Understanding Throat Spasms in Children: Unraveling the Mystery
I have an 11-year-old daughter who began experiencing a persistent dry cough about a month ago. This cough has escalated to the point where it resembles a whooping cough, causing her to struggle for breath, emit a stridor sound, and panic. Occasionally, this leads to vomiting and burping, after which she seems to recover. We consulted her pediatrician, who conducted numerous tests, all of which returned negative results. However, she did identify the presence of post-nasal drip and prescribed antibiotics, which only provided minimal relief. These distressing episodes frequently occur during the night and have not yet resolved. Now, my 9-year-old daughter is showing similar symptoms, although we haven't visited the doctor yet. She experiences recurrent episodes, particularly at night. Both girls tend to trigger an episode when they become overly excited, run for a short period, or laugh too freely. What could be causing this? For over three weeks, I have been consistently utilizing a cool mist humidifier, but there has been no significant improvement. What steps should I take? It breaks my heart to see them so frightened and uncomfortable during these events.
Answers (1)
7/14/2025, 4:30:50 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds very distressing to see your daughters experiencing these troubling symptoms, especially when they lead to panic and discomfort. The persistent dry cough, stridor (a high-pitched wheezing sound during breathing), and episodes that cause vomiting could point toward a few possible underlying issues, including asthma-like reactions or other airway sensitivities.
Explanation
The symptoms you've described, particularly the cough that worsens with excitement or exertion, can be indicative of several conditions, such as:
-
Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD): This condition can mimic asthma but involves abnormal closure of the vocal cords during breathing, leading to difficulty breathing and stridor.
-
Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB): Particularly in children, vigorous activity can trigger airway constriction, resulting in coughing and difficulty breathing.
-
Asthma: This is common in children and can cause similar cough and wheezing symptoms, particularly at night or with certain triggers like laughter or activity.
-
Post-Nasal Drip and Allergies: Even though the pediatrician found post-nasal drip, allergies may still play a role in exacerbating the cough and stridor.
Next Steps
Here are some prioritized actions to help manage your daughters’ symptoms:
-
Monitor and Record Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of when these episodes happen (times, triggers, duration) to identify patterns. This will help in understanding their particular triggers better.
-
Consult an Allergist or Pulmonologist: Since your pediatrician's tests returned negative, a specialist may provide further insight. Testing for allergies or conducting specific breathing tests could be helpful.
-
Implement Breathing Techniques: Teaching your daughters calm breathing exercises can help during episodes. Try inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips to help manage panic.
-
Environmental Adjustments: Although you have a humidifier, consider other factors like allergens in the home—pets, dust mites, or mold. Keeping her sleeping area clean and allergen-free can help.
-
Ensure Proper Hydration: Encourage both girls to drink plenty of water, which may help thin out mucus and alleviate some throat irritation.
-
Stay Calm During Episodes: When an episode occurs, remaining calm yourself can help soothe your daughters. Reassure them they are safe, and guide them through breathing exercises.
-
Emergency Action Plan: If episodes become severe or lead to significant breathing distress, establish a plan for what to do next, including when to seek immediate help.
These steps aim to alleviate the current symptoms while also addressing the underlying concerns contributing to your daughters’ episodes. Your proactive approach and observations will be vital in helping healthcare providers manage their conditions more effectively. Remember, it’s important to advocate for your daughters’ health and ensure their comfort and safety, both physically and emotionally.
Related Questions
Bladder Concerns at 15: Seeking Advice
I'm hesitant to visit the hospital for my bladder issues, so I'm reaching out for some guidance here. After I drink, I often feel an urgent need to urinate, but only a small amount comes out. This cycle repeats approximately every ten minutes, and it seems like my bladder never fully empties. The most frustrating part is that when I sit down, it feels like the urge intensifies and I end up with minor leaks. Interestingly, this issue has never arisen while I'm at school or in public settings. To give some background, I'm of Asian descent and have lactose intolerance. Water has never been my favorite beverage—growing up, my parents were somewhat neglectful, and my school water bottle often had mold, which made me dislike it. Nowadays, I manage to drink about three to four glasses daily, primarily consisting of one to two glasses of plain water and two glasses of other drinks like tea, chocolate beverages, or lemonade. Home seems to be the problem zone; sitting in a chair often leads to small accidents, though the issue doesn’t occur when I'm outside. Looking back, I dealt with bladder complications until I turned seven, during which I spent time in the hospital undergoing various treatments and tests for incontinence. I had assumed that those troubles were behind me. Now I’m unsure why this issue has resurfaced at this age. Is there something I can do to address this without the need for an expensive doctor visit or further medical examinations?
Understanding Pancreatic Cysts at a Young Age
At 23, discovering you have pancreatic cysts can certainly raise concerns, but I assure you I’m not overly anxious. Recently, I had to visit urgent care due to persistent vomiting and severe abdominal discomfort that made eating nearly impossible. A CT scan revealed a cyst located in the head of my pancreas. Following this, my primary care physician recommended an MRI for a more detailed examination. The findings indicated that the cyst resembles a serous cystadenoma, prompting the need for an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and a biopsy. I have a consultation scheduled with a gastroenterologist in two weeks to further discuss my condition. Currently, I'm facing challenges with eating; my stomach aches frequently, and I’ve started to lose weight as a result of my limited intake. I’m curious about a common descriptor for these types of cysts — often referred to as "grandmother cysts" due to their prevalence in women aged 60 to 70. However, I’m still quite young in my early to mid-20s. My primary concern isn't the possibility of cancer but rather the implications of having such a cyst at this age. How rare is it to encounter pancreatic cysts during one’s twenties? Additionally, will my age and current symptoms influence the treatment approach that I might receive?
Understanding Cough and Congestion in Newborns: Possible Causes
Hello everyone, I'm seeking some advice regarding my little one. My 6-week-old infant has started to exhibit a concerning wet cough that appears quite chesty. I first noticed this issue two mornings ago. While the cough is not persistent and occurs just a handful of times throughout the day, it seems to be particularly pronounced after he feeds and upon waking from naps or overnight sleep. The only effective way to soothe his coughing is by holding him upright and gently patting his back. In addition to the cough, he has a stuffy nose and is sneezing more frequently. To alleviate this, I’ve been administering saline nasal spray and utilizing a nasal aspirator, which produces a significant amount of clear mucus. Sitting in a steamy bathroom also seems to provide temporary relief. There are currently no other indications of illness; he has not developed a fever, and we recently visited the emergency room where they assessed his oxygen levels—everything was normal. Tests for RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 all came back negative. Given that the cough often arises after feeds, I’ve been managing it as if it were related to reflux—maintaining an upright position during and after feeding, regular burping, and implementing pace feeding techniques. Nevertheless, the nature of the cough is worsening, evolving from sporadic coughs to more extended bouts. Living in a tropical environment where air conditioning is frequently used, we also deal with considerable dust accumulation in the room. I’m contemplating whether this may be due to post-nasal drip, mucus associated with reflux, or possibly an adverse reaction to dry or dusty air. Additionally, I wonder how long it typically takes for these symptoms to resolve if I’m following the right protocols?
22-Year-Old with Neck Lumps for Over a Decade
Hello everyone! As my title indicates, I've been dealing with small, mobile lumps under my neck for roughly a decade now. I struggle significantly with health-related anxiety, and I often find myself overanalyzing the smallest details, so I appreciate your understanding. Life has been quite hectic lately with school and financial commitments, which has prevented me from seeking medical advice about this issue. I first noticed these lumps when I was around 10 years old. I've always had a habit of touching things out of boredom, so I would frequently poke and prod at these lumps. Over the years, as I matured, I stopped fiddling with them, but they've remained constant. Initially, I noticed three lumps on each side of my neck. Now, I have just one lump on the left and two on the right side—two of which are located under my jaw, while the other is at the end of my jawline. On a positive note, they have shrunk in size as I’ve gotten older. They were noticeably larger when I was younger, but their size has significantly decreased; they are now approximately 1 cm in diameter. Nevertheless, they are still present, and with the increasing reports of cancer and tumors in younger individuals, I can't help but feel concerned. Does anyone have any insights about what these lumps might be? Could they pose a problem in the future? I did some online research and found mentions of lipomas, but I've also read so much alarming content that it often makes me feel like I have only months to live, which I should clarify is just a joke! That's why I'm turning to Reddit for support instead. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
Unusual Green Poop in My Toddler
My three-month-old toddler, who weighs 40 pounds and takes a multivitamin, experienced an unusual bowel movement today. Both times, his stool appeared a striking green, reminiscent of playdough. He showed no signs of discomfort, such as straining or belly cramps, and he is maintaining good hydration levels. However, the color is quite alarming. The last time he went, the stool was a mix of two different green shades—one lighter and one darker. The only potential dietary change I can think of was a family gathering yesterday where he indulged in a few small cookies topped with rainbow sprinkles. He doesn't usually consume sprinkles, but he only had a small amount. I'm feeling anxious about this situation, especially since his pediatrician is unavailable right now.