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31 years
My 3 years old child get somtime cough and phlegm hardely at night. Waht is the cause and solution plz
May 9, 2015
2nd opinion

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
Children get exposed to 6-8 viral infections of the respiratory system per year, so this wet or phlegmy cough us most likely a residual of a viral illness. What happens is that secretions accumulate in the upper airways. Since children are not good at blowing their nose to get rid of the nasal secretions, these secretions migrate backwards and posterior through the nasopharynx, the connection between the nose and the throat. So phlegm is formed. And phlegm causes irritation to the throat and vocal cords, which triggers the cough reflex in an attempt to expel the phlegm.
The most effective way to help clear these secretions before they reach the throat is by suctioning the nose with a bulb after having applied nasal saline solution (sprays with a jet are more efficient). It is not the most pleasant experience both for mother and child but it is effective in relieving this kind of cough. Allowing water vapor formation in the bathroom and letting your child inhale this vapor for a few minutes can aid in loosening the secretions (making them less thick) so they're easier to remove later on with the bulb.
Of course there are other causes of infrequent nighttime cough in children, like acid reflux and allergies, and a complete evaluation including a physical examination remains necessary to identify the cause and manage accordingly.
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