What Causes Severe Cold, Cough And Breathing Difficulty At Night?

Posted on Sat, 7 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 7 Mar 2015 Answered on

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, My son seems to have a sever cold and cough problem. he is down with cold regullary and seems to have issue with breathing also in night (because of cough).
Some part of this is heridattory also, as i and my wife also has simillar problems earlier.
Doctors i consulted, some says he has enough tonsils, some says is will get cure on its own.
But now with his condition, it looks same is impacting his growth also and want to consult some speciallist

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Talk to an ENT doctor whether your son needs tonsillar surgery

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Cough and cold are usually caused due to certain viral infections. Some children are more prone to catching cold. Family history of asthma or similar problems may contribute to it. The propensity to catch cold is generally linked to inflammation of tonsils but it generally comes down with increase in age. That is the reason for what the doctor said. But if the frequency of infections exceeds 7 times a year, surgery to remove the tonsils is advisable.

Irrespective of the use of antibiotics, such infections may last for 5-10 days or occasionally longer. Giving steam inhalation or use of humidifiers should be helpful by helping in diluting the cough. Just sit with the baby on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapour will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Inhalers might be required and should be given through spacer device. I would suggest adding Relent Syr. 2.5 ml once daily as it contains a mucolytic along with an antiallergic and can be given. It will also take care of the runny nose. Saline nasal drops like Nasoclear may be given in case of nasal block.

Please talk to an ENT specialist and assess whether your son needs a tonsillar surgery. You can search for one through:
https://www.practo.com/mumbai/ear-nose-throat-ent-specialist

Hope that helps.

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Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar