What should I do if my child is prone to coughing?

Aug 20, 2021 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Ma Yan

Introduction

1. Maintain a light diet, primarily consisting of fresh vegetables, supplemented with moderate amounts of fruit and soy products; limit intake of meat and other animal-based foods. 2. Pharmacological treatment: First, the underlying cause of the condition must be clearly identified, followed by targeted management. Typically, antihistamines and expectorants are prescribed. 3. Engage in appropriate physical activity—encourage children to participate regularly in outdoor aerobic exercise.

Medically speaking, coughing is a protective reflex that helps prevent the inhalation of foreign objects and facilitates the expulsion of phlegm. Occasional coughing in children can actually benefit their health. However, with changing weather conditions—particularly fluctuations between cold and warm temperatures—children, whose immune defenses are relatively weak, are prone to catching colds and developing coughs. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms accompanying the common cold. So, what should parents do when their child frequently coughs? Below, we address this question.

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What to Do When a Child Coughs Frequently

1. Maintain a Light Diet

During illness, feed your child light, easily digestible foods, emphasizing fresh vegetables. Include moderate amounts of fruits and soy products, while limiting meat and other rich or greasy foods. Steaming and boiling are the preferred cooking methods. Additionally, minimize sugar and salt intake: excess sugar may promote internal heat and phlegm production, whereas excessive salt may exacerbate coughing symptoms.

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2. Pharmacological Treatment

Children are highly susceptible to coughing, which often progresses to chronic cough. In such cases, the first step is to identify the underlying cause. Once diagnosed, targeted treatment can be initiated—commonly involving antihistamines and expectorants. These medications help suppress coughing and loosen phlegm, thereby alleviating symptoms and reducing the severity and frequency of coughing.

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3. Encourage Appropriate Physical Activity

Encourage your child to engage in regular outdoor aerobic activities—such as walking or jogging in parks or residential neighborhoods, climbing stairs or small hills—to gradually cultivate healthy exercise habits. Exposure to nature and fresh air strengthens the immune system, enhances overall physical fitness, and reduces the frequency of illnesses.

The above outlines practical strategies for managing frequent coughing in children. We hope this information proves helpful to you.

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Which acupressure points can be massaged to relieve coughing in children?

During a child’s cough, massaging the Ren-17 (Shanzhong) acupoint can effectively relieve coughing. This acupoint is located on the anterior midline of the chest, at the intersection of the line connecting the two nipples and the midline of the sternum. To massage it, the parent uses the thumb to gently push and knead the Shanzhong point upward from below for approximately two minutes—ideally until the child feels a sensation of distension and numbness.