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La cough is a very common problem encountered in children. Sometimes anecdotal, it can also be the symptom of many diseases. If, fortunately, many of them are benign, it is always better to have baby see a doctor! Only a professional is able to recognize precisely what triggers the child’s cough.
Why is baby coughing?
Technically, the cough corresponds to a large expulsion of air through the glottis, causing a very characteristic noise. This expulsion takes place under the action of the abdominal muscles, which, by contracting, cause the child’s diaphragm to rise sharply.
The causes that can generate this phenomenon are so numerous that it is impossible to draw up an exhaustive list. The child’s cough may for example have a mechanical cause: the child drinks too quickly and chokes, sucks up dust … cough is then a defense phenomenon to spit out what interferes with baby’s breathing.
La baby cough can also be a symptom of various diseases of the respiratory system. It can be chronic like asthma or acute like a cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, etc. Note that in the case of an illness, other symptoms are often present: fever, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, headache, etc. Depending on the case, the child’s cough is painful or not.
Another possible explanation: baby has a respiratory allergy! It is often caused by pollen, mites or the hair of certain animals.
How is the origin of a cough in children diagnosed?
Usually, the doctor places a stethoscope on the child’s chest to listen precisely to the sound produced by his cough and his breathing. A hoarse cough can put on the trail of laryngitis. A fatty cough in children can indicate various bacterial diseases such as bronchitis for example. If it is dry, it is more of a viral infection (eg measles). Wheezing is generally synonymous with asthma or respiratory allergy.
The doctor of course also takes into account any accompanying symptoms. To complete its diagnosis, various additional examinations can also be carried out depending on the case. It is most oftenblood tests, to look for evidence of a bacterial or viral infection. A chest x-ray may also be ordered to check the condition of the respiratory system (especially useful for determining the severity of an asthma attack). Finally, a allergic test may reveal the triggering allergenic agent.
How to treat baby cough?
The doctor can prescribe cough medicine suitable for baby’s age. It can be syrup, but also tablets or capsules.
However, it is also necessary to treat the cause of the problem. The treatments are very variable depending on the case. Antibiotics can thus be prescribed in case of bacterial infection or antivirals in case of viral problem. The treatment of asthma generally requires a long-term treatment with corticosteroids and the use of bronchodilators. As for allergies, the best is to keep baby as far away from the allergenic agent as possible.. Treatment with antihistamines and corticosteroids is usually offered. It also remains to consider desensitization for the future well-being of the baby!