Okay, so I realize this is not really the place to get medical advice..however?

Question

I had a question that maybe I could some feedback on..My niece who is 10 had a cold the week of 19th. She went to the doctor right away, and he confirmed it was just a cold. She was congested for a few days and coughing, and then it stopped for 3 days. For the past two days, she has been coughing alot, but no runny nose, no congestion, just dry coughing. I do not think it is broncitis because she is not weezing...I listen to her chest and listen to her lungs in the back and all is clear...what else could it be. Please only answer if you are serious. I will take her to the doctors tomorrow since everything is closed today. Should I wait till tomorrow or take her to hospital today where she could catch something worse...No fever either.... any advise?

Answer 1

Hi Laea

Cough

Cause
This is often caused by a stomach disorder that comes from overloading the system with food, wherein fermentation in the stomach causes phlegm. It may also be induced by inflammation in the bronchial tubes due to a neglected cold. Worms may be the cause. Many coughs are from a nervous condition, where coughing may eventually become habitual. Coughs are highly misunderstood. Usually a sore throat and coughing are caused by the sinuses draining the eustachian tubes, which is like pouring acid down the throat. A cough usually comes from a lowered vitality in the system from improper diet, loss of sleep, lack of exercise, and fresh air, improper breathing, poor elimination, or improper night clothing and bedding.

General Instructions to heal: Acute coughs can often be relieved with a little honey and onion syrup (cut open an onion and pour organic honey over the onion and let sit for 12 hours, the honey will absorb the onion properties and eat 3-4 tablespoons for 3-4 times a day to get rid of the mucus).

When it is the result of an old acute condition, clear out the morbid condition as rapidly as possible without causing irritation. In old cough conditions, comfrey with vervain or mullein are very good. The antispasmodic tincture is also excellent, and it is good to massage the chest area across the back with an antispasmodic tincture during attacks of spasms. Antispasmodic tincture may be used both internally and externally as a liniment on the throat. If this is due to a neglected cold, any of the diaphoretic herbs are excellent. To relieve the coughing spasms, use horehounds, comfrey, or a small amount of lobelia. High enemas of herbal laxatives will relieve congestion of the bowels, and if the cough is severe (asthma, whooping cough) load the stomach with liquids and induce vomiting.

Best of health to both of you

Answer 2

Since it is only coughing without wheezing, it could just be a sore throat (this happens to me after I get over a cold sometimes).Have her take a hot shower (moist heat) or if you've got a humidifier around hook that up in her room. If the moist air makes her stop coughing that it is probably all it is. Give her hot tea with lemon and honey, cough drops (or any hard candy, really). You're going to the doctor with her tomorrow, right? Your niece is ten years old, ask her if she feels sick at all aside from the cough. If that's the only thing, she should be fine until you find out for sure from the doctor tomorrow.

Answer 3

Since she is coughing a lot, yes, take her to emergency. I'm not trying to be an alarmist. It does sound like it could possibly be croup but, if she's coughing that much, it's going to cause wear and tear on her little body. Also, since there is a flu going around, you don't want it to end up in her chest again. The humidifiers could be as bad as taking her to the hospital.

However>>>>for a quick fix. Try Strong warm coffee (not cool or cold). She won't like the taste of it, but if she sips it and I mean, take a sip, swallow, take a sip(don't let her sit there just holding it) this just might calm the coughing for a short time. I'm asthmatic and this helps immediately with an asthma cough, especially in children. She may not be asthmatic, but she sounds like it even without the wheezing. I know.

What ever you do, don't let her just cough. It's not good for her body, lungs or heart.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

To ease her cough until tomorrow, you could get her some over the counter cough medicine. This may help. Plus drinking water, fruit drinks with Vitamin C or hot tea with lemon may reduce or at least help her dry cough. If there are any pharmacies open, the best thing to do is to call a pharmacist. They are so helpful in picking out the right medicine. I use them all the time when I have questions about medicines or health when I can not call my doctor. I hope she is feeling better soon.

Answer 5

If their is no fever and she isn't having any difficulty breathing I wouldn't take her to the ER. It could just be throat irritation from the drainage, even though you don't SEE any snot, it could still be draining down the back of her throat. If her lungs are clear I would say it is safe to give her a cough suppressant like Dimetapp, Robitussin DM, etc. Then take her to see a doctor if need be.

Answer 6

Well, i see your dilemna, you're afraid for your neice, It could possibly be a sickness called Croup, i had it when i was younger. It just makes you cough frequently, try a humidifier in her room at night, and if i gets really bad, a change in temperature will kill the cough, so if it's 70 inside your house, and she is going into an insane coughing fit, take her outside for some fresh air. Good luck, hope that helps. Cheers!

Answer 7

Legally, cant advise on whether or not to take her to the doc, but you can try a humidifyer in a closed room, or a steamy bathroom just to see if symptoms relieved. It helps with my kids.

Answer 8

Click on this link: http://www.webmd.com/hw/cold_and_flu/hw85348.asp

It may be of some help to you.