Causes and risk factors:
Croup occurs due to swelling and narrowing of the airway passages. Infection is the most common cause of croup, particularly viral infection. Allergy and reflexes from stomach also evokes croup.
Clinical presentations:
There are two types of croup-Viral and spasmodic. The symptoms can be mild or severe. Majority of time croup is mild and can be managed at home. Croup starts with Coryza and cold. The child suffers from cough. The cough is loud and barking type of cough. It is usually aggravated at night and by crying .Stirdor commonly occurs in mild croup. Difficult breathing and noisy breathing are the main features seen. The child has to put in lot of efforts to breathe, which often worries the parents. This difficult breathing is more aggravated at night.
Diagnosis and investigations:
Symptoms narrated by the parents and the physical examination carried out by the doctor will help to confirm the diagnosis. An audible breathing noise and auscultation of the chest are diagnostic. Certain investigations can be advised which are routine blood test and chest X ray are advised.
Treatment:
Most of the cases of croup are mild and hence can be managed at home. Steam inhalation is the effective measure for croup. If the complaints lasts for a longer duration then medical assistance is required. Adrenaline and steroid content medications are prescribed. They are either administered orally or through injections. In cases of infections antibiotics are started. Cough syrups can be started.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating the complaints. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating the complaints.
