why dry cough during night times for children
 

helo! I would like to know why my child has sudden dry cough in the middle of the night for a short while. Then she falls asleep again. some times the cough starts when she starts to sleep and subsides when she goes into deep sleep. she is a known asthmatic, was on inhalers(currently weaned off). The whole day she will be fine with out cough but it all starts in the night causing brief interruptions in sleep, she feels tired by morning sometimes. We tried every thing like dusting, clean and safe environment, cough syrups, antiallergics, foods that suits her etc, etc. She still have sneezings or dry cough during night times, treated by best paediatrician. She is 12 years old now. She had asthma since childhood, I heard that childhood asthma fades off with age. But why is she still suffering this way? Can anybody Help?

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Dry cough can be a sign of asthma. Your daughter may need an inhaler for nighttime. I think you should see the doctor again.

Another thing to try is steaming her in the shower for 1/2 hr or so before bedtime. Breathing the vapor sometimes relaxes the chest and opens airways.

But I think you should see a doctor.

It might be learned that she has drainage tickling her throat, and the doctor can suggest something like guaifenesin during the day to help move the congestion out. But a doctor would have to look and see if that is the issue.

I am glad for ur reply
 

I am glad for ur response. Thank you. I would like to add this note that since 2 days Iam giving her steaming before bed time and it seems to help. I also changed her dancing exercises to jumping and jogging type. Her doctor adviced antihitamine and bronchodilator syrup. But Iam worrid about prolonged usage of cough syrups. She is tired of inhalers. Is there anything else apart inhalers?

I would have to know the names of the drugs you are mentioning.

Some antihistamines are very drying and others not.

The drying ones could contribute to more coughing.

thank you
 

Thank you for ur response. She is using Tab. levocerizine 10 mg during night times. She is getting cough syrup with codeine or some times with a bronchodilator. I also would like to know which is the best skine test for her to detect allergens. Kindly reply. Thank you.

Levocertirizine can cause dry mouth/coughing in some people:

http://drugs.emedtv.com/levocetirizi...rizine-p2.html

I'd keep steaming her, I'd discontinue the antihistamine for a couple of days and see if the coughing is better.

If the bronchodilator is albuterol, that should open the air ways some.

She may need an inhaler at night. Sometimes the steroid ones can take down swelling in the bronchioles.

Hi Ms. D
I started steaming my daughter during nights and its really working well. She is less disturbed and the episodes of cough during night reduced. I stopped antihistamines also to observe and it seems to work. Thanks.