How is shortness of breath treated in children? Are there tips that can be followed to contribute to treatment? Find out the most important information about that after reading the following article.
Shortness of breath is one of the common problems in children, especially infants who were born before their original due date. The first 48 to 72 hours are usually the hardest, and then the child begins to respond to treatment.
Here is an explanation for the treatment of shortness of breath in children
Treatment of shortness of breath in children
Treatment for shortness of breath in children depends on a number of factors, which include the following:
What week of pregnancy was the baby born?
The general health of the child.
The seriousness of self-sufficiency.
The extent to which the child tolerates the means of treatment, such as: medicines or operations.
What do parents prefer?
After examining the previous factors, the treatment is determined, which is classified into two parts. The first is treatment for children who were born before their due date, and the other is for those who were born on their due date, which is as follows:
1. Treatment of shortness of breath in premature babies
This situation is considered an emergency, and treatment includes the following
Inserting a breathing tube through the child''s windpipe.
Provide the baby with oxygen.
Place the child on a respirator.
Passing a stream of air to keep the narrowed breathing passages in the lungs open.
Give the child pain relievers.
2. Treatment of shortness of breath in children who were born on time
This type of shortness of breath usually affects young children, and treatment depends on the cause. Some treatments include:
Steroid medications, such as prednisone, if the cause is diphtheria, a viral infection.
Antibiotics if the cause is bacterial.
Sprays containing steroids, if the cause is asthma.
Treatment of shortness of breath in children: tips
There are some tips that contribute to improving treatment when followed, which include the following:
Keep your child away from any source of smoke, and prevent those around him from smoking.
Ensure that the child gets enough rest and sleep.
Giving the child all the medicines that have been dispensed regularly.
Ensure that the child does some exercise, in addition to paying attention to his diet to be healthy.
Giving steroid injections to the pregnant woman between the 24th week and the 34th week of pregnancy, as these injections reduce the chance of premature birth, and these injections can also be given in the 37th week.
Ensure that the child is breastfed with sufficient amounts of natural or artificial milk and water, if he is older.
Waiting enough time when feeding the child, as shortness of breath makes it difficult to swallow.
Use saline nasal s to remove congestion from the child''s nose if he or she is having difficulty breathing.
Use an air humidifier to add moisture to the air in the place where the child is.
Giving painkillers such as acetaminophen if the child is older than 6 months.
Shortness of breath in children: see a doctor
There are some cases that require immediate emergency contact, which include the following
The child''s inability to cry or speak due to shortness of breath.
Baby''s use of abdominal muscles for breathing.
The color of the lips and face changed to blue.
Possibly swallowing small objects that get stuck in the throat.
Difficulty breathing after using a new medication or after being stung by a bee.
In some cases, a doctor should be called or visited, not the emergency room. These cases include:
The child is less than a year old and has difficulty breathing even after cleaning his nose.
The presence of a severe, dry cough.
A wheezing in the chest when breathing.
Coughing up blood and chest pain.
vomiting.
The child''s cold made the symptoms worse.
