Why Is My Child’s Breathing Noisy? A Parent’s Guide to Stridor, Croup and When to Seek Help Hearing an unusual noise when your child breathes can be frightening. Parents may describe the sound as squeaky, harsh, wheezy, whistling or “croupy”. Some notice it only when their child is crying or excited. Others hear it while the child is resting or sleeping. One of the most important points is that not all noisy breathing is the same . A noise coming from the nose is different from a wheeze coming from the lower airways. A harsh sound when a child inhales may be stridor , which can indicate narrowing of the upper airway or voice box. Many causes of noisy breathing in children are treatable, and some are temporary. However, because a child’s airway is relatively small, worsening breathing difficulty should always be taken seriously. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear, nose, throat, voice and upper-airway concerns from Lond...
Nasal decongestants are used by people when they get nasal allergies like catarrh and sinusitis. They are also used in common colds, hay fever and flu. A nasal decongestant aims to shrink the swollen blood vessels, the leading cause of congestion. Specific problems can arise from their consistent use. Some most commonly used nasal decongestants are • Oxymetazoline (Sinex, Vicks) • Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) • Pseudoephedrine Addiction is defined as the compulsive physiological need for a particular substance. Those substances develop tolerance, and their withdrawal results in apparent symptoms. But when we talk about nasal decongestants, they are not considered genuinely addictive because they do not cause physiological cravings to the person using them. Why Do People Get Addicted To Nasal Decongestants? Here are some reasons why people think they are getting addicted to nasal decongestants: • Rebound effect...