Barking Cough Symptoms in Adults
Barking cough, also called croup, is a hard, harsh cough that sounds like a barking seal.
- It is easy to identify croup because of the harsh barking sound that the patient makes.
- Other symptoms that could come with the ailment include:
- Wheezing,
- Fever,
- Cyanosis,
- Hoarseness,
- Runny or stuffy nose,
- Labored breathing,
- High pitched breathing sound,
- Common cold symptoms, and
- Fatigue.
Croup Cough Causes
- The most common cause of croup is inflammation in the larynx and trachea, particularly those close to the vocal cords.
- This inflammation is often caused by viral infection but it may also be due to other ailments, including:
- Measles,
- Influenza,
- Acid reflux,
- Allergies,
- Air irritants,
- Asthma, and
- Bacterial infection.
Barking Cough in Adults
- Seldom does croup happen in adults. Still, if it does happen, it is often caused by the same agents mentioned above. However, it is not as life threatening. Treatment varies, depending on the extent of the problem.
Barking Cough Treatment
- Allowing the patient to breathe moist air can lessen the ‘œbarking’. Thus, it is best to expose the patient to a humidifier or steam – just be careful that the patient is not burned or scalded by the steam.
- Most of the time, medications with epinephrine will be administered immediately. These medications will significantly reduce the swelling quickly.
- Another good remedy is to give the patient plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Oxygen should be provided to those who really have difficulty in breathing.
Barking Cough Complications
- If not treated immediately, the patient can develop certain complications. Still, many patients heal nicely but there are those who do develop these complications.
- Patients at risk of complications include those with a history of lung problems, neuromuscular disease (such as cerebral palsy), and those who were born prematurely.