Sleeping with a chest infection?!
Question: My 16 yr old son has quite a bad chest infection, and the doc has put him on anti biotics. He is having trouble sleeping (although he is really tired) as when he drops off, his breathing becomes heavier and the pain of the breathing wakes him up. Any suggestions? I can't give him hot milk because of the medication he is on.
Answers: My 16 yr old son has quite a bad chest infection, and the doc has put him on anti biotics. He is having trouble sleeping (although he is really tired) as when he drops off, his breathing becomes heavier and the pain of the breathing wakes him up. Any suggestions? I can't give him hot milk because of the medication he is on.
Hi, as an earlier reply said, keep your son as upright as possible to aid lung expansion...when you lay flat your lungs don't expand as well and it can make it more difficult to breath. Turn the heating down a few degrees...warm dry air makes the problem worse, get some ventilation in the room. Give him plenty of WARM drinks (not cold) as warm drinks help to relax the airway and loosen any mucous that is sitting there. You could place some damp towels over the radiators to increase the humidity in the room. Give him a simple painkiller such as paracetamol to ease the pain in his chest. Paracetamol is ok to take with antibiotics.
Antibiotics usually start to take effect within 48-72 hrs so hopefully your son will soon feel better. If he is no better after a few days, or if anything worsens in the meantime, then you need to have the Dr take a look at him again.
well what kind of infection?
how'd he get it.
be a lil more specific and I'll probaly help ya.
usually sleeping in an upright position helps for me when im congested, i dont know about a chest infection.
Plenty of pillows so he is sleeping as near to upright as possible.
If he can sleep on his side and it would be a good idea to either elevate the head of the bed a bit or use extra pillows.
Hot tea is also very effective for loosening the congestion.
Hope he feels better soon.
I am asthmatic and i suffer real bad when i get a chest infection.
These are a few things i do when im ill.
Before he goes to bed put a couple of drops of olbas oil/eucalyptus oil in the bath (make sure he doesnt get the water in his eyes) and get the bathroom as steamy as possible. The oil and steam will ease the tighness of the chest. When he goes to bed apply some olbas oil to his pillow. If he wakes up add some oil to hot water in a bowl and place a towl over his head so that he can inhale it.
I hope this helps x
Get him to sleep in a slightly upright position if he can, keep the room well ventilated, plenty of fluids, a session in the bathroom with door closed and plenty of hot water running to make steam, this will help the congestion, vicks on his chest to get the menthol vapours in to help breathing.
Theres plenty of these chest infections about at the moment, Ive had one myself, so I know how he is feeling.
The antibiotics should kick in in a few days, make sure he finishes the whole course even if he feels better.
I get chest infections regularly as I've got asthma. To help him sleep more comfortabley give him an extra pillow or even 2 - this will support him and prevent the mucus from the infection settling as easily. About 1/2 hour before he goes to bed you may want to give him painkillers so that they can take effect before he gets into bed but check that they won't have any adverse effects on the medication he's on. Also keep him propped up during the day.