Question
A three-year-old child is experiencing cough without phlegm, without any symptoms of a cold or fever. The symptoms are more pronounced at bedtime and upon waking in the morning. The medical history shows that the child has previously coughed when exposed to drafts or cold air. How should this be treated?
Answer
Firstly, it is important to ensure warmth and try to minimize the stimulation from cold winds. Coughing is a defensive response to clear foreign bodies from the respiratory tract and is usually not an independent disease. If the cough is mild and harmless to the child, treatment should be directed at the cause rather than using cough suppressants. However, if the cough is severe, appropriate cough suppressants can be used. The causes of coughing can be numerous, including inflammation of the respiratory tract, foreign bodies, pressure, allergic reactions, and pleural irritation. Medications for treating cough can be categorized into cough suppressants, expectorants, and bronchodilators. Cough suppressants such as codeine and morphine are suitable for mild inflammatory dry coughs. Expectorants like guaifenesin and Mucosolvan help to clear phlegm. Bronchodilators such as ephedrine and Salbutamol are used to relieve bronchospasm and aid in expelling phlegm. When selecting medications, one should consider the side effects and safety for children.