Alleviate cough (for toddlers), treatment tips

If one speaks of cough (chickens), it is either an arbitrary or involuntary, e.g. due to a stimulus, explosive expelling air. It is a symptom and not an independent clinical picture. [17] A cough arises due to a certain sequence of natural (physiological) processes that are necessary to keep the airways clear. [18] One of the main causes of a cough is an acute respiratory infection. [3]

The causes include so-called adeno-, metapneumo- [28] or rhinoviruses. [19] Cough is also a cleansing process that removes unwanted substances, such as foreign objects or mucus. [2] For example, coughing is a sign of a disease (pathology) of the respiratory tract, but it is also an important defense mechanism. [5]

Treatment of cough

Cough and symptoms such as headache, body aches, general feeling of illness, fever and chills often occur in the context of a cold (so-called flu infection). [6] In addition, sore throat, sore throat, nasal congestion or cold feet can be added to the flu. [20]

However, the duration of the symptoms of a cold can vary widely. Without drug treatment, complete healing should generally not take longer than 14 days. Usually, however, the cough should improve after 3-7 days. [4]

General measures

Protection is important for coughs. Time and rest meet the weakened body to regenerate and recover faster.

A balanced diet strengthens the immune system. For example, a cold can be prevented by eating cooked and raw vegetables and fruit. A walk in the fresh air ensures an intensified oxygen supply and blood circulation and is therefore an ideal prophylaxis against a flu-like infection. [3]
It is important to drink a lot of fluid when coughing. [6] On the one hand, the viscous mucus in the airways becomes much more fluid. On the other hand, an increased intake of fluid fulfills a "detoxification function" because it helps to flush out pathogens from the body.
It is recommended to give the body about two to three liters of fluid a day, preferably water or tea. Thyme tea is effective because it has an anti-inflammatory effect. [22] Fennel tea is also an antispasmodic and has a decongestant effect. [21]
An increased humidity in the room moisturizes the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and so relieves the urge to cough; simply put damp cloths on the heater. [3]

Home remedies / applications

The following are some home remedies presented, which, in addition to general measures, can relieve cough in young children.

Lemon Wrap: This home remedy is very beneficial for stuck cough and whooping cough. To make the wrap, half an untreated lemon is first squeezed out. Then scratch the bowl all around with a knife and heat together with the pressed juice in 0.75 liters of hot water. Then let it steep for a few minutes. Two wipes are required for the wrap: the inner wipe is soaked with the water-lemon solution and placed around the upper body, then wrap the outer wipe over it. For this application it is very important that the wrap is kept warm. This can be achieved with hot water bottles, warmed healing wool or warm cherry stone pillows.

Ribwort thyme- cough syrup: Wash 100 g of plantain and thyme leaves, pat dry and small to cut. Pour 250 ml of water over the herbs in a saucepan, bring to a boil and one half a hour let it boil. Then drain and squeeze the herbs. This creates about 125 ml of green juice, which should be boiled with 125 g of sugar. Then fill the syrup hot.
3 teaspoons of the plantain, thyme and cough syrup can be taken daily. [8]
The plantain has a healing effect due to its bactericidal (antibacterial), anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect. [23] Thyme is purely anti-inflammatory. [22]

Horehound herbal tea: Prepare a mixture of the following ingredients: 40 g dill herb, 40 g fennel herb and 20 g horehorn herb. Fill a teaspoon of this into a tea infuser and pour in 250 ml of hot, non-boiling water. Cover and leave to steep for 5 minutes to preserve and drink the essential oils. Possibly refine with honey after cooling. Honey should be avoided in infants. The reason for this is that the honey rarely contains components of a bacterium. This can lead to the formation of the so-called botulinium toxin, a poison in children and infants, which among other things leads to constipation, swallowing paralysis, visual disturbances or muscle weakness. [29] Children under the age of 6 only need half the amount of herbs.
Children can use it 2-3 times a day, infants can take 3 tablespoons of it with each milk meal.
The tea can be used as a cure for cough, because fennel has an anti-inflammatory effect and hawthorn herb is an expectorant bittering agent. [9]

Quark wrap (from the age of 2): To use this wrap you need two cotton towels: an inner and an outer towel. Apply a thin layer of lean quark to the inner cloth and place on the chest. The outer cloth is placed over it and wrapped around the entire upper body. To avoid cooling, bring the curd wrap to a lukewarm temperature using a hot water bottle. The child should be covered warmly during use.
Quark wrap can be put on for up to 3 hours a day until the curd has dried.
The curative effects of curd cheese wrap are that they loosen the mucus in the bronchi and relieve the urge to cough.
For sensitive skin, some healing wool can be placed between the wrap and breast. [2]

If there is a strong cough
Pine needle sweets alleviate. The cough becomes more moist and mucus can be coughed up better.
It is very important to know that babies and toddlers often react to essential oils such as those from mint, eucalyptus and camphor with allergies or convulsive coughing fits. Cough balm mixtures should therefore always be discussed with a doctor beforehand.
Inhalations are only suitable from school age. [2]

Media camera (from the age of 2)

First of all, it should be mentioned that studies on the use of cough suppressants (antitussives) in children under the age of 12 have shown no significant advantage of the medication over a placebo (dummy medication). [13]

Pentoxyverin (antitussive = cough suppressant) [24]

Application: as juice or drops
Dosage: Take the drops undiluted or with liquid. The dosage depends on the child’s body weight at the age of 2-5 years. For more information, see the package leaflet.
Mechanism of action: By binding to certain structures at the site of action of the drug (so-called receptors), the activity of certain nerve cells (neurons) can be dampened and the coughing irritation suppressed.
Side effects: Drowsiness, upper abdominal pain, diarrhea
Interactions: with sedatives, media cams against cardiac arrhythmias [14] No combination with expectorants recommended. [16]
Medications: Sedotussin, [13] Silomat juice, Silomat drops

N- acetylcysteine (expectorans = substances that liquefy the bronchial secretion or remove more of the mucus) [24]

Application: mostly oral [24]
Dosage: 2-3 times 200 mg daily
Mechanism of action: A chemical reaction (so-called reduction / reduction of sulfur compounds) lowers the viscosity (consistency) of the mucus in the airways and thus liquefies it. It can then separate from the mucous membrane and be coughed up better. [25]
Side effects: Headache, fever, allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain [26]
Interaction with other drugs: No combination with antitussives, as a secretion of secretions can occur. The liquefied mucus should be coughed up. [16]
Medications: Fluimucil, ACC effervescent tablets, ACC children’s juice [25]
Beware of asthma and stomach ulcers

Detailed information about the medication can be found in the relevant package insert. Complications should always be discussed with a doctor.

To be noted

A cough can be differentiated based on various criteria. For example, due to the discharge of secretions. If there is an expectoration, it is a productive (wet) cough, if not, it is an unproductive (dry) cough. [1] Differences in the duration of the symptoms of cough allow a differentiation between an acute and a chronic form. One speaks of chronic cough after a duration of about four weeks. [5]

This shows that a cough can have many different causes. [10] These include, among others, pneumonia (pneumonia) or a so-called pseudo croup (inflammation of the upper airways in the area of the larynx, including shortness of breath). The consequences of a cough can also be problematic: nosebleeds (epistaxis), cracking of the lungs (lung rupture), headache or dizziness. If the cough does not improve or changes after ten days (e.g. if the mucus turns yellowish green) or if there is a fever, it is urgently advisable to see a doctor.) [2]

Treatment options for cough

–>Important NOTE

The information made available on Erkaeltet.info as well as comments and contributions to the discussion cannot and must not be used to create independent diagnoses and / or to independently select and use or discontinue medicinal products, other health products or treatment methods. Many symptoms and ailments can occur with various diseases. A doctor must always be consulted for a reliable diagnosis and treatment. The content provided on Erkaeltet.info has been carefully compiled and is checked for correctness and updated at regular intervals. However, the findings in medicine are subject to constant change. We therefore do not guarantee the completeness, correctness, accuracy and timeliness of all content on the website.

Published by:	Erkaeltet.info editors
Created on:	01/30/2015
Last updated on:	06/08/2015
test cycle:	yearly

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Treatment of cough

General measures

Home remedies / applications

Media camera (from the age of 2)

To be noted

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