Treating Children with Bronchitis
A child suffering from bronchitis is plagued with bouts of coughing and chest discomfort, very similar to pneumonia symptoms. It is a condition that affects a number of young people frequently so if you find that your child seems to be getting it more often, it’s time to consider some form of long term treatment. The source of bronchitis is usually an infection of some kind – either viral or bacterial. At Village Pediatrics, we have been treating young people with bronchitis for a considerable period and we believe in doing so with minimal medication. We want your child to develop his own immunity and resistance to such diseases so we administer only the most caring and minimally intensive form of treatment.
What is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a condition caused by the airways, which link the windpipe to the lungs getting inflamed and resulting in excessive coughing. It is similar to asthma however in that the same parts of the body are getting inflamed however bronchitis is usually caused by an irritation or infection of some kind whereas asthma is a pre-existing allergic condition that could have been genetically inherited.
Causes of Bronchitis
The airways linking the windpipe to the lungs can get inflamed and swollen from a variety of factors. Most children are particularly susceptible to the condition during cold season when they are also plagued with upper respiratory infections. Existing viruses particularly influenza A and B are known to cause bronchitis. There are other irritants and bacteria that cause the inflammation if they get into your system. Excessive exposure to dust and pollution can also cause severe cases of bronchitis.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
Bronchitis usually starts with a cough but since it is associated with an infection, it is quite often accompanied by fever, body pain and other aches. The cough may be dry or produce phlegm, large amounts of which indicate a severe condition involving the lung being infected. The cough can be quite violent and last for over a week. It may cause the muscles in the chest area to become weak resulting in some pain while coughing. Wheezing is another symptom of bronchitis as the airways is blocked forcing the child to take deep long breaths.
Treatment for Bronchitis
In most cases bronchitis is caused by viral infections so the only way to treat it is to work on the symptoms until the body heals. Cough suppressants can be consumed to provide some relief from the cough and usual fever medicine can be taken to bring down any high temperature. It is also recommended that the child be exposed to humidifiers or inhalators to clear the airway passage and ease discomfort. Antibiotics may be required in the case of bacterial infections and ultimately failure to respond to any treatment could require hospitalization.
At Village Pediatrics, we have been treating young children suffering from bronchitis for a long time. We don’t believe in resorting to too many strong medicines, rather we believe in helping the body develop the ability to fight the infection itself. Through it all we are constantly focused on alleviating any discomfort your child might be going through.