Toddler Chest Congestion: Causes and Treatment - Verywell Health

Posted: 13 Apr 2021 12:00 AM PDT

Chest congestion is a common symptom of a number of conditions that affect toddlers, from a virus such as a common cold to a genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis.

The additional symptoms that come with chest congestion and the course of treatment depend on the cause of the congestion and the characteristics of the child. Your child's healthcare provider can help find a diagnosis and suggest treatment options.

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Symptoms and Causes

Chest congestion is a symptom of a condition, not a condition unto itself. It can have several different causes and is usually accompanied by other symptoms like a cough.

Cold

As the name states, the common cold is common. Colds are caused by respiratory viruses and are the number one reason for doctor calls and visits.

Healthy children experience about six colds per year, and colds are rarely serious. In the 5 to 10% of children who develop a secondary health problem due to a cold, the condition is usually an ear or sinus infection.

Normal symptoms of colds include:

Runny nose and congestion (up to two weeks)
Sore throat (up to five days)
Hoarse voice
Cough (up to three weeks)
Fever under 104° F/40° C (up to three days)

Symptoms of a secondary problem that prompt a visit to a healthcare provider include:

Trouble breathing
Rapid breathing
Earache
Ear discharge
Pus in the eyes ("gunky" eyes, eyelids stuck together, especially after sleeping)
Fever for more than three days
Sinus pain that is not helped by nasal washes
Fever that goes away for 24 hours and then returns
Sore throat for more than five days
Nasal discharge for more than two weeks
Cough lasting more than three weeks

What Kind of Cough Is It?

Coughs are a common symptom of many illnesses, but the type of cough makes a difference. Your toddler's healthcare provider is likely to ask you to describe the cough. Does it sound:

Barky: Sounds like a seal bark. Associated with swelling in the upper airway. Often signals croup.
Whooping: A deep breath in that makes a "whooping" sound at the end of the coughing
Wheezing: A wheezing, whistling sound when exhaling (breathing out)
Stridor: High-pitched whistling sound on inhalation (breathing in)
Wet: Produces mucus. Comes from the chest. Can be forceful, trigger the gag reflex, and/or cause vomiting

Acute Bronchitis

Often called a "chest cold", acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (large breathing tubes in the lungs). In contrast to chronic bronchitis, acute bronchitis is short-lasting. Symptoms usually develop and go away quickly, and most cases are mild.

In children, acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection, sometimes after a cold or other viral upper respiratory infection. It can also be caused by bacteria or as a result of exposure to irritants such as dust, allergens, strong fumes, or tobacco smoke.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis usually last one to two weeks and include:

Dry or mucus-filled cough
Wheezing
Sore throat
Vomiting or gagging
Runny nose (often before the cough starts)
Chest congestion
Chest soreness
Fatigue
General feelings of discomfort or unwell
Slight fever (under 100.4° F/38° C)
Chills
Mild muscle/back pain

Take your toddler to a healthcare provider right away if:

There is a fever of 100.4° F/38° C or higher
There bloody mucus with the cough
The child has trouble breathing/shortness of breath
The symptoms last more than three weeks
Episodes of bronchitis are repeated/reoccurring
You are concerned

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is an infection in which swelling occurs in the bronchioles (smaller airways) of the lungs, blocking airflow in and out of the lungs.

Bronchiolitis is usually caused by an infection in the upper respiratory tract which spreads down into the windpipe and lungs. This infection is often a viral infection, most frequently respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

It occurs most often in winter and early spring, and usually affects children under two years old.

Bronchiolitis often looks like a common cold at first, but then the cough (and often other symptoms) get worse over time. It is important to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis as the symptoms are similar to other conditions, especially in babies and young toddlers.

Symptoms of bronchiolitis include:

Runny nose
Congestion
Cough
Vomiting
Fever
Fast or hard breathing
Wheezing
Loss of appetite
Irritability

Call your child's healthcare provider right away, or seek emergency care if your child:

Has trouble breathing
Turns blue in color (especially the lips and fingertips)
Is breathing very fast
Is not eating or drinking
Can't keep fluids down
You are concerned

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that is a leading cause of childhood respiratory infection.

It is very common, with nearly all children contracting an RSV infection by the age of 2 years old. Most often, RSV infection is mild but it can be serious, especially for premature infants, infants under six months, children who are immunocompromised, and children with certain disorders that put them at risk for serious RSV infections.

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can cause more severe illnesses such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Approximately 58,000 children younger than 5 years old in the United States are treated in hospital for RSV infections each year.

Symptoms of RSV include:

Runny/congested nose
Cough (may progress to wheezing)
Sore throat
Decreased appetite
Mild headache
Fever (not always)
Generally feeling unwell

An important note: Infants often show no symptoms with RSV infection beyond irritability, decreased appetite, decreased activity, and/or apnea (pauses in breathing).

What Does "Trouble Breathing" Look Like?

With a cough and/or congestion, it can be hard to tell if a child is having trouble breathing. If you notice any of these signs, your child may be experiencing breathing difficulties and you should seek immediate or emergency medical care:

Allergies

Allergies are more common in children from families that have a history of allergies, but any child can have allergies.

Children can have allergies to environmental triggers such as pollen, insect bites, or animals, to certain medications, or to foods such as peanuts or milk.

Common symptoms of allergies in children include:

Runny/congested nose
Itchy/watery eyes
Skin problems (rashes, eczema, hives, etc.)
Difficulty breathing/asthma
Sneezing
Coughing
Upset stomach
Ear problems (itching, pain, feeling blocked)

In severe cases, allergies can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis which causes breathing impairment, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and possibly shock. This is a medical emergency requiring an immediate 911 call and injection of epinephrine (adrenaline), if available.

Croup

Croup is an infection in children that causes swelling in the upper part of the airway in the neck, usually seen in the winter.

Croup is usually caused by a virus, but can also be caused by bacteria, allergies, or reflux from the stomach.

Symptoms of croup are not universal, can change over time, and do not always occur at the same time. They usually last three to seven days and are often worse at night.

Symptoms of croup include:

"Barky" cough ("seal bark")
Runny nose/congestion and slight cough
Laryngitis ("lost voice", hoarse voice or cry)
Fever
Stridor (a high-pitched "creaking" or whistling sound when breathing in)

Croup can become an emergency situation if breathing difficulties become severe. Call 911 if your child is experiencing any of the following:

Has stridor that becomes louder with each breath
Has stridor while resting
Struggles to catch their breath
Has increased difficulty breathing
Is drooling, spitting, and/or has a hard time swallowing their saliva
Has a blue or dusky (greyish) color around the fingernails, mouth, or nose
Can't speak or make sounds
Has lost consciousness and/or stopped breathing
You think it is an emergency

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition that causes airways to narrow, swell, and sometimes produce extra mucus.

The most common symptom of asthma in children is a chronic cough. Other symptoms can include:

Coughing (constant, made worse by viral infections, happens while sleeping and/or is triggered by exercise or cold air)
Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing out
Shortness of breath or rapid breathing (may be worse when exercising)
Labored breathing that causes the skin around the ribs or neck to pull in tightly
Fatigue (slowing down, stopping playing)
Chest tightness (may say it hurts or feels funny)
Difficulties feeding/grunting while feeding (infants/young toddlers)
Trouble sleeping (because of coughing/difficulty breathing)
Avoidance of physical and/or social activities

A sudden worsening of symptoms caused by the constriction of muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes, narrowing the airway, and making breathing very difficult is called an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are serious and potentially life-threatening. If your child has asthma, discuss with their healthcare provider what to do to prevent and manage asthma attacks, and call 911 during an attack if necessary.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection usually caused by a virus, but is sometimes caused by bacteria. It often follows an upper respiratory infection.

Symptoms include:

Fever (may be accompanied by sweating, chills, flushed skin, discomfort)
Cough (may produce mucus)
Wheezing
Loss of appetite
Lack of energy
Pallor (looking pale), limpness, increased crying (in babies and toddlers)
Fast breathing
Difficulty breathing
Pulling in of the skin between and around the ribs and breastbone while breathing
Flared nostrils
Tightness/pain in the chest (especially with coughing or deep breathing)
Bluish tint to the lips, nails, or fingertips
Fatigue
Vomiting/diarrhea
Headache
Fussiness

If you suspect your child may have pneumonia, call their healthcare provider as pneumonia can become serious.

The Flu

The flu is a serious respiratory infection caused by influenza A and influenza B viruses. It is highly contagious and can be especially dangerous for young children.

Flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms. They include:

Fever, usually high (can be 103°/39.4°C) to 105°F/40.5°C)
Headache
Body aches (may be severe)
Cough (often that gets worse)
Sore throat
Fatigue/tiredness (can be extreme and last up to four weeks)
Runny or stuffy nose
Nausea/Vomiting
Diarrhea

If you suspect your child has the flu, call their healthcare provider right away as some treatments such as antivirals work best or are only effective if given early.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes the mucus in various organs to become thick and sticky, resulting in infections, inflammation, and problems with organ function.

Cystic fibrosis is present at birth and usually diagnosed by age two.

Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include:

Coughing (persistent, at times with phlegm)
Very salty-tasting skin
Frequent lung infections (including pneumonia and/or bronchitis)
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Frequent greasy, bulky stools/difficulty with bowel movements
Poor growth/weight gain (despite having a good appetite)
Male infertility

Babies Require Different Care

Chest congestion, cough, and fever can look different in infants than in toddlers and older children, and often require more urgent medical care, particularly for babies under six months.

If your baby is ill, make sure you follow advice and information specifically for infants, not for toddlers or older children.

When to See a Doctor

Whether a cough and/or chest congestion needs medical attention depends largely on the cause of the illness, the accompanying symptoms, the age of the child, the severity of the symptoms, and the duration of the symptoms.

Generally speaking, call your child's healthcare provider if there's:

Persistent, lasting cough (more than three weeks)/non-stop coughing spells
Trouble breathing/fast breathing.
High fever (especially with a cough but without a runny or stuffy nose)
Coughing that makes your child unable to speak normally
Signs of dehydration (dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, sunken eyes, crying with little or no tears, urinating less often, or having fewer wet diapers)
Ear or sinus pain
Ear drainage
Fever that lasts longer than 3 days, or returns after being gone for 24 hours or more
Chest pain (even when not coughing)
Coughing that causes vomiting more than three times
More than three days off school/daycare
A runny nose for more than two weeks
Allergy symptoms
You have any concerns you feel need medical attention

Seek medical care immediately if your child:

Has trouble breathing (if severe, call 911)
Has a bluish tint to their lips or face during coughing
Has stridor
Is breathing faster than normal
Is wheezing
Has severe chest pain/can't take a deep breath because of chest pain
Has coughed up blood
Has a weakened immune system or medical condition that makes them high risk
Has a temperature over 104° F (40° C)
Looks or acts very sick
Shows signs of an infection elsewhere in the body (such as red, swollen joints, bone pain, neck stiffness, vomiting, rash, or other new symptoms)
You think your child needs urgent medical attention

What Symptoms Indicate You Should Call 911?

Call 911 if your child:

Is having severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath, can barely speak or cry)
Has lost consciousness (passed out) and/or stopped breathing
Has a bluish tint to their lips or face when not coughing
You think your child has a serious or life-threatening emergency

Diagnosis

To determine if a child has chest congestion, and what is causing their symptoms, a medical health provider may use a number of diagnostic tools.

Physical Exam

During an office or hospital visit, a healthcare provider is likely to do a physical examination. This might include:

Asking about symptoms
Asking about health history
Asking about family history
Listening to the child's chest/breathing
Checking other areas such as looking in ears and down the throat, feeling the abdomen, etc.

Imaging

Imaging tests such as a chest x-ray or CT scan may be ordered to look at the lungs and check for congestion, foreign objects, or other areas of concern.

Lab Work

A healthcare provider may requisition various lab work including:

Blood tests to check for viruses, bacteria, blood cell counts, etc.
Nasopharyngeal swab (a swab of the nose and throat) to check for viruses such as RSV.
Sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs) culture may also be taken.

A bronchoscopy is a rarely used procedure used to look inside the airways of the lungs.

Other Tests and Procedures

A pulse oximeter (a small, painless sensor on the finger or toe) may be used to check blood oxygen levels.

Allergy tests may be run to determine if symptoms are caused by an allergy. These sometimes involve:

Medical tests (such as skin and blood tests)
Elimination diets
Keeping a diary
Other measures to determine if there is an allergy and to what allergen

Tests to measure lung capacity and airflow may be ordered, particularly if asthma is suspected.

Diagnosing Cystic Fibrosis

This diagnosis requires more than a physical exam or blood test. It is a multi-step process that should include:

A newborn screening
A sweat test
A genetic or carrier test
A clinical evaluation at a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited care center

Treatment

Treatment depends on the symptoms and what is causing them. For more specific treatment plans for each condition, consult a healthcare provider who can tailor treatment to your child's needs.

In general, treatment for chest congestion and some of the conditions that cause it falls into two categories: Medical treatment and treatment that can be given to your child on your own at home.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatments include:

Antibiotics (if bacterial)
Antivirals (if viral and necessary, as in some cases of the flu)
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for fever or pain such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (check with your child's healthcare provider or pharmacist before giving medication. Never give Aspirin to children.)
IV (intravenous) fluids to prevent dehydration if your child is having trouble taking in or keeping down fluids
If necessary, breathing treatments, extra oxygen, or in extreme cases a breathing machine
Steroid treatments are sometimes given for croup
Other medications such as allergy or asthma medications may be prescribed or recommended by a healthcare provider as needed
Treatment for cystic fibrosis should be determined by a healthcare provider

At-Home Treatment

If the illness and symptoms are mild, or it is advised by a healthcare provider, at-home measures can help your child feel more comfortable while they get better.

Some home treatments to try include:

Encourage drinking lots of fluids (small amounts often), especially warm (not hot) drinks such as apple juice to ease coughing
Lots of rest
Put a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room (make sure it is properly cleaned and never use a hot water or steam humidifier)
A nasal aspirator and saline (saltwater) spray or nose drops can be helpful for a stuffy nose
Running a hot shower with the door closed to steam up the bathroom, then sitting in the room (not the shower) with your child for about 20 minutes can help with a "barky" cough and croup
Cool air (such as bundling your child for the weather and sitting outside in the cool air for 10 to 15 minutes, or standing in front of an open fridge if the air outside is not cool) can help relieve a coughing fit or stridor, particularly if the child has croup
An asthma action plan is a helpful tool for managing your child's asthma
Elevate your child's head while sleeping and resting (make sure to follow safe sleep guidelines for babies and toddlers)
For toddlers over a year old, offer half a teaspoon of honey as needed
Sleep close to your child (in the same room) to listen for stridor
Keep your child away from smoke

Can Children Take Cough Medicine?

Children under the age of 4 years should not be given cough or cold medicine, and children aged 4 to 6 years should only do so if advised by a healthcare provider.

Children over age 6 years can take cough and cold medicine according to the dosage guidelines, but it still isn't recommended because they aren't very effective and they may cause side effects.

A Word From Verywell

It's never easy when little ones don't feel well. Coughs and colds are a common part of the childhood experience, but they are no fun for kids or parents, especially when they come with chest congestion.

Chest congestion in toddlers can be caused by a lot of different illnesses, some minor and some serious-but fortunately, most of the time it clears up with the help of medical treatment, or on its own with some home treatments and lots of TLC.

Weed smoker's lungs vs. smoker's lungs vs. non-smokers lungs - Medical News Today

Posted: 16 Apr 2021 03:41 AM PDT

Like smoking tobacco, smoking weed or cannabis can also have damaging effects on the lungs, although research on the subject is not as clear-cut.

Smoking is one of the biggest threats to lung health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that cigarette smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths in the United States each year.

Smoking cigarettes can have a number of negative effects on a person's lungs. These include:

changing the function of the lungs
impacting the lungs' structure
increasing the risk of a number of serious medical conditions, including cancer

Smoking cannabis can also cause damage to the lungs. This because the smoke from cannabis contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke.

In this article, we look at the effects of smoking cannabis on the lungs and compare them to the effects of smoking tobacco.

There is mixed evidence on the effects of cannabis smoke on the lungs. This is because of a relative lack of literature combined with concurrent tobacco smoking and the reports of conflicting outcomes.

Coughing and sputum

One study states that cannabis smoke can cause symptoms, such as increased coughing and sputum production, similar to those found in people who smoke tobacco.

Another study states that the frequency of chronic cough, sputum, and wheezing was similar between cannabis smokers and tobacco smokers.

The American Lung Association states that these symptoms arise due to cannabis smoke injuring the cell linings of the large airways.

Bronchitis

Swelling and inflammation in the bronchial tubes cause bronchitis. Acute bronchitis usually clears up on its own, while chronic bronchitis is persistent and may never go away.

A person with this condition usually experiences the below symptoms:

coughing
wheezing while breathe
difficulty breathing

The American Lung Association says that cannabis smoke can cause a person to develop chronic bronchitis. A 2016 study also stated that smoking cannabis has links with symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

Learn more about bronchitis here.

Lung cancer

There is differing evidence regarding the association between cannabis smoking and lung cancer.

One 2013 study stated that people who used cannabis heavily were at an increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Another study from 2012 outlines that cannabis smoke contains carcinogens, which can cause cancer.

However, the study adds that there is no evidence that suggests that light or moderate cannabis smoking leads to an increased risk for the development of either lung or upper airway cancer.

However, the same study states that the evidence is mixed when it comes to the cancer risks of heavy or long-term cannabis use.

A 2014 study suggests there is biological plausibility of cannabis smoking as a risk for the development of lung cancer. However, it adds that it is difficult to link cannabis smoking and cancer development conclusively.

Learn more about cannabis and lung cancer here.

Other cancers

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released their report on the health effects of cannabinoids. They found no statistical association between cannabis smoking and lung, head, and neck cancers.

The report also found limited or no evidence regarding any links between smoking cannabis smoking and:

There are a couple of other ways a person can consume cannabis that do not involve smoking the substance.

Edibles

A person can consume cannabis in edible form, which is the name for foods and drinks infused with cannabis.

Edibles deliver the cannabis to the body through the mouth and digestive system. People often see these products as an alternative to smoking or vaping.

Edibles can have varying effects on individuals. Research suggests that they can be a more potent method of taking cannabis than inhaling the substance.

The study showed that the effects from edibles took around 1 hour to kick in but lasted for 6 or more hours. It also showed that, in contrast, the effects of smoking or vaping tended to last 1–4 hours.

Learn more about edibles here.

Vaping

Many people inhale vaporized cannabis as an alternative to smoking it. The vaporizer heats the cannabis and extracts the cannabinoids, converting them into vapor, which a person then inhales.

There are several different types of vaporizers that use alternative methods to heat cannabis.

As scientists do not know the long-term safety of vaping it is not advisable for people to use this method for cannabis consumption.

There are over 7,000 different chemicals in tobacco smoke, which all affect the lungs in a variety of ways. Some of these chemicals are carcinogenic, meaning they may cause cancer, while others can damage cells or trigger scarring and inflammation.

Due to the abundance of chemicals, cigarette smoke can affect the lungs in many ways, including the below.

Changes to the physical appearance of the lungs

Cigarette smoke can cause the lungs to change their appearance drastically.

People commonly refer to the black pigmented material in cigarette smoke as tar. This tar can change the color of the lungs from pink to a grey or black color.

Cigarette smoke can also cause the lungs to become hyperinflated and develop patches of inflammation. This may also cause the diaphragm to lose muscle, which also changes the shape of the lungs.

Increases the production of mucus

Smoking often causes the lungs to produce more mucus. This occurs because the smoke damages the epithelial cells that line a person's airway.

This damage then triggers goblet cell production, which leads to the increased production of mucus in the lungs.

This increased level of mucus in the lung has associations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD includes two main conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

These conditions can lead to:

trouble breathing
an ongoing cough
a tight chest
wheezing when breathing

COPD is a progressive disease, which means that the symptoms get worse over time. It is also the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.

Causes coughing

There are tiny hairs in the airways called cilia, which prevent dirt and mucus from getting into the lungs.

Smoking tobacco can destroy these cilia, allowing a number of these irritants to build up in the lungs.

This can then lead to the person developing a chronic cough that people sometimes refer to as "smoker's cough." This is common in long-term or daily smokers.

Lowers oxygen levels

Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide. Therefore, when a person smokes tobacco, the carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in their blood.

This deprives the organs of the oxygen they require. Organs and other parts of the body need oxygen to function properly, so it is important that a person's oxygen levels do not drop too far.

The lungs also contain small blood vessels called capillaries, which allow the oxygen in the lungs to pass into the bloodstream and travel to the organs and other parts of the body.

Smoking can damage the capillaries. This can lead to a person developing low oxygen levels in their blood, as less oxygen is able to pass through the damaged capillaries and into the bloodstream.

A high risk of lung cancer

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk for lung cancer. It has links with 80–90% of lung cancer deaths in the U.S.

Of the 7,000 chemicals present in cigarette smoke, many are poisonous. Around 70 of these chemicals are also carcinogens.

People who smoke cigarettes are 15–30 times more likely to get lung cancer than those who do not smoke.

A person who only smokes a few cigarettes each day or smokes occasionally is still increasing their risk of lung cancer.

The risk increases the more cigarettes a person smokes and the longer that they continue to smoke.

Learn more about how smoking affects the lungs here.

Smoking tobacco is very damaging to a person's lungs. However, tobacco is also a very addictive substance, and people who are addicted can experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit.

Therefore it can be difficult for a person to quit smoking.

It is worth noting that tobacco withdrawal is not usually dangerous in comparison to withdrawal from opioids or alcohol, which can be life threatening.

Here are some tips that a person might find useful to help them quit smoking tobacco:

Nicotine replacement therapy: Offers a low level of nicotine without the other harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke.
Cognitive behavioral therapy: An effective approach for quitting smoking. It is a type of counseling or therapy that helps people change their smoking habits.
Drugs: Drugs, such as varenicline and bupropion, help tackle nicotine withdrawal symptoms to make quitting easier.
Support: It is important that people have the right support when trying to quit smoking. Evidence suggests that having adequate support from others makes quitting easier.

If a person is addicted to cannabis, they may experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit.

As with tobacco, cannabis withdrawal is usually not dangerous or life threatening.

When trying to quit smoking cannabis, a person should try to ease their withdrawal symptoms by following some of these tips:

eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
avoiding too much sugar and junk food, which can make them feel worse
drinking plenty of water and remaining hydrated at all times
avoiding caffeinated beverages, which can worsen symptoms
getting plenty of good quality sleep
exercising each day and remaining active
getting support from family and friends

Learn more about how to quit smoking here.

Smoking has a number of damaging effects on a person's lungs. Both tobacco smoking and cannabis smoking can cause several health issues, although research on the effects of cannabis smoking on the lungs is less clear.

Smoking tobacco and cannabis can lead to a person developing a cough, producing more sputum, and developing a wheeze when they breathe. They can also both lead to lung disorders such as COPD and bronchitis.

Smoking tobacco can also lower a person's blood oxygen levels and is a big risk factor for developing lung cancer. However, there is mixed evidence regarding the links between cannabis smoking and lung cancer.