Natural ways to handle croup
Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is an inflammation of the windpipe (trachea) and voice box (larynx) typically caused by a contagious viral infection that causes cough, a loud squeaking noise and difficulty with breathing in (inspiration). Symptoms include fever, a runny nose, and a typical bark-like cough.
Q: Sue, what causes croup?
A: Croup is caused by viruses and primarily affects children 6 months to 3 years of age
Most of the children seem to recover at home. Some however, require hospitalization because they urgently need fluids, oxygen, and drugs. viral infection that leads to swelling of the lining of the airways, particularly the area just below the voice box (larynx). Parainfluenza viruses are the most common cause, but croup can be caused by other viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV—see Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Human Metapneumovirus Infection) or an influenza virus. Croup caused by an influenza virus may be particularly severe and may occur in a broader age range of children. Most children have only a single episode of croup, but a few have repeated episodes (called spasmodic croup) caused by viral infections that gradually decrease in frequency and severity.
So what drugs do doctors give their patients and are there any natural alternatives?
The sad thing is that the average doctor-dependent parents are not shown the scope of anti-viral herbs such as Artemisia or even olive leaves. They barge ahead with corticosteroid drugs. They have banned the use of natural forms of Epinephrine such as Ma Huang. So if you need help, consult a herbalist or a Chinese doctor. In the old days – 20 years ago when I began my work we could buy a bottle of TRAKASMA pills off the supermarket shelves. The label stated they contained pure Epinephrine! I still have some and once sucked one to see what happened: all the lights came on and I breathed better than ever before and found it to be an incredible stimulant. I can see why people became addicted to slimming products containing these ingredients. These drugs help to shrink swollen tissue in the airways. Coleus tincture is a natural way to help people to breathe in an emergency. It is a remedy for asthma, weight loss and thyroid problems
Q: Sue is there a seasonally bad time?
A: Although croup occurs throughout the year, seasonal outbreaks are common. Croup caused by parainfluenza viruses tends to occur during autumn – this time of the year. Croup caused by RSV and influenza viruses happen during the winter and spring. The infection usually is spread by breathing in airborne droplets containing viruses or by having contact with objects contaminated by these droplets.
What are the earliest symptoms and when we spot them, it this the most important time to kill off the virus?
Croup usually starts with symptoms of a cold—runny nose, sneezing, mild fever, and some coughing and at this stage it is important to drink a lot of water mixed with Parasite Remedy or Olive leaf. We have special calmag and olive leaf tablets to help children kill of most of the viral-based kiddie infection. The product is buffered so they do not experience a “healing crisis”
After the onset of the sniffles the child develops hoarseness and a frequent, unusual-sounding cough, which is described as brassy or barking. Croup ranges widely in its severity. Sometimes swelling of the airway causes difficulty breathing, which is most noticeable when breathing in (inspiration). In severe croup, there may be a loud squeaking noise (stridor—see Stridor or wheezing) heard with each inspiration. About 50% of children have a fever. All symptoms are typically much worse at night and may awaken children from sleep. Symptoms often seem to lessen in the morning and worsen again the next night.
The worst of the symptoms usually lasts 3 to 4 days, and the cough continues but changes to a looser-sounding cough. This change can cause concern for parents who think the infection has moved to the chest. However, it is the normal progression of the illness.
Now we need to outline some natural Treatments for croup
1 Plenty of anti-viral herbs and a continuous intake of fluids
2 Watch out for blue colouration around the mouth. This is an emergency and we need to treat it immediately. Offer some access to humidified air from a kettle, a pot on the stove (add bicarb to let oxygen free), a nebuliser and so on to reduce drying of the upper airways and ease breathing. The humidity can be raised quickly by running a hot shower to steam up the bathroom. Carrying the child outside to breathe cold night air or to the kitchen to breathe cold air from the freezer also may open the airways significantly. Even breathing in cool air from the freezer can help lessen croup symptoms.
For sicker children, the doctor may recommend a single dose of a corticosteroid to prevent worsening of symptoms. Children with continuous croup should be seen immediately by a doctor who will likely recommend corticosteroids and may hospitalize the child for observation and care. Children who have increasing or continuing difficulty in breathing, rapid heart rate, fatigue, dehydration, or bluish skin discoloration need to be given oxygen, as well as fluids by vein. Doctors usually treat children with epinephrine given in a nebulizer and corticosteroids given by mouth or injection. Children who improve with these treatments may be sent home, but children who are very ill should remain in the hospital.
Antibiotics are used only in the rare situation when a child with croup also develops a bacterial infection. Rarely, a ventilator is needed.
Source of information used in this article :
DRUGS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE