Common Types of Childhood Coughs
Coughing is one of the most common forms of childhood ailments; however, constant coughing is not normal, and it should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. One of the most common types of childhood coughs is the “barky” cough. It is generally caused by swelling in the upper part of the respiratory system, such as the larynx and the trachea. In small children, the bark like cough can be indicative of the croup. The whooping cough is another common type of childhood cough.
With this particular illness, a child suffers spasmodic episodes of coughing, during which he or she cannot breathe. Whooping cough generally occurs in children who are under six years of age, particularly in children who under one year of age.
Coughing and wheezing can combine in a child to produce a whistling noise when they breathe outwards. In most of these instances, the lower airways of the child are most likely swollen. Although the lower airway can potentially be blocked by foreign objects, it is generally attributed to asthma or another sort of viral infection. During the night, a child’s cough can often become aggravated. Because the child is lying down in a neutral position, the mucus and congestion of the lungs and sinuses cannot drain down the throat. In most instances, even though the cough is aggravated, it is not problematic unless it prevents the child from breathing. Cold air, during the daytime or night, can also aggravate the symptoms of constant coughing in children.
Constant coughing can also be accompanied by a fever or vomiting. Generally, when a constant cough is accompanied by a runny nose and low grade fever, it indicates that the child might have a common cold. Often times, the frequency of constant coughing can trigger a child’s gag reflex, which induces vomiting. Although most of these types of coughs are common during childhood, a parent should contact a doctor immediately if the child has difficulty breathing, has a blue tinge to their skin, or if the child is coughing up blood.
The doctor who sees to the child will listen to their cough to determine what is causing it and then devise an appropriate course of treatment.