Childs Cough

Updated on October 06, 2009
C.C. asks from Los Angeles, CA
9 answers

What are the symptoms of asthma? My 4yr old daughter got over the flu a few weeks ago, but the cough is still there. She is waking up at night coughing and also during the day when she seems to get overheated. I know that coughs are last to go but for some reason it just seems different to me!

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your answers! We tried the cough medicine yesterday and today and the only change is that she didn't cough while she slept. I am going to get her in with her doctor asap!

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V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Spongia tosta 30C. 3 pellets first thing in the moring and on the empty stomach at night.
Good Luck
V.

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J.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree with the previous responses. Asthma tends to show itself different from person to person. My oldest daughter, who will be 7 next month, was diagnosed when she was 3. My husband has asthma as well as his mother.

In my daughter's case, the asthma symptoms surfaced as a result of a respiratory infection. She had the typical cold, stuffy/runny nose, congestion, and cough. It progressively got worse--to the point she was coughing so hard and so much, she got sick a couple times. They took her pulse/ox to determine her % oxygen level. It was far below where it should have been. They administered breathing treatments in the pediatrician's office but they weren't effective so we were sent to the hospital to be evaluated.

She ended up being admitted for 5 days because she was oxygen dependent. Once that happened, she had to be off of oxygen for a certain amount of time before she could be discharged.

For us, colds and allergies not quickly treated trigger my daughter's asthma. Getting flu shots for her and the entire family are a priority during flu season. But she is on daily asthma maintenance medication, pulmicort, and has emergency asthma medicine, albuterol, both which are used through a nebulizer machine. (A mask attached to a pump which turns the liquid medication into a vapor that is inhaled).

We are planning to see an allergist as well. We want to ensure that when symptoms are present, they are being properly treated. (Asthma meds given for asthma symptoms and allergy meds
given for allergies). I'd hate to think I'm giving her asthma medicine when she is just suffering from allergies. And when our daughter starts coughing at night, I have to be digilent in those breathing treatments, especially if they are robbing her of sleep. I hope what I said makes sense and I helped in some way. I know every case is different, but this was our case. Good luck!

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

How old is your child? Has he/she been sick? Two weeks ago, my son (age 2) was experiencing asthma-like symptoms as well. He was wheezing so heavily we ended up in the ER and had to do several days of breathing treatments at home with a nebulizer and albuterol.

We were told that asthma is not typically diagnosed in children until they are at least 5-6 years old, and sometimes older. Many children, my son included, experience virus-induced respiratory distress. A few treatments through a nebulizer when symptoms of a cold/flu first develop can usually suppress the symptoms and prevent trips to the ER.

As far as coughing goes, I don't know if that is associated with asthma or not. My understanding has always been that asthma is characterized by breathing problems, due either to environmental allergies or overexertion.

K.
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M.S.

answers from Honolulu on

Hi I am a 34yr old mother of 4. My oldest child is 11yrs.old and has he has been asthmatic since he was a baby and one main sympton of his asthma is the wheezing and his airways would clamp down. The Doctor(s) suggested it could be a number of causes for asthma which to me all lead to some sort of allergy. If you just listen to her chest and hear a whistling sound it's a good idea to get it checked.You may also want to observe her breathing. I'm thinking she may have an allergy of some sort which makes her throat itchy and cause her to cough.Allergies may also trigger asthma like symptoms or even an asthma attack.If she has coughing with a fever she also should be checked to make sure it's not bronchitis or pnemonia which would require a course of antiboitics.Hope this helps. Good luck!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Its best if you take her to the Doctor.
In young children, Asthma symptoms are presented differently.
I know, because I have Asthma, and have had it since childhood.
Not all the "typical" wheezing, may occur in children, or it might.
And yes, "coughing" is a symptom of Asthma... but it is also a symptom of other things.
THUS, you have to have a Doctor's diagnoses.
In Asthma, it is also when it is cold, that it can exacerbate the condition. NOT just being overheated.

I would strongly advise, having her see a Doctor to make sure what it is. Guessing at it, won't help.

All the best,
Susan

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J.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would be safe and get her checked out by your ped. She could have fluid in her lungs or something. Quick check can't hurt.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

my daughter was like that when she got diagnosed with it but the only difference is that she was 10 months old. i would look up asthma signs in children under 5. but also i believe that after they are ill with a flu or cold that it is typical for them to cough to get the rest of the junk out of their body.

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L.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

The obvious symptom of asthma is wheezing, me and other asthmatic people tend to wheeze more at night, but coughing can also be a sign of asthma.
As you say, coughs are last to go, but if you're concerned, take her to the doctor, diagnosing asthma is not difficult or painful, and you'll possibly feel more relieved if you know for sure what's going on.

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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree with Susan.

Asthma comes in a variety of types and symptoms can vary. My son has allergy induced asthma and this doesn't require daily treatment of albuetorol (only for onset), with the exception of a allergy medicine. However, my friends son has a daily inhaler for a similar type asthma but his is more severe.

Maybe ask for a referral to an allergist after you talk to her Pedi.

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