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What Causes Recurring Cough In A Child?
Question: My girl is 4 year old and having regular cough. Did the blood Test and nothing problematic is found. Doctor has prescribed Airomol pd and when used this cough does not occur at night. But if not used cough occurs. This happens when its cold outside. Please tell me what to do.
Brief Answer:
I feel it could be a wheeezy cough - kindly answer the questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi...By what you quote I feel what your kid could be having viral associated wheeze or multi triggered wheeze. I have a few questions for you -
Questions:
1. How many days per month does she cough or feel breathless?
2. How many nights per month does her sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
3. Does she feel breathless when she runs around or plays with other kids?
4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes?
5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.?
6. Is the cough always associated with fever?
If your answer is yes for any of the above questions, your kid might be having viral associated wheezing or multi triggered wheezing and I suggest you meet a paediatric pulmonologist who is near your place.
Get back to me with answers to the above questions and I will be glad to guide you appropriately.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
I feel it could be a wheeezy cough - kindly answer the questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi...By what you quote I feel what your kid could be having viral associated wheeze or multi triggered wheeze. I have a few questions for you -
Questions:
1. How many days per month does she cough or feel breathless?
2. How many nights per month does her sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
3. Does she feel breathless when she runs around or plays with other kids?
4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes?
5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.?
6. Is the cough always associated with fever?
If your answer is yes for any of the above questions, your kid might be having viral associated wheezing or multi triggered wheezing and I suggest you meet a paediatric pulmonologist who is near your place.
Get back to me with answers to the above questions and I will be glad to guide you appropriately.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sir
1. How many days per month does she cough or feel breathless?
=> From last six months she has this cough. And its not so serious like breathless. When its cold outside wheezing inside chest is there. Cannot here wheezing outside.
2. How many nights per month does her sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
=> She does not wake up from sleep due to cough.
3. Does she feel breathless when she runs around or plays with other kids?
==> No
4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes?
==> Normally from last six months we noticed that she is having cough.
Not dry cough. Its mostly during night. And not so much that its serious.
5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.?
==> No
6. Is the cough always associated with fever?
==> No
I feel its not a serious type of cough. But could not understand why we cannot cure it. Is the normal in some kids to have cough and cold during cold season.
Would like to know what ways to follow to find the cause and cure it.
If this is common in some kids then its a different story.
1. How many days per month does she cough or feel breathless?
=> From last six months she has this cough. And its not so serious like breathless. When its cold outside wheezing inside chest is there. Cannot here wheezing outside.
2. How many nights per month does her sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
=> She does not wake up from sleep due to cough.
3. Does she feel breathless when she runs around or plays with other kids?
==> No
4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes?
==> Normally from last six months we noticed that she is having cough.
Not dry cough. Its mostly during night. And not so much that its serious.
5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.?
==> No
6. Is the cough always associated with fever?
==> No
I feel its not a serious type of cough. But could not understand why we cannot cure it. Is the normal in some kids to have cough and cold during cold season.
Would like to know what ways to follow to find the cause and cure it.
If this is common in some kids then its a different story.
Brief Answer:
Could be a multi triggered wheeze
Detailed Answer:
Hi...By what you quote and from the answers you have provided for my questions I feel that your 4 year old might be having a multi triggered wheeze. In kids (unlike adults) cough is the most predominant symptom of the airways disease.
Multi triggered wheeze as the name suggests can occur for various reasons like - climatic changes/ early morning aggravation/ night time aggravation, pets, dust, cockroaches at home, cleaning work, house building, painting etc.
The best approach now a days for this is - starting the kid on inhaled corticosteroids (Budesonide) 2 puffs 12th hourly for 8 weeks and see the response. This is to prevent further episodes and apart from this Levosalbutamol metered dose inhaler can be used a a rescue therapy whenever cough gets aggravated.
But in this therapy the inhalations have to be given using a spacer and the technique is of utmost importance. You need to trained in using this spacer and metered inhaler by your physician or pediatrician.
I suggest you consult your pediatrician regarding this.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Could be a multi triggered wheeze
Detailed Answer:
Hi...By what you quote and from the answers you have provided for my questions I feel that your 4 year old might be having a multi triggered wheeze. In kids (unlike adults) cough is the most predominant symptom of the airways disease.
Multi triggered wheeze as the name suggests can occur for various reasons like - climatic changes/ early morning aggravation/ night time aggravation, pets, dust, cockroaches at home, cleaning work, house building, painting etc.
The best approach now a days for this is - starting the kid on inhaled corticosteroids (Budesonide) 2 puffs 12th hourly for 8 weeks and see the response. This is to prevent further episodes and apart from this Levosalbutamol metered dose inhaler can be used a a rescue therapy whenever cough gets aggravated.
But in this therapy the inhalations have to be given using a spacer and the technique is of utmost importance. You need to trained in using this spacer and metered inhaler by your physician or pediatrician.
I suggest you consult your pediatrician regarding this.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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