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What Causes Constant Gasping Of Air, Dizziness And Cough In A Child?

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Posted on Fri, 10 Jun 2016
Question: My son is always gasping for air. He's pretty athletic and can run a good deal.
So it's quite odd but he's recently for about a few weeks maybe even longer it's hard to say been constantly "Gasping" for air. He says he's dizzy often or hot.
I thought it was allergies but now he's been on a kids claritan for over a week now and it's still bad.
Sometimes he's blinking his eyes or doing other habits repeatedly.
He is 8 years old.
Seems like he can't get enough air through his nose?
My son has recently developed some odd habbits that seem like terretz or a tick.
Im not sure if its because of nasal drippage or what but he will have a constant cough or sniffle or some other odd habit that goes on all day making grunting sounds.
I'm hoping this will go away!!!
im trying allergy medicines and nasal decongestions but its just so hard because sometimes its aggrivated and sometimes its not its just so hard to tell whats going on.
could it be stress??? he is 8 years old, not overweight, very active boy.
male.

thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I have a few questions for you - please get back with answers

Detailed Answer:
Hi....I need more information. Please answer the questions below so that I can guide you better.

Questions:
1. How many days per month does he cough or feel breathless?
2. How many nights per month do the his sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
3. Does he feel breathless when running 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. Are his nasal symptoms like stuffy nose a daily problem or is it occasional?
7. Are any of the symptoms which you have said are associated with fever?
8. Is there any family history of tics or any other involuntary movements?
9. Did he suffer from any recent streptococcal pharyngitis?
10. Before all these symptoms started did anybody in the family especially adults...suffer from similar complaints of snuffles are nasal discharge a stuffy nose making hacking sounds?

Please Answer all my questions in order as history is very very crucial for my diagnosis as I am not directly in contact with the child.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 days later)
1. every day (but much worse some days) - today i have not noticed it yet.
2. seems to sleep fine
3. seems to run fine... but again he's always breathing thru mouth with big gulps of air instead of his nose. running or not.
4. i gave him allergy medicine for over a week and no change in the breathing.
5. no
6. no buggers / sometime he can't breathe thru his nose but doesn't seem to be an allergy thing
7. no fever
8. no
9. no
10. no

He always thinks he's "HOT" even when its less than 70 degree's...
often says he feels dizzy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Looks like a habit disorder or behavioral issue

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... by what you quote I feel that what your son is having is a habit disorder or a behavioral issue.

There is a specific entity called PANDAS under which is related to past streptococcal pharyngitis. But whatever is the present problem or the cause for it, I do not think this is an organic problem or a specific disease entity. This is not looking like allergic problem either. I suggest that you get in touch with clinical psychologist regarding this as I strongly feel this is a habit disorder and he needs to be talked out of this.

Reg - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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What Causes Constant Gasping Of Air, Dizziness And Cough In A Child?

Brief Answer: I have a few questions for you - please get back with answers Detailed Answer: Hi....I need more information. Please answer the questions below so that I can guide you better. Questions: 1. How many days per month does he cough or feel breathless? 2. How many nights per month do the his sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms? 3. Does he feel breathless when running 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. Are his nasal symptoms like stuffy nose a daily problem or is it occasional? 7. Are any of the symptoms which you have said are associated with fever? 8. Is there any family history of tics or any other involuntary movements? 9. Did he suffer from any recent streptococcal pharyngitis? 10. Before all these symptoms started did anybody in the family especially adults...suffer from similar complaints of snuffles are nasal discharge a stuffy nose making hacking sounds? Please Answer all my questions in order as history is very very crucial for my diagnosis as I am not directly in contact with the child. Regards - Dr. Sumanth