Coughing is an integral part of almost every common cold. But when he comes into our lives, and especially into the lives of our children, we want to get rid of him faster, without even suspecting that his appearance is a kind of protective reaction of the body.
Physiology of cough
It is unlikely that you can find a person who has never coughed or was ill. This is not surprising, because, in fact, coughing is a natural, regular protective reaction of the body that occurs as a result of the action of external stimuli on the receptors of the mucous membrane of the upper and lower respiratory tract. As external stimuli, various foreign agents of either viral infectious origin (pertussis pathogen or influenza virus) or various microparticles from the environment (dust) can serve. In children, cough often occurs after viral diseases such as flu - in most cases this is a natural process that is residual. But sometimes the presence of a cough in a child indicates that serious infectious complications arose as a result of a weakened immune system.
Varieties of cough
To date, there are 2 types of cough:
- Dry - a painfully leaking kind of cough of mainly paroxysmal nature, is a response of the body to the effects of foreign agents on the inflamed surface of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. The cough is accompanied mainly by pain in the sternum and spasm of the intercostal muscles. This kind of cough is characteristic at the initial stage of the disease.
- Wet is a type of cough that appears after dry. It is characterized by abundant secretion of mucus, which is expectorated in the form of sputum of various colors and consistencies, thereby bringing a person short-term relief.
The above varieties of cough are often supplemented with certain characteristics and parameters - sniffling, whistling or wheezing.
With various diseases, many children have the presence of a specific whistle during breathing without the presence of a cough as such, which lasts all night, but does not cause tangible discomfort. If the child has a cough with a whistle, then this may indicate serious health problems (bronchial asthma or a latent form of cancer).
Wheezing cough
If a child has such symptoms, it can be more or less likely to suggest that he develops bronchitis or whooping cough. A sufficiently strong cough with a whistle in the child manifests itself at a time when he is trying to take a deep breath. One of the reasons is the accumulation of a large amount of sputum in the upper respiratory tract, and, as a result, irritation of the receptors of the epithelium, the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.
Whistling cough in a child: causes
The most common cause of a child's cough, accompanied by a specific, characteristic whistle, is a disease such as obstructive bronchitis, asthma (infectious or allergic etiology, pharyngitis, whooping cough or a common cold). A cough occurs when mucus begins to accumulate in the bronchi or trachea. If you observe the child, you can determine at what point the above accumulation began. When a baby whistles when inhaling, then this most likely indicates a foreign body, and it is better not to delay going to the doctor. The doctor must determine the nature of the disease and instruct in detail about further actions.
Obstructive bronchitis
Bronchitis is the most common respiratory disease in children aged 2 to 7 years. Obstructive bronchitis means damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, in which bronchial obstruction decreases, and as a result, breathing difficulty is observed. Most often occurs in the form of relapse, which is a complication of a viral disease. Obstructive bronchitis occurs mainly on the background of viral infections (influenza virus, adenovirus), but there are cases that obstruction of the bronchioles can cause helminth migration.
A characteristic symptom of obstructive bronchitis is a dry cough with a whistle in a child, with attacks of suffocation. Particularly noisy and wheezing breathing with pronounced catarrhal symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, low-grade fever). Over time, the cough becomes painful, strong and with wheezing. Subsequent expectoration of a large amount of viscous sputum is observed.
It is recommended to treat obstructive bronchitis in children with the help of drugs that thin the sputum, as well as expectorant drugs. The use of "Lazolvan" and "Ambroxol", which have anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effects, is relevant. If your child has a cough with a whistle, fever, do not delay the trip to the doctor. Do not self-medicate! This can only aggravate the situation.
Bronchial asthma
Does the child have a cough with a whistle without fever? This may be a sign of bronchial asthma. This disease occurs in approximately 10% of children. The priority for the pediatrician is timely and correct diagnosis, as the symptoms are not always clearly identified and may be similar to other infectious diseases. The disease is characterized by the presence of asthma attacks in the child, which can often occur at night, while it is difficult for the child to exhale - it is as if suffocating. Choking is accompanied by painful bouts of wheezing. According to statistics, from the younger generation, boys are more sick, but already in the teenage period both girls and boys are equally sick.
Whistling cough prevention
To prevent the appearance of a wheezing cough in a child, you need to adhere to some hygiene rules. By maintaining them, we will save the child from this terrible and unpleasant disease.
To prevent coughing and developing, you should avoid contact with sick children who have the flu or a cold. It should be suggested to the child that it is necessary to wash hands periodically (before eating, starting classes and after, and also after walking). Another important factor is the frequent use of drinking water (since water dilutes mucus and greatly simplifies expectoration). If you control the child so that he follows the precautionary methods, it is more likely that he will not get sick, but if nevertheless a cough overtakes the child, then you should not delay this matter, it is recommended to contact a child specialist. Already when the doctor examines the baby and makes an accurate diagnosis, you can start treatment.
Whistling cough in a child: how to treat
When a cough catches a child at night, you can make his life easier by simply changing the sleeping position.
During treatment, the child needs to create comfortable conditions. It is important to take a warm drink more often (by no means hotter), and also go out into the fresh air for some time (not in the cold). If the baby complains of a cough with severe pain, which begins to bother him greatly, you should immediately go to the doctor. If this is not done, then, quite likely, pulmonary edema will occur.
Also effective methods are folk remedies and inhalations at home. An adult should not make it difficult to massage the child in the chest, but do not forget that you need to use various warming ointments and oils.
Does the child have whistling breathing and coughing? In order not to aggravate the development of the disease in the baby, the best way will be to contact a real specialist. He will determine the cause of the caused cough with a whistle and the first thing he will direct to take the necessary tests. And only after performing these steps, he will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and choose the methods and course of treatment, which will include inhalations, decoctions of herbs and necessary drugs.
The child’s health should be carefully guarded, since the child’s body is more susceptible to various infections, so preventive measures should always be taken, including the use of a vitamin complex, fruits, vegetables and, of course, garlic. Despite the fact that this is not the child’s favorite dish, this vegetable contains a huge amount of vitamins, and therefore it will strengthen the child’s immune system in the best way.