Question
A child has been coughing persistently since March, with symptoms mainly characterized by itching in the throat, frequent clearing of the throat, and exacerbation of symptoms especially in the afternoon and evening. There is no sputum, and the cough is more severe during physical activity or when exposed to wind. Hospital examination revealed nasal inflammation with redness and swelling of the nasal area but ineffective treatment. Requesting professional advice.
Answer
Persistent cough in children may be caused by a variety of factors and requires a detailed diagnosis followed by treatment tailored to the condition. Inflammation due to developmental abnormalities in the trachea may require a longer period to heal and may require surgical treatment once diagnosed. Blockage of the airway by foreign objects in the trachea, affecting regional blood supply, requires bronchoscopy to remove the foreign object to alleviate coughing. Softening of the trachea may cause difficulty in expectoration and is often accompanied by recurrent coughing; oral calcium supplementation may be considered. Coughing induced by psychological and mental factors requires psychological counseling. Allergic cough requires avoidance of allergens to eliminate it completely.