The child clears his throat frequently. A child has a persistent cough

A child's cough always causes parents to be wary and worried. What caused the illness, how and with what to treat the baby - such questions have probably visited each of us more than once. Some use traditional medicine recipes, others rush to the pharmacy for a miracle cure. Let's look at who is right and how pediatricians advise treating coughs in children below.

Types of cough

Many parents know firsthand how difficult it is to get rid of illness, especially in young children. After all, most medications are prohibited for young patients, and folk remedies often cause allergies. Therefore, the selection of treatment methods should be carried out by a pediatrician.

Only a doctor is able to make the correct diagnosis and, depending on the age of the child and the type of cough, prescribe the necessary medicine. But parents also have a significant responsibility. To make it easier to understand the pathological process, let’s look at the main types of cough in children, find out why they are dangerous and talk about treatment methods.

Physiological cough

Any person periodically needs to clear the airways of dust and accumulated phlegm. This is a normal reaction aimed at protecting the body from foreign bodies and pathogenic bacteria.

Thus, a child’s natural cough is not a pathology and does not require treatment. It occurs most often in the morning and does not cause significant discomfort to the baby.

Dry or dusty indoor air can provoke such a reflex. This problem is especially relevant during the heating season.

Pathological cough

Most often, children are bothered by this type of cough. Unlike the natural one, it manifests itself in a very diverse manner and depends on the nature of the pathogen. In most cases, these are various respiratory diseases:

• laryngitis and pharyngitis;
• tracheitis;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections;
• acute and chronic tonsillitis;
• flu;
• tuberculosis.

In general, the causes of cough in children are varied and are not always of an infectious nature. A similar reflex can be caused by a narrowing of the bronchi, which is specific to bronchial asthma, or by the entry of a foreign body into the respiratory system. In this case, the cough develops unexpectedly and is choking in nature. The child's voice disappears and breathing becomes difficult.

An ailment of an allergic nature has other symptoms - a cough occurs for no apparent reason and is not accompanied by signs of a cold. After the allergen is removed, the baby's condition returns to normal.

In different pathological conditions, cough manifests itself differently. It can be productive and dry, barking or harsh, dull, paroxysmal and spastic.

Dry cough

The most obsessive cough in a child. It usually appears at the beginning of the disease and causes many problems for both parents and the baby. It does not separate sputum, so the process of coughing becomes long and painful. If not treated correctly, it becomes chronic.

Spasmodic reflex

If a child coughs against the background of bronchial spasm, it is quite possible to develop asthma. In this case, there is no sputum, the baby suffocates and wheezes. The malaise is paroxysmal in nature and requires mandatory medical supervision.

Croupous cough (false croup)

The most dangerous type of illness, especially for young children. In this category of children, the anatomical and physiological structure of the larynx predisposes them to the development of croup. Even the slightest inflammation can cause severe swelling and suffocation. Therefore, if a child develops a hard, barking cough, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

If your baby develops a barking cough, it is necessary to show him to a doctor.

The following symptoms will help distinguish false croup from other ENT diseases:

• hoarseness, especially after crying;
• swelling of the larynx;
• shortness of breath, severe difficulty breathing;
• pale or blue discoloration of the skin;
• loss of consciousness is possible.

If the child only wheezes, but does not cough and is breathing heavily, these are also signs of incipient false croup.

In this case, you should not engage in amateur activities and try to help the baby with folk remedies. You will only waste precious time. Laryngeal edema is very dangerous and must be treated by a doctor.

Wet (productive) cough

This, one might say, is an ideal scenario for the development of the disease. Such a cough, as a rule, appears at the end of the disease, does not cause alarm and is quickly cured. With its help, the lungs and bronchi are freed from sputum and remnants of pathogenic microorganisms. How to treat a child’s cough of this nature will be discussed below.

Whooping cough

This is a common infectious disease that most often affects preschool children. At an early stage of pathology, whooping cough is difficult to distinguish from a normal cough. But after a few days it becomes paroxysmal and spastic, ending with severe vomiting.

Whooping cough is dangerous due to its complications, so if a child has coughing attacks, the breathing rhythm is disrupted, or the skin appears bluish, medical help is needed. Young children are subject to mandatory hospitalization.

The disease is especially severe in children under 2 years of age. There is no innate immunity to this disease, but after recovery the protection remains forever.

Other types of cough

It is quite difficult to independently determine the disease by the nature of the cough. For example, if a child coughs while sleeping, this could be a symptom of either a respiratory disease, asthma or allergies, or a consequence of dry indoor air.

Coughing during sleep can be a symptom of many pathologies

Snot can also provoke a reflex reaction. Flowing down the back wall of the nasopharynx and irritating the mucous membrane, they easily activate cough receptors. Especially often, a cough from a runny nose occurs in a child with rhinopharyngitis.

Tracheitis can cause a similar symptom. This infectious disease develops as a complication of pharyngitis, laryngitis or rhinitis. It is characterized by a muffled cough in a child, especially pronounced at night and in the morning or occurring with a sharp breath.

Such a variety of forms of illness should prompt parents to pay greater attention to such symptoms and take the necessary measures. So, what to do if your child is coughing?

Treatment

To begin with, it should be noted that home therapy is only possible for dry and wet cough. All other types of pathological reflex require the help of a doctor.

• maintain an optimal microclimate in the room where the sick child is located;
• Give your baby warm, unsweetened drinks as much as possible;
• if there is no temperature and your health allows, allow the child to move more.

It is undesirable to use essential oils in treatment without the knowledge of the pediatrician. Concentrates can cause bronchospasm, which is especially dangerous for young children.

Medications

Pharmacy medications will help quickly cure a child’s cough. They are prescribed depending on the type of ailment - if there is sputum, then antitussives should not be taken. For dry cough, on the contrary, it is advisable to use this treatment option to the maximum.

Choice of medications for cough

Modern medicines are available in different forms: tablets, sprays, syrups, drops and lozenges, powders for preparing solutions. Liquid forms of medications are usually used to treat a child. They are more convenient and easy to drink.

Expectorants

This group of drugs is designed to remove mucus from the respiratory tract. Most expectorants are made from plant extracts, so the medicines are relatively safe and easy to drink.

Most often, for a wet cough for children, they are prescribed: with plantain or primrose; Eukabal, Prospan, Alteyka, Prospan, Flavamed, Ambroxol, Ambrobene.

Each of these remedies has its own age restrictions, contraindications and unwanted reactions. For example, Eukabal and Prospan are allowed to be prescribed to babies from 6 months. Other drugs are recommended to be used only after 2 years. Therefore, if a child has a cough with sputum, it is better to entrust the choice of medication to a doctor.

Mucolytics

To thin out viscous and thick mucus that has clogged the airways, young patients are prescribed the following medications:

• Carbocysteine;
• Bronchobos;
• Fluditek;
• Flavamed.

These remedies help relieve a child's cough, make it productive and help remove phlegm.

Fluditec is prescribed to children to liquefy and evacuate thick, viscous secretions.

Antitussives

Drugs in this series help suppress the cough reflex and calm a child’s cough. There are several types of antitussives:

• narcotic drugs - Codeine, Ethylmorphine. Use only under medical supervision. Often addictive and adverse reactions. Rarely used in the treatment of children;
• non-narcotic medications - Oxeladin, Sinekod, Glaucine, Butamirate. The most effective and safe drugs, therefore they are taken much more often;
• peripheral agents - Prenoxydiazine. The result of its use is significantly lower. The medicine is not able to stop a coughing attack and is prescribed extremely rarely.

The simultaneous use of antitussive and expectorant drugs is prohibited.

In addition, the use of antitussive medications for wet cough is dangerous. This can cause mucus to accumulate in the airways and cause pneumonia.

Sinekod and similar drugs are prescribed to children for dry cough

Bronchodilators

These remedies help eliminate bronchospasm and make breathing easier. Medicines such as Eufillin, Broncholitin in syrup or Theophylline are prescribed for cough if the child is diagnosed with asthma or progressive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Local remedies

Locally acting drugs include warming ointments, mustard plasters and plasters. The latter come in different types and have contraindications, in particular, they are prohibited for young children.

The use of warming rubs Eucabal or Pulmex Baby will help soften a child’s cough. They can be used from 6 months of age. Dr. Theiss balm is approved from 2 years of age.

Children over 3 years old can be rubbed with ointments with camphor, Vicks Active balm, Helpex Effect ointment or Doctor MOM.

Folk remedies

In addition to medications, pediatricians often recommend alternative therapies. Alternative medicine helps cure a child's cough quickly and safely.

However, despite the effectiveness and harmlessness of folk remedies, their use must be coordinated with a pediatrician. Young children often develop allergies to natural ingredients.

The most popular cough recipes for children are:

• black radish juice with sugar or honey;
• It is recommended to drink a drink made from fresh or frozen viburnum berries instead of tea;
• Anise infusion with honey is perfect for treating infants;
• fresh carrot juice with sugar can be taken at the time of a coughing attack, 1 tsp;
• onion gruel with honey will be useful for bronchitis and tracheitis;
• A mixture of lemon, honey and medical glycerin will help cure a child with a dry, painful cough.

Honey can cause an unwanted reaction, so it is not recommended to give it to children with allergies.

With a huge number of folk recipes, the most widespread and favorite is still hot milk with honey and other additives. The drink has excellent softening and expectorant properties. No child will refuse such a tasty medicine.

Inhalations

You can quickly cure a child’s cough using inhalations. For procedures, it is better to purchase a nebulizer. This convenient and safe device will protect your baby from burns. With its help, sessions are carried out with both medicinal herbs and pharmaceutical liquids. Alkaline mineral waters and saline solution have a good expectorant effect.

Inhalations are contraindicated in children under 2 years of age due to the risk of developing bronchospasm

The most commonly used medications for inhalation are:

• mucolytics - Lazolvan, Pertussin, Fluimucil;
• Bronchodilators - Berovent;
• natural medicines - tincture of eucalyptus, propolis or plantain, Rotokan;
• Tussamag antitussive;
• glucocorticosteroids - Pulmicort or Dexamethasone.

Inhalations are carried out 2 hours before meals for no more than 10 minutes. The therapeutic course consists of 8–10 sessions.

The procedure moisturizes and soothes irritated mucous membranes, promotes deep penetration and rapid absorption of medicinal substances.

For inhalation with herbs, choose plants with antitussive and expectorant effects: coltsfoot, plantain, oregano, pine buds, eucalyptus, licorice.

Compresses

Another effective remedy that can quickly cure a child’s cough. Compresses come in a variety of varieties - dry and wet, oil, honey, vodka and curd. Apply them to the chest and back, avoiding the heart area. The baby is wrapped in a woolen garment and covered with a blanket.

The following compresses are the most effective and safe:

• potato. Add a spoonful of alcohol, turpentine and sunflower oil to the hot puree. The resulting mass is applied to gauze and left for 2–2.5 hours. After the procedure, it is better not to wash off the compress, but to wipe the skin with a damp towel;
• oil. A piece of gauze or cotton fabric is soaked in hot oil and squeezed out, covered with wax paper (not polyethylene) on top and kept for at least 3 hours;
• acetic. Apple concentrate is diluted with hot water and honey is added to the solution. Gauze is soaked in the mixture and applied to the bronchi area. Leave for 20–30 minutes.

The compress should not be applied to the heart area

It is not recommended to make compresses for skin damage, elevated body temperature and infants. Alcohol application is contraindicated for children under 3 years of age and those suffering from thyroid pathology. It is not advisable to use honey for treatment if the child is prone to allergies.

Another ancient way to fight a cough is to rub the baby's chest and back with internal fat. The bear and badger product is especially good. It is advisable to do this procedure at night.

Mustard plasters

For painful coughs, mustard plasters will be useful. They have a warming effect, promote blood flow and increase mucus discharge. It is recommended to place mustard plasters through cloth or gauze so as not to burn the baby’s delicate skin.

For children under 3 years old, it is better to have mustard wrap. This more gentle procedure has the same effect as placing mustard plasters.

Knowing how to treat a child’s cough, you can quickly eliminate this unpleasant symptom yourself. Properly selected medications and traditional medicine will improve the baby’s well-being and speed up recovery. However, if the child suffers from discomfort for several weeks, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

When you have a cold, cough plays the role of clearing the respiratory tract of harmful phlegm. This is a natural mechanism due to which recovery occurs faster. But when it becomes chronic, it indicates problems with the health of the child’s body. Which manifestations of cough are considered normal and which signals a possible disease, what to do if a child constantly coughs - every parent should know the answers.

What is a cough like?

A cough is always caused by the body's desire to get rid of foreign particles. These are foreign bodies, dust particles, allergens that irritate the respiratory tract. The main reason is inflammation in the respiratory tract. There are wet (productive) cough and dry, normal and pathological.

To understand whether measures need to be taken, let’s consider what kind of cough falls within the normal range

• morning. It manifests itself in several coughing bursts in the morning, when, after a night's sleep, stagnant mucus is cleared.
• when a foreign body enters. The irritant in the throat will trigger a cough reflex, this is normal. Sometimes this is the only way to get rid of the interfering object or particles
• reaction to dust or pungent odor. In such a situation, a sharp spasm can cause a cough.
• during teething. Occurs due to increased salivation

Physiological cough not accompanied by other pathological symptoms (fever, runny nose, body aches, loose stools, vomiting, increased irritability and fatigue). It is normal if a child coughs no more than 15 times a day - this way the respiratory system is cleansed.

Pathological cough has several manifestations. In the acute course of the disease, it lasts up to 14 days. If it is protracted, it lasts up to three months, and in a chronic form, up to a year. The intensity of the cough impulses also differs: in one case it is a light cough with a tickling sensation, and in the other it is a strong, barking cough.

Dry and wet cough.

The nature of the cough also differs in the amount of fluid released. Dryness often appears as a sign of an incipient viral infection and brings severe discomfort to the child. Explosive, without mucus discharge, it can cause pain in the muscles of the chest and abdomen. Doctors call a wet cough productive, because it produces sputum - pathological mucus from the trachea and bronchi. The production of sputum in the respiratory system is always an abnormal condition, indicating the progress of the disease.

With a dry, unproductive cough, vomiting is possible - this occurs from excessive tension in the muscles of the neck, facial, and throat. This cough frightens both parents and child. The baby becomes whiny, afraid that the attack will start again. Vomiting is also possible with a wet cough: this is how accumulated mucus comes out. Children under three years of age do not know how to cough up mucus, so vomiting is the only way for the body to quickly get rid of accumulated secretions. Do not be afraid of vomiting - direct your efforts to fight the disease that provokes them.

A child's cough without fever indicates that a foreign body has entered the respiratory tract. Be attentive to your child, if this happens, call an ambulance and give him first aid yourself. To do this, place the child on your knee with his head and face down and with a sliding movement make several blows from top to bottom between the shoulder blades.

Why doesn't it work?

More often, a dry cough occurs as a result of damage to the body by an acute viral infection. After a couple of days it becomes wet, and after some time (up to 2 weeks) it goes away completely. But what if the main symptoms of the disease have disappeared, and you still observe a constant cough in your child?

Causes of lingering dry cough:

• weakened immune system
• dry indoor air, influence of irritating factors (passive smoking)
• insufficient fluid intake
• complication in the form of bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia or pharyngitis. Often associated symptoms may include high fever and chest pain.
• addition of a secondary viral infection (the child gets sick again)
• whooping cough (paroxysmal cough, the child has difficulty breathing)
• measles (accompanied by characteristic rashes on the body)
• false croup (barking cough, hoarseness appears, children under 3 years of age are more likely to get sick)
• allergies
• bronchial asthma
• worms (migration of roundworm larvae passes through the lung tissue, causing irritation and coughing)

Constant wet cough.

In the autumn-winter period, parents of young patients complaining of a wet cough become more frequent. It is normal if it appears at that stage of a viral disease where it is necessary to clear the respiratory tract of phlegm. When should you worry?

• attacks are sudden and continuous
• child has difficulty breathing
• fever for more than three days
• lack of appetite
• chest pain
• loud wheezing
• blood or pus in the sputum
• cough developed as a result of a cold, but lasts more than 25 days
• wet cough is constantly present

If you have even one of the symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help and determine why the symptom persists. There are several reasons; the type of sputum also varies:

• obstruction in the bronchi - sputum is produced profusely
• pneumonia in remission - rust-like sputum
• allergic reaction or bronchial asthma - viscous, transparent sputum, often in the form of lumps
• runny nose (including with allergies)
• tuberculosis - blood in the sputum
• lung abscess - sputum with pus, a strong, unpleasant odor

How to alleviate the baby's condition?

The cough bothers and irritates the child, making him capricious and interfering with harmonious development. Sleep is disturbed, eating becomes difficult. Every parent tries to find a way to help their child feel better. For treatment to be effective, it is important to accurately determine the cause of persistent coughing. Treatment will also vary depending on the type of cough.

When should you seek help immediately?

• While sleeping, a strong, incessant cough suddenly began. This is a sign of false croup and laryngeal edema
• whistling and wheezing when breathing. Asthma sign
• When the child coughs, he does not have enough air; he cannot inhale. This condition is life-threatening for the baby, call a doctor immediately!

Drug therapy

With a wet cough, the main thing is to help the sputum be eliminated from the body more easily. Mucolytics cope with this task: lazolvan, ambroxol, ACC. There are also natural remedies that thin phlegm: Doctor IOM, breastfeeding, pectusin. Be careful with herbs, they can cause severe allergies and aggravate the condition. It is important to stop taking mucolytic drugs in time: when the child begins to move actively, there will be no point in using them; he will be able to cough up on his own.

Dry cough in children under two years of age is not recommended to be treated with medication. It is better to speed up its transition to wetness - give the baby more liquid and regularly ventilate the room. Older children may be prescribed medications that block the cough reflex: Robitussin, Delsim. These remedies will help block the cough reflex for 10-12 hours.

Inhalations

Steam inhalations using the old-fashioned method will help moisturize the mucous membranes and help the discharge of phlegm. It is still beneficial to breathe over hot potatoes or inhale vapors with essential oils. Such treatment methods are more suitable for older children. For children, nebulizers are increasingly used in treatment. Unlike steam inhalation, there is no risk of getting burned, and the parent can control the process himself. Nebulizer inhalations are not recommended for dry cough. When wet, a solution is suitable Ambrobene or Lazolvan.

If bronchospasm (narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi), wheezing, or whistling (characteristic of obstructive bronchitis or asthma) occurs, then the main task of inhalation using a nebulizer is to relieve the spasm and help the child breathe normally. Can handle it Berodual and Pulmicort.

Folk remedies

1. The most popular treatment among people is radish with honey. The radish is cut and a hole is made in it, into which a spoonful of honey is placed. Over time, a healing syrup forms in the hole, which has antiseptic properties and soothes an irritated throat. Kids love this sweet recipe!
2. Oiling helps. A cotton piece of cloth is soaked in heated sunflower oil and placed on the chest overnight. Cover the top with plastic wrap and put on a cotton jacket. By morning the throat softens.
3. Steaming your legs is also effective. It is useful to do this with mustard - a couple of tablespoons per bowl of water is enough. The procedure lasts no more than 15 minutes, after which you need to put warm socks on the children's feet and ensure peace. There is only one contraindication - elevated temperature.

Preventive measures

Parents have the power to reduce the incidence of child illnesses by following simple recommendations. Popular pediatrician Komarovsky advises as prevention:

• reduce the temperature in the room where the child is located to 20-22 degrees
• regular ventilation, use of humidifiers
• Do not overheat the child by wrapping him up excessively. Dress it according to the weather and activity
• walk in the fresh air more often (at least 4 hours a day)
• carry out children's bathing in water no more than 27 degrees, this stimulates the child's motor activity and strengthens the immune system and sleep
• observe the regime
• Do not overload the child’s body with excessive amounts of food. It is better to underfeed a little than to overfeed a child
• do not strive for sterility so that the child’s immunity adapts to various microorganisms

Conclusion.

Any cough should not be left without the sensitive attention of parents. It is important to start treatment on time (and sometimes finish it on time) to avoid negative consequences and complications. If you are concerned that your child is constantly coughing, you should immediately seek professional help. They will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment for your baby’s recovery.

Data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/71036_01-e1489502622889-300x230..jpg 300w, https://prostudych.ru/ wp-content/uploads/2017/03/71036_01-e1489502622889.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"> Often with a cold, it is alarming when a child constantly coughs periodically. The reasons for the occurrence of such a phenomenon are often unclear. It happens that when using a list of medications, the cough remains the same, without changes. This not only brings discomfort to the child himself, but also causes trouble and anxiety to his parents.

A long cough torments a child’s body and interferes with his active lifestyle and development. In order to understand what measures need to be taken to improve your health, you will need to determine the cause of the illness. What types of cough are divided into and what does it indicate? Why might it appear? How does a child’s body react to persistent cough syndrome?

What does a cough mean?

An impulsive irritable process of the bronchi, nasal cavity and lungs is called a cough in medical practice. In this case, distinctive sounds appear as air passes through narrow respiratory tracts. In essence, a cough is a sharp respiratory movement that clears the respiratory tract from mucous secretions, dust particles, and small foreign bodies that spontaneously penetrate the human body. Thus, the manifestation of symptoms occurs in diseases of the respiratory system, ailments of the stomach and intestines, disorders of metabolic processes in the body, allergies and other diseases.

Jpg" alt="sick child" width="320" height="210" srcset="" data-srcset="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/silnyj-kashel-u-rebenka2-320x2101..jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px"> !} Sometimes the intensity of the cough can increase and lead to hoarseness, a gag reflex, and even spontaneous emptying of the bladder. A long persistent cough in children affects the mental and emotional background of the baby: he begins to be capricious, his appetite is disrupted, tearfulness and drowsiness appear.

Features of cough may vary. Acute cold syndrome lasts from 14 days. Prolonged coughing occurs from 14 days to 3 months. Chronic cough can last up to 12 months. The intensity of the syndrome can vary: from minor coughing, similar to a normal sore throat, to a hysterical cough.

The mucus released from the bronchi when coughing can be dry or wet. With nonproductive cough syndrome, there is practically no sputum. The disease can occur unexpectedly, and mucous discharge is observed in small quantities and has a viscosity.

With a wet (productive) cough, active removal of mucous secretions from the bronchi is observed..jpg" alt=" a small child coughs">!} This type of pathology may be accompanied by whistling, wheezing or other sounds. The mucus is colorless and has a viscous appearance. These symptoms are also characteristic of acute bronchitis.

Read also: Why does it hurt under the ribs when I cough?

With purulent disease of the oral cavity in children, the sputum is white. If we are talking about the development of bronchopneumonia, the mucous discharge has a greenish-yellow tint. Mucous discharge interspersed with blood often occurs with prolonged forms of bronchitis. Almost colorless sputum is released due to coughing in bronchial asthma.

The occurrence of cough is associated with an irritable process in the tissues of the respiratory system. During this, the receptors located in them give a signal to the respiratory center of the human brain. Receptors respond to any viral as well as bacteriological attacks.

For infants, not very frequent coughing is considered normal. This is how the child reacts to dust particles entering the trachea.

Physiological cough in children

To establish the cause of persistent cough syndrome in children of different ages and determine the correct therapy, it is important to understand which type of condition is considered normal for a child. When coughing attacks are observed periodically and last a short time, and there are no other symptoms of the disease, parents have nothing to worry about. Such coughing is considered to be a common occurrence for both children and adults. During the reflex contraction of the respiratory tract, they are cleared of accumulated mucus and trapped dust particles.

If parents notice that their child has a hacking cough and it does not stop for several days, they should take a closer look at the child. The main thing is to assess your general well-being and identify any emerging data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1258395043_rebenok_chasto_boleet1-300x201.jpg" alt="mother and daughter" width="300" height="201" srcset="" data-srcset="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1258395043_rebenok_chasto_boleet1-300x201..jpg 510w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"> !} symptoms of illness in a baby. The child may suffer from accompanying symptoms such as:

1. liquid mucous discharge from the nasal cavity;
2. bowel dysfunction, diarrhea;
3. high temperature.

If you identify one of the above symptoms, which is accompanied by a persistent cough in a child, you should urgently show him to a doctor. If such signs are ignored and the necessary treatment is not given, the baby may develop complications and health problems.

Types of persistent cough

Parents need to monitor any changes in the child’s cough, since different illnesses are characterized by different courses.

So, they distinguish:

Data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/news_2_15371-300x225.jpg" alt=" girl in hospital" width="300" height="225" srcset="" data-srcset="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/news_2_15371-300x225..jpg 398w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"> !}

Jpeg" alt=" baby coughing">!}

Read also: Treatment of a severe cough leading to vomiting in a child

Causes of persistent cough

The main function of a cough is to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from entering the body and, together with mucous sputum, to bring them out. However, what if children suffer from a prolonged cough? Initially, it is necessary to determine the true cause of such a symptom. A child's history of coughing for a long time may indicate the following ailments:

• colds;
• the presence of worms in the body;
• vascular stenosis;
• development of asthmatic bronchitis or asthma.

Jpg" alt="child’s temperature" width="300" height="199" srcset="" data-srcset="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/447659_rebenok-zabolel1-300x199..jpg 768w, https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/447659_rebenok-zabolel1.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"> !}
Most types of persistent cough in children appear as a result of the development of a viral and bacteriological infection. Accompanying signs of these pathologies may include increased body temperature of the child, pain in the head, chills, etc. If the cough syndrome continues for a long time and does not go away, the child should be shown to a pediatrician. It is likely that an acute respiratory viral infection is complicated by pneumonia or another dangerous respiratory disease.

If there are worms in a child’s body, a prolonged cough may also occur. When the number of helminths is exceeded, they are able to form large colonies and thereby block the respiratory tract. Vascular stenosis can cause congenital heart disease, which subsequently also leads to a prolonged cough. The lungs do not receive the required amount of oxygen; as a result of oxygen starvation, cough syndrome occurs.

A lingering cough can also occur with nervous fatigue, as well as systematic stressful situations. In addition to this, the basis of it data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/gajmorit-u-rebenka-komarovskij_31-300x176.jpg" alt="(!LANG : examination of the child by a doctor" width="300" height="176" srcset="" data-srcset="https://prostudych.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/gajmorit-u-rebenka-komarovskij_31-300x176..jpg 330w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"> !} The occurrence may be a disease of the nasal cavity of the nasopharynx and the presence of large adenoids.

The etiology of colds plays an important role in establishing a reliable medical opinion. In this regard, when collecting anamnesis, it is necessary to examine in detail all the signs of the disease. An urgent visit to a pediatrician is required when a foreign body enters the trachea, which leads to a paroxysmal urge to cough.

First aid for persistent cough

Suddenly appearing whooping cough, which continues for a long time and does not go away, can pose some danger to the baby. It indicates the possibility of developing an allergy, an asthma attack, or the presence of a foreign body in the bronchi. In the latter situation, the child’s cough is dry and manifests itself as frequent attacks. If such symptoms occur, you should immediately call an ambulance service.

A child’s cough indicates dysfunctional processes occurring in his body. Moreover, their scale can be very different - from a speck that gets into the respiratory tract, to a serious pathology of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system. Therefore, proper treatment of cough in children is a rather complex problem. To know how to eliminate coughing attacks in a child, you need to clearly understand their trigger mechanism and understand the processes that occur in the body.

With different pathologies, attacks will have their own characteristics and differences. If you learn to distinguish between them, then instead of panicking before the child’s sudden illness, parents will be able to understand how to stop the child’s cough and provide effective assistance to the coughing baby before the doctor arrives.

Coughing is a reflexive protective reaction of the body in response to irritation of the respiratory system by foreign bodies, pathogens, and deviations in the quality of inhaled air. To know how to determine the cause, you need to understand how the cough reflex can manifest itself.

Depending on the processes that occur in the respiratory organs, there may be the following types of cough in children:

1. Productive. Occurs during the period of resolution of the disease. With this type, a lot of sputum may be coughed up, which may contain mucus. It is the most favorable for the body, because During the coughing process, the respiratory tract is cleared of the effects of inflammatory processes.
2. Pharyngeal. It is also called throat. Manifests itself in weak, short, repeating tremors. This manifestation of the cough reflex is also called coughing. Caused by inhaling dry air or accumulation of mucus near the larynx. The cause of this type of cough is various pharyngitis and mild bronchitis.
3. Simple wet. Occurs in heart failure, in cases of irreversible dilation of the bronchi (development of bronchiectasis), and in bronchitis. The cause is irritation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree. As a rule, this case produces a large amount of sputum in the morning, after which there is a temporary improvement.
4. Simple dry. Also called obsessive. Normally, it appears in severe frosts when moving from the street to a warm room, then the cough can continue only until the respiratory tract warms up. In the case of diseases, a cough of this type manifests itself in a child as monotony; in this case, sputum does not come out. Occurs in the initial stage of development of bronchitis, bronchiectasis, laryngitis, tracheitis. It can occur in case of damage to the lymph nodes by the tuberculous process. Against the background of complete well-being, it indicates that foreign bodies have entered the respiratory organs, as well as the development of spontaneous pneumothorax.
5. Interruptible. May accompany headaches, inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity, chest fractures, pleurisy and pleuropneumonia.
6. Bitonal. The child coughs with a characteristic double sound. First there is a low, hoarse tone, turning into a high-pitched whistling tone. Characteristic in the presence of foreign objects, stenotic processes, if there is mechanical compression due to an enlargement of the thyroid gland or lymph nodes.
7. Paroxysmal. This usually severe cough appears in a child if whooping cough is diagnosed. The cough is in the nature of serial shocks, followed by a prolonged inhalation with a whistle. During such a cough attack, the pressure in the head vessels increases, the face turns red, may acquire a bluish tint, and short-term oxygen starvation occurs. During the night's rest the severity of the attacks is stronger than during the day.
8. Psychogenic. Against the backdrop of a stressful situation, a series of loud, dry coughs appear. A provoking factor can be fear, an overly anxious state of parents, etc. Sometimes such attacks occur to attract attention to themselves and they pass with the normalization of the psychological microclimate.

To know how to get rid of a cough, you first need to be able to distinguish between its different types.

Test: Is your lifestyle causing lung disease?

Time limit: 0

Navigation (job numbers only)

0 out of 20 tasks completed

Information

Since almost all of us live in cities with very unfavorable health conditions, and in addition to this we lead an unhealthy lifestyle, this topic is very relevant at the moment. We carry out many actions or, on the contrary, remain inactive, without thinking at all about the consequences for our body. Our life is in breathing, without it we cannot live even a few minutes. This test will help you determine whether your lifestyle can provoke lung diseases, and will also help you think about your respiratory system health and correct your mistakes.

You have already taken the test before. You can't start it again.

Test loading...

You must log in or register in order to begin the test.

You must complete the following tests to start this one:

Results

Time's up

• You lead the right lifestyle

  You are a fairly active person who cares and thinks about your respiratory system and health in general, continue to play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle and your body will delight you throughout your life. But do not forget to undergo examinations on time, maintain your immunity, this is very important, do not overcool, avoid severe physical and strong emotional overload. Try to minimize contact with sick people; if forced contact, do not forget about protective equipment (mask, washing your hands and face, clearing your respiratory tract).

• It's time to think about what you are doing wrong...

  You are at risk, you should think about your lifestyle and start taking care of yourself. Physical education is required, or even better, start playing sports, choose the sport that you like most and turn it into a hobby (dancing, cycling, gym, or just try to walk more). Don't forget to treat colds and flu promptly, they can lead to complications in the lungs. Be sure to work on your immunity, strengthen yourself, and be in nature and fresh air as often as possible. Do not forget to undergo scheduled annual examinations; it is much easier to treat lung diseases in the initial stages than in advanced stages. Avoid emotional and physical overload; if possible, eliminate or minimize smoking or contact with smokers.

• It's time to sound the alarm!

  You are completely irresponsible about your health, thereby destroying the functioning of your lungs and bronchi, have pity on them! If you want to live a long time, you need to radically change your entire attitude towards your body. First of all, get examined by specialists such as a therapist and a pulmonologist; you need to take radical measures, otherwise everything may end badly for you. Follow all the doctors’ recommendations, radically change your life, perhaps you should change your job or even your place of residence, completely eliminate smoking and alcohol from your life, and reduce contact with people who have such bad habits to a minimum, toughen up, strengthen your immunity as much as possible spend more time in the fresh air. Avoid emotional and physical overload. Completely eliminate all aggressive products from everyday use and replace them with natural, natural remedies. Do not forget to do wet cleaning and ventilation of the room at home.

1. With answer
2. With a viewing mark

1. Task 1 of 20

   1 .

   Does your lifestyle involve heavy physical activity?

2. Task 2 of 20

   2 .

   How often do you undergo a lung examination (eg fluorogram)?

3. Task 3 of 20

   3 .

   Do you play sports?

4. Task 4 of 20

   4 .

   Do you snore?

5. Task 5 of 20

   5 .

   Do you treat acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other inflammatory or infectious diseases?

6. Task 6 of 20

   6 .

   Do you carefully observe personal hygiene (shower, hands before eating and after walking, etc.)?

7. Task 7 of 20

   7 .

   Do you take care of your immunity?

8. Task 8 of 20

   8 .

   Have any relatives or family members suffered from serious lung diseases (tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia)?

9. Task 9 of 20

   9 .

   Do you live or work in an unfavorable environment (gas, smoke, chemical emissions from enterprises)?

10. Task 10 of 20

    10 .

    Do you or your household use sources of strong odors (aroma candles, incense, etc.)?

11. Task 11 of 20

    11 .

    Do you have heart disease?

12. Task 12 of 20

    12 .

    How often are you in damp, dusty or moldy environments?

13. Task 13 of 20

    13 .

    Do you often get sick with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections?

14. Task 14 of 20

    14 .

    Do you or any of your relatives have diabetes?

15. Task 15 of 20

    15 .

    Do you have any allergic diseases?

16. Task 16 of 20

    16 .

    What kind of lifestyle do you lead?

17. Task 17 of 20

    17 .

    Does anyone in your family smoke?

18. Task 18 of 20

    18 .

    Do you smoke?

19. Task 19 of 20

    19 .

    Do you have air purification devices in your home?

20. Task 20 of 20

    20 .

    Do you often use household chemicals (cleaning products, aerosols, etc.)?

If a child coughs, then there is a certain reason for this. To understand how to relieve a specific cough attack, you should influence the cause that caused it.

The causes of cough in a child are very different, and the attending physician should make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Typically, a cough in a child is caused by the following reasons:

1. A child begins to cough when infected with acute respiratory viral and adenoviral infections. The most favorable conditions for infection with these diseases are cold, damp weather. If you find yourself in crowded places at this time of year, your child is very likely to get sick. Given the mutations of the virus every year, or even throughout one season, it is difficult to say in advance what type of cough a child will develop. It is also impossible to predict whether the disease will be accompanied by a high temperature or will pass in a form without fever. Low-grade fever is also possible. Therefore, if a child begins to cough in weather favorable for the activity of influenza viruses and respiratory infections, you should immediately show the child to a doctor and begin the prescribed therapy.
2. Cough attacks can be caused by inflammation of the bronchi. The causes of cough in children against the background of inflammation due to bronchitis are viral and bacterial in nature. With a viral etiology, expectorated sputum will be transparent or with a yellowish tint. The bacterial nature of the disease will color the expectorated mucus with the pus it contains.
3. If a child has a dry or, as they say, barking cough, then we can talk about childhood infectious diseases such as whooping cough, measles, etc. To avoid serious complications that can result from these diseases, adequate therapy should be started as soon as possible.
4. Bronchial asthma is manifested not only by coughing attacks, but also by difficulty breathing.
5. In a child, severe coughing attacks or coughing can often be caused by allergies. Typically, such attacks are not accompanied by temperature reactions. The child begins to cough only after contact with the allergen. Finding out what substance provokes the occurrence of such attacks is possible only with the help of allergic reactions.
6. The reason why a child has a frequent cough, especially during the night's rest, can be the dry air in his room. In such a situation, humidifying the air with the help of special humidifiers, wet wiping the floors, and hanging wet towels or sheets in the room will help.

Therefore, before deciding how to properly treat a child’s cough, you need to understand what causes it.

Why a cough attack occurs in a child and how to treat attacks can only be indicated by a doctor based on the results of the examination.

Parents are often asked questions about how to cure a child’s cough. However, relief can only be achieved when the measures taken are adequate. Those. You can quickly relieve a cough attack only if you give your child medications that eliminate the cause.

Therefore, before treating a child’s incipient cough, it is necessary to determine its trigger mechanism, and then begin therapy:

1. Asthmatic attack. More often, during a night's rest, convulsive attacks of dry cough appear. Increasing in strength, the attack can even lead to vomiting. This is a very serious condition, so you should immediately call an ambulance. Before the team arrives, the simplest first aid for a child is to provide him with a maximum flow of fresh air. You can give your body a certain pose. It is better to sit or recline, distracting him with toys, conversation, etc. Another good way is to take hot foot baths with mustard. This will have a distracting effect, calm the baby and make breathing a little easier. Also at this time the child should be given plenty of water to drink. An allergist will tell you in detail what to give your child for a cough next time after a thorough examination. Data from laboratory tests and allergy tests will help determine how to quickly relieve a child of a cough.
2. How can I help my child cough due to inhalation of foreign objects? First of all, you should calm the child as soon as possible so that he does not make sudden movements. Otherwise, further movement of the foreign body through the bronchi is possible. Ask someone to call an ambulance. Then you need to put the baby on the table or floor face down and apply several blows between the shoulder blades. You can also hold the baby by the legs, turn him upside down and, shaking him in this position, clap him on the back. Using the described method, you can clear up your cough before the ambulance arrives. In order to prevent aspiration pneumonia, the baby must be examined after such an incident.
3. What should you do if your child coughs a lot due to a cold or infectious disease? If such attacks are accompanied by an increase in temperature, first of all the child should be provided with bed rest. The sooner you start treating cough in children, the easier the course of the incipient disease will be. A hot foot bath at night will help soothe your cough. Mustard plasters on the back will also have a good effect on older children. Inhalation also helps with cough. Traditional medicine also advises how to calm a child’s cough in case of a cold. To do this, you can give a warm drink with honey, viburnum berries, raspberry jam. Usually after this the coughing attack goes away.
4. How to properly treat a child’s cough with bronchitis? What can be given to the child in this case is usually decided by the doctor. Depending on the type of cough, the doctor decides what will help better - expectorants or antitussives. How to soften a dry cough attack at home? Steam soda inhalations help a lot.
5. How to quickly get rid of a cough with laryngitis? In this case, only warmth will help until the doctor arrives. You can do steam inhalation and put a warm compress on your neck. The doctor will tell you how to treat a child’s cough due to a sore throat and what to give to avoid future attacks.
6. How to cure a severe cough with pneumonia? In this case, it is often possible to treat a child only in a hospital under the supervision of tests. How to soften coughing at home? Preventive measures against congestion in the lungs will help here: regular ventilation, frequent changes of body position in bed. Warm drinks will also help your child's cough.

To know how to quickly cure a child’s cough, you need to know the etiology of the disease. To do this, you must undergo a clinical examination.

How to treat cough in children with medications, what cough medications exist for children? You should not decide on your own how to treat a child’s wet or dry cough. First of all, it should be noted that a child’s body differs from adults in the course of diseases and reaction to medications. Therefore, in pediatrics, only special children's cough medicines are used, differing in the composition and dosage of the active ingredients. When choosing a cough medicine for children, you should also rely on laboratory and clinical diagnostic data.

To quickly relieve this symptom of the disease, cough remedies should be selected in accordance with its characteristics.

You can safely get rid of a child’s cough only by using special products for children.

The following groups of drugs are used for cough in children:

1. Antitussives for children with central action. In pediatrics, potent drugs are not used. Usually the doctor selects a codeine-like remedy for dry cough for children, i.e. antitussives that are equal in effect to Codeine and Ethylmorphine, but do not have their side effects. Such medications perfectly relieve dry coughs, suppressing irritation of the cough center. You should not select such drugs yourself, because the doctor knows best how to relieve a child’s cough without harming his health.
2. Bronchodilator medications. We use drugs from this group to treat spastic attacks. Effective bronchodilators relieve spasms of the respiratory tract.
3. Mucolytics are used to alleviate cough. These cough medicines for children will reduce the viscosity of mucus and make it easier to eliminate.
4. Expectorants. These cough medications improve the removal of phlegm and mucus from the bronchi, speeding up recovery.

Inhalations can be used for throat and inflammation of the larynx at any age. You can add an emollient baby medicine prescribed by your doctor to the nebulizer.

Treating a cough at home without consulting a doctor can pose a serious threat to the health and life of the child! The most effective cough remedy is selected by the doctor individually, depending on the type of cough and the cause of its occurrence.

A sick child should not be given various medications for a cough without a doctor’s prescription! Often, physical examination alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. Before treating a child’s cough, it is sometimes necessary to undergo laboratory tests.

Dry cough medicine for children is usually taken for a maximum of three days from the onset of the disease. Then, after the transition to the wet form, medications are prescribed to facilitate the removal of sputum, which are taken as long as the cough lasts, i.e. until recovery.

Depending on their age, children are prescribed different dosage forms of medications. It is preferable to give drugs in the form of mixtures to newborns. From a year old it can already be treated with syrups. Children over five years old are already given tablets to take. But it is better to let the doctor choose the dosage form, as well as how to treat dry or wet children’s cough.

Prevention of cough in children is carried out in various directions.

In order to reduce the risk of coughing attacks in a child, the following recommendations must be followed:

1. Monitor the humidity in the room where the child spends the longest time. Dry air is especially harmful to children's bodies. To humidify the air, wet cleaning should be carried out daily. You should also place a household humidifier in the room. Its absence can be replaced by hanging wet towels and sheets in the room. You can also spray water frequently using a spray bottle.
2. Get rid of allergens in the house. Thorough wet cleaning every day will reduce the amount of house dust in the room. It is also necessary to remove excess carpets, because... they accumulate dust intensively. If your child is allergic to pet fur, you will have to stop keeping them.
3. During mass epidemics of respiratory viral infections, crowded places should be excluded or minimized. Taking vitamin supplements at this time will increase the child’s body’s resistance.
4. Temper your baby as early as possible. A physical therapy room doctor will help you select individual procedures and workouts.
5. Provide your child with the opportunity to consume fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables year-round.
6. The best way to prevent cough is fresh air. Therefore, the child should walk in the fresh air as much as possible. Ideally, such walks are combined with increased physical activity.

In 90% of cases, cough in children indicates the onset of a disease. But there are situations in which coughing is a completely harmless phenomenon. Let's consider all the possible reasons why a child develops a constant cough and how to eliminate them.

Why does a child cough?

Coughing in a child can be caused by a variety of reasons. Most of them are easily eliminated with a little effort on the part of parents.

Upper respiratory tract diseases and acute respiratory viral infections

If the baby begins to cough periodically, this may be nothing more than the most “banal” cold. Do not put off visiting a doctor if coughing attacks are accompanied by:

• increased temperature;
• redness of the throat;
• the occurrence of wheezing;
• lethargy, drowsiness, increased irritability of the baby;
• runny nose, lacrimation.

All of these symptoms indicate a cold. It is not recommended to treat it yourself, as this can lead to complications..

Children must be given medications according to their age. Tablets for adults contain a higher concentration of the active substance, so they can lead to an overdose.

Dusty, gassy, ​​smoky indoor air

Every parent knows how important it is to maintain ventilation in the baby’s room. But, unfortunately, not every parent follows this. As a result, lack of oxygen causes you to sneeze. At the same time, the child complains that his throat seems to be sore. But these symptoms disappear immediately after basic cleaning and airing of the children's room.

Allergy

An allergic reaction in a child is not always accompanied by external symptoms (skin rash, redness, itching, small sores). In some cases, the only manifestation of an allergy in a baby is a cough. It goes away immediately after all provoking foods disappear from the child’s diet, if the symptom is caused by a food allergy.

Dust, pet hair, and plant pollen can also act as an irritant. It is important to detect the allergen in time and stop its effect on the body.

Some diseases

If a child coughs all the time, this may indicate various diseases:

• Bronchial asthma. Accompanied by a dry cough, which worsens when lying down. It is observed mainly at night.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Acid from the stomach rushes into the esophagus, irritating the neck. It manifests itself as constant itching and dry cough.
• Heart defects and chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system. The baby may be pale and periodically lose consciousness. The heart is slightly enlarged and puts pressure on the lungs, causing a cough.

Only a pediatrician can identify or exclude these diseases. Therefore, there is no need to try to make a diagnosis yourself, but after the first signs appear, consult a specialist.

Penetration of a foreign object into a child's respiratory system

Often, coughing in children is caused by a foreign object entering the respiratory tract (toys, pieces of paper, etc.). You should not wait until the trouble goes away on its own; the most correct option is to urgently go to the hospital.

The foreign body will move from the trachea into the lungs, injuring children's organs. This condition is very dangerous. The baby may suffocate.

Causes of cough in babies

If an infant coughs constantly but is not sick, this may indicate the following reasons:

• Increased lactation. If the mother has a lot of milk, the baby coughs only because he does not have time to properly swallow and digest all that huge “milk flow”. In this case, it is better to express the milk into a jar, and only then feed the baby.
• Impaired swallowing reflex in infants. Most of the vital systems of the baby’s body are still very imperfect. A violation of the swallowing reflex, as a result of which air enters the newborn’s esophagus along with food, is a temporary phenomenon. As soon as the baby grows a little, all reflexes (including swallowing) will work properly.
• Sound test. With the help of sounds that imitate coughing (less often, a strong, paroxysmal cough), babies train their vocal apparatus.
• Accumulation of physiological mucus in the nasopharynx. Often the “provocateur” of cough in infants is mucus (snot and saliva), which is produced in excess in the newborn’s body. Once in the upper respiratory tract, mucus provokes a cough.

In this case, you just have to wait patiently until the amount of saliva in the child normalizes on its own. This period will begin immediately after the baby starts teething.

But if the child not only coughs, but other symptoms are also observed, the baby is very capricious, you need to immediately check him with a pediatrician.

How to treat children's cough

Children's cough is one of the most common ailments, the treatment of which depends on the degree of the disease, the age of the child and even the views of adults on this process. But the first thing mom and dad should do is contact a professional for advice. Otherwise, an incipient disease can only be healed or masked, and soon it can be encountered again, but in a more severe form.

Use of drugs

A visit to the hospital is simply necessary. This is the only way to prevent the development of complications and obtain adequate treatment.

Depending on the type of cough the baby has, medications are selected for its treatment. So, with a dry cough, the main task is to transform it into a wet form. Antitussives based on codeine (Codelac, Tedeine) do an excellent job of this. But they are not recommended for children under 2 years of age.

And since any treatment must be comprehensive, antiviral (Arbidol, Kagocel), antibiotics (Azithromycin, Clarithromycin) and vitamin complexes are prescribed. All medications are selected by the doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the child.

Parents should remember that if treatment is incorrect and prolonged, the cough can become chronic, and the results can be disastrous.

A wet cough is the next stage that occurs after a dry cough. This can be considered the beginning of recovery, but you should not relax. Proper drug treatment will bring results. The doctor prescribes mucolytic and expectorant drugs.

Folk remedies

If a child coughs without signs of a cold, traditional medicine can be used. For a dry cough, a decoction of pine needles, a drink of honey and milk, or tea with lemon will help.

And for wet coughs, badger fat, cabbage juice and currant leaves will be very effective. Dr. Komarovsky also recommends rinsing the nose with saline solutions (saline or Aquamaris).

But the use of traditional medicine should not be put in first place. Therapy must be comprehensive with the use of medications.

Prevention

To prevent childhood cough, the baby must be dressed appropriately for the weather, avoid drafts, and take him for walks more often. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in his diet. If the air in the room is dry, it is recommended to purchase special humidifiers. And before going to bed, you must ventilate the room.

Cough in children can occur for a number of reasons. But parents need to remember the main thing - once you notice one or another alarming symptom, do not put off visiting a doctor. The sooner you seek help, the fewer complications there will be.