Croup
| Health And Fitness : Top Health Tips Doc says: This is a viral infection that causes, the larynx or trachea to narrow during swelling. The larynx goes into spasms, and the sufferer experiences difficulty breathing. A harsh barking cough, hoarseness, tightness in the lungs, and feelings of suffocation. Mucus production may also increase, further clogging airways. At first you may think it’s just a common cold. It starts off with congestion, a runny nose. And a cough that develops into a barking cough, associated with the croup. Or it could even sound like harsh wheezing noise that is made, when air is breathed in through the constricted windpipe, and over inflamed vocal cords. Croup mostly occurs in young children and babies between the age of three months and three years. Their airways are much narrower than the adults. Croup attacks frequently occur at night. The virus usually runs its course in five or six days. Eucalyptus Oil Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a vaporizer and let him inhale the steam. It makes it much easier for the child to breathe if the air is kept humidified. Fenu- Thyme This thyme is good for congestion. Ginger Give your child very warm ginger herb baths. Then immediately wrap him in a heavy towel or blanket, and put him to bed to perspire. This helps to loosen the mucus and rid the body of toxins. Or just let him stay in a steam - filled bathroom for 10 – 15 minutes. The moisture will help with the breathing. Fluids Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids. This helps thin out the mucus. Herbal teas, and homemade soup are good sources. Onion Packs Apply hot onion packs over the chest and back three times a day. Slice onions and place them in between cloths, and apply the pack, then cover it with a heating pad. The onion packs open the pores, and relieve congestion. Croup is a viral infection, so antibiotics will not help. Fresh cold air . It could help with breathing by reducing the swelling of the trachea, and larynx. IF YOUR CHILD WITH THE CROUP IS HAVING PROBLEMS BREATHING, TAKE HIM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF THE NEAREST HOSPITAL, FOR TREATMENT AND X RAYS OF THE LARNYX. OXYGEN MAY BE NEEDED.MILDER CASES CAN BE TREATED AT HOME. BUT PARENTS MUST BE ALERST FOR SIGNS OF INCREASING BREATHING DIFFICULTY.
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