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Symptoms and Explanation of Croup |
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Symptoms and Explanation of Croup Croup Dr. Edward F.Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
It's the middle of the night and you hear a loud, barking-like cough from your child's room. Although the loudness and harshness of your child's cough may frighten both of you, it's important to stay calm. This peculiar cough, often described as sounding like the barking of a seal, usually isn't serious and often can be treated at home. It's caused by a condition called croup. Croup is an inflammation of the voice box and the airway just beneath it. Your child may have a simple cold for several days and then one night unexpectedly develop a loud, barking cough. The swelling and narrowing of the airway may make breathing difficult. One of the cold viruses is typically the cause. These viruses are spread by respiratory secretions or droplets in the air. The viruses most commonly involved are parainfluenza virus (accounting for most cases), adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and measles. Most children who suffer from croup are within the ages of between 3 months and 5 years. Children experience croup many times throughout the year but especially during winter months and early spring. Symptoms are most severe in children younger than 3 years of age. This is because their small airways are more susceptible to narrowing when swollen. Adults may simply have a cold with laryngitis, but children may develop croup. Most croup that occurs is due to viruses. This type of croup is mild and can be treated at home, though rarely viral croup can be severe and even life-threatening. Some children are more prone to developing croup, especially those who were born prematurely or who were born with narrowed upper airways. Signs and symptoms of croup may include:
As stated above, croup is characterized by a loud cough that resembles the barking of a seal and may be accompanied by fast or difficult breathing and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while breathing. Usually, the child may develop symptoms of a cold first like a stuffy or runny nose for a few days and may also have fever. As the upper airway (the lining of the windpipe and the voice box) becomes progressively inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough. If the child develops severe croup, he or she suffers greatly, because the upper airway becomes swollen to the point where it is partially blocked off, making it more difficult for the child to breathe. Along with breathing difficulty, there may be a high-pitched or squeaking noise when breathing in. A child will tend to breathe very fast, and the stomach or the skin between the child's ribs may seem to pull in during breathing. The child may also appear pale or bluish around the mouth because he is not getting enough oxygen. Symptoms of croup often worsen at night and when the child is upset or crying. In addition to the effects on the upper airway, the infections that cause croup can result in inflammation further down the airway, including the bronchi (breathing tubes) and the lungs. Many children who come in contact with the viruses that cause croup will not get croup, but will instead have symptoms of a head cold. The incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) depends on the virus causing the croup. For parainfluenza virus, it is usually 3 to 5 days. Doctors can usually diagnose croup by looking for the telltale barking cough. They will also check the child for fever, cold symptoms (like a runny nose), or a recent viral illness, and ask questions to find out if the child has a prior history of croup or upper airway problems. If the child's croup is severe and slow to respond to treatment, a neck X-ray may also be taken to rule out any other reasons for the breathing difficulty, such as a foreign object lodged in the throat or epiglottitis (an inflammation of the epiglottis, the flap of tissue that covers the windpipe). Typical findings on an X-ray if a child has croup includes the top of the airway narrowing to a point, which doctors call a steeple sign. Any type of breathing problems for children can be detrimental. If the child has any type of mild to severe sinus problems or anything that causes the sinuses to swell will pose a risk for the child. At times, if the lining of the nose and throat is thick enough, the child could suffocate to death. But this rarely happens. If you are a parent or single mother or father and happen to be looking for ways to help your child, you owe it to yourself to continue to read on to find the best natural treatments available today.
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