Treatment of cough in children

  

Treatment of cough in children

Coughing in children

A cough or cough in children is one of the common complaints and problems that parents have to take the child to the health care provider. It also protects the airways from foreign bodies entering it, in addition to protecting the child's body by removing sputum and irritating substances from his respiratory system. The child has a viral infection , and it is necessary to see a doctor immediately if the cough has lasted for more than two to three weeks. [1] [2]

In this context, it should be known that coughing in children has two types, one of which is acute cough which lasts for a period of two weeks or less, and the other is a chronic cough that lasts for a period of more than four weeks, and coughing is one of the common symptoms of colds, influenza and other viruses , [2] [3] It should be noted that the symptoms of the common cold in children do not need treatment as long as they do not cause them discomfort, as there are many children suffering from a stuffy nose and coughing, and despite that they play and have fun and can sleep well, In the event that the child feels uncomfortable and cannot sleep and the cough annoys him, the symptoms of colds and coughs can be treated only by following some home advice, as they are better than medicines for children. [4]

Home care

Coughing may be a good thing, as it protects the lungs from pneumonia (in English: Pneumonia) by expelling phlegm with coughing, and coughing is a normal part of catching colds, so the child's ability to cough should not be completely stopped, [5] ] In the event that the child suffers from a cough during the day after suffering a viral infection in the respiratory system, the child does not usually need specific treatment, especially if the cough subsides within a week or two, [2] because the available medicines do not treat the cough caused by infection with the virus, But home care may alleviate its symptoms, [3] as home care is used for coughing in the absence of any problems or other symptoms in the child, [6] and these treatments include the following:

Water vapor: Water vapor helps relieve the blockage of the child's nose, and parents can create a room filled with steam in an appropriate way, such as: closing the bathroom door and opening the hot water tap for several minutes until the fog appears on the bathroom mirror. [3]

Hard candy tablets: These tablets are used in children over the age of 5 years, as these tablets help relieve sore throats caused by coughing. [3]

Cold air: Cold air sometimes helps alleviate the cough associated with croup, so if the child suffers from this type of cough, he can be taken outside for a short period of time, with the need to make sure that the child wears clothes suitable for the weather in Outside, and if this method does not help or the child feels sick, it is necessary to see a doctor and seek medical help. [3]

Honey: Honey can be used in children over the age of 12 months and for a short period of time, so that the child takes a teaspoon or two tablespoons of honey 30 minutes before going to sleep. Some evidence has shown that honey may reduce the severity and duration of a cough, but it should be noted The need to avoid giving honey to children under 12 months, due to the risk of botulism, a rare condition that causes muscle weakness . [7]

Avoid smoking: It is necessary to keep children away from smoking areas, as smoking makes coughing worse. [7]

Menthol creams: A thick layer of cream containing menthol can be applied or rubbed onto the skin in the chest and neck area. That is, above the throat area for children over the age of two years, and after completing that, the cream should be placed in a place out of the reach of children, as is the case with other medicines. [4]

Drinking fluids: If the child's body contains an adequate amount of water, the mucus produced by the body becomes soft and thin, which makes it easier to pass it out with coughing and cleaning the nose, so it is preferable to keep the child's body hydrated by giving him fluids. [4]

Cold foods: You can give the child some cold foods, such as ice cream and popsicles, as they may relieve throat pain. [8]

Saline solutions and nasal suction: Saline solutions available in the form of a spray or a mixture help to make the mucus soft and loose, and it is advised to direct the child to blow the nose frequently, and a tool can be used to suction the mucus and prevent its drying if the child is small. [8]

Humidifier: Moist air helps improve children's breathing, and dry air worsens coughing, so it is advisable to place an air humidifier in the children's room near their sleeping places. [8]

Treatment of cough in children

The Food and Drug Administration recommends:Food and Drug Administration) not to use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under the age of two years, as the risk of using these medicines in this category of children outweighs any benefit that these medicines may provide in order to alleviate the symptoms of the common cold. Over-the-counter oral cold and cough medicines can cause great harm in young children, and it is worth noting that cough medicines can be used for children aged 4-6 years only if the doctor recommends it, and these medicines are considered safe for use in children who Over the age of 6 years, with the need to follow the instructions for use on the medicine box related to the correct amount recommended for use. Fortunately, coughs and colds in young children can be treated easily without the need for cough and cold medicines as mentioned previously, and it should be noted that medicinesAvailable without a prescription can help relieve cold symptoms in older children, but these drugs do not help these symptoms disappear more quickly, nor do they change the nature of the disease.[9] [4]

It should be noted that the treatment of a chronic cough usually requires a visit to the doctor, as the treatment of this type of cough should depend on knowing the cause of the cough, and it is necessary to see a doctor if the child's cough persists for a long time without an justified reason, or if blood comes out with Cough, or if the cough worsens rapidly or affects the child's performance of his daily activities, and although most of the over-the-counter cough medicines are not believed to be particularly effective, it is possible to try cough suppressant drugs, such as: dextromethorphan And medicines that thin mucus that are available without a prescription, such as: guaifenesin, it is possible that some of these drugs are effective in some children but not in others. [2]

Although there is little evidence that cough suppressant drugs, such as Codeine, help children feel better and speed up their recovery, these drugs are rarely prescribed to children, and this is due to the fact that coughing is one of the body's important ways. in the purification of air passages from secretions as previously mentioned, in addition to that these drugs may cause some side effects, such as: confusion, drowsiness, and medicines Almakecah expectorant which facilitates the disposal of the process through coughing by making mucus flaccid, is not recommended for use for children normally. [10]

As for fever, it needs to be treated only if it reduces the child's activity level and causes him discomfort, and this often occurs when the child's temperature reaches 39 degrees Celsius or more, as a fever helps the child's body to fight infection, and in the event that a fever is needed to be treated, both ibuprofen ( in English: ibuprofen), and acetaminophen ( in English: acetaminophen) are safe for use in the treatment of pain and fever, [4] These drugs help reduce fever, aches and pains, but they should use the correct dose and consult your health care provider if they were used in children under the age of two , [9] It is imperative not to give aspirin to children under the age of 18 years, because it may cause a rare and dangerous disease in the brain known as Reye syndrome (in English: Reye syndrome). [11]

It is worth noting the necessity to use tools designed to measure dosages for each drug, such as: syringe (in English: Syringe) and the standard cup, instead of household tools, such as a spoon or other various drug tools, as the Food and Drug Administration recommends that drug manufacturers provide drugs with these tools, as well as A pharmacist or health care provider can be consulted about which dosimetry tools are suitable for use, what quantity should be given to the child, and how often this dose should be, all based on the label on the medicine. [9]

Treatment of coughing causes in children

Coughing in children is due to many causes similar to the causes of coughing in adults, so all causes can affect children, such as: asthma , respiratory infection, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (in English:). Helps reduce them, and this can be explained as follows: [12]

Asthma: Asthma is treated using inhaled steroids to reduce the inflammation in the airways.

Bacterial infection: antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infection.

Allergies: The treatment of allergies is by avoiding the substances that provoke them in the child, in addition to the use of antihistamines to relieve the allergic reactions.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Bronchodilating drugs are used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with the aim of widening the air passages.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: This disease is treated by using drugs that reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach, in addition to antacids to neutralize stomach acid .

Indications for medical intervention

The reasons for resorting to a medical intervention can be stated as follows:

Immediate call to emergency: in the following cases: [13]

Severe difficulty breathing; That is, suffering when every breath is taken, and the child can barely talk or cry.

Stopping breathing or losing consciousness .

Baby's lips and face turn blue while the cough stops.

Parents' belief that the child is suffering from a life-threatening emergency.

Calling the doctor or requesting immediate help: In the following cases: [13]

Have trouble breathing but are not severe.

Hear a stridor while you take a breath or inhale.

A child's lips or face turn blue during coughing.

Hear a whistling or wheezing sound upon exhalation.

Feeling severe chest pain.

Difficulty taking a deep breath due to chest pain.

Breathe at a faster rate than normal.

Coughing up blood.

The child has a weak immune system, because of his infection with some diseases, such as: cancer , HIV, sickle cell anemia, or undergoing organ transplantation, or taking oral steroids.

The child's temperature rises to more than 40 ° C.

The child's infection with some diseases that increase the risk to the child, such as: cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung diseases.

A child under the age of 12 weeks has a fever , and it should be noted that the child should not be given any type of fever- reducing medication before seeing a doctor and consulting him.

The appearance of the child in an appearance or form indicating that he is very ill.

Parents' belief that it is necessary to see a doctor, and that the child's condition is urgent.

See a doctor within 24 hours: in the following cases: [5]

Coughing fits happen without stopping.

Baby's age is less than 6 months.

Feeling of pain or fluid leakage in the ear.

The fever lasts for more than three days.

Feeling of pain in the sinus area, which is located around the cheekbones or eyes.

Fever comes back more than 24 hours after it has passed.

Feeling of chest pain when the cough stops.

Parents think that they should see a doctor, but the child's condition is not urgent.

Communicating with the doctor while he is in the clinic: In the following cases: [6]

Missing school for 3 days or more due to coughing.

Vomiting 3 or more times as a result of coughing.

Runny nose for more than 14 days.

Cough that persists for more than 3 weeks.

The emergence of allergy symptoms in addition to coughing, such as: itchy eyes and runny nose.

There are other questions or inquiries.

 

References

↑ "Cough in Children" , www.msdmanuals.com , Retrieved 5-13-2020. Edited.

^ A b t w "COUGH IN CHILDREN" , Www.aaaai.org , Retrieved 13-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b t w c "Your Child's Cough" , the www.webmd.com , Retrieved 13-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b t w c "Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?" , www.healthychildren.org , Retrieved 13-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b "Cough" , Www.edenparkpeds.com , Retrieved 16-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b "Cough" , Www.seattlechildrens.org , Retrieved 16-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b "Cough" , Www.rch.org.au , Retrieved 17-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b t "Menu Home Remedies For Cough In ] kids [Infographic "], Www.childrens.com , Retrieved 17-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b t "When To Give Kids Medicine For Coughs And Colds" , page www.fda.gov , Retrieved 27-5-2020. Edited.

↑ "Cough in Children" , www.msdmanuals.com , Retrieved 5-27-2020. Edited.

↑ "Children's Cough: Causes and Treatments" , www.webmd.com , Retrieved 5-27-2020. Edited.

↑ "Cough" , www.nhsinform.scot , Retrieved 19-5-2020. Edited.

^ A b "Cough" , Nrvpediatrics.com , Retrieved 17-5-2020. Edited.