Inhalation when coughing in a child: indications, procedure, review of drugs, dosage

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 12:45

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. Leaves are falling outside and it is drizzling, which means that autumn has come again and its constant companions are colds and SARS. A cold dad came home from work, a neighbor sneezed in the elevator, someone nearby in public transport coughed loudly and blew his nose - and now the whole family is sick. If a cough and runny nose pester your baby during the day, and do not let him sleep at night, it's time to get the nebulizer off the shelf. What it is? How to do inhalation when coughing with a nebulizer for a child? What are the contraindications? Is it possible to do cough inhalations for children at home?

What is a nebulizer?

Remember one of the common pictures of your childhood, when during a cold your mother covered you with a thick blanket with a boiling pot, added potatoes or "Asterisk" balm - depending on the qualifications of the treating mother - and you breathed with watery eyesover a makeshift homemade "inhaler"?

Those distant times are long gone, and today almost every home with a child has a nebulizer - a device that turns liquid medicine into an aerosol and delivers it through the larynx through the trachea to the bronchi and bronchioles. The swelling of the mucous membrane decreases, the drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect, improve sputum discharge, and the baby feels better. Thus, inhalation when coughing in a child is a quick and effective way to help him cope with the disease.

The first nebulizer was introduced to the public by Seils-Gerons in France in 1858. It worked on the principle of a bicycle pump. In 1864, the inhaler was improved and introduced to the people of Germany. And only by 1930, sprayers began to take on the form familiar to us and work on electricity. In 1964, an ultrasonic nebulizer was first tested, the principle of which is currently used in humidifiers.

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of the inhaler is based on dispersed spraying of the drug, which is given to the patient through a mask or a special tube-mouthpiece. Since the drug is sprayed into microparticles, the active substance is almost instantly delivered to the site of sputum accumulation and is easily absorbed by the body.

Types of nebulizers

The modern market offers us a huge range of nebulizers. It is very difficult for an ignorant person to navigate in all this diversity and choose the right one.inhaler. Let's try to figure out which one is better.

Ultrasonic Nebulizer

This inhaler creates an aerosol using a system of resonant vibrations. The sizes of sprayed particles do not exceed 5 microns. Such particles can penetrate the trachea and bronchi, but the impact on the bronchioles will be minimal.

The obvious advantage of such a device is the lack of noise during operation and small size.

Ultrasonic nebulizers are great for inhaling with saline when coughing in children. Unfortunately, they are not designed to spray antibiotics, corticosteroids and sputum thinners, as they destroy their structure. This extremely limits their scope.

Compressor nebulizers

Compressor nebulizers are the most common type of inhalation devices. In them, the drug is converted into a fine suspension with the help of a directed air flow. The main disadvantage of such devices is the high noise level.

The inhaler consists of two parts: a container where the medicine is poured, and a compressor. Suspension is formed at the moment of the meeting of the air flow and liquid. The medicine in the form of tiny droplets ranging in size from 1 to 5 micrometers is inhaled by the patient through a mask or tube.

Compared to ultrasonic compressor inhalers, they are designed for a wider range of medicines. They can be filled with any means suitable for nebulizer therapy, including bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics.

Compressor nebulizers are quite bulky and heavy - the device can weigh up to two kilograms. Such devices are very immobile, since they operate from a DC source, but they are relatively cheap and reliable.

All compressor nebulizers can be divided into three types according to their working principle:

1. Convection. These are inhalers that operate continuously. After activating the "Start" button, the inhaler begins to produce an aerosol. Some of the medicine dissipates in the air.
2. Manual nebulizers. In such inhalers, the aerosol is also produced constantly, at the same time the patient activates the medication by pressing the "inhale" button.
3. Devices that respond to breathing. These nebulizers have a specially designed valve that opens when you inhale, simultaneously activating the production of an aerosol.
4. Dosimetric nebulizers. The most modern model of inhalation device. In such devices, a special electronic sensor is built-in that reacts to inhalation. Such models are quite expensive, but according to research, they provide a qualitatively different level of inhalation.

Convection models are recommended for cough inhalation with a nebulizer for children and the elderly, as they do not have enough inspiratory power to use any other valved inhalers.

Membrane inhalers

Membrane models (or mesh nebulizers) combine the advantages of ultrasonic and compressor nebulizers. They don't make noisesmall enough to be mobile, allowing you to work with any medications and solutions.

The base of such a device is an electronic network through which an inhaled substance passes under the action of ultra-low-frequency vibrations. Mesh sprayers can be battery operated. The device itself is quite tight - this is the only nebulizer model that allows you to perform the procedure in a supine position. This is a definite plus when working with bedridden people.

The membrane inhaler has only one significant drawback - its high cost. Such a device will cost the buyer almost three times more than its compression or ultrasonic counterpart.

Choosing a nozzle

Nebulizers usually come with several different nozzles:

• Masks (one for children and one for adults). They are used for inhalation of young children or bedridden patients. They are convenient to use, but during the procedure, a significant part of the drug is dispersed into the environment. Part of the drug may settle on the patient's skin, which is undesirable for babies.

  

  Ideal to use a nebulizer mask when inhaling saline to children when coughing.

• Mouthpieces. This nozzle is recommended for use with children over 6 years of age, adolescents and adults. With its use, almost all the medicine is delivered to its destination - to the bronchi and alveoli, thereby achievingthe best effect of inhalation.
• Nasal tubes. A thin forked tube designed to be inserted into the nose. When using this nozzle, the medicine settles mainly on the nasal mucosa and in the sinuses. Such inhalation will not help with a wet cough in children, but it will relieve rhinitis, sinusitis and significantly alleviate the course of sinusitis.

To choose the inhaler model that is right for you and the necessary nozzle for the nebulizer, you need to consult with the attending otorhinolaryngologist. He will help you choose the device based on the individual characteristics of the patient.

Indications

Among world practice doctors there is still no unequivocal opinion whether to inhale a child with a cough and runny nose with a nebulizer or not. It is believed that when inhaled, the amount of active substance that enters the nasal mucosa is extremely small and cannot have any significant effect in the treatment of the common cold. While some luminaries of science claim that inhalation therapy is indicated only for obstructive bronchitis and false croup, others prescribe a nebulizer for any type of cough, and for babies up to a year old - with a runny nose.

Typical mistakes when using a nebulizer

1. Self-healing.

   You can not decide on your own which inhalations to make a child cough. First of all, the baby should be shown to the attending physician so that he can determine what kind of cough the patient has, how viscous the sputum is, whether there is a narrowing of the bronchi or swelling of the mucous tissue. Only on the basis of all the above datathe doctor can choose the drug that will be most effective in this case.

2. Inhalation using oil solutions.

   Do not add solutions that are not intended for inhalation to the nebulizer. Fats contained in oil solutions can clog the alveoli, settle on the walls of the bronchi and lead to irreparable consequences.

3. Inhaling too often.

   How many times a day, how long and how to inhale when coughing with a nebulizer for a child - only the attending physician decides. Most drugs should be taken no more than three times a day. However, some need to be used every six hours. All the subtleties and nuances are known only to a specialist.

4. Consider temperature as a contraindication for inhalation.

   Remember the steam inhalation we talked about at the very beginning? The ban only applies to them. They can increase the temperature, cause severe swelling of the tissues and complicate the cough. The use of modern nebulizers for inhalation when coughing for children during a fever is completely safe.

5. Share one inhaler for the whole family.

   The fine mist that a nebulizer produces may contain microbes and bacteria left on a mask or tube by a previous patient. Therefore, using one inhaler for everyone is at least unhygienic. At best, you should purchase a separate mask for each family member, or at least thoroughly wash the equipment after each use.

Technologyinhalation

Despite the seeming simplicity of the treatment procedure, parents should take into account that inhalations should be carried out in compliance with the following rules:

• you can not inhale the child earlier than two hours after eating;
• baby should wear loose clothing that will not impede movement or breathing;
• do not give any mucolytic drugs before the procedure;
• if a mask is used for inhalation, and not a mouthpiece, after the procedure, the baby should be thoroughly washed;
• it is not recommended to feed the baby for half an hour after the procedure;
• cannot be performed later than four hours before bedtime.

Inhalation scheme:

1. An adult should wash their hands with soap and water.
2. Thoroughly wash all parts of the nebulizer, it is advisable to boil them or pour boiling water over them.
3. Assemble the inhaler with clean hands.
4. Pour the medicine into the container at the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
5. Dilute the drug with saline to the concentration indicated by the attending otolaryngologist or pediatrician.
6. Sit comfortably, it is advisable to put the baby on your lap.
7. Use a mask for a toddler or a mouthpiece for older kids.
8. Turn on the inhaler and time it.
9. After the procedure, be sure to wash the child's face.

Dose,the duration, frequency of inhalation, and the duration of treatment should be prescribed by the child's attending physician based on the history collected, the severity of the disease and the age of the baby.

Mineral water

For most children, cough inhalations at home help. If you notice the first signs of a cold in your baby - a slight runny nose or cough, be sure to make an appointment with a doctor. At the same time, while waiting for an appointment with a doctor, you can start inhaling mineral water. Use for this mineral water "Narzan", "Essentuki" No. 4 and No. 17, "Borjomi". This will dry out the nasal mucosa a little and stimulate the release of sputum.

For inhalation, pour 2-4 milliliters of pre-prepared mineral water into a clean nebulizer tank. It is recommended to carry out inhalation for 3-5 minutes no less than three times a day. It is quite possible that with an early start in therapy, the disease can be completely avoided.

Isotonic solution

Isotonic saline is very widely used in medical practice. Doctors prescribe it to replenish water balance or detoxify, use it to wash wounds and dilute medicines. Many people know that saline solution is extremely effective for a runny nose as a nasal rinse.

Inhalation of saline solution for children when coughing with a nebulizer is similar to inhalation of mineral water. Often it helps to solve the problem at the very initial stage and prevent the development of the disease.

Dosage of inhalation with saline solution for children when coughing: 2-4 ml of solutionapproximately every 4 hours.

Saline solution can be easily prepared by yourself - just mix 9 grams of common table s alt and 1 liter of cooled boiled water. The resulting mixture will be an isotonic solution. If desired, you can replace the edible s alt with sea s alt. The concentration of nutrients in sea s alt is very high and therefore inhalation with such a solution will bring even greater benefits. Inhalations with saline cough in children help with both dry and wet coughs.

Berodual

With a dry cough, a child can be inhaled with a Berodual solution. It must also be used under medical supervision. "Berodual" has established itself as an extremely effective remedy for bronchospasm, therefore, in most cases, inhalations when coughing in a child with "Berodual" are prescribed for obstructive bronchitis, bronchiectasis, laryngitis and asthma. It becomes easier already 10 minutes after the procedure.

Standard dosage for children over 12 years old and adults is 1-2 milliliters (or 20-40 drops) up to four times a day, but not more than 8 ml.

Children under 12 should reduce the dose. In children 6-12 years old, the maximum dose of the drug is 2 milliliters of solution, divided into 4 inhalations per day.

For children under 6 years of age, the dosage is calculated based on body weight. In this case, the total volume should not be higher than 0.5 ml per procedure.

"Berodual" can be used to treat cough ininfants. The dosage in such cases is selected individually by the attending physician.

Atrovent

Another effective remedy for inhalation with dry cough for children is the medicinal solution "Atrovent". It is prescribed by the attending pediatrician of the child, if inhalations with "Berodual" were not successful.

This drug should be used with caution. In the treatment of children under 5 years of age, the use of Atrovent is prohibited. Children under 12 years old "Atrovent" are prescribed 10-20 drops, diluted to a volume of 4 ml. Inhalations are carried out only under the supervision of medical staff.

"Salgim" (solution)

"Salgim" in the form of a solution is a rather rare means of inhalation with a dry cough. It is prescribed to children with caution. As a rule, it is necessary for exacerbation of asthma or in advanced cases of obstructive bronchitis. This medicine is not suitable for inhalation when coughing for children at home - treatment is carried out strictly in a hospital. For one inhalation, 2.5 milliliters of the drug is required. The minimum interval between treatments should be at least 6 hours.

Ambrobene

In the previous sections, we figured out how to do inhalation with a dry cough for a child. If a dry cough turned into a wet one and became productive, it means that it is time to change the treatment tactics. Usually, the doctor prescribes mucolytics - drugs that increase the amount of sputum and improve its discharge. One of these drugs is "Ambrobene" - one of the trade names for the drug."Ambroxol". It should be used only when prescribed and under the supervision of a physician.

"Ambrobene" is a solution that can be used both inside and as an inhalation. It is prescribed for acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma. Inhalation to a child when coughing with "Ambrobene" is carried out according to the following scheme:

• Children under two years old are inhaled with 30 drops of the solution twice a day;
• children aged 2 to 5 - 45 drops twice a day;
• children over 5 years old and adults - 70-80 drops of the drug three times a day.

It must be taken into account that when inhaling the medicine must be diluted with saline to a volume of 5 milliliters. It is not recommended to use therapy with Ambrobene for longer than 4-5 days. If there is no relief within this time, consult an otolaryngologist, general practitioner or pediatrician.

Lazolvan

"Lazolvan" is another trade name for "Ambroxol" already known to us, but with a slightly different concentration of the active substance. It is available in the form of syrup, dragees and inhalation solutions. When a child coughs, "Lazolvan" should be prescribed only by the attending physician according to the following scheme:

• Children over 5, adolescents and adults 15-20mg four times a day;
• Children under 5, 10-15 mg twice daily.

Before inhaling"Lazolvan" when coughing in a child under two years old, consult a pediatrician.

Sinupret

"Sinupret" is a homeopathic phytopreparation that has proven itself as an effective remedy against sinusitis, sinusitis and tracheobronchitis with difficult expectoration of sputum.

Official studies on the use of "Sinupret" as a means for inhalation with a wet cough with a nebulizer for children have not been conducted, however, medical practice shows that the drug helps to quickly cope with the acute stage of bronchitis and even treats the so-called "old", residual cough after an acute illness.

Recommended dosage:

• for adolescents over 16 years of age - mix 1 ml of the drug with 1 ml of isotonic s alt solution;
• children 6-16 years old - 1 ml of "Sinupret" and 2 ml of isotonic s alt solution;
• children from 2 to 6 years old - dilute 1 ml of medicine with 3 ml of isotonic solution.

It is advisable to carry out at least three inhalations when a child coughs a day.

Pulmicort

"Pulmicort" is a drug solution, a synthetic analogue of the adrenal hormone that regulates water-s alt metabolism in the body. It is used to treat obstructive bronchitis. What are the dosages of inhalation "Pulmicort" for children with cough? Is it safe to use such a strong drug in childhood?

"Pulmicort" facilitates breathing, expanding andrelaxing the bronchi, it has a good anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect. As a rule, this drug is well tolerated, in rare cases it can cause side effects. Indicated for bronchitis, lagingitis, asthma, rhinitis.

Dosage:

• children from 6 months to 1 year - 0.25 mg per day;
• children 2-3 years old - 0.25-0.5 mg per day;
• children 4-5 years old - 0.5-1 mg per day;
• 6 years and older - 1-2 mg per day.

Steam inhalation

With all the variety of modern antitussives, we must not forget about the well-known and proven hot steam inhalations.

In any form of fever, such treatment is prohibited and can lead to irreparable consequences. If there is no heat, steam inhalation will not bring any harm. Due to the possibility of extensive burns, steam inhalation should be used with caution in infants.

The scheme is simple and known since childhood - boil water in a saucepan, optionally add herbs or aroma oils and inhale steam through your nose for a few minutes and exhale through your mouth.

The most popular and well-known steam inhalation since the times of ancient Russia is inhalation with steam of boiled potatoes. No matter how paradoxical it may sound, very often the “breathe over a potato” method helps to prevent the disease at its earliest stage, and also relieves swelling of the mucous membrane with a stuffy nose.

The second most popular steam inhalation in Russia- this is an inhalation with "Asterisk" balm. The oils contained in Asterisk effectively alleviate coughs, thin and improve sputum discharge, help with congestion or profuse nasal discharge.

With a dry cough, steam inhalations with decoctions of medicinal herbs will bring relief: mint, thyme, needles, eucalyptus and oak. Expectorant herbal preparations can be purchased at the nearest pharmacy.

In case of bronchitis, laryngitis and tracheitis, it is useful to breathe in vapors of garlic - add 2-3 crushed cloves to boiling water and breathe for 5-7 minutes. Often such inhalations help to cope with the disease at the very beginning.

However, do not delay a visit to the doctor, because only he can decide which inhalations when coughing for children are indicated and safe, and which will lead to even more obstruction. Traditional medicine can only be used as an addition to classical therapy, but not as a full replacement.

Prevention of cough in children

We must not forget that the problem is always much easier to prevent than to solve. The autumn-winter period is in the yard with its drizzling rains, changeable weather, slush and piercing wind. Now is the best time for viruses and microbes, so you should think about prevention in a timely manner, so that later you don’t run to the doctors and calm a tired sick child at night.

Drinking. The first and main prevention of all kinds of colds is to drink plenty of water and take long walks. What exactly to drink does not play a special role - the main thing is not sugar carbonated drinks and concentrated juices. Otherwiseyou can rely on personal taste - fruit drinks, compotes, various teas, oxygen cocktails, herbal infusions will help flush out all bacteria from the body before they have time to spread and cause disease.

Fresh air. The first place is shared with abundant drinking by long walks in any weather.

Practical Germans often say - there is no wrong weather, there are wrong clothes. Therefore, in the kindergarten locker of a small German citizen there is always a panama hat, sun cream, a raincoat, rubber boots, and thick waterproof pants. Walking hardens children, and fresh cool air gently stimulates the body's immune systems.

Timely course of multivitamins. It's no secret that the vast majority of modern children suffer from a lack of nutrients. The nutrition of a modern kindergartener and schoolchild is rather poor in the content of microelements, and therefore, in the dank autumn season, a course of multivitamins will come in handy.

Physical activity according to age. Children are born to jump, climb, run, and not sit still all the time in a music or art school. It has been scientifically proven that children who play sports, especially swimming, are less susceptible to colds, and also cope with illnesses much faster than their peers.

Vitamin C. No wonder they say that there is no overdose of vitamin C. It significantly increases the body's barrier forces.

Children benefit from drinking a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice a day, adding lemon slices to tea, eating unlimited amounts of kiwi. In autumn, you can make it a rule to give your baby a couple of ascorbs in the morning.

Sleep in a cool, well-ventilated room. Children who sleep in ventilated rooms are three times less susceptible to acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, recover faster from an illness, and are less likely to get complications.

Hardening. If the child runs around the apartment barefoot, and the parents think that the floor is too cold, do not rush to put socks and slippers on the baby. The foot is designed in such a way as to compensate for the temperature of the floor surface, thereby protecting the body from senseless heat loss. Favorite by all children, ice cream is great for hardening the throat and helps reduce the incidence of laryngitis and sore throats.

When it comes to children's he alth, many parents become very sensitive. And this is the only correct approach. A well-known axiom says that in a spoon there is medicine, and in a cup there is poison. The same applies to such a seemingly simple and harmless procedure as inhalation. It does not matter whether the patient is prescribed three times a day irrigation of the respiratory tract every three hours with "Berodual" or inhalation of saline solution for children when coughing with a nebulizer, the doctor's dosage should remain unchanged. Each extra milliliter of the drug can be the very last drop that turns the medicine into poison.