7 Tips For Treating Nocturnal Cough In Children
Night cough is a nuisance, as it prevents rest. However, in children it can be even more annoying. Therefore, it turns into a problem for parents trying to find a solution that gives them relief and peace of mind to allow them to sleep.
It is common for it to appear in transient form when it comes into contact with dust, smoke or cold; it is normal for it to occur as a reaction to certain environmental factors.
Typically, nocturnal coughs are a consequence of colds, phlegm, or other respiratory problems. It can also occur from breathing in some type of lung irritant. It can also indicate the presence of gastroesophageal reflux.
What causes a night cough?
Cough is a defense mechanism that is activated when foreign agents are introduced into the body, such as bacteria and viruses in the respiratory tract. The most frequent causes are:
- Asthma. Inflammation in the airways is clearly a sign of asthma. Sometimes coughing is an important and obvious factor if the child suffers from this symptom. Therefore, this problem must be dealt with in the best possible way.
- Sinusitis. It is a viral or bacterial infection, people who suffer from it have a sore throat. This is why they cough frequently during the night.
- Medicines. Some medications can cause side effects, including night cough.
- Viral infections. These affect the respiratory tract, like the flu which is common in cold seasons. It can cause irritation, sore throat and cough.
- Allergic reaction. Inhaling the dust particles irritates the respiratory tract. This can lead to a sudden cough at night.
Tips for treating nocturnal cough
Here are some tips that can help control and relieve nocturnal cough in children:
- Nebulizer. Used very frequently by most children with asthma. During the night it is normal for them to have a cough, caused by cold, difficulty in breathing or an irritability in the lungs due to the presence of mucus.
- Humid environment. A humid room is advisable, a humidifier can be used to maintain humidity. This causes a protective effect of the mucous membrane as opposed to heating and dry air.
- Do not allow anyone to smoke in the presence of the child. Cigarette smoke contains a large number of toxic substances that irritate the bronchial mucosa. In addition, it can cause very serious lung diseases such as pneumonia.
- Drink a lot of water. It helps the secretions to flow and the baby to excrete them easily.
- Of steam baths will increase moisture in the air and it is possible that even alleviate irritability throat. If you have your little one do them every night, he won’t have a cough at night.
- Adequate diet. Offer him a diet rich in vegetables and citrus fruits. A very common recipe can be chicken broth, which is effective because it contains vegetables, and these have vitamins that strengthen the child’s defenses.
- A spoonful of honey. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, honey is very useful against nocturnal cough. Giving your baby a spoonful of honey before going to sleep will alleviate this ailment. However, bear in mind that this food is not suitable for children under the age of two.
When should I go to the doctor?
See your doctor when coughing occurs in newborn babies. Similarly, children and infants who have a cough that causes them difficulty breathing, vomiting, fever, and other symptoms. It is important to see a doctor even if the cough lasts for a long time.
