What to do if your child coughs and has thick phlegm

Coughing is a common symptom in children. In severe cases, the cough may be accompanied by thick phlegm. If you encounter this symptom and do not seek medical treatment in time, the condition is likely to worsen and seriously affect the child's physical health. Generally speaking, if a child coughs up thick phlegm, your condition can be alleviated and your pain reduced by reducing phlegm accumulation, removing triggers, providing psychological care, and health education.

1. Reduce sputum accumulation and cough up sputum smoothly

1. Observe the situation of coughing and sputum, accurately record the nature of sputum, and collect sputum samples in time and correctly to provide reliable basis for diagnosis.

2. Guide students to take deep breaths and cough effectively. Take several deep breaths and cough effectively every 2-4 hours.

3. Assist in expectoration: Turn bedridden patients over and pat their backs regularly. According to the principle of postural drainage, tapping and vibration methods are used to drain sputum from the bronchioles to the trachea to facilitate its discharge. Postural drainage is used for patients with large amounts of sputum such as lung abscess and bronchiectasis. According to the site of disease, a position is adopted that is convenient for drainage of the pulmonary segmental bronchus, so that the sputum in the trachea can be coughed out smoothly through the bronchus and trachea.

4. Replenish nutrition and water. If there are no therapeutic restrictions, drink more than 1500 ml of water every day to achieve the effect of liquefying sputum. Especially for patients with chronic cough and sputum, their calorie consumption increases, so they should ensure the intake of nutrients and eat a high-protein, high-vitamin diet. They can eat small meals frequently depending on the patient's specific situation.

5. Perform nebulization inhalation therapy as prescribed by the doctor, which helps moisten the airways and promotes expectoration.

6. In conjunction with chest X-ray and auscultation results, perform respiratory therapies such as back tapping and tremor after nebulization treatment.

2. Remove the cause

1. Avoid entering and leaving public places with polluted air and crowded crowds, such as stations, entertainment venues, etc.

2. Reduce exposure to cold air, keep warm when getting up in the morning or going out, and wear a mask if necessary.

3. Avoid strenuous activities and take more gentle activities such as walking and Tai Chi.

3. Psychological care

Severe coughing and sputum production can cause respiratory muscle fatigue and abdominal muscle soreness in patients, making them afraid to cough and expectorate effectively and causing them to become depressed. Coughing can cause insomnia and headaches, and they cannot concentrate during the day. Patients are often extremely anxious, irritable, and have a decreased appetite. While actively improving symptoms, comfort patients and explain the necessity of coughing and expectoration, so that patients can maintain a good mental state and cooperate with treatment.

IV. Health Education

Educate patients not to spit anywhere to prevent germs from contaminating the air and spreading to others. Smokers who lack health knowledge should be advised to quit smoking, and informed that smoking can cause decreased ciliary function of the bronchial epithelium and increased secretions, as well as bronchospasm that increases ventilation resistance and makes sputum difficult to cough up; patients should be informed of the names, dosages, usage and common adverse reactions of commonly used drugs for relieving cough and sputum, so that the disease can be controlled at an early stage.