CAN BOOSTING IMMUNITY HELP TO SCALE BACK NEBULIZER USE IN KIDS?

Does your kiddo cough for a really really long time? Has your child experienced allergic reactions like sneezing, runny nose or itchy eyes? Does your kid often fall sick? With every changing season, the biggest concern amongst parents around the globe is to prevent their kids from cold, cough and flu. For quick relief, nebulizers are frequently prescribed for children. Parents with young children understand how challenging that may be! Instead of solely relying on nebulizer, boosting immunity can assist in overcoming these problems. Let’s understand more about nebulizer and how boosting immunity can help in scaling back its use.

WHAT IS A NEBULIZER?

Nebulizer is a type of medical device that someone with asthma or similar respiratory illness can use to rapidly and efficiently deliver medication directly to the lungs. It can convert the liquid medication into a very thin vapour that can be inhaled through a mouthpiece. Many pediatric respiratory illnesses are treated  by using aerosolized medicines. It will take 15-20 minutes to release the medication. There are three types of nebulizer which is mentioned below,

• Jet type: Produces a mist using compressed gas 
• Ultrasonic type: Generates larger mist particle-size aerosol using high-frequency vibration
• Mesh type: The aerosol is created by liquid passing through a very thin mesh. The tiniest particles are released by this type of nebulizer.

Also check, Seasonal allergies in Kids

TYPES OF MEDICINES USED IN NEBULIZERS

A variety of medicine types can be used with nebulizer. Here are some of the medicines:

ANTIBIOTICS:

When children have major respiratory illness, specific antibiotics are directly delivered into the lungs or respiratory system using nebulizer.

BRONCHODILATORS:

These medications aid in widening the airways and ease breathing. Children who are dealing with chronic obstructive lung disease, asthma, breathing difficulties or other respiratory conditions are frequently given bronchodilators for treatment.

SALINE SOLUTION:

The saline solution can effectively widen air passages. As a result, mucus in the lungs may become more loosened which makes it simpler to cough up.

Also check, Home remedies for dust allergy

HOW NEBULIZER HELPS IN RELIEVING COUGH IN CHILDREN ?

One of the most crucial steps is to understand the actual reason behind your children’s cough before using the nebulizer. Our body uses coughing as a defence mechanism against pollutants and irritants. Here are some common causes of cough in children:

1. COMMON COLD:

Cough doesn’t always show as the initial sign of a common cold, but it usually does in its later stages. Common cold can make your baby’s throat feel itchy. At the beginning of the cold, your baby may experience brief episodes of mild, wet coughing; but, as the cold gets worse, these episodes will become drier.

Also check, Home remedies for dry cough

2. IRRITANTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT:

Some kids are more sensitive than others to environmental irritants including smoke, dust, and mould. Cough may develop after exposure, especially if the air is dry. With continued exposure to the irritant, the cough might develop.

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3. ACID REFLUX OR GERD:

Acid reflux causes the stomach’s contents to flow backward into the oesophagus, causing discomfort and a cough. Children and infants who have GERD, also known as chronic gastric reflux disease, may have a persistent cough.

4. WHOOPING COUGH:

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a dangerous upper respiratory infection. It frequently begins with cold-like symptoms before developing into a chronic cough that makes “whooping” noises, losing appetite, and a low-grade fever. Constant whooping eventually leads to drying of the throat causing dry cough.

Also check,Cough and cold: Foods that help

5. ALLERGIES:

Allergies can be one major cause. Many kiddos have a fascination towards gardens, flowers, pets etc. All these can be potential sources of allergens that can negatively affect in some or the other way round. When the human body perceives a foreign substance (such as pollen or pet hair) as a danger, allergies develop. Your body reacts by generating extra mucus, which can then drip down your throat and cause a cough.

Also check, Different types of Allergies

6. ASTHMA:

Most asthmatic kids experience a dry cough, which does not produce mucus. This is a characteristic of asthma and occurs when the airways narrow in reaction to an irritant. The restricted airway also frequently results in a high-pitched wheeze sound in combination with the cough.

Also check, 7 foods that help with Asthma

Nebulizer therapy may aid in minimising the inflammation in the lungs or air passage particularly in the case of above mentioned respiratory issues. Therefore, the symptoms including coughing, breathing difficulties or wheezing can be relieved. Yet, nebulizers typically do not address the root cause of coughing.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE USING NEBULIZER

PROPER CLEANING IS MUST

It is crucial to stick to the washing, sanitising, and maintenance guidelines while using nebulizers. Clean the nebulizer tubes and mouthpiece with ethanol or sterile water. Ensure that everything is air dried. If not cleaned well, nebulizers may be contaminated with bacteria that can lead to an infection which can be quite harmful, especially for someone who has issues in lungs.

Also check, Tips to maintain personal hygiene and health

CHALLENGING TASK!!

Children should remain still for 15 to 20 minutes while they inhale the medication. It is not easy to make your kid sit still for a long time with a mouth piece on. It can make them frustrated. Therefore, you have to put some effort into making it enjoyable by reading stories, singing, or giving them their favourite toys.

Also check, Tips to improve concentration

HOW DOES COLD AND COUGH AFFECT THE IMMUNITY OF A KID?

Children catch cold or cough, when a virus comes in contact with the lining of the nose and throat. There are more than two hundred different viruses causing cold and cough in children, but the Rhinovirus is the most common offender. The symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sneezing and coughing. However, flu symptoms are more severe than cold and include fever, headache, sore throat, congestion. Every time when kids get infected with a specific virus, their immune system develops antibodies, which help them to fight against it next time. But there are lots of different viruses, so it takes time to build an effective immune system. Many times, taking medicines through nebulizers can give immediate relief but affect the immunity of a child negatively.

Also check, Gut health and Immunity

FOODS THAT HELP FOR BOOSTING IMMUNITY IN KIDS

Building immunity becomes essential for battling against various infections rather than solely relying on medications for short-term relief. Focusing on nutrient rich food and a well-balanced diet is the best way to boost your kid’s immunity. Here are some best foods to boost immunity in children:

1.GILOY:

It is a shrub and an essential herb in ayurvedic medicines. Giloy treats a wide range of health conditions. It contains important plant compounds like terpenoids, alkaloids, lignans, and steroids.Giloy lessens the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which is another name for hay fever. It lessens symptoms such as nasal blockage, sneezing, nasal discharge, and itching. Additionally, it raises the quantity of leukocytes (white blood cells) to help the body fight illness.

2.TULSI:

Tulsi leaves have been scientifically proven to have medicinal properties. It also has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects, rich in vitamin c and zinc.It a traditional home medicine for a variety of respiratory ailments, including seasonal allergies.

3.AMLA:

Amla is a storehouse of antioxidants. It is a rich source of vitamin C. It has antibacterial and astringent properties that boosts immunity.

4.ASHWAGANDHA:

As an anti-oxidant, boosting immunity is one of the most popular benefits of Ashwagandha for kids. The root activates and increases the levels of enzymes and macrophages, a type of white blood cell that kills bad viruses and bacterias. It also promotes the development of antibodies, which is a major factor in improving the body’s response to a health-threatening infection.

Also check, More benefits of Ashwagandha

5.TURMERIC:

A compound found in turmeric, Curcumin, offers therapeutic relief and is a perfect immunity booster for kids. It has a very high antioxidant value to protect the body from invading infections. It is also rich in vitamin A, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2) and vitamin C.

Also check, Turmeric and Honey ball recipe

6.NUTS:

The vitamin E found in nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts and hazelnut help the immune system to fight against invading bacteria. They are a great source of antioxidants that keep the body healthy and disease free by neutralising free radicals and reducing inflammation.

Also check, Best nuts and seeds for protein

7.SEEDS:

Seeds are an incredible source of nutrients. Sunflower seeds are rich in magnesium, vitamin E, antioxidants and good fats. Together they help to boost immunity. Pumpkin seeds are rich in Vitamin E which is necessary for immunity building and also packed with other bone-building nutrients like potassium, magnesium and vitamin K. Melon seeds are a good source of zinc. It helps to boost our immunity, helps in digestion, cell growth, and keeps your nervous system healthy.

Also check, Health benefits of Pumpkin seeds

8.ANTIOXIDANTS:

Cocoa contains flavonoid, a naturally occurring compound found in plants which act as antioxidant and help in counteracting free radicals in the body. Also rich in zinc, iron, copper, and vitamins like A, B12 and K. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and has an ability to modulate host immune functions. Vitamin E is key for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes. In recent years, vitamin E supplements have become popular as antioxidants.

Also check, 12 Immunity boosting foods for kids