Breathing Difficulties in Children

Breathing difficulties in children can be the early sign of disease like pneumonia or asthma. Let us take a look at the signs and symptoms of breathing problems in children and what parents can do to help them.If you find that your child is having breathing problem, you will have to observe her breathing pattern and if things are severe, you might have to consult your doctor immediately. To know when you should take action, you need to know the types of symptoms and some immediate remedial tips to ease your child’s discomfort. In this articleSymptoms of Breathing Problem in Your ChildWhen to Call the Doctor?Tips to Help Your ChildSymptoms of Breathing Problem in Your ChildBreathing problem usually signals a serious problem and if not attended and treated on time, may turn fatal too.Croaky breaths and fast breathingWheezingHoarse voiceFeverNasal flaringDry and heavy coughing with typical soundSucking, chest caving in or retractionSkin, lips or nails turning blueIf your child is just breathing heavily and wheezing but not coughing, it is a symptom of pneumonia. This is also a serious infection of lungs and if immediate medical attention is not given it may damage the lung tissue. If your child is wheezing and indicating about shortness of breath, it can be asthma. Asthma is a medical emergency and you should rush to the doctor if the prescribed medicines are not showing relief.Here are some questions that you will need to answer if you consult a doctor.When did you start observing breathing problem in your child?Was there something that triggered the attack?Did the problem start suddenly or did it gradually reached that stage?Does the child have fever and cough along with breathing problem?Is there a family history of asthma?Is your child weak and seem to be sick?Normally, asthma and some respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia and croup are the main causes behind breathing problem in kids. Sudden breathing difficulty can be due to choking or epiglottis. Breathing problems are common in very young children, but in some cases, they might get serious. So, you need to be cautious and watchful.When to Call the Doctor?If your child is less than 1 year of age and even after cleaning her nose she is facing breathing problem.If it is breathing problem or your child is breathing rapidly.Is continuously coughing or is facing frequent coughing attacks.Is wheezing and a high pitch whistle like sound is heard when your child is breathing out.Is coughing out blood or is unable to breath properly because of pain in chest.Has a persistent fever.Is vomiting and cannot take fluid.Tips to Help Your ChildPrevent dehydration – If your child is less than one year, give her plenty of breast milk. If she is a bit older, give her water or diluted juice. This will bring relief to the discomfort your child is facing.Relieve congestion by extracting mucus from your child’s nose.Ease your child’s breathing and try to keep the place warm. Use humidifier to make your sick child comfortable. Children with seasonal allergies get treated with this.Give your child half teaspoon of honey to get relief from cough and congestion in chest.Make your child comfortable and let her rest. If there is fever, you can give the children’s formula that you might have been using as prescribe by your doctor. Make sure you do not give your child any new medicine without consulting the doctor.Call your paediatrician if you think your child needs medical attention immediately or you feel that there is need for appropriate over-the-counter medicine.Infants and children experience varieties of breathing difficulties during that short span of time, from birth to pre-school. Parents need to stay calm, alert and never panic. You should be attentive, watchful, prepared and organized so that no matter what the situation is, you are capable of handling it effectively.What are the common signs and symptoms of breathing problems in children? How to help children when they are coping with breathing problems? What are the causes of breathing problems in children? Discuss here.