There are three possibilities for your child's chronic cough while sleeping, which include chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis or asthma. All these conditions cause a cough that is often worse at night when your child is asleep. Consult with your child's doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Identification
Sinusitis and bronchitis often develop from a common cold or other respiratory infection, so your child was likely sick a few months back and never fully recovered from the illness since the cough has lingered for a long-period of time. Sinusitis causes cold-like symptoms, such as a runny and stuffy nose. In addition to a dry cough that's worse at night, your child likely has a sore throat and feels tired regularly. Bronchitis causes a junky cough that produces thick mucus with colors ranging from white to green. Your child's cough is worse at night and after physical exertion. Chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath are common indicators of bronchitis, but can also be caused by asthma. A night-time cough is also a common symptom of asthma.
Cause
A cold, respiratory infection or prolonged allergy symptoms result in swelling of the nasal passage. Excess mucus is also produced and becomes blocked in the sinuses, which results in an ideal climate for bacteria, viruses and fungus to multiply. More than 80 percent of chronic bronchitis cases are caused by tobacco smoke, according to KidsHealth.org. Chemical fumes and air pollution can also cause chronic bronchitis symptoms. Asthma triggers that might make your child's cough worse while sleeping are animal dander, dust mites, mold, respiratory infections and tobacco smoke.
Treatment
If sinusitis or bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your child needs antibiotics. If the cause is viral, the virus will need to run its course, but there are measures you can take to provide comfort to your child. For sinusitis, increase the amount of fluids your child drinks to dilute mucus and promote the sinus to drain. Resting is also an important part of recovering from chronic sinusitis and chronic bronchitis. Do not smoke around your child while he recovers from bronchitis or sinusitis. Turn your shower to the hottest setting and close the bathroom door so the room fills with steam. Sit with your child in the steamy room to loosen mucus and relax your child's airways. A bronchodilator from an inhaler or nebulizer is often used for chronic bronchitis to open the bronchial tubes. If asthma is causing the cough, inhaled corticosteroids with a long-acting beta-agonist is the most common method of treatment.
Prevention
Avoiding respiratory infections is one of the best ways to prevent sinusitis and bronchitis. Encourage your child to wash his hands frequently, especially after using the restroom, before eating and after playing with other kids. Fill your child's diet with fruits and vegetables so your child can fight infections more effectively. Controlling allergy symptoms with immunotherapy injections or antihistamines can prevent sinusitis caused by allergies. If your child's cough is caused by asthma, keep pets out of your child's bedroom at night and cover the bedding with allergen-proof casings. Prevent sinusitis, bronchitis and asthma symptoms by never smoking around your child.
