Coughing with a whistle in a child: causes and treatment

Cough is an integral part of almost every catarrhal disease. But when he comes into our lives, and especially in the lives of our children, we want to get rid of him faster, without even suspecting that his appearance is a kind of defensive reaction of the body.

Physiology of cough

It is hardly possible to find a person who never coughed or hurt. This is not surprising, because, in fact, cough is a natural, natural defensive reaction of the organism, which arises as a consequence 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 causative agent or influenza virus) or various microparticles from the environment (dust) can serve as external stimuli. In children, cough often occurs after viral diseases, such as influenza - in most cases this is a natural process that is residual. But sometimes the presence of cough in a child indicates that as a result of the weakening of the immune system, serious infectious complications arose.

Types of cough

To date, there are 2 types of cough:

1. Dry - painfully leaking type of cough, mostly paroxysmal, is the response of the body to the effect of foreign agents on the inflamed surface of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Cough is accompanied mainly by pain in the sternum and spasm of the intercostal musculature. This type of cough is characteristic at the initial stage of the disease.
2. Wet is the kind of cough that appears after dry. It is characterized by an abundant secretion of mucus, which is expectorated in the form of sputum of different color and consistency, thereby bringing to the person a short-term relief.

The aforementioned varieties of cough are often supplemented by certain characteristics and parameters - sniffing, whistling or stale breathing.

In various diseases, many children notice the presence of a specific whistle during breathing without the presence of a cough as such, which lasts throughout the night, but does not cause any appreciable discomfort. If coughing with a whistle in a child, then this may indicate serious health problems (bronchial asthma or a latent form of cancer).

Whistling cough

If the child has such symptoms, it is possible to assume with some probability that he develops bronchitis or whooping cough. A strong enough 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 in the upper respiratory tract of a large amount of sputum, and as a result, irritation of the receptors of the epithelium, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract.

Coughing with a child's whistle: Causes

The most common cause of a child's cough, accompanied by a specific, characteristic whistle, is such diseases as obstructive bronchitis, asthma (infectious or allergic etiology, pharyngitis, whooping cough or common cold). Cough is manifested when mucus begins to accumulate in the bronchi or trachea. If you observe the child, you can determine at what particular moment the above accumulation began. When a baby can hear a whistle when inhaling, it is most likely indicative of a foreign body getting into it, and it is better not to delay with a visit to the doctor. The doctor is obliged to determine the nature of the disease and to 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 the permeability of the bronchi decreases, and as a consequence, difficulty in breathing is observed. Most often occurs in the form of a relapse, which is a complication of some viral disease. Obstructive bronchitis occurs mainly on the background of viral infections (influenza virus, adenovirus), but there are cases that bronchioles obstruction can cause migration in the body of helminths.

A characteristic symptom of obstructive bronchitis is a dry cough with a whistle in the child, with attacks of suffocation. Particularly noisy and wheezing with pronounced catarrhal symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, subfebrile temperature). Over time, the cough becomes painful, violent and wheezing. There is a subsequent expectoration of a large amount of viscous sputum.

To treat obstructive bronchitis in children is recommended with the help of drugs that dilute sputum, as well as expectorants. Actual is the use of "Lazolvana" and "Ambroxol", which have anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effect. If your child has a cough with a whistle, the temperature, 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 without a fever? This may be a sign of bronchial asthma. This disease occurs in about 10% of children. The priority task for the pediatrician is timely and correct diagnosis, as the symptoms are not always clearly identified and can have similarities with other infectious diseases. The disease is characterized by the presence of asthma attacks in the child, which can often occur at night, while the child is difficult to exhale - it seems to be suffocating. Suffocation is accompanied by painful attacks of a wheezing cough. According to statistics, the younger generation is more sick boys, but in the adolescent period, girls and boys are equally affected.

Prevention of coughing with whistles

To prevent the occurrence of a wheezing cough in a child, you need to adhere to some hygiene rules. While maintaining them, we will save the child from this terrible and unpleasant disease.

To cough has not manifested itself and has not begun to develop, it is necessary to avoid contact with sick children who are ill with flu or cold. It should be suggested to the child that it is necessary to wash hands periodically (before meals, starting classes and after, and after a walk). Also important is the frequent use of drinking water (as water dilutes mucus and greatly simplifies expectoration). If you control the child so that he observes the precautionary measures, it is more likely that he will not get sick, but if the cough has overtaken the child, then it is not worthwhile to pull the case, it is recommended to contact the child's specialist. Even when the doctor examines the baby and makes an accurate diagnosis, you can start treatment.

Coughing with a whistle in a child: what to treat

When a cough overtook a child at night, you can ease his life by simply changing the sleeping position.

During the treatment the child needs to create cozy conditions. It is important to take a warm drink more often (by no means hot), and also to go out for a while to fresh air (not into frost). If the baby complains of a cough with severe pain, which starts to worry him strongly, you should immediately go to the doctor. If this is not done, then it is likely that the lungs will swell.

Also effective methods are folk remedies and inhalations at home. The adult should not make it difficult to massage the baby in the chest area, but do not forget that you need to use a variety of warming ointments and oils.

Does the child have a breath with a whistle and a cough? In order not to aggravate the development of the disease in the baby, the best way is to turn to the real expert. He will determine the cause of the cough caused with a whistle and first of all send for the delivery of the necessary tests. And only after performing these actions, he will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and choose methods and treatment, which will accurately include inhalations, herbal tea and the necessary preparations.

The health of the child should be carefully guarded, as the children's organism is more susceptible to various infections, therefore, preventive measures should always be taken, among which is the use of the vitamin complex, fruits, vegetables and, of course, garlic. Despite the fact that this is not the most favorite dish of the child, this vegetable contains a huge amount of vitamins, and therefore better strengthen the immune system of the child.