7 myths about children's cough, because of which the child is sick all the time

Almost every parent knows several ways to deal with children's cough. Breathe steam over the potatoes, drink herbal decoction, wrap the patient in a warm blanket. You may be surprised, but these methods do not work. Moreover - hinder recovery. We understand what other common misconceptions do not allow you to quickly cure a cough in a child.

Myth 1. Cough can be treated in absentia

Some parents believe that children's cough - not the most serious problem. And to get rid of it, enough zaguglit suitable medicine or consult with the familiar pediatrician by phone.

In fact

Even if you are sure that the cough only unpleasant consequence of cold, still need to listen to the child's doctor. And not on the phone, and with the help of stethoscope. At least we should find out whether the infection has penetrated deeply and how quickly develops an inflammatory process.

If the inflammation has reached the trachea or bronchi, the child is likely to be difficult to clear his throat. In this case, doctors often prescribe mucolytics - medicines that thin the mucus and make it easier to cough. But sometimes these medications make it worse.

Myth 2. Cough should be stopped as soon as possible

Loving parents is difficult to see how the child was suffering from the annoying symptoms, it can not eat or sleep. Therefore, on cold preparations thought comes to mind one of the first. After all, there is no cough - no problem.

In fact

Cough - unconditioned reflex. He needed to clear the airways of mucus, dust, microbes, allergens, and anything else that interferes with breathing. Suppressing a cough, you are, in fact, interrupt the "cleaning" before its completion. And it is fraught with not only a protracted course of disease, but also the addition of a bacterial infection - then there is no antibiotic can not do.

To accelerate the "cleaning", you need to turn it from a dry to wet. With this help again mucolytics. Once the mucus becomes less viscous, the airways will be cleared from it due to coughing.

Myth 3. Children's immunity should itself deal with a cough

Stress, poor environment and more chronic diseases had not lick the body of a child, so he will be able to overcome the cold itself. And there is nothing wrong if the child coughs 10-15 times a day.

In fact

In children, the infection spreads very rapidly, and the fact that yesterday was a slight cough, tomorrow can become severe bronchitis. Therefore, a physician should be contacted immediately if:

• cough increases and hinders the child to sleep;
• symptom accompanied by fever;
• the child has no appetite, and / or there are signs of gastrointestinal disorders;
• cough has not passed for three weeks.

Myth 4. A cold baby should be kept warm

At the time of its inception, this myth was not a myth. really need to fight the virus to the body temperature did not fall below 38 ° C. Previously, due to malnutrition and the cold in the house of the body does not always have enough of their own forces to defeat the cold. Therefore, the body temperature was increased artificially: floated in the bath or the patient seated on the stove.

In fact

In the era of central heating, good nutrition and active SanPin ill people do not need extra heating. according to the standards GOST 30494-2011 temperature in the child must be kept within 18-24 ° C, and it is enough to cope with the organism infection.

Moreover, in US hospitals, for example, recommend The Control of Operating-Suite Temperatures maintain the temperature in the operating and recovery rooms at around 20 ° C: thus creates a comfortable climate for the person. It is also important to frequently ventilate the room to ensure a flow of fresh cool air.

Myth 5. The best remedy for cough - steam inhalation

In this myth, too, it has a history that explains its appearance. When the baths were not at all, and new ways to treat the common cold has not yet invented, people have tried to reproduce the ancient techniques of traditional medicine in miniature. You can not take a steam bath - will breathe steam over the pot.

In fact

Efficacy steam inhalation of respiratory diseases has not been proved.

Breathe over the pot as possible, except when the house is very low humidity. The air is too dry phlegm really "dry on" and moves more difficult, and it allows couples "soak". But there is a more pleasant and safer ways to achieve the same result. To maintain the humidity in the 40-60% humectant can be used, and will help to bring sputum mucolytics.

Myth 6. For the treatment of children is better to use natural products

Blind faith in the efficacy of natural products - a trend in recent years. But this is precisely the conviction should not apply to drugs.

In fact

The average life expectancy in the era of the herbalists was four times lower than in our "chemical age". The herbal preparations is impossible to accurately calculate the dosage, and therefore - it is very difficult to predict the effectiveness of treatment.

Myth 7. After recovery, not necessarily go to the doctor

Why, because the child is already well? Residual cough - this is nonsense.

In fact

The fact that the parent forums are often called "residual" cough, doctors say chronic. It arises because in bronchial hyperreactivity after a cold. This condition can provoke many factors: dust, cold or dry air, palpitations (e.g., after running) breathing. To cope with this problem few people manage without the help of a doctor.

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