Kids And Chronic Coughs
Since the fall, kids have been seeing an increased amount of germs than in the last couple of years. This is a good thing as immune systems need exposure to grow (see past post). What also comes to fruition with exposure is the sicknesses themselves - runny noses, sinus congestion, post nasal drip, and lingering coughs.
Although there are many causes of chronic coughs in littles such as asthma, reflux, allergies or aspiration of a forgein body (ie mini random toy older sibling has lying around), a common one right now is past infection.
The cough exists as there has been a build up of mucus in their lungs from past infection and the body is smart and wants it out ie productive cough occurs. Oftentimes this is worse at night or in the morning.
WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO:
First we assess the cause of lung infection - this can be viral, bacterial or even fungal (mould exposure). Testing can be done, history taken and/or imaging (referred to GP in Alberta).
Once established we then want to remove the cause (ie if it's fungal) and then support the lungs by clearing infection and boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation in the lung tissue, help the cough to be productive and reduce the mucus.
INCLUDED IN THIS:
Herbal treatments: Often my go to in supporting lung health is herbal treatment, These can come in glycerite form which makes them kid friendly (vs alcohol base). Herbs can ‘dry up’ mucus, reduce inflammation, make a cough productive, boost the immune system, and soothe lung tissue
Homeopathic remedies: Blah blah blah as my five year old so rudely says when he doesn't want to listen. And I feel like many feel like this about homeopathy. HOWEVER, I love using combination homeopathic remedies in my practice (I often leave single remedy use to those a lot wiser than I am in constitutional homeopathic medicine!). These can help acute situations when infection first begins yet I’ll use it more to help the healing of the tissue after such bad irritation for so long versus eliminating an infection.
Humidifiers - whoever invented these things for Alberta weather is a genie pot. Absolute genie pot. Adult healthy lungs can handle the dryness. Not our little people that are unwell. Placing these in their rooms at night can help with reducing lung irritation. Making sure to clean these apparatuses are a must to reduce mineral, bacteria and fungal build up.
Vitamins and food! Reduce the dairy, chug the vitamin D liquid, and the liposomal vitamin C - THAT'S NOT A PRESCRIPTION - come on now. However, our little people’s immune system is learning how to fight these bugs and they will! The vitamin C and D (in the correct dose and at the right age) will only help this process. I love riding dairy of my kid’s diets when a bug comes on. It’s mucus forming. We don't need anymore mucus when we’ve got boog after boog after boog, let's be serious here. I find I have less and less reign on my children’s diets outside the house as they grow older so this doesn't always happen in my house anymore.
Reach out if that little lingering cough is not going anywhere. Let's kick it to the curb together.
