Causes of Coughing – Types of Coughs
Below are some common ways a cough will present itself: The dry cough、The nighttime ‘barky’ cough、The amplified, chesty cough、Persistent Cough、Cough with vomiting、The long coughing.
Types of Coughs
·. The dry cough
Possible cause: Seasonal virus, allergies, asthma
Often feeling like a tickle in the back of the throat, a dry cough is not in itself dangerous, but a natural and normal reaction to secretions in the respiratory tract. These coughs are usually caused by croup, an inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe) brought on by allergies, change in temperature at night, or most commonly a viral upper respiratory infection. When a young child’s airway becomes inflamed, it swells up, making it harder to breathe. Children under 3 years of age have croup most often because their windpipes are narrow – some children have it practically every time they have a respiratory illness.
·. The nighttime ‘barky’ cough, with wheezing while inhaling
Possible cause: Croup or laryngitis
Croup – or laryngitis – is an inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe) commonly brought on by a viral upper respiratory infection, or in some cases allergies. Croup is accompanied by strider, a wheezing sound as the child breathes in. Dr. Grimier says to watch carefully for strider, which means your child is experiencing respiratory distress.
·. The amplified, chesty cough
Possible cause: Seasonal virus
Coughs due to virus can get very loud and worrisome, but they don’t always signal a major infection. Suggests placing your hands on your child’s chest as they cough. If it feels like a cat purring, not to worry – a cough is often amplified by the voice box in the chest. If your child is still eating, has energy and can sleep at night, they’ll likely kick the cough in 7 to 10 days.
·. Persistent Cough
Possible cause: Seasonal virus in an asthmatic child
Coughs caused by colds can last weeks, even up to 3 weeks, especially if your child has one cold right after another. Asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or breathing passages might also be responsible for long-term coughs. If your child’s cough lasts for more than a month, you should schedule a visit with your child’s doctor.
·. Cough with vomiting
Possible cause: Seasonal virus
If your child or baby has a cough, and throws up after coughing, if a child or infant coughs hard enough, it will trigger the gag reflex and up will come their stomach contents. Again, observe your child. If he or she is still eating, drinking and can sleep, they’ll get rid of their cough in 7 to 10 days, and the vomiting will also stop. Note: if your child coughs violently for over 2 weeks with vomiting, can’t stop coughing and can’t breathe, they may have pertussis – the whooping cough.
·. The long coughing fit where your child or infant cannot draw breath
Possible cause: Pertussis, commonly known as the whooping cough
Infants with pertussis usually do not “whoop” after the prolonged episodes of coughing, but they may not get enough oxygen or they may even stop breathing with this disease. In infants and very young children, pertussis can be deadly, so call your child’s doctor right away.
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