Cough is a reflex that It is part of a respiratory defense mechanism: using it, the body wants to expel mucus or foreign bodies, thus cleaning the airways, and facilitating the passage of air. But not a few parents worry when it appears, although in reality it is not usually a symptom of serious conditions.
It may be good for parents to know what the types of cough are (maybe we will take care of it another day), although we have all heard of a productive cough (the one that helps tear out mucus that is anywhere in the respiratory system between the smallest bronchus and nose) or irritant (no mucus). Coughs sometimes scare (like fever), but a doctor's visit is not always justified. Did you know that it is not justified to administer medications? In fact you should not give cough syrups without a prescription (or without advice) medical to children under six years. And although here we talked about honey as a therapeutic alternative to nocturnal cough, this food is not advisable for children under one year, because it can contain spores capable of becoming a neurotoxin that would damage an immature intestine.
The productive cough is associated with colds, and the mucus generates more cough that will be more intense and frequent during the first few days, although it will decrease in frequency and intensity, this will occur even if they are not administered to the patient with cough suppressants. That is why from FAMIPED, attention is drawn to the fact that what sometimes seems to us the effect of medication is only the passage of time that improves the picture.
Irritative coughs are the least frequent in children and in many cases are due to allergic problems (asthma and allergic rhinitis) and environmental irritants (especially tobacco smoke and pollution), and are not treated with cough medicines
Tips to improve the child's condition when he has a cough
It is very important that they are well hydrated (water or juices); we should not let anyone smoke in the house, and contact with tobacco smoke will be avoided. You can make steam with hot water, but being very careful that the child does not burn (it is worth the fog that gives off the shower).
To clean the nose you can use warm salt water (10 grams per liter), thus making it easier for mucus that has not come out with a cough or sneeze; No spikes or decongestants!
Sometimes you should call the doctor
When the child has shortness of breath, or breathe faster than usual in it.
If you have a fever (and cough without having a blocked or runny nose); also if you have a fever and are less than three months old.
When observing lips, face or tongue bluish or darkor.
Attention to the noise: a sound similar to the whistle when they inhale after coughing; stridor (musical or thick sound) when inhaled); whistles when exhaling (unless you have an asthma care plan).
Babies of three months or less who have coughed for a few hours.
Children dehydrated, weak or irritable.
They spit blood.
It is definitely about understanding that the cough is an ally, considering that it makes no sense to want to eliminate it (in general), and that it is not proven that whoever coughs is better after removing it. In any case, the origin should be treated and not the symptom.
In this regard, it should be informed that the effectiveness of natural remedies has not been demonstrated, and that homeopathy does not contain active substances lacking efficacy. And as for cough suppressants, we already know that the administration of codeine is subject to many restrictions, and that the use of dextromethorphan or the like can cause poisoning. In fact, in countries where the sale of drugs against coughs and colds has been banned in pharmacies (without a prescription), poisonings from these medications have decreased, as well as emergency visits and associated complications.
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