys are
more likely to develop acne than girls.
The following viruses cause the remaining cases of
barking cough:
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- metapneumovirus
- Influenza A and B
- Adenovirus
- Corona Virus
- Mycoplasma
Diagnosis.
To diagnose croup (Barky cough), your doctor will examine your child and
talk to you about his symptoms.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam to check for:
- Retraction of the chest with inhalation
- Difficulty breathing in and out
- wheezing
- Decreased breath sounds
- Narrowing of the airways
Treatment options include:
- Medicine. Medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve pain and reduce fever. Avoid cough medicines.
- Steroid drugs. Steroids can reduce inflammation and improve symptoms. These drugs can be taken as inhalation therapy or by mouth or by injection.
- Breathe in the cool mist. Run a humidifier in your child's bedroom, sit them in a steamy bathroom, or expose them to cool outside air to help them breathe.
- Antibiotic medicine. If your child's croup is bacterial, antibiotics can help fight the infection.
- Hospital care. Urgent pediatric care may be needed if your child has trouble breathing or becomes dehydrated.


Comments
Post a Comment