Son coughs at night and throughout - what is best way ?

Question

What is best way to comfort or handle the regular coughing that goes on and on for 2 hours at a stretch ? Do i sit him up and try to sleep that way ? ointment on chest does not work ..., do i put him on tummy and sleep that way ?? there must be ways of handling and letting him hv decent sleep till morning to see the doc ? Help!
He's 4.5 yrs old. He's not great in the lung compartment .. don't know how to strengthen that weakness ?

Answer 1

if he's got a lot of mucus build up too, try a vaporizer or a hot, steamy bathroom. Then, a humidifier in the bedroom can also help ease his symptoms. An OTC cough suppressant might also offer temporary relief. But as you already said, best thing is to get him to a doc as soon as possible, as he obviously is experiencing breathing difficulties with taht as well. Your pediatrician will also be able to recommend breathing exercises for your son which might help to increase his lung capacity.

Good luck!

Answer 2

If the cough is chronic and you haven't already, you might consider making an appointment with an allergy and ashtma specialist. My now 7 year old was diagnosed with asthma at age three - she had a chronic (recurring) cough that never seemed to really go away. She has been on daily preventive meds for four years and her health has improved tremendously.

To get through the night, try elevating the head of his bed - some places sell wedges you put between the boxspring and mattress or you can just do it with cinder blocks and plywood - or prop up with firm pillows. You could try a humidifier, but watch him to see if it helps or not - my daughter's coughing actually increased and the allergist told us to use a dehumidifier (the opposite!)
Hope your little guy feels better soon!

Answer 3

Having asthma myself I know how to breath when it is hard to, first let the child lay or sit however is most comfortable for him, many people will agree that sitting with your back slightly proped up helps to open the chest up and allow the diaphram room to move more effectively. Practise breathing with him, telling him that when he breaths in he should see his tummy move outward like a big balloon blowing up, and when he breaths out he should see that same balloon go down because that is basically what breathing is. He'll understand the balloon thing. Get him to the doc as soon as possible....he he is still complaining you might need to take him to the ER because it is very possible that he is having a mild but serious asthma attack, just because his lungs aren't closed if your not careful he can potentially stop breathing all together. I wish you the best of luck and my heart goes out to you. If he doesn't end up with asthma you might look into buying an epenephrine (sp?) inhaler just in case, the adrinaline in it will speed the heart rate and open up the lungs to allow air to move freely.

Answer 4

for years ever since I was young, any time I had cogestion, I would cough at night because mucus would run down the back of my throat into my lungs. The best thing I found was some long lasting decongestant and sleeping on my side. Sudaffed and Tylenol decongestant both worked for me.

Answer 5

I can't think of anything besides to give him cough medicine until you can find out what is causing the cough. Or call his doctor and ask them what you can do to ease the pain.

If you are a smoker, or anyone around you, or if you are living in a very polluted area, then you should do all you can to keep him away from unfresh air. smoke outside, don't allow anyone to smoke any where near him. And get an air purifier. they are expensive, but your baby's lungs are priceless.

Answer 6

Oooo, I feel for you.
My wife and I went through that with our son for months. Coughing, up all night, couldn't breathe. It was horrible.
We went to Dr after Dr and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. We finally took him to a children's allergy clinic.
The Dr there said... "Hello !!! He has asthma"
I have no idea why the other doctors couldn't figure that out.
Got him on asthma meds and breathing treatments. He started doing better right away. Now, he's just fine.
Good luck with everything, I'm sorry you have to go through that.

Answer 7

my grandma mentioned before, coughing in the daytime classified as 'heaty' cough at night is 'cold'.

try to observe what he eats during daytime.
some food to look out if prolonged cough during the night:
chicken, pastured milk, soft drinks, sweets, chocolate, bai cai (vege looks like cabbage), fruits (cold/just taken out of the fridge) in your case, i don't think your boy is reacting to allergy. normally,allergy would triggered sneezing and wheezing. or apply vicks to his chest and back. make a habit to ask kids put on long sleeves pyjamas if sleeping in air-conditioned room.

when cough occurred, pile some pillows together, at least 2, to let him sleep 'higher' for him to breathe.

Answer 8

Has he seen the doctor about it? Does he have cystic fibrosis?

He may have mucus buildup in his lungs; try clapping his chest and his back to loosen the excess material.

Answer 9

Do you smoke in your house? That can cause a number of lung and behaviour problems in young children. There may be something in your house that he is allergic to.

Answer 10

If you live in the mid-west and west... it may be the dry air. Try a humidifier. If you live in a high humidity area... ya got me!