Persistent Cough in Children — Normal or a Warning Sign? Pediatrician's Advice

Often, parents, having heard their child cough for weeks, begin to worry a lot and forget about a very important fact: cough is not an enemy, but a friend, one of the body's protective reflexes.

Coughing helps clear the respiratory tract of foreign particles, such as bacteria or accumulated mucus.

However, no matter how "harmless" the cough is, if it persists for 2-3 weeks, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician and re-evaluate the child's condition.

As is known, the main cause of cough is respiratory viral infections - self-limited seasonal viral diseases transmitted by airborne droplets (when coughing or sneezing, touching household items or toys of an infected child). They usually begin in the fall and continue until the end of spring (or, as they say, until the end of the school year).

In addition to coughing, respiratory viral infections are often accompanied by the following symptoms: runny nose, fever (38° and above), chills and tremors, headache, muscle pain, a lump in the throat, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

A lingering cough after an infection can persist even after the main symptoms have disappeared, for up to several weeks.

It is important to be on the alert if, along with a cough, the following is observed:

• rapid or difficult breathing,

• cyanotic (blue) lips,

• deepening of the intercostal spaces,

• chest pain,

• weakness,

• persistent heat retention

• worsening/return of symptoms after a few days.

The age of the child (up to 3 months) is also a risk factor.

Cough remedies should be prescribed according to age, be scientifically sound and prescribed by a pediatrician.

Modern research confirms the significant benefits of honey, including as a cough remedy. However, it is important to remember that honey is allowed for children from 1 year old, otherwise there is a high risk of botulism.

It is important to urge parents to remain vigilant by following a number of simple tips:

1. Do not try to treat your child's cough on your own. Before giving your child cough remedies, be sure to consult with your pediatrician to discuss age restrictions and side effects of the drug.

2. Create a clean and humid environment. Use humidifiers and do not forget to constantly ventilate the house.

4. Make sure you drink enough fluids. Water helps cleanse the body and relieve coughs. Sufficient fluid intake is important for all types of respiratory infections.

5. Nutritious and easily digestible food is important. It is impossible to force a child to eat. Continue to offer light, vitamin-rich foods: fruits, vegetables, soups.

6. Maintain a sleep schedule. It is important to provide your child with complete rest. 8. Don't forget about hygiene rules. Encourage frequent hand washing and teach children to sneeze and cough into their elbow.

9. Don't be afraid to ask your pediatrician questions. Trusting your doctor is more than important.

To summarize, try to remember a few important points about coughing:

❌Don't rush to get a chest X-ray at the first coughing attack. In most cases, the cause is viral infections of the upper respiratory tract.

❌Cigarette smoke further stimulates and aggravates coughing. Prohibit tobacco use at home.

❌Treating a cough caused by a viral infection with antibiotics is useless. This type of cough goes away on its own; drinking plenty of fluids is enough to eliminate it.

❌Cough suppressants are prohibited for use in children under 6 years of age. By the way, according to recent studies, they can cause quite serious harm to children.

❌ Children over 6 years of age should be prescribed cough medicines with caution and only as prescribed by a pediatrician.

Conclusion

: Cough is an important protective reflex and can persist for a long time, for example, 1-3 weeks after the disappearance of accompanying symptoms. It is important to undergo regular examination and be under the dynamic supervision of a pediatrician.

Gastritis

28 April 2025

Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa. We distinguish between acute and chronic. Acute gastritis can be caused by the development of an inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa, which can have varying degrees of severity, from superficial to deep necrotic changes.Symptoms of gastritis: •Abdominal pain •Nausea •Vomiting •Loss of appetite •Heartburn Complications of gastritis include: •Bleeding •Stomach ulcers •UlcersCauses of gastritis: •Helicobacter pylori •Stress •Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs •Poor diet •Alcohol •Smoking •Crohn's disease •Diagnosis Sometimes the diagnosis can be made based on the patient's description of the symptoms. •Helicobacter pylori presence •Endoscopy •Gastric biopsy •X-ray examination •Stool sample Chronic gastritis Chronic gastritis develops due to prolonged exposure to adverse factors on the gastric mucosa: irregular eating habits, systematic overeating with proteins, consumption of dry or poor-quality food, hard or spicy foods, eating too hot or cold food, prolonged use of certain medications. Chronic gastritis can last for a long time even without symptoms. If left untreated, gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding. Rarely, some forms of chronic gastritis can increase the risk of stomach ulcers, especially if they have severe thinning of the gastric mucosa and changes in the cells of the mucous membrane <<mutations>>. Medications used to treat gastritis include the following: •Antibiotics that kill Helicobacter pylori •Acid-suppressing and healing drugs •Stomach acid-neutralizing drugs (antacids) Acute gastritis caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol may be relieved by stopping their use.If you notice any symptoms of gastritis, consult a doctor promptly to prevent serious complications.

Anti-aging

28 April 2025

Originally, the term "anti-aging" originated in cosmetology and was understood as an exclusively cosmetic approach aimed at improving appearance. However, today, in the era of increasing life expectancy and “maturing” of the human population, it is time to interpret the concept of “anti-aging” more broadly and “get out” of new technologies of face masks, creams and “beauty injections”. In a global sense, anti-aging is neither “external cosmetic repair” nor “rejuvenation” (which is absolutely impossible), but strategic planning of all spheres of life: nutrition, physical and mental activity, reproductive behavior, work mode and breathing, sleep and exercise, which should begin with the preventive stage. To ensure longevity, a change in lifestyle is necessary, which really allows to delay old age and prevent age-related diseases: •maintaining normal body weight •maintaining physical activity •a balanced diet and drinking regimen •optimization of the work and rest regime, 8-hour sleep •preservation of cognitive functions: mental activity, solving crossword puzzles, learning foreign languages, reading •determining development prospects, hobbies, "life's work" •getting rid of bad habits •regular research

Computer vision syndrome

28 April 2025

Computer vision syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur as a result of long-term work in front of a computer. Initially, it is manifested by eye fatigue, heaviness of the eyelids, frequent blinking. Sometimes a feeling of sand or blurred vision may occur. If no measures are taken in time, the condition may worsen. Hypersensitivity to light, lacrimation and other phenomena that disrupt the normal functioning of the visual organ may develop. In some cases, computer vision syndrome is manifested by pain in the head, discomfort in the neck, shoulders, back, and unpleasant sensations during eye movements. Visual disturbances that may occur during computer vision syndrome, as a rule, do not lead to serious eye diseases, but significantly worsen the quality of life. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to regulate the load on the eyes in front of the computer, as well as choose appropriate glasses and contact lenses. Causes of computer vision syndrome The development of the syndrome is not associated with monitor radiation. The essence of the problem lies in the perception of the image from the screen by the eye. For example, in a book, the image does not glow on its own, does not flicker, so reading does not require much effort on the eyes. But when working with a computer, the image is illuminated and consists of a set of many small dots, pixels, which are constantly flickering. Even if this flickering is not visually noticeable, the eyes still get more tired from looking at the screen than from reading a book or magazine. Computer vision syndrome can often develop in the following cases: •Incorrect organization of the office: a greater or lesser distance from the monitor than the norm, high screen brightness, the need to constantly change your gaze from the monitor to the papers and vice versa, etc. •Long and continuous work in front of the computer - when we look at the monitor, we unconsciously blink less and, consequently, the eyes become less moistened, which in turn leads to a violation of the quality of the tear film. Thus, the protective and lubricating functions of tears suffer, which contributes to the development of dry eye syndrome, which is accompanied by tearing, tearing, and discomfort in almost 50% of office workers. •The presence of monitor glare - any light source, falling on the screen, increases eye strain.

Bacterial Vaginosis

27 April 2025

Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection, affecting around 23–25% of women of reproductive age. It develops when the natural balance of vaginal bacteria is disrupted. Normally, the vagina is protected by Döderlein's cilia (lactobacilli), which maintain an acidic environment. When these beneficial bacteria decrease, harmful microorganisms like Gardnerella spp., Prevotella spp., and other anaerobic bacteria can multiply, leading to bacterial vaginosis. Women with bacterial vaginosis may notice unusual vaginal discharge, a fishy odor, itching, or irritation, although some may not experience symptoms at all. Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis Bacterial vaginosis can be caused by several factors, including: 1.Violation of hygiene rules – Overwashing, use of harsh soaps, or vaginal douching can upset the natural balance. 2.Chronic intestinal diseases – Conditions like Irritable bowel syndrome or frequent digestive issues may impact the vaginal microbiome. 3.Previous inflammatory diseases – Past infections of the urinary or reproductive system may leave the area more vulnerable. 4.Decreased immunity – A weakened immune system can reduce the body’s ability to fight off harmful bacteria. 5.Atrophy of the vaginal mucosa – Common in menopausal women, this can reduce natural defenses. 6.Hormonal disorders – Hormonal imbalances may alter vaginal pH and increase susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis. Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis Bacterial vaginosis is treatable and curable. Treating a sexual partner is decided on a case-by-case basis. While bacterial vaginosis is not a traditional sexually transmitted infection, sexual activity can influence vaginal flora, especially in recurring cases. To prevent bacterial vaginosis, it's important to avoid practices that disturb the vaginal environment. Regular visits to a gynecologist are essential for early detection and effective management of vaginal health.