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What Causes Cough With Snoring And Mouth Breathing?
Hi I have a 7 year old who breathes through his mouth and snores loudly and now he also has a cough which keeps him up all night I have taken him to the doctors twice all he did was give him an inhaler is this right or shall take him to a different doctor?
Sat, 7 Nov 2020
Hello,
Mouth breathing is not uncommon in children of this age and it is mostly due to nasal blockage. Nasal blockage can be due to several reasons of most important is Adenoids at this age. Adenoids can be confirmed by a lateral X-ray of nasopharynx and once confirmed, it must be treated as early as possible (Surgical removal) in order to avoid complications of mouth breathing like high arched palate, teeth abnormalities along with change of facial features.
The nose can also be blocked due to Rhinitis which is nasal swelling due to allergies, viral/bacterial infections. This rhinitis can also cause post nasal drip which could be responsible for cough. While you make an appointment for ENT doctor, please give him Flonase nasal spray 2 puffs once a day, saline nasal spray 2 puffs twice a day, Steam inhalation with some Vicks in it and Chewable tab Claritin once a day for 7 days. This should help relieve the symptoms while being investigated for the root cause.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Omair Choudhry, Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Mouth breathing is not uncommon in children of this age and it is mostly due to nasal blockage. Nasal blockage can be due to several reasons of most important is Adenoids at this age. Adenoids can be confirmed by a lateral X-ray of nasopharynx and once confirmed, it must be treated as early as possible (Surgical removal) in order to avoid complications of mouth breathing like high arched palate, teeth abnormalities along with change of facial features.
The nose can also be blocked due to Rhinitis which is nasal swelling due to allergies, viral/bacterial infections. This rhinitis can also cause post nasal drip which could be responsible for cough. While you make an appointment for ENT doctor, please give him Flonase nasal spray 2 puffs once a day, saline nasal spray 2 puffs twice a day, Steam inhalation with some Vicks in it and Chewable tab Claritin once a day for 7 days. This should help relieve the symptoms while being investigated for the root cause.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Omair Choudhry, Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
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