An unproductive cough in a child is one of the most common reasons for contacting a pediatrician. This is an extremely unpleasant symptom that causes severe discomfort in the baby, and anxiety in the parents. Painful and uncontrollable seizures exhaust the patient during the day, and at night they simply do not let him sleep. A series of regularly returning coughs irritates the mucous membrane of the throat and injures it. All this contributes to the appearance of unpleasant and painful sensations. In some cases, a dry and intense cough even causes vomiting, small skin hemorrhages, loss of consciousness.
The main task of parents at the same time, as quickly and efficiently as possible, alleviate the child's condition, reduce the severity and frequency of attacks, relieve inflammation in the throat. In this article, we will talk about the symptoms of an unproductive cough, its causes, treatment methods and advice given by doctors.
How to identify an ailment?
Unproductive cough in a child is not as easy to identify as it might seem at first glance. Some parents claim that it can be considered so if there is no sputum, but in reality this is not the case. The absence or presence of sputum is not enough to accurately determine its type. For example, in children of primary school age, even if there is sputum in the bronchi, coughing may not be accompanied by its discharge. This happens due to the weak development of the muscles of the chest. A more viscous consistency of sputum in children compared to adults plays a role in the formation of an unproductive cough in a child. This is why expectoration and expectoration of sputum may not be effective enough.
An additional sign that will help determine that a child has an unproductive cough is the identification of the source of its sound. Wet cough, which is accompanied by sputum, most often comes from the depth of the chest. But dry is formed mainly in the larynx.
In this case, the inflammatory process develops in the mucous membrane of the pharynx and on the back wall of the larynx. This provokes sensations of soreness, tickling and characteristic tickling. There is a feeling that something is annoying and constantly interferes.
Due to the cough reflex, impulses of irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx are sent to the center of the brain. This is what stimulates the cough. Each new bout of dry unproductive cough in a child causes new irritation and injury to the mucous membrane, which occurs due to forced air flows. Viciousthe circle closes. As a result, the cough itself becomes the cause of the cough.
It should be clearly understood how a dry unproductive cough in a child differs from a wet one. In our case, attacks, as a rule, follow one after another, without bringing the patient any relief. At the same time, with a wet cough, sputum discharge improves the child's condition, at least for a while. But due to the fact that with a dry cough there is no sputum, the real cause is dryness of the mucous membrane of the larynx and its intense irritation.
Each new attack only worsens the general well-being of the child. In some particularly severe cases, coughing can even be uncontrollable and unpredictable. The child is not able to stop coughing attacks on his own, even just to inhale.
It is worth noting that when a cough comes from the chest, but is not accompanied by sputum, it can no longer be called dry. Finally, another criterion that helps to accurately determine the type of cough in a child is the sound that he makes. With the formation of sputum, it will be gurgling and deaf, and in the case of an unproductive cough, it becomes rolling, loud, hoarse and crackling. Because of this, it is often called the barking one, to some it resembles the barking of a dog.
As a result of a strong unproductive cough in a child, the patient is very exhausted and weakens. It is impossible to recover even in a dream, since the attacks do not depend on the time of day. As a result, you can't get enough sleep.
Reasons
The main cause of unproductive cough is SARS, that is, acute respiratory viral infections. Dry cough is predominantly characteristic in the initial period of the disease, present in the first two days of the development of a cold. Once on the surface of the respiratory tract, viruses contribute to the development of edema, inflammation, irritation of the throat and mucous membrane of the back wall of the larynx.
Frequent unproductive cough in a child is a classic companion of all kinds of colds. In particular, tracheitis, laryngitis, laryngotracheitis, in some cases bronchitis. In addition to the initial period of acute respiratory viral infections, such attacks occur even at the final stage of a cold, when the patient begins the recovery period. A cough may also appear some time after the illness. In this case, it will usually be characterized by obsessive and infrequent coughs. Then they talk about dry residual cough. It happens that such residual effects persist for one and a half to two months after an acute cold.
Finally, in addition to directly respiratory diseases, an unproductive cough accompanies a number of childhood infections. For example, whooping cough. It can also be a manifestation of an allergic reaction, a consequence of irritation of the respiratory tract with vapors of aggressive and caustic chemicals, as well as the result of inhalation of the smallest foreign particles suspended in the air - ash, dust, smog, burning.
If there is no temperature
There may be other causes of unproductive coughThe child has. Without temperature, the body does not activate the immune system to fight the disease. As a rule, in such a situation, it is assumed that some kind of foreign body has got into the throat. This irritant can have various sizes. For example, to be a piece of food, a part of a child's toy, and even the most ordinary, at first glance, dust.
Without fever, a non-productive cough in a child usually begins abruptly, accompanied by characteristic signs of suffocation. In such a situation, it is important to provide first aid to the baby as soon as possible. This must be done as gently as possible so as not to scare him. The most effective way is to put it on your knee down with your body and head. Then open your mouth and clear your throat with a few sliding strokes from top to bottom between your shoulder blades. Even if the object that caused the cough pops up and all symptoms stop, you still need to call a doctor. The situation cannot be left to chance. After checking the airways, the doctor must make sure that the danger has passed, the baby did not hurt anything.
Unproductive cough, which is not accompanied by fever, occurs in infants under the age of one year. As a rule, it starts in the morning. Its function is to clear the upper respiratory tract from sputum that has accumulated during the night. It is considered normal for children to cough this way several times a day.
Features of treatment
But if the reason lies in some kind of disease, you need to know how to treat an unproductive cough in a child. Choice of therapyand specific drugs - the prerogative of the doctor. In this situation, it is not advised to engage in amateur activities, only a professional will be able to analyze all the nuances, draw up a complete clinical picture.
In the treatment of an unproductive cough, a child has several fundamental features. First, you need to understand that such a symptom does not always indicate a cold. To exclude other diseases, the child must be shown to a specialist, and then exactly follow his recommendations.
Secondly, when purchasing medicines in a pharmacy, be sure to consider the release form. Small children are not recommended to give drugs in the form of capsules or tablets. Due to their large size, it will be difficult for them to swallow them. In this situation, it is preferable to use liquid dosage forms. These are syrups, drops, solutions and elixirs. The selection of a specific drug and its dose depends on the weight of the child and his age. In most cases, liquid products are sold already complete with a measuring device - a glass or a spoon.
Thirdly, the composition of the drug itself plays an important role. Before buying, you need to study the instructions, find out at what age it is allowed to take this drug, as well as with what duration and frequency. Pay attention to what main and auxiliary components the manufacturer indicates. Be sure to read the sections on side effects and contraindications.
Fourth, always remember the general rules that should help you alleviate the baby's condition. Providehim peace, limit his communication with other family members. Give the patient as much liquid as possible, for example, tea, warm milk. It is desirable to humidify the air in the room where the patient is located. For this, there are special humidifiers that help to quickly and effectively improve the patient's condition.
Ways
Now let's see in detail how to treat an unproductive cough in a child. Due to the fact that this disease in most cases develops against the background of a cold, the main forces should be directed to the fight against respiratory viruses. In the treatment of dry unproductive cough in children, complex therapy is used. These are antiviral etiotropic drugs. True, some modern specialists doubt their effectiveness.
It should be borne in mind that with an unproductive cough, the patient's mucous membrane of the larynx is strongly irritated. Therefore, it is important to use products that have a softening effect. It can be honey, warm milk, butter. They will not get rid of the most unpleasant symptom, but they can significantly alleviate the patient's condition, neutralize discomfort in the throat. For this, warm drink is used, which partially suppresses the cough reflex and reduces the intoxication of the body. It is important to take into account the type of drink. Fruit drinks and fruit juices are contraindicated in this case, as they can cause the opposite effect, increasing dry cough due to irritation of the mucous membrane, which is already damaged.
Another option than to treat a dry non-productive cough inbaby, these are lozenges for sucking. They have a local effect, reducing inflammation, reducing the severity of the cough reflex at the peripheral level. These funds may be of plant origin or contain synthesized substances. Many of these lozenges have a combined composition, which includes an antiseptic with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and an anesthetic with an analgesic effect. When using lozenges and lozenges, be sure to consider how old the patient is. To have a positive effect on the mucosa, they must be completely absorbed. However, babies often swallow them, which in this case will not make any sense. In addition, it is important to ensure that a too small child does not inhale them "in the wrong throat."
Finally, another type of drug for non-productive cough in children is drugs that suppress symptoms by acting directly on the cough center. They quickly improve the condition of the child, simply by inhibiting the cough reflex. With an unproductive cough, this is not dangerous, since there is no sputum in the lungs and bronchi. As a result, increased cough suppression does not lead to the unpleasant consequences of congestion.
By blocking the cough center, it is possible to effectively break the cough reflex, breaking the vicious circle. Reducing the frequency, intensity and severity of dry cough will alleviate the condition of a small patient, give him the opportunity to recuperate and fully relax. Such drugs are recommended to be given before bedtime so that the child can sleep well.
Fundstreatment
Two types of drugs are used in the treatment of unproductive cough. These are drugs that have a direct effect on the cough center and peripheral links of the cough reflex.
Medications that affect the cough center last longer, their effect can be selective. The main thing is that they do not depress the nearby respiratory center. In this they are fundamentally different from earlier generations of antitussives, the action of which was based on codeine. At the same time, they are in no way inferior to them in terms of efficiency, severity of action and reliability. Due to their safety, they can be used for a sufficiently long time without the formation of addiction and dependence.
Among the popular drugs with a central action are drugs based on butamirate. This is the name of the connection with a long period of practical use. It has already been well studied in various clinical studies. The main active ingredient butamirate suppresses the excitation of the cough center, located directly in the medulla oblongata. At the same time, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, which further enhances its benefits.
It should be noted that one of the main requirements that apply to cough medicines for children is their safety. Modern drugs are often allowed to be given to infants from the age of two months, they are so harmless. For the smallest medicines are released in the form of drops,for older patients, a syrup for children with an unproductive cough is recommended. You can dose it with a special measuring spoon.
Talking about antitussive drugs with peripheral action, first of all they call drugs based on prenoxdiazine. They also do not form drug dependence, but they act for a relatively short time - only three to four hours. They are recommended to be given to relieve severe and painful attacks during the day, but they will not help you sleep at night.
Advice to parents
Modern pediatricians have developed a range of tips to help parents cope with their child's cough as quickly as possible.
When you're trying to treat a child's unproductive cough, the main thing is to do no harm. It is strictly forbidden to give both wet and dry cough remedies at the same time. This, ultimately, will only significantly increase the total volume of sputum. When the cough reflex is suppressed, the body is unable to effectively clear the airways of the mucus that accumulates in it. So the result of such treatment in most cases is very deplorable.
Cautiously use rubbing and ointments with a strong odor. Due to the powerful smell of menthol, camphor and some other components that are part of the rub, the mucous membrane can become inflamed again, and this will only provoke another strong bout of unproductive coughing.
Another contraindication for this symptom is mustard plasters. For tracheitis and bronchitisactively used to reflexively increase blood flow to the respiratory organs and increase sputum discharge. But with a diagnosis of "laryngitis", this method of treatment can only significantly worsen the patient's condition.
If the cough persists for a long time, you should definitely revisit your pediatrician. Don't let the disease take its course. This symptom may indicate that the baby has quite serious and dangerous ailments that may require immediate treatment. For example, these include heart failure, asthma, or various rheumatic diseases.
Finally, in order for the incessant unproductive cough to stop bothering the child, you need to clearly understand for yourself what led to its appearance, how this problem can be de alt with. Properly selected medicines will help to significantly improve the child's well-being, allow him to sleep normally, restore strength, which is necessary to strengthen the immune system. Most importantly, do not neglect a visit to the doctor so as not to miss a more serious and dangerous disease behind the mask of the usual incessant cough.
Doctor Komarovsky's advice
Many listen to TV advice on how to treat a child's unproductive cough. Komarovsky is a well-known pediatrician who hosts his own TV show, telling parents how to cope with certain he alth problems of their children. A sort of Dr. Spock.
When a child has a dry, unproductive cough, Komarovsky advises approaching treatmentcomplex. Give the baby plenty to drink, increase indoor humidity.
Medicines should be used with extreme caution, only on the advice of a doctor. With a dry cough, the teledoctor does not advise immediately giving drugs that activate the cough center. Especially if antiviral therapy is carried out in parallel, aimed at improving the quality of sputum. In such a situation, this step can be skipped altogether. It is better to use time-tested and experienced tools that have been used for many years. Depending on the age of the young patient, this may be "Bromhexine", "Ambrobene", "Doctor Mom", "Lazolvan", "ACC" or other medicines for unproductive cough for children.
Reasonable Precautions
Komarovsky reminds particularly impressionable parents of the existing limits of parental care and love. It is not worth it for any sneeze of a child to immediately stuff him with pills.
If a baby has a cough attack once a night, this is a normal situation, which is not considered a reason to start immediate treatment. Also, 10-15 coughs of the child during the day are considered the norm, especially if at the same time he maintains an outwardly cheerful and he althy appearance, reports that he feels good.
Until the cause of the coughing fits is known, no medication should be given. After all, the root of evil can lie in a foreign body, and in some cases, the drug that you give your child runs the risk of being a potential allergen.
Wet unproductivecough
As we have already found out, a wet non-productive cough in a child is not nonsense, but a condition that may well occur. In this situation, it is necessary to fight the disease simultaneously in several directions. It is necessary to thin the viscous sputum, fight the inflammatory process and stimulate the removal of sputum from the bronchi. It is also advised to eliminate spasms in the bronchi, if any.
In the treatment of a wet non-productive cough in a child, the choice of a particular remedy depends on the patient's condition. The main thing is not to give children aspirin if there is even the slightest suspicion of a viral infection. Mucolytics are actively used, which help to thin sputum, mucokinetics, bronchodilators.
The most important thing is to start treatment on time to avoid possible complications that often occur with such a cough.
