My 6 yr old coughs at night from october til summer. Not asthma...?

Question

What could it be? You know its October when she starts coughing at night. Tried asthma inhaler,doesnt do anything. Recurring virus? Have no clue what it is. Started when she was 3. She has at least one episode a month, lasting several days, through the winter until the weather gets warm again, about April/May. Possibly an RSV type thing? Any ideas?

Thankyou everyone, I cant bear to choose just one best answer, they are all great, thanks x

Answer 1

Coughing is the body natural way of removing something in the lungs that is not suppose to be there.

It is possible that you might have a mold growing in your house. Clean around your windows or anywhere it can be damp. You can also try and change your furnace filter.

I would try this first. If nothing happens see your doctor.

Answer 2

Night cough is usually an indicator of asthma. Autumn is a time when many people get more symptoms due to the rise in fungal and mould spores at this time of year.

You don't say whether you tried a preventer or reliever inhaler. She may need a preventer inhaler taken morning and night to relieve the irritation in her airways. That would need to be used regularly over a few weeks to get the best benefit. It doesn't sound like she needs a reliever at all at the moment.

It's very important to have a look at her diet - a lot of allergic type responses can be triggered by vitamin deficiencies - especially look at her intake of fresh fruit and veg. Maybe put her on a vitamin supplement (ACE) for a couple of months.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Hi, there are some things to check out that others have said about but I think the main thing is to get some medical advice.
One other condition I will mention, I can't remeber the name of it but it happens when a child has had frequent infections of the tonsils, adenoids and ears. The tissues become swollen and do not close as they should. At night when the sufferer is laying down secretions from the nose constantly drip into the airway causing the coughing. I have just remembered its called post nasal drip. It can be treated.

Answer 4

i have the same problem through winter last year and the year before, and through this year's easter. the coughs last at least 1 month and it always disrupts sleep.
first gp said its only a cold/flu
second says asthma (cuz i used to have it and i inherited from my dad) and gives me a reliever
third gave me a steroid called bacotide and that worked.
so here's what i wud suggest:
- check if any of your family members have asthma history
- if someone has asthma, chances that your son/daughter has asthma is possible
- consult gp and begin by telling him that your family has some asthma sufferers (if applicable)
- tell him inhaler doesn't work and inquire about bacotide (asthma preventer inhaler)
- consult asthma nurse. (some asthma sufferers do not have asthma as some other people normally have, viruses trigger the asthma...so i think your son/daughter's asthma could be triggered by virus...)
by the way, is his/her injections up to date, even with the current flu?

Answer 5

This sounds like bronchitis to me. I would check with your family doctor and it might mean getting a chest x-ray.

From WebMD:
Bronchitis is inflammation and irritation of the airways of the lungs (bronchial tubes). Symptoms include a persistent cough that often produces mucus (sputum), fever, mild wheezing, and chest pain.

Bronchitis is usually caused by infection with a virus (less commonly with a bacteria or fungus). It can also develop after exposure to chemicals or air pollution, including tobacco smoke.

There are two types of bronchitis.

* Acute bronchitis develops suddenly. It generally lasts less 2 to 3 weeks. Most healthy people who develop bronchitis get better without any complications.
* Chronic bronchitis recurs and becomes long-term (chronic), especially in people who smoke. A cough that produces too much sputum and is present most days during a 3-month period for at least 2 years in a row suggests chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer 6

I feel your pain. I've had asthma for 14 years now and have seen several doctors. The truth is, there is no known cure for asthma at the moment. But the symptoms can be prevented. It really depends on what causes your brother's asthma. Mine is usually dust and hot weather. But I think the universal method is using the control inhaler.

I cured my Asthma the natural way?

Answer 7

My daughter has a similar problem. She is just starting to cough now it is getting colder, sometimes she coughs so much she makes herself sick. She also gets out of breath when she runs about and doesn't eat so much because she gets breathless. My GP said she had mild asthma and prescribed her a Steroid inhaler twice a day and Ventolin for whenever she needed it.

Are you sure she doesn't have Asthma? It sounds like it to me.

Answer 8

the common protocol for a protracted cough is a chest x-ray. i'm shocked the well being care expert hasn't prescribed that basically as secure degree, pondering the legth of time she's had the cough... the poor expensive. If she is wheezing alongside with the cough and is wanting breath after strenuous (or maybe reasonable) pastime, then the probabilities of athsma are extra probably. otherwise, get the x-ray, just to determine it quite is not pneumonia--and a humidifier interior the room could be useful with or without the indications. solid success--specific hopes she feels extra suitable.

Answer 9

Wow Kimberly, talk about a detailed answer!!
I think I can add one thing Kimberly forgot (if that is possible). The clinical diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is a persistent cough for 3 or more months for two or more consecutive years. Chronic bronchitis symptoms are common in the colder weather. You should speak to your pediatrician about your daughters symptoms, and your concerns.
Good Luck!
Angie RRT

Answer 10

Check for mold! Read about the symptoms of it also. My kids start coughing it's like the cold in the air. We all get it. My sons both had croup really bad when they were babies, and they have similar symptoms that at night still. Also kids bring home sickness from school. My son was healthy all summer, and then the first 3 days of school he became sick, and it hasn't stopped. It just goes around and around the class, and our home..