Cough with whistling in children: causes and treatment methods

Cough accompanies a huge number of diseases of the respiratory system. The symptom indicates excessive irritation of the mucous membranes by dust, allergens or infection. In some cases, attacks indicate chronic inflammatory or autoimmune lesions.

If your child has a whistling cough, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. The symptom indicates a violation of the airway. The condition requires correction, as it threatens bronchospasm, hypoxia, edema and even necrosis of the lungs. Asphyxia (suffocation) is possible.

Causes of wheezing cough in children

This is almost always a symptom of complications of lung disease. Less often, it indicates poor patency of the upper respiratory tract. The gaps can be closed by foreign bodies, viscous mucus and crusts formed on it, as well as the walls of the mucous membranes themselves with severe swelling.

Acute bronchitis

The disease is caused by viral or bacterial infections. A child becomes infected from loved ones, in kindergarten, or in public places. Microbes infect the walls of the bronchi, causing increased secretion production.

If the discharge of sputum is impaired, stagnation is observed. In attempts to get rid of mucus, spasms of smooth muscles occur, which is manifested by a cough. Air passes through partially blocked openings, causing a whistling sound. This symptom is accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

As inflammation decreases, mucus begins to be released. Then a wet cough occurs. The productivity of the reflex indicates a speedy recovery. However, for some time the child still experiences whistling and wheezing. There are no severe attacks and the baby’s general condition is satisfactory.

Bronchial asthma

Pathology of allergic nature. Develops in children with prolonged contact with infectious agents or toxic substances. May appear against the background of chronic respiratory diseases. Often accompanies skin allergies.

It manifests itself as difficulty breathing with wheezing, coughing fits, and whistling during painful and prolonged exhalation. Characteristic sounds arise due to the narrowing of the bronchial lumens, which provokes pronounced swelling of the walls. With the accumulation of thick sputum, complete obstruction of the airways is possible.

Whooping cough

This is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella Pertusis. The main symptom is a barking cough in a child. It occurs in attacks, worsens at night, and often leads to vomiting. The reflex activates stimulation of the corresponding center of the brain. After producing sputum, the condition becomes easier.

The whistling sound of whooping cough is caused by the accumulation of mucus in the bronchi. Inflammation is accompanied by high temperature. The consequences of choking cough attacks are dangerous for a child. They can lead to obstruction and hemorrhage. Bacteria can cause inflammation of the ear and membranes of the brain.

Other reasons

Whistling when coughing can occur with chronic and allergic bronchitis, which is also caused by the presence of thick sputum in the lungs. The symptom appears with severe laryngitis and may indicate the onset of the development of false croup (edema of the larynx).

A cough with a whistling sound is a symptom of bronchospasm (sharp contraction of the bronchial muscles) in response to an infection, an allergic reaction, or a foreign body entering the respiratory organs.

Characteristics of cough

The whistling may appear gradually or occur spontaneously. This is an unusual wheezing sound that can be heard when a child breathes even from a distance. It is created by a flow of air that passes through the respiratory tract with difficulty. An obstacle may be viscous mucus or narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi (if their walls are swollen).

Whistling at rest is heard in asthma and emphysema. In other cases, it accompanies a cough. In case of severe obstruction of the ventilation ducts, the reflex occurs in attacks and is distinguished by loud sounds.

The mucous membranes of the lungs are sensitive to air quality. A whistling cough appears in a stuffy, dusty, unventilated room. Histamine reactions (with swelling) are more intense at night. It is in the evening that doctors register more cases of laryngo- and bronchospasms. If a child has a strong dry cough during the day, additional sounds may occur in the evening.

Wheezing, gurgling or whistling in a child's lungs when coughing is a reason for parents to be wary. It is better to consult a pediatrician in advance, as the condition may worsen closer to night.

Associated symptoms

Loud coughing and whistling indicate a serious pathology of the respiratory system.

The likelihood of complications can be assessed by secondary signs:

• pain in the sternum - occurs with pneumonia, necrosis, lung abscess, severe inflammation of the trachea;
• high temperature - accompanies infectious diseases and indicates pronounced pathological processes in the body;
• change in skin color - observed with acute lack of oxygen;
• lacrimation, runny nose - often accompany ARVI;
• impurities in sputum - pus or blood indicate activation of infection or damage to small vessels in the bronchi;
• poor general health - lethargy, drowsiness, lack of appetite may indicate intoxication.

All of the above symptoms indicate a dangerous cough. If it is accompanied by a whistle, you need to consult a pediatrician.

How to get rid of a wheezing cough

All childhood diseases require consultation with professionals. Self-medication is inappropriate. Parents can choose the wrong medications, harm the baby using traditional methods, aggravate the course of the allergy, and even provoke complications.

Therefore, before any procedures or taking medications at home, you need to call a pediatrician. You should study the prescribed treatment in detail with your doctor and agree on the activities with which the parents want to supplement the therapy.

First aid

It is impossible to independently determine the cause of coughing and whistling in the chest. To do this, you need to undergo an examination, hardware diagnostics, and pass some tests. If such a symptom occurs, pediatricians recommend calling an ambulance. This must be done urgently if the child has a fever, difficulty breathing, or blue lips.

Before the doctors arrive you should:

• ensure that clean, cool air enters the room;
• sit the child down or lay him on his side (in this position the attacks are relieved);
• if there are minimal pauses between spasms, offer a sip of alkaline water or milk with soda;
• try to calm the baby in every possible way.

If the patient is known to have asthma, a pocket inhaler should be used. Children with allergies can be given an antihistamine. If you have a symptom of an unknown nature, you should refrain from taking any medications except antipyretics (if the baby has a fever).

Medicines

For bronchial asthma and obstruction, inhalations with Berodual or Salbutamol are prescribed. These drugs are used on the recommendation of a doctor.

For false croup and pulmonary edema, therapy with hormonal drugs (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) is indicated. They are administered by injection only in a hospital setting. To treat laryngitis (with the risk of laryngeal edema), inhalations with Pulmicort through a nebulizer may be prescribed. You cannot breathe this product on your own.

If coughing whistling occurs due to bronchitis, medications are prescribed to thin the sputum. Doctors prefer syrups with a bronchodilator component (Ascoril). If there is no risk of obstruction, mucolytics are prescribed - ACC, Lazolvan, Fluditec.

An important aspect is etiotropic therapy (in accordance with the cause of cough). For this purpose, antibiotics, antiviral or antihistamines are recommended.

A whistling cough means there is a foreign body, mucus, or swelling in the lungs. In such cases, antitussive drugs should not be used. If you are prone to allergies, any plant-based products are prohibited.

Inhalation therapy

If an inflammatory process develops in the lungs, inhalations help eliminate it as quickly as possible. Inhalation of medicinal substances ensures their delivery directly to the site of changes. This accelerates the manifestation of pharmacological effects.

Hardware inhalations are carried out in a hospital or at home, if you have a nebulizer. You can only breathe with special sterile solutions. Infusions and essential oils cannot be poured into the device.

For bronchitis, inhalations with Lazolvan, Dekasan, Fluimucil are prescribed. For obstructive form and asthma, procedures with Ventolin, Pulmicort, Flixotide are indicated. The doctor selects the drug for inhalation treatment.

Steam procedures will be beneficial only in case of damage to the upper respiratory tract. They do not help with pneumonia and bronchitis and are even contraindicated. Such manipulations are not carried out if the child has a fever. For breathing procedures, infusions of chamomile, sage, and string are used when there is no allergy to these plants.

Massage and rubbing

Such manipulations are permitted after the acute period of the disease subsides. They are used if whistling cough is caused by accumulation of sputum.

Carry out drainage massage of the bronchi:

• the child is placed so that the head is below the buttocks and the arms hang forward (on the pillow);
• after stroking and lightly kneading with your fingers, tap on the back in the area of ​​the shoulder blades with the tips of your fingers or the ribs of your palms, in the direction from the lower back to the neck;
• The baby is sat down and asked to cough, or placed on its side.

Chest massage for newborns is done with minimal effort for 3-5 minutes. For older children, the procedure is carried out for 7–10 minutes. After it, the removal of mucus from the bronchi becomes easier, and the whistling sound when coughing becomes less pronounced.

For rubbing, we recommend badger or goose fat or essential oil balms from the pharmacy. The latter option can be used to treat children over 4 years of age. In the case of an allergic cough or asthma, herbal preparations can cause a deterioration in the condition of the little patient.

Folk remedies and herbal medicine

Herbal extracts, healthy foods and essential oils can only be additional measures to drug therapy. Before using any unconventional method, you should consult your doctor.

To stop coughing attacks with whistling, it is recommended:

• drink a breast mixture - the mixture includes licorice, violet, thyme and other plants that can facilitate lung function, it is important that the child tolerates the herbal preparation well;
• milk with soda and honey - softens the throat and relieves irritating cough with pharyngitis, tracheitis;
• figs steamed in milk - strengthens the immune system;
• radish juice with honey - helps remove mucus.

Natural remedies may improve your cough, but will not eliminate the cause.

Other treatments

It is difficult to get rid of a whistling cough in chronic pathologies. In complex treatment, doctors may recommend trips to sanatoriums, resorts, or to more favorable climatic or environmental conditions.

For diseases of an inflammatory nature, physiotherapy - UHF, electrophoresis - helps. If the whistling is caused by a foreign object or tumor, surgery may be required.

Prevention

To prevent whistling when coughing, attention should be paid to the prevention of infectious pulmonary diseases, timely diagnosis and treatment of ARVI. It is necessary to protect the child from contact with allergens and begin treatment for sensitivity reactions in a timely manner.

A set of measures to achieve these goals includes:

• balanced diet;
• preventive vaccinations;
• walks in the open air;
• moderate physical activity;
• maintaining hygiene;
• avoiding crowded places and possible foci of infection.

Even if you follow all the recommendations, you cannot guarantee the absence of diseases. However, at the first signs of disturbances, you should contact your pediatrician so as not to progress the situation to pneumonia, obstruction and other problems.

Conclusion

Whistling during coughing indicates difficulty in the passage of air through the respiratory tract. It is provoked by sputum or pathological narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi. With such a symptom, you need to consult a doctor and start treatment on time.

Parents should consult with their pediatrician about emergency procedures in case of child breathing problems.

If whistling and coughing attacks lead to difficulty in inhaling or exhaling, you need to call an ambulance or take the baby to the hospital yourself.

Source: https://prikashel.ru/deti/kashel-so-svistom-u-rebenka.html

What does a wheezing cough mean in a child, symptoms and treatment

A whistling cough in a child is one of those symptoms that should be responded to quickly. An extraneous sound often indicates the presence of a strong inflammatory process in the body of children. Delays in these cases can lead to serious complications.

Causes of wheezing cough

There may be several reasons why such a cough occurs in adults and children. However, it will not be possible to determine the disease by just one sign. To make a diagnosis, the doctor must examine the accompanying symptoms. A wheezing cough can accompany diseases such as:

• bronchial asthma;
• infectious diseases of the respiratory system (pharyngitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, laryngitis);
• whooping cough;
• an allergic reaction to a food, medicine, or other allergen (in severe cases, anaphylactic shock may occur).

Less common causes of coughing and breathing sounds may include:

• stenosis;
• foreign body entering the respiratory tract;
• tuberculosis;
• pulmonary edema;
• injury;
• malignant tumor.

Tracheitis, bronchitis and other infectious pathologies occur when pathogenic microorganisms enter the lungs.

In this case, an inflammatory process is localized on the mucous membrane of the bronchi, trachea or pharynx, accompanied by sputum production. Often with such symptoms, airway obstruction (narrowing) occurs.

This leads to the child developing a wheezing cough when exhaling.

Bronchial asthma is characterized by attacks of dry cough with wheezing or whistling sounds. Most often they happen at night when a person is sleeping. At this time, a small amount of secretion may be released, but such actions do not bring relief. In this case, whistling sounds are heard when inhaling.

If the cause of the disease is an allergic reaction , then children develop a strong suffocating cough. Parents often confuse these symptoms with signs of a cold or respiratory tract infection. However, an allergic cough has an important difference - it appears in children with sound without fever; What to treat is decided by the doctor in each case.

Whooping cough occurs when a bacteria called Bordet-Gangou enters the body. This pathology most often affects children and causes a number of symptoms, including swelling of the face, increased body temperature, and a dry whistling cough when breathing while inhaling.

What treatment should I use for wheezing cough?

First of all, it is necessary to identify the underlying cause, and treatment will be based on the diagnosis. At the same time, parents should not independently choose a medicine for their child. It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Treatment comes down to solving several problems.

1. Block an attack of wheezing and coughing.
2. If necessary, facilitate the process of clearing mucus from the respiratory tract.
3. Eliminate the root cause of such symptoms.

Several groups of drugs can be used to achieve these goals.

Bronchodilators. Such medications are aimed at relaxing the smooth muscles of the respiratory tract. Under the influence of these drugs, it is possible to block the spasm and stop the whistling cough.

This allows you to restore breathing, establish gas exchange and improve the general condition of the child in a short period of time. Bronchodilators are often available in the form of sprays and aerosols.

Representatives of this group are:

• Arutropid;
• Pulmicort;
• Salbutamol;
• Eufillin;
• Atrovent;
• Ephedrine.

Expectorants . The cause of narrowing of the airway lumens is often thick mucus accumulated on the mucous membrane of the bronchi and trachea. Expectorants will help speed up the removal of mucus. The most effective means with this effect are:

• Lazolvan;
• ACC;
• Ambroxol;
• Bromhexine;
• Fluimucil.

Lazolvan. Bromhexine ACC

If a wheezing cough is a symptom of an inflammatory disease, doctors prescribe antibacterial drugs. Among them are:

• Macropen;
• Bioparox;
• Augmentin.

If the disease is of an allergic nature, antihistamines are prescribed, thanks to which many characteristic symptoms can be relieved. From a wide list of medications, the doctor may prescribe:

• Suprastin;
• Fenkarol;
• Diazolin;
• Ketotifen;
• Tavegil.

How to treat a wheezing cough at home

To stop coughing with whistling in children when an attack occurs, parents should follow these steps.

1. First of all, it is important to ensure unobstructed air access. To do this, open the window and unfasten the top buttons on the clothes.
2. The room must be maintained at an optimal temperature (about +23°C).
3. In case of a severe coughing attack, it is better to sit the child in such a way that he leans slightly forward. This will help relieve wheezing and wheezing.
4. If such a coughing attack occurs for the first time, children are given a small amount of alkaline liquid. This can be warm milk or a weak soda solution.
5. If the doctor has already prescribed a medicine to relieve a cough, it should be given to the child immediately. In such cases, products in the form of an aerosol (inhaler) are most effective.

As for folk methods that block a child’s whistling cough, they are used only as an aid. They do not give a lasting and quick effect. In addition, treating children without the use of medications can lead to serious complications. To avoid this, only a doctor should prescribe a course of therapy.

Most often, pediatricians are lenient towards most traditional methods of treatment, including herbal medicine. Decoctions of many herbs have a beneficial effect on the body of children:

• the inflammatory process localized in the respiratory system is reduced;
• the immune system is activated, resulting in faster recovery;
• Many plants have expectorant properties.

At the same time, pediatricians emphasize: some medicinal herbs used in folk recipes are strong allergens. For this reason, without consulting a doctor, it is not recommended to give young children decoctions and infusions to block a whistling cough.

Children who are already 3 years old can be given decoctions based on chamomile and marshmallow.

To prepare a chamomile decoction, you need:

• 1 glass of boiling water;
• 1 tbsp. l. dried chamomile flowers.

Add chamomile to hot water and boil for 30 minutes. After this, cool and filter. A child who coughs is given this decoction 3 times a day, 1 tsp.

To prepare a marshmallow decoction, take:

• 1 liter of water;
• 75 g of dry crushed marshmallow root.

The liquid must be boiled for 25-30 minutes, after which the container is removed from the heat, cooled and the broth is filtered. The child should take this medicine 3 times a day, ½ tsp.

Warm drink. Parents should strictly monitor compliance with the drinking regime. During illness, children need to consume as much warm fluid as possible. It could be:

• water;
• sweet tea;
• fruit and berry juices;
• compotes;
• milk with soda or honey.

Iodine network. For a child without fever, if a whistling cough is detected, it is recommended to warm the chest using an iodine mesh.

The mesh is applied with a cotton swab to the bronchi area on the chest and back. This procedure is best performed in the evening before bed.

During the night, the bronchi will be warmed up, so sputum will begin to drain more actively, and airway obstruction will be eliminated.

Rubbing. Warming ointments are an alternative to iodine mesh. They warm the chest, resulting in a reduction in wheezing cough and other symptoms of the disease. Pediatricians recommend using not pharmaceutical ointments for rubbing, but those made on the basis of fat (for example, badger).

Massage. If a child experiences wheezing or wheezing, drainage massage should be performed regularly. This procedure helps to enhance lymph outflow and accelerate metabolic processes in tissues. Thanks to this, rapid relief occurs, mucus from the bronchi is removed more actively, and the cough is reduced.

To carry out the massage, the child is first placed on his stomach so that the shoulders and head are located slightly lower. To do this, you can place a small pillow under your stomach.

A child's dry whistling cough can be relieved by humidifying the air. If there is no humidifier in the house, it is recommended to perform daily wet cleaning and hang wet towels in the room.

Useful articles: Massage for children with cough

Raspberry for cough. Recipes.

Source: https://RuPulmonolog.ru/kashel-simptomy-lechenie/chto-oznachaet-svistyashhij-kashel-u-rebenka-simptomy-i-lechenie

Why wheezing cough occurs in children and what can help in treatment

All materials on the site are published under the authorship or editorship of medical professionals, but are not a prescription for treatment. Contact the specialists!

A cough with a whistling sound in a child is something that every parent encounters sooner or later. In some cases, it can be completely harmless, and sometimes it requires the intervention of a pediatrician. Today we will figure out what a wheezing cough is and how to deal with it in order to quickly return your child to normal life.

Causes of whistling cough

Cough occurs as a protective mechanism that is necessary to clear the airways. During a wheezing cough, air leaves the lungs and provokes the release of foreign bodies and phlegm from the respiratory tract that interfered with normal breathing.

Diseases that can cause the development of such a cough include:

• bronchial asthma;
• whooping cough;
• allergic processes;
• infectious and inflammatory processes affecting the respiratory tract.

Let's consider each of these processes separately.

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a disease of inflammatory origin, which is characterized by:

• airway obstruction;
• spasm of bronchial smooth muscles;
• the appearance of wheezing;
• shortness of breath;
• episodic cough.

Prevention of bronchial asthma is aimed at preventing the development of an allergic reaction in a child.

Tracheitis

Tracheitis is characterized by inflammatory damage to the trachea. It may be viral, infectious or allergic in origin. This condition is characterized by the appearance of cough, wheezing, chest pain and increased body temperature.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is one of the most common causes of cough in both children and adults. The disease is characterized by paroxysmal cough, which is accompanied by whistling noises.

In children in the first months of life, the disease may occur with episodes of respiratory arrest. This condition is dangerous not only for the health, but also for the life of the baby.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the bronchi.
Most often, acute bronchitis is associated with a respiratory viral infection. Clinically characterized by the appearance of fever, wheezing cough, and diffuse wheezing in the lungs.

REFERENCE! Often, acute bronchitis can lead to the development of pneumonia.

Less rare causes of this cough include:

• stenotic processes;
• tuberculosis;
• pulmonary edema;
• traumatic injury to the lungs, violation of their integrity;
• malignant neoplasms.

Lack of timely and complete treatment can lead to the addition of bacterial flora. In this case, complications may arise that require antibiotic therapy.

Whistling cough: what pathology does its appearance indicate?

The appearance of a wheezing cough is associated with infection of the laryngeal mucosa by the virus.
Subsequently, edema develops, and the lumen of the hypopharynx narrows. A wheezing cough can be accompanied by various symptoms, which will determine what pathology has developed in the baby.

How to treat a cough if the child does not have a fever

Characteristics of cough

A wheezing cough may worsen at night and also in the morning. It depends on whether he is productive or not. If phlegm accumulates in the respiratory tract, then by the morning the cough becomes more frequent due to congestion.

In case of a complicated course of the disease, a person next to the child may hear so-called “distant” wheezing, that is, audible at a distance (without a phonendoscope).

Other symptoms

Determining the exact cause of a whistling cough is based on additional symptoms, as well as laboratory and instrumental data. It is the possession of complete information about the clinical picture of the disease that allows the doctor to make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment to the baby.

Additional symptoms accompanying a barking cough include:

How to treat a whistling cough

The principles of treating cough with whistling are based on a holistic clinical picture. If a wheezing cough is accompanied by sputum production, the child is prescribed drugs that stimulate coughing.

When to call an ambulance?

It is necessary to call an ambulance team in the following situations:

• the child is breathing heavily, it is difficult for him to speak due to difficulty breathing;
• loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing;
• The child's skin is pale and his lips have acquired a blue tint.

If your child's condition causes you concerns about his health and life, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

You should also consult a doctor if:

• the appearance of apathy, lethargy;
• shortness of breath (rapid breathing);
• increase in body temperature to 39-40 °C.

Particular attention should be paid to children in the first year of life, since their clinical course of respiratory diseases is often blurred. If your body temperature rises, you should contact your pediatrician.

Drug treatment

Medicines should be used exclusively according to medical prescriptions. Pediatricians prescribe the following groups of medications: expectorants, bronchodilators, antibiotics.

Bronchodilators

These medications are aimed at relaxing smooth muscles. They help prevent spasms and reduce the phenomenon of whistling cough.

Allergic cough in a child: symptoms and treatment

Bronchodilators include:

• Pulmicort;
• Atrovent;
• Eufillin;
• Salbutamol.

Expectorants

Often the cause of narrowing of the airways is thick mucus, which accumulates on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract: on the bronchi and trachea.

The most effective expectorant drugs include:

• ACC;
• Lazolvan;
• Bromhexine;
• Ambroxol.

Antibacterial drugs

Antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor if there is inflammation of a bacterial nature. Amoxicillin is often used.

Antihistamines

This group of medications is used if the etiological factor in the development of wheezing cough is an allergic reaction.
Such patients are prescribed ketotifen, suprastin and tavegil.

Non-drug methods

In addition to the usual use of medications, non-drug methods for treating whistling cough are also effective.
If the child begins to be bothered by phlegm, he needs to be given more liquids (juices, chicken broth). If the air in the apartment is dry, it is advisable to install a humidifier.

Avoid drinking carbonated drinks and citrus drinks during illness, as they irritate inflamed mucous membranes.

Massage

Regular massage is indicated for persistent wheezing and wheezing. Drainage massage helps to increase the outflow of lymphatic fluid and accelerate metabolic processes. This procedure also helps to quickly relieve the painful condition and more actively remove mucus from the bronchi.

The child is in a horizontal position on his back.
The massage begins with light strokes, which should be directed from the lumbar region to the shoulders and sides of the body. Then move on to light tapping and rubbing of the skin. After the back massage, the child is turned over with his stomach up and the chest massage is repeated.

Phytotherapy

Herbal medicine, like traditional medicine, is used only as an aid. Such drugs do not have a full effect, but they can:

• influence the inflammatory process in the respiratory system;
• activate the immune system;
• have an expectorant effect.

Decoctions based on chamomile and marshmallow have found widespread use in children's practice. To prepare chamomile infusion you will need:

• 1 glass of hot water;
• 1 tbsp. chamomile flowers.

Add 1 tbsp to hot water.
chamomile flowers and boil for half an hour. Then, after a period of time, the resulting broth is cooled and filtered. Directions for use: 3 times a day, 1 tsp.

other methods

Steam in the bathroom, which is formed from hot water, will also help fight a coughing attack. Spend at least 20 minutes in the bathroom, and to distract your child, play with him or read a book.

Why does a child develop a cough and fever?

You can cope with a wheezing cough by humidifying the air. If you don't have a humidifier in your home, you can hang wet towels and do wet cleaning daily.

Iodine mesh is a way to warm up a child’s chest. The mesh is applied using a cotton swab in the area that corresponds to the location of the bronchi. This procedure is carried out immediately before bedtime. This will promote better mucus discharge, and airway obstruction will be eliminated.

Complications of wheezing cough

The following factors may contribute to the development of complications of wheezing cough:

• incorrect diagnosis and, as a result, incorrectly selected treatment;
• late parents seeking medical help;
• non-compliance with medications prescribed by a doctor;
• the presence of severe pathologies of other organs (heart, kidneys).

The main complications that occur against the background of a wheezing cough:

• pulmonary edema;
• pneumonia;
• asphyxia (suffocation);
• hypoxia (lack of oxygen in organs and tissues).

Prevention

Prevention of wheezing cough is divided into primary and secondary.

Primary prevention measures include the following:

• adherence to sleep and wakefulness;
• rational, balanced nutrition;
• fight against smoking if parents have such a habit;
• limiting contact with children and adults suffering from diseases that are transmitted by airborne droplets;
• constant ventilation of the rooms in which the child is located (at home, in kindergarten and school);
• sufficient time outside, combined with physical activity;
• timely consultation with a doctor if disturbing symptoms appear;
• treatment of chronic infectious diseases and rehabilitation of their foci.

Secondary prevention is aimed at reducing the risk of re-development of pathology:

• complete treatment according to medical prescriptions;
• sufficient physical activity;
• limiting foods to which the child has an allergic reaction (prevention of bronchial asthma);
• vitamin therapy;
• limiting passive smoking by children;
• vaccination according to the vaccination calendar.

A cough with a whistling sound in a child is one of those symptoms in pediatrics to which both parents and doctors must respond quickly. This phenomenon indicates that an inflammatory process is developing in the respiratory tract. In the absence of timely and complete therapy, such a condition can become complicated, which is extremely unfavorable.

Source: https://sukhoikashel.ru/kashel-u-rebenka/pochemu-voznikaet-svistyashhij-kashel-u-detej

Causes and treatment of wheezing cough

Parents always have plenty of reasons to worry. Any deviation in the baby’s well-being causes a commotion. These symptoms include a cough with a whistling sound in a child, which is easy to recognize by its characteristic sounds.

These include wheezing and difficulty breathing. If dry and wet cough occurs quite often and is cured successfully, then the whistle will definitely alert the parents.

Such signs clearly indicate a serious condition of the child, which can lead to serious complications and attacks of suffocation.

Causes of whistling cough in children

A wheezing cough in a child appears most often with obstructive bronchitis. Mucus, which should come out of the bronchi without hindrance, on the contrary, lingers there, sticks to them, causing whistling when exhaling or inhaling.

This disease threatens with more serious consequences. Bronchitis without timely and competent treatment often transforms into bronchial asthma, when breathing is so difficult that attacks of suffocation occur. You can cope with them only with blockers of such spasms.

But this symptom is also characteristic of other diseases. A wheezing cough in adults and children can be a consequence of the following diseases:

1. Common cold. In addition to whistling during breathing, it is recognized by high fever, sore throat, inability to clear throat, and headache. Feeling often improves after starting to take mucolytics. They quickly transform sputum into a liquid state, and thanks to this, it is easily evacuated from the lungs.
2. Bronchial asthma, triggered by an allergy to any irritants. This development of events is characterized by a whistling, noisy cough in a child without fever. To establish the probable cause of the attacks, you need to consult a professional, because you cannot be cured without identifying the culprit of the allergic reaction.
3. Whooping cough caused by Bordet-Gengou bacteria. They affect the epithelium of the bronchi. Attacks of such coughing, accompanied by whistling, are strong. The disease occurs at elevated temperatures; swelling of the face, complete absence of sputum, and dry airways are common. The whistle occurs when you inhale.
4. Pharyngitis, laryngitis. The lymphoid tissue, the mucous membrane of the pharynx, becomes inflamed and is attacked by viruses, fungi or other microbes. The result is a whistling sound that occurs as you exhale. If measures are not taken in time, the infection descends into the bronchi, and the risk of developing bronchitis, tracheitis or pneumonia increases significantly.

Additional symptoms

A whistling cough is accompanied by other symptoms, depending on the disease that caused it.

If a cold is to blame, then severe weakness occurs, the temperature rises, a sore throat, and wheezing appear.

With bronchitis, a narrowing of the lumen in the respiratory tract occurs - bronchospasm, when inhalation is not difficult, but exhalation, on the contrary, is accompanied by loud wheezing. Bronchial asthma is characterized by viscous glassy sputum.

In the case of atopic asthma, due to the intervention of an allergenic agent, the child experiences shortness of breath and night attacks of suffocation. Other symptoms of an allergic cough in a child:

• severe dry cough before bed or in the morning;
• whistling in the lungs when breathing.

Pharyngitis, laryngitis and whooping cough provoke a barking cough syndrome with wheezing and whistling. Whooping cough is characterized by the absence of sputum when coughing, and prolonged attacks usually end in either nausea or vomiting.

A whistling sound when coughing, but in the absence of fever, sometimes signals an allergy in the early stages. After a few days, it is replaced by a wet cough, and clear sputum comes out during coughing.

How to get rid of a wheezing cough

A distinct, loud whistling sound when coughing is a good reason to start treatment immediately, as it means that the child’s life is at risk. But before treatment, it is necessary to alleviate the baby’s critical condition by all means.

First aid

With many concomitant diseases, exacerbation - whistling and wheezing - begins in the evening or at night, so parents should learn to provide first aid during an attack. At the first sounds of a whistling, pronounced cough, it is necessary to clear the airways, unfasten or remove tight clothes from the baby, and ensure unhindered access to fresh air.

Additionally, it is recommended to increase the humidity in the room. This is done with wet towels or a bucket of water placed near heating appliances. Minor relief can be achieved by sitting the baby up and then slightly tilting the torso forward. Drinking milk with soda or mineral water will help stop the attack.

If bronchospasm appears for the first time, then calling an ambulance cannot be avoided. When there are already prescribed medications (for example, the Salbutamol inhaler), you need to give it to the child right away. Ventilating the room in the morning and before bed, bed linen and pajamas made from natural fabrics, and high pillows will help minimize the risk of a recurrent attack.

Syrups, drops and tablets

A wheezing cough can be cured with various medications - drops, syrups, suspensions or tablets containing either only natural or synthetic components. The first ones (Doctor MOM, Pectusin, Solutan, marshmallow syrup) are more often prescribed in simple cases. The latter have a more pronounced effect, but are also not dangerous for children, the only exception being an allergic child.

Mucolytic (to thin sputum) and expectorant (to remove it) agents are used. All liquid dosage forms have a pleasant taste and do not irritate the throat.

Their purpose is to relieve the inflammatory process, provide maximum breathing relief, and improve phlegm removal. But you must carefully study the instructions for the cough syrup, even if it was prescribed by your pediatrician.

For a wheezing cough, the following are most often prescribed:

• Ambroxol;
• ACC;
• Lazolvan;
• Pertussin;
• Phytostoptussin;
• Fluimucil.

Sometimes, if there is an elevated temperature, there is a need for antibacterial drugs.

Illnesses with cough requiring antibiotics:

• bronchitis;
• asthma;
• tracheitis;
• pleurisy;
• tuberculosis.

The doctor prescribes antibiotics only after examining the tests, making sure in advance that the child is not allergic to their components. Usually the remedies from this list are prescribed:

• Augmentin;
• Bioparox;
• Macropen.

This treatment lasts a week or 10 days. If there is no change in the condition of the small patient for 2-3 days, the drug is replaced.

Inhalation therapy

Any dry cough with a whistling sound is treated comprehensively; inhalations are a mandatory component.

If previously you breathed over the steam of boiling water in which soda was dissolved, now the procedure is carried out using a nebulizer - a device that sprays drugs to the smallest particles and does not increase their temperature.

Due to their tiny size, they instantly reach the walls of the diseased organ, which ensures a quick effect from inhalation. The following medications are used:

• Berodual;
• Berotek;
• Ventolin;
• Lazolvan;
• Salbutamol;
• Fenoterol.

Sometimes only saline solution or mineral water is used. Such inhalations are also carried out with pocket inhalers, which convert liquids into an aerosol. The dose is individual, calculated by the doctor.

Folk remedies and herbal medicine

Recipes from healers help clear the airways with a wet cough with a whistling sound. Such recipes are usually harmless, but they do not give any special or quick effect.

Therefore, doctors often look at their use in adults condescendingly and allow these methods as additional treatment.

But any folk remedy for treating a child must be approved by a doctor, because strong allergens are found among medicinal herbs.

An iodine mesh applied with a cotton swab to the throat and chest is also often used, but before such a procedure, you need to check the skin for a potential allergic reaction. Rubbing the back and chest with natural fats has long been considered very effective methods. The most famous remedy for colds is badger fat, used both externally and internally.

To alleviate the condition of children over 3 years old, homemade medicines made from chamomile and marshmallow are used. In the first case, flowers (1 tbsp.

) boil in a glass of water for half an hour, infuse, give the child 1 tsp after straining. For a decoction of marshmallow, take 75 g of roots and add a liter of water. They also boil for half an hour, strain, measure out only ½ tsp.

In both cases, the baby takes this drink three times a day.

Other treatments

Chest massage is also part of the treatment for whistling cough. For the procedure, the child is placed on his stomach, a pillow or bolster is placed under him so that the head is slightly lower than the lower back.

Begin the massage from bottom to top, from the spine to the sides, first pinching, then tapping and rubbing. Then the baby is turned over on his back and the same manipulations are performed on the chest.

This drainage massage allows you to quickly remove phlegm from the body.

Sometimes only moist air helps improve the condition. Therefore, daily cleaning, regular ventilation and wet towels hung in the room will help the child get rid of a whistling cough.

What is the danger

Any symptom that indicates serious problems with the respiratory system in a child poses a threat at an early age. A wheezing cough always indicates a large accumulation of sputum in the bronchi.

It is inherent in many dangerous diseases - obstructive bronchitis, which turns into asthma, acute laryngitis, which leads to false croup. This disease already threatens respiratory failure.

A noisy cough with a whistling sound in a baby can cause suffocation or become the first harbinger of an extremely dangerous disease - throat cancer. Therefore, the presence of this reflex requires immediate medical attention.

Source: https://kashelproch.ru/rebenok/kashel-so-svistom

Wheezing cough - heavy breathing with whistling in a child without fever, breathing heavily and coughing, whistling in the lungs and wheezing

A child’s cough is always a cause for concern for the mother, although sometimes it is simply a reflexive desire of the body to free itself from extraneous irritants. However, when it is accompanied by whistling and difficulty breathing, it becomes a symptom of very serious pathological processes.

Wheezing cough with wheezing in the lungs in a child - causes

Characteristic whistling sounds when breathing and coughing indicate that there is an obstacle in the lungs or airways to the free access of sufficient air. What is the nature of this obstacle?

The most common cause of a wheezing cough is an abundance of difficult-to-clear sputum. Dry unproductive occurs in the initial stages of infectious inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract.

When, as a result of treatment, the formation of sputum begins, often the amount of secretion formed significantly exceeds the volume of the discharge that the child coughs up. The result is a whistling sound when coughing, because

The passage of air is hampered by copiously secreted secretions. About the treatment of dry cough in children here.

The most dangerous situation is when, against the background of such a cough, obstruction (narrowing) of the bronchi also occurs, which makes breathing even more difficult.

The appearance of a whistling sound when coughing can also be of an allergic nature; in this case, irritants - various allergens - also cause a narrowing of the airways, which causes difficulty breathing and the appearance of characteristic sounds when coughing.

Typically, a whistling sound when coughing occurs when you exhale, but its appearance during inhalation indicates a probable cause - a foreign object. And then the parents’ actions should be aimed at urgently removing the irritant - independently or with the help of a specialist.

If, after a treated cold or viral illness, your child starts coughing again after a short time, and the cough is accompanied by a whistling sound, immediately examine your child to determine the correct cause of the cough. After all, it can be a symptom of a number of serious pathological conditions that can threaten the child’s life.

Possible diseases

The physiological structure of the child's respiratory tract makes a wheezing cough especially dangerous for the baby - after all, he has a narrow lumen in the windpipe, and the ciliated epithelium, also due to age, has insufficient activity.

The occurrence of a whistling sound when coughing may indicate the presence of a number of pathologies:

• Various types of bronchitis: viral, bacterial, inflammation of small bronchi and bronchioles. As a rule, the disease is always accompanied by fever, wheezing in the chest, and general malaise;
• Tracheitis is an inflammatory process in the trachea, most often a residual phenomenon after acute respiratory viral infections;
• Laryngotracheobronchitis - almost all parts of the respiratory tract are involved in the inflammatory process: larynx, trachea, bronchi;
• Bronchial asthma - the inflammatory process in the bronchi is caused not by bacterial or viral agents, but by allergens. They can also cause a wheezing cough by narrowing the airways;
• Diphtheria - inflammation occurs in the upper respiratory tract, accompanied by severe swelling and plaque on the tonsils. It poses a threat to life, because the larynx narrows significantly;
• Whooping cough is an infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract accompanied by inflammation. At the beginning of the disease, the cough is dry, after 2-3 weeks it turns into a whistling cough, leading to vomiting. Secondary symptoms may be low-grade fever (up to +37.5˚C) and runny nose;
• Measles is an acute infectious disease accompanied by high fever (up to +40˚C), skin rashes, photophobia and swelling of the eyelids, hoarseness and headache.

The appearance of a whistle during coughing or even breathing is a serious symptom that should prompt a mandatory visit to the doctor. If a child has one or more of the following signs, he or she must be hospitalized immediately:

• Increased breathing;
• Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, accompanied by widening of the nostrils, sinking of the skin between the ribs or on the neck;
• Pale, blotchy or bluish discoloration of the skin;
• Constantly drowsy state.

How to treat a severe dry cough

The appearance of an alarming symptom and, especially, its development should in no case be ignored - after all, obstructive processes with residual effects after suffering from bronchitis can easily turn into bronchial asthma.

That is why a full examination is mandatory, as well as additional consultations with an otolaryngologist, allergist and pulmonologist.

If the attack occurs suddenly and at night, it is possible to take an antihistamine: Tavegil, Suprastin, Zyrtek, etc. The drug will relieve swelling in the airways and make breathing easier. You can find out more about attacks of dry cough in a child at night here.

A light chest massage is possible without any warming drugs. Until a correct diagnosis has been made, it is better not to use any means without consulting a doctor.

Drug therapy if cough is accompanied by fever

The choice of medications is divided into two large groups: those intended to eliminate the underlying disease and to relieve the most severe manifestations of cough.

Since the most common cause of cough is bronchial inflammation or inflammatory processes in the larynx and trachea, in the absence of allergic causes, antibacterial or antiviral agents become first-line drugs. It depends on the nature of the pathogen. Remember that for a viral infection, antibiotics are useless and can only cause harm, suppressing the child’s immunity and contributing to intoxication of the body.

To relieve a specific wheezing cough, drugs from the following three groups are used:

• Bronchodilators: Eufillin, Clenbuterol, Sterineb Salamol, Serevent, Erespal. Drugs in this series are the first to be used when whistling occurs when coughing. They eliminate spasm of the bronchial walls and expand the lumen of the airways. The drugs have a number of age restrictions and side effects;
• Mucolytics and expectorants: Bromhexine, Ambrobene, Lazolvan, Doctor MOM, Licorice root, Pertussin. Mucolytics are prescribed in case of viscous and thick sputum to thin it, and expectorants are prescribed if the amount of discharge is too small or absent. The prescription of these drugs should be under the supervision of a doctor, since a sharp increase in sputum can lead to blockage of the respiratory tract;
• Hormonal: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Celeston. Used to prevent the development of swelling and suffocation during an attack. They are used only to relieve an attack and in a hospital setting;
• Preparations for inhalation: Salbutamol, Berotek, Lazolvan. Inhalations are the main remedy for the treatment of wheezing cough, available to everyone in the event of a sudden attack. The drugs are diluted in saline for use in a nebulizer or administered through pocket inhalers.

Any of these remedies can be used in the treatment of a child only after prior consultation with a doctor. An exception may be the inability to get an appointment with a doctor due to various circumstances.

What to do if a child is breathing heavily and whistling when coughing - traditional medicine

The use of folk remedies can most often only act as an additional treatment. In the case of a wheezing cough in a child, folk wisdom can offer its own remedies for the cold nature of the cough, when it is necessary to relieve inflammation, strengthen the work of the ciliated epithelium, and help the work of the immune system.

The list of general measures and folk remedies for the treatment of wheezing cough can include the following procedures:

• Alkaline inhalations: with soda or mineral water. For children, the most acceptable option is inhalation through a nebulizer, which allows the procedure to be carried out as safely as possible. You can also resort to inhalations over potatoes, a decoction of herbs;
• Chest massage is considered an effective remedy for excessive sputum: the child is placed on his stomach with a small cushion placed under him. In this case, the head should be slightly below the lower back. Light patting movements remove mucus from the bottom of the lungs to the throat. After the massage, the child should cough well;
• Drinking plenty of warm fluids is one of the main ways to liquefy and remove mucus from the bronchi. To soften breathing, butter, internal pork fat, and cocoa butter are added to the drink. Increasing the drinking regime also prevents dehydration, which can occur at high temperatures and profuse sweating;
• Rubbing (only with the permission of a doctor) is carried out with the aim of warming up the baby’s body, improving blood circulation and nutrition of diseased areas, and stimulating the functioning of the immune system. Badger fat, rendered lard, and preparations with the addition of turpentine are used as warming agents.

Prevention

The most important thing when treating a wheezing cough is not to miss the moment when the disease can progress to a more severe stage. After all, if such a symptom appears, it means that in the past there were mistakes made in the treatment and prevention of colds (mostly).

Instructions for use of syrup “Stodal”

Cough remedies for breastfeeding are described in this article.

Symptoms and treatment of sinusitis in adults //drlor.online/zabolevaniya/nosa/gajmorit/opasen-li-dlya-okruzhayushhix.html

Therefore, in order to eliminate severe manifestations from your child’s life, keep an eye on several key points:

• Periodic wet cleaning of residential premises, regular ventilation, if necessary, increasing humidity artificially;
• Prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections: gradual hardening, playing sports, avoiding hypothermia, vaccination, taking immunostimulants;
• Increasing the level of immunity: balanced nutrition, saturation of the diet with vitamins (preferably natural), normal sleep and rest conditions, mental health;
• If you are predisposed to allergic reactions, exclude (if possible) possible allergens from the environment, change (at least temporarily) the environment, periodic climate changes (export to the sea or to a sanatorium).

Do not forget about the importance of the child’s emotional state - children are easily vulnerable, and it is very important for them to feel the love of loved ones. Constant negativity can cause not only a decrease in immunity, but also a predisposition to nervous conditions, when lack of air when breathing is a common occurrence.

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conclusions

A child, especially a small one, often cannot explain his condition to an adult. Therefore, even with a common cold, you should pay extra attention to your baby and prevent the development of the disease.

At the same time, excessive use of medications, and even without a doctor’s prescription, can lead to a condition that has nothing to do with the desired result.

The most correct action you can take is to see a doctor. And in case of severe conditions (high temperature, hemoptysis, vomiting, signs of suffocation), you should immediately call an ambulance.

Source: https://drLOR.online/diagnostika-lechenie/kashel/prichiny-svistyashhego-rebenka.html