What should be done for severe cough caused by bronchitis in children?
Apr 17, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
In general, measures such as drinking more water, adjusting environmental humidity, back tapping, medication, and nebulization therapy can help alleviate severe coughing in children with bronchitis. If symptoms persist, prompt medical attention is recommended. Additionally, it is important to develop healthy lifestyle habits and avoid spicy or irritating foods such as pepper, chili, and garlic, as these may hinder recovery.
Generally, for severe cough caused by bronchitis in children, measures such as drinking more water, adjusting environmental humidity, back tapping, medication, and nebulization therapy can help alleviate symptoms. If symptoms persist or worsen, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Drink More Water
Encourage the child to drink plenty of warm water, which helps thin the mucus, making it easier to cough up and thus relieving cough symptoms. Additionally, adequate hydration prevents dehydration caused by excessive coughing.
2. Adjust Environmental Humidity
Maintain moist indoor air by using a humidifier to keep the humidity level between 50% and 60%. Appropriate humidity helps soothe dryness in the respiratory mucosa and alleviates coughing. However, ensure the humidifier is cleaned regularly to prevent bacterial growth.
3. Back Tapping
When the child is coughing, caregivers can hold the child upright with their chest resting on the caregiver's shoulder. Using a cupped hand, gently tap the child's back rhythmically from bottom to top and from outside to inside. This helps loosen mucus, promotes its expulsion, reduces irritation to the airways, and thereby relieves coughing.
4. Medication
If the child's cough is accompanied by excessive mucus, Ambroxol oral solution may be used under a doctor's guidance to thin mucus and promote its expulsion, thus relieving cough symptoms. If the cough is due to bronchospasm, bronchodilators such as Salbutamol aerosol can be used to relax bronchial smooth muscles and alleviate coughing.
5. Nebulization Therapy
Nebulizers convert medication into fine particles that the child inhales directly into the respiratory tract, acting locally to effectively relieve coughing. Commonly used nebulizing medications include Ambroxol Hydrochloride Solution for Inhalation and Ipratropium Bromide Solution for Inhalation. It is recommended to use these under a doctor's guidance.
Maintaining healthy daily habits is important. Avoid spicy and irritating foods such as pepper, chili peppers, and garlic, as these may hinder recovery.
