Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Constant Cough And Elevated Heart Rate In A Child?
Question: Boy, just turned 4 yrs old the other day, has been seen by 3 doctors, has been coughing for 6 weeks, prescribed an inhaler which isn't working. The thought is that he has Asthma. He father had child hood asthma, but was in a house of smokers. No smokers now. No other real symptoms except a slight runny nose. Stays home most of the time, but other kids in his preschool, that he attends occasionally, have had colds. No brothers or sisters. The concern is that he has noticed how fast his heart beats and wants us to listen and we feel also that his heart is beating too fast. He is a very active alert, smart child who knows he is sick and is tired much more than usual. Falls asleep readily in his car seat and doesn't cough when sitting up so have tried to elevate him for night sleep, but he keeps himself and others up most of the night sleeping. Should we be concerned about the heart beat and what can be done to alleviate the cough. Should we see a specialist. Initially used cold air humidifiers, haven't lately hoping the inhaler would work. Thank you for your advice
Forgot to mention that he is receiving 10 ml of Amoxicillin 2 times a day starting on November 15 for 10 days.
Forgot to mention that he is receiving 10 ml of Amoxicillin 2 times a day starting on November 15 for 10 days.
Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation would be greatly beneficial.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that the cough has an allergic component. Give inhalers when needed but do not expect that inhalers would help in relieving cough. You need to be patient. Steam inhalation would be the mainstay of treatment. Water in form of vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and would thus provide relief. Humidiers work the same way. Giving Montair LC Kid tablet once daily for short durations would help. Please discuss with your treating physician. You can however feel free to see a specialist who would be able to rule out any other possibility or underlying cause.
The heart rate in children is much faster than that of adults. It is normal and not a cause for concern.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Steam inhalation would be greatly beneficial.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that the cough has an allergic component. Give inhalers when needed but do not expect that inhalers would help in relieving cough. You need to be patient. Steam inhalation would be the mainstay of treatment. Water in form of vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and would thus provide relief. Humidiers work the same way. Giving Montair LC Kid tablet once daily for short durations would help. Please discuss with your treating physician. You can however feel free to see a specialist who would be able to rule out any other possibility or underlying cause.
The heart rate in children is much faster than that of adults. It is normal and not a cause for concern.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Could you recommend a homeopathy solution?
I thought warm steam wasn't good for lung conditions. Warm steam helps clear sinuses but his sinuses seem ok.
Do inhalers speed up the heart rate?
I thought warm steam wasn't good for lung conditions. Warm steam helps clear sinuses but his sinuses seem ok.
Do inhalers speed up the heart rate?
Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation would be greatly beneficial. Try it.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand that you seek homeopathy the present treatment has not provided any relief. But let me assure you that homeopathy would not be beneficial here.
Warm steam (I am not aware of cold steam though) helps in hydrating the airway tracts of the lungs and helps in diluting the thickened mucus which otherwise needs to be coughed out. It can also reach the sinuses but definitely that is not the cause of concern here. Steam is not harmful for lungs.
Beta agonists (inhalers) speed up the heart rate. But that is not something that is a cause for concern (unless it is very discomfortable or problematic).
Regards
Steam inhalation would be greatly beneficial. Try it.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand that you seek homeopathy the present treatment has not provided any relief. But let me assure you that homeopathy would not be beneficial here.
Warm steam (I am not aware of cold steam though) helps in hydrating the airway tracts of the lungs and helps in diluting the thickened mucus which otherwise needs to be coughed out. It can also reach the sinuses but definitely that is not the cause of concern here. Steam is not harmful for lungs.
Beta agonists (inhalers) speed up the heart rate. But that is not something that is a cause for concern (unless it is very discomfortable or problematic).
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
