How to treat shortness of breath in children that is effective & bull; hello healthy

Shortness of breath often makes children helpless because it is difficult to breathe freely. Shortness of breath in children needs to be treated immediately so that it does not lead to a more serious condition. However, how to treat shortness of breath in children must not be arbitrary. As a parent, you need to know the right technique so that the discomfort experienced by children quickly subsides. Here's how to treat and relieve shortness of breath in children.

Causes of shortness of breath in children

It is important for parents to know the causes of shortness of breath in children. That way, your little one can immediately get the best treatment according to his condition.

The following causes shortness of breath in children:

Cold
Choking on food
Allergy
Excessive anxiety (fear or nervousness)
Obesity
Asthma
Pneumonia
Heart problems

Seeing the many causes of shortness of breath in children, parents need to see a doctor to find out how to get rid of shortness of breath.

How to get rid of shortness of breath in children

In principle, the administration of shortness of breath medication for children is adjusted to the underlying cause. Therefore, the medication for shortness of breath that can be given to each child is not always the same.

Treating shortness of breath in children can be in various ways, ranging from natural methods and doctor drugs. The following is the full explanation.

Medical drugs as a way to relieve shortness of breath in children

Here are some of the most common types of drugs used to relieve shortness of breath in children.

1. Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are often touted as rescue drugs because of their ability to quickly relieve breathing.

This drug works to relax and loosen the swollen airway muscles so that the child can breathe more easily. Usually this drug is used in people with asthma

Three types of bronchodilator drugs that are commonly used to treat shortness of breath in children, namely:

Beta-2 agonists (salbutamol / albuterol, salmeterol, and formoterol)
Anticholinergics (ipratropium, tiotropium, glycopyronium, and aclidinium)
Theophylline

Bronchodilators are divided into two types based on their time of action: fast reaction and slow reaction. Rapid-acting bronchodilators are used to treat acute (sudden) breathlessness. While slow reaction bronchodilators are used to control symptoms of chronic shortness of breath.

2. Inhaled corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are drugs to reduce the effects of inflammation in the body, including in the respiratory tract. When children take this medicine, the inflamed airways will subside so that it will be easy for air to get in and out.

Corticosteroid drugs are available in various forms such as oral (drink), inhaled, and injected.

However, inhaled corticosteroids are more often prescribed by doctors than oral corticosteroids (tablet or liquid).

This is because the drug that is inhaled can work faster because it goes directly to the lungs, while the effect of drinking drugs is generally longer because it has to be digested first in the stomach and then flowed into the bloodstream.

Inhaled corticosteroid drugs for infants and toddlers are generally given through a nebulizer with a face mask or suction.

Compared to inhalers, the vapor produced by the nebulizer is very small, so this drug will penetrate more quickly into the targeted parts of the lungs.

Examples of inhaled corticosteroid drugs that can be used to help relieve shortness of breath are budesonide (Pulmicort®), fluticasone (Flovent®), and beclomethasone (Qvar®).

3. Anti-anxiety drugs (anti-anxiety)

If the shortness of breath experienced by children is due to excessive anxiety, taking anti-anxiety medication can be a solution to relieve shortness of breath.

Anti-anxiety drugs work on the central nervous system to give them a calming or drowsy effect.

Anti-anxiety drugs should not be used carelessly. Make sure you give your child anti-anxiety medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Some of the anti-anxiety medications that doctors often prescribe are benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam, and clonazepam (Klonopin).

4. Additional oxygen

In addition to the drugs above, how to get rid of shortness of breath in children can also use additional oxygen. Oxygen is usually available in gas or liquid form.

Both can be stored in a portable tank. You can generally buy liquid oxygen in a small, portable tank version at the pharmacy without having to redeem a doctor's prescription.

Before giving it to children, you should first read the instructions for use on the product packaging or brochure carefully. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't really understand how to use it.

5. Antibiotics and antivirals

If shortness of breath in children is caused by pneumonia infection, how to eliminate it with a drug prescribed by a doctor will be adjusted to the microbes that cause it. Whether it's bacteria or viruses.

If the child's pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic such as xorim (cefuroxime).

Meanwhile, if the child's pneumonia is caused by a virus, the doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (relenza).

These two drugs do not have to be taken regularly as prescribed by a doctor. Avoid stopping or increasing the dose of the drug without the doctor's knowledge.

Natural way to get rid of shortness of breath in children

Children who are short of breath can also be treated with natural medicines. However, it is important to understand that using methods is not always safe for everyone. We recommend that you consult your doctor first.

Here are some natural remedies that can be used to relieve shortness of breath in children:

1. Find a comfortable place

If your child's shortness of breath occurs while in a public place, invite them to pull over to a quieter and quieter place away from the hustle and bustle.

Being in a quiet place helps him calm down so he can rest comfortably. How to treat shortness of breath in children is effective in helping to relieve breathing.

2. Sit back

Meanwhile, if shortness of breath appears at home while playing, immediately ask the child to stop the activity to get rid of the feeling of tightness.

Sit your little one on a bench that has a back. To make it more comfortable, you can insert a pillow that is not too soft on its back.

Loosen his clothes, for example by opening a few buttons on his shirt or removing his belt so that he doesn't feel hot and gets tight.

If at that time the child is not wearing a button-down shirt, take off the shirt. Let him only wear undershirts.

3. Lay the child on a mattress or flat place

In addition to leaning back, another way to get rid of shortness of breath in children is to lay them down on a mattress or flat place. Support the head with a pillow that is slightly high so that the position of the head is higher than the heart.

Then, put a pillow or thick bolster under his knee. Make sure that the child's back is straight and his hands are at his sides.

4. Give the child a drink

Dehydration can make the child's condition worse. Therefore, after the shortness of breath has subsided, give the child a glass of water or warm sweet tea. You can also give breast milk or formula milk to children who are still under five.

5. Use a fan

A study from the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management also reports that patients with chronic respiratory disease admit that their shortness of breath subsides slowly thanks to the use of a fan. portable (handheld).

The cool, fresh airflow can relax the airways so that people who experience shortness of breath can breathe more easily. Just point the fan at your little one's face for a few seconds while asking him to breathe slowly.

6. Inhalation of vapors

Shortness of breath in your little one can be caused by a nasal congestion due to a runny nose that causes a runny nose. Now, to relieve this condition, you can ask him to inhale warm steam.

Warm steam can help relax the airways, so that your child can breathe more easily. The heat from the steam can also thin the mucus in the lungs.

7. Boil the ginger

Ginger is known for its properties to warm the body and relieve nausea. However, that was not all.

A study in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology in 2013 revealed that ginger can help relieve shortness of breath in children.

In the study it is known that ginger has a therapeutic effect to treat a number of respiratory problems, including asthma. Because ginger can make the flow of oxygen into the body more smoothly.

So, ginger can be used as a natural way to deal with and relieve shortness of breath in children. Apart from being nutritious, this spice is also cheap and easy to process.

Simply crush a medium ginger or two and boil it until it boils. Once cooked, add brown sugar, honey, or cinnamon to reduce the spicy taste.

When is the right time to see a doctor?

Immediately contact a pediatrician or go to the emergency room immediately if the breath sounds accompanied by the following signs:

The child's breath looks fast and panting
The baby was snorting constantly.
The baby's nostrils are widened, and difficulty with every breath (a sign that the child is trying to open a blocked airway).
The child makes a hoarse, high-pitched voice and coughs badly.
Retraction (the muscles in the chest and neck of the child rise and fall more violently than usual when the baby is breathing).
The chest can appear sunken.
His breath was stopped for more than 10 seconds.
Your little one's lips look bluish. This means that the blood in the body is not getting enough oxygen from the lungs.
No appetite.
Looks sluggish.
Have a fever.