Coughing in children is quite common, though many parents struggle to identify its causes. Let's explore the reasons below.
Common causes of childhood cough:
1. Cough triggered by upper respiratory infections
During an upper respiratory infection, a child's nasal mucosa is already inflamed. Inhaling dry air can further irritate the nasal passages and worsen coughing.Therefore, maintain humid indoor air using methods like humidifiers, hanging damp towels, mopping floors with water, or placing a bowl of water in the room. If coughing and nasal congestion persist for over a week without improvement, seek prompt medical attention.
2. Cough caused by bronchitis
Seek medical treatment and take pediatric cough medications prescribed by a doctor. Avoid giving the child overly sweet or salty foods, as these can worsen nighttime coughing.
3. Cough caused by pharyngitis
Parents should not attempt home remedies in this case. Seek prompt medical attention for a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
4. Allergic cough
Prevent colds whenever possible and consult a doctor. For children with family histories of asthma or allergies, pay extra attention to coughing. Seek early medical diagnosis and treatment to prevent progression to asthma.
5. Choking cough from inhaled foreign objects
If a child inhales something, encourage them to cough. Never probe their mouth with your fingers, as this may push the object deeper and completely block the airway.If the child fails to cough up the object and experiences repeated coughing or wheezing, this indicates the foreign body has reached the lower respiratory tract. Immediate hospital admission is necessary for prompt removal.
For treating childhood coughs, dietary therapy is generally recommended:
1. Dried tangerine peel, licorice root, and almond milk (older children may use ready-made almond milk).This combination aids digestion, dissolves phlegm, relieves coughing, and reduces swelling. For wind-heat coughs, add honeysuckle; for wind-cold coughs, add ginger shreds; for indigestion, add hawthorn. 2. Daikon radish, pear, and rock sugar water. This moistens the lungs and clears heat, suitable for dry coughs or coughs due to indigestion. 3. Lily bulb, lotus seed, white fungus, and rock sugar porridge. This strengthens the lungs and promotes fluid production, serving as a daily dietary therapy for lung health.
4. Astragalus, Chinese yam, and red date porridge. Tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen, ideal for boosting immunity in autumn and winter.
5. Black plum decoction. Generates fluids and kills parasites, treating worm-induced coughs and yin deficiency coughs.
6.Dried tangerine peel, licorice root, chrysanthemum flowers, hawthorn berries steeped in water with honey. Aids digestion, soothes throat, and relieves cough. Treats late-stage coughs, throat swelling, phlegm accumulation, and loss of appetite.Use 3-5 slices of each ingredient per 300-500ml of boiling water. For infants under 1 year old, substitute honey with white sugar.
8. Cook garlic, then add white or brown sugar based on cold/heat symptoms. Consume daily in appropriate amounts to prevent cough inflammation with excellent supportive effects.
9. Boil 12g loquat leaves and 50g japonica rice. Wrap loquat leaves in cheesecloth, add water, boil, strain, then add japonica rice to cook into porridge.50g japonica rice. Wrap loquat leaves in cheesecloth, boil in water, strain liquid, add japonica rice, and cook into porridge. Effects: Suppresses cough, dissolves phlegm.
10. 5 slices ginger, 12g brown sugar, 3 garlic cloves. Boil in water for 10 minutes, drink the broth. Effects: Warms lungs, stops cough.