Any advice on my son's constant coughing?

Question

My son is 15 months old and has been healthy up until 2 months ago when we both got a horrible cold. We were sick for 2 weeks and I don't know that it ever completely went away for him. Just different "levels". Some days it would appear to be gone, then it would come back and so on. A few days ago he started showing symptoms again, watery eyes, runny nose with thick green mucus, and a horrible cough. So it appears to be an upper resp. infection, but it just seems never-ending. I took him to 2 different doctors, one who really had no answers and one who was a little more thorough and prescribed him singulair and an inhaler with a mask. He said that even if it isn't asthma that it would help to lessen the cough and open up his lungs and he would have a better chance to get over it. It does help with the coughing. My question I guess is, is it normal for an upper resp. infection to last this long? Also, could it be asthma? I didn't think it was because of the other

symptoms, runny green nose, etc. Also, allergies were mentioned as a possibility, but he never had a problem before the initial cold. I'm just confused and worried. He does go to daycare 3 times a week also. Any advice would really be appreciated as I'm sitting here right now a nervous wreck! Thanks!!

Forgot to add, he isn't feverish and attitude is normal....happy and playful. I have a cool mist humidifier in his room and mattress is tilted upward.

Answer 1

This could be an allergic reaction to something in your sons environment. I would be on the lookout for hidden sources like mold. Is there a difference in your sons health when he is home, vs. when he is at daycare? Is he better at one place and not the other or is he the same at both places. Try to look for clues like this and try to determine the cause.

Answer 2

Hi LuvBaby

Here are some answers.

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.

Herbal Aids
1.General Instructions: Acute coughs can often be relieved with a little honey and onion syrup. 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 3

Of course I can't see or hear him so this is just an educated guess. ;) But from what the doctors said, added to the fact that he goes to daycare, it sounds like he has yet another cold. There are millions of viruses out there, and kids in day care are very good at sharing them. :) As long as he doesn't have a fever, is drinking and eating pretty well (hard to do with a snotty nose sometimes), and you feel he's doing ok, he should hopefully recover without problems.

Just as an aside, I hope the workers at the daycare are washing their hands as often as possible, and the toys and other shared surfaces are being cleaned on at least a daily basis.

Answer 4

most infections are viral. treat the symptoms with advil or tylenol, lots of fluids, and the bulb suction. your son is too young to clean his nose properly and needs your help. this is a battle you will have to win, so get the bulb, put saline drops in his nose, and suck.
use the nebulizer every 4 hours for the cough. nighttime is worse, so safely use a vaporizer when he sleeps and add a pillow under the crib mattress to elevate him. if the cough doesn't resolve in 48 hours, you need to follow up with his pediatrician. if he is short of breath or the cough doesn't go away with the neb treatments (even in the middle of the nite), get him to the ER.
when he is better, ask for a referral to a pediatriac pulmonologist who will assess his lungs and the history of his symptoms. most viruses can last 3-21 days and the diagnosis of asthma is insignificant at this time.

Answer 5

A cough is the body's response to inflammation or irritation in the throat, larynx, bronchial tubes or lungs.Some coughs are dry, while others are considered productive.Here are a few simple home remedies that will help to overcome cough. Have honey in a hot drink before bed time.To relieve fits of coughing due to dryness in the throat, suck a few pepper corns. More remedies at http://useinfo6.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

yeah it might be that your son might have a mild degree of asthma running. Moreover children are quite susceptible to infections since their immune system has not yet fully developed and it takes some time before their immune system is able to tackle all illnesses.

Moreover as ur son is going to childcare 3 times a week he has quite significant exposure to cold viruses. Moreover these viruses are not so harmful but they generally make the kids unwell.

What I suggest is please see ur doctor for an Immunoallergy check and avoid being with sickies. Moreover a good nutrition helps to boost ur immune system.

Answer 7

Subject: Coughing

Sorry, no graphic for this one, and don't laugh, it works 100% of the time although the scientists at the Canada Research council (who discovered
it) aren't sure why.

To stop nighttime coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks.

Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief.

Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly.

I heard the head of the Canada Research Council describe these findings on the part of their scientists when they were investigating the
effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children as compared to alternative therapies like accupressure. Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs so, I listened.

It was a surprising finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, and in addition, to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

Lolly tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes and believe me, this was a deep, ( incredibly annoying!) every few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough free for hours every night that she used it.

Answer 8

Cough is caused by a number of ailments.
It can be treated by over the counter medicines
or home remedies. More information available
at http://ailments.in/cough.html

Answer 9

ASTHMA the 2ND Dr was right and you should use it right on your child to relieve the symptoms