Basic Information: Asthma in Children
Asthma is a chronic condition in which the respiratory tract to your lungs is inflamed. This inflammation will make breathing difficult and painful. Childhood asthma can be potentially a serious condition because the child's respiratory tract is smaller than the adult. Asthma on children can be handled effectively through fast treatment to cure the symptoms. Long-term care can help your child live a normal and active life.
What causes childhood asthma?
Many variations of factors are involved in childhood asthma. According to Mayo Clinic, some children may have genetic factors that result in this disease, (Mayo Clinic). This means that they have seeds and tendencies towards asthma or inflammation in general. A sensitive immune system can also increase the likelihood of an asthmatic child.
Environmental factors may also produce asthma symptoms in children. Dust, air pollution, and smoke can irritate the airways and cause inflammation.
Allergies and respiratory diseases can also cause asthma symptoms in some children. Fur, mites, and pollen are allergens around you and can trigger asthma. Cold air, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia are viruses and infections that affect the lungs. This disease can make you exposed to asthma attacks if you already have a tendency to contract asthma.
Cold air or extreme heat can also trigger asthma symptoms. Sometimes, childhood asthma appears for no reason or trigger.
Symptoms of childhood asthma
Breathing becomes difficult when the child's respiratory tract swells or becomes solid. Difficulty breathing is called an asthma attack.
Symptoms of respiratory problems and discomfort may include:
- Continuous cough
- Ejects sounds when breathing, such as wheezing, stridor (strange sound, high pitched), or whistling
- Feel bound or strong pressure around the chest
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
Children and adolescents with asthma usually recover longer than a respiratory infection, such as bronchitis and flu. Delayed healing is caused by chronic inflammation in the lungs. Symptoms of asthma can be more severe when ill, and attacks can become more frequent.
Every child is different, and the symptoms can vary even in different asthma attacks. Give your child immediate treatment if he shows severe asthma symptoms, such as:
- Nostrils that expand when breathing
- Can not speak fully
- Sweating for no reason
- Increased heart rate
Diagnose asthma in children
Diagnosing asthma can be very difficult, especially in very young children. Your pediatrician will perform a physical exam to determine the health conditions that may indicate asthma symptoms. Increased acid, sinus infections, and wet nose may cause wheezing and respiratory problems that may be symptoms of asthma.
Children over 5 years old can usually participate in lung function checks. This examination is one of the primary diagnostics used to determine if the child has asthma. During the examination, your child will be asked to sigh as hard as possible on a device called a spirometer. Spirometer will measure response time and air volume. In other words, your doctor will check how much air your child can release and how fast. These measurements help determine the capacity and function of the lungs.
Diagnosing asthma in infants and toddlers requires special attention. Your child's pediatrician will listen to the voice on your child's chest whether there is a sound like wheezing or other abnormal sounds coming from the lungs. Your child's growth pattern will also be noted to help confirm the diagnosis of asthma. Infants and toddlers who have problems will usually show it over time, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Treatment of children asthma
Parents, children, and doctors should work together to create an asthma care plan. Often, allergists also work with families to make this plan.
Part of the planning depends on the knowledge of the cause of asthma symptoms in your child. There may be one or more factors, such as allergies or genetics. Avoiding allergen substances can be a very good way of dealing with your child's asthma symptoms.
Long-term treatment to treat and prevent asthma attacks is intended as a control measure or so-called "controllers". Controller treatments are designed to minimize long-term inflammation of the respiratory tract. Controller treatment can be administered orally or from inside using a device called an inhaler. Long-term asthma medications include corticosteroids, long-acting beta agonists, and leukotriene modifiers. Your child's inhaler may contain one or more combinations of these drugs.
Emergency treatment can be used when an asthma attack occurs. Emergency inhalers provide an aroma that will work from the inside and reach the respiratory tract quickly and alleviate inflammation. Corticosteroids and short-acting beta agonists are the most commonly prescribed for the treatment of asthma.
Your pediatrician or allergist may also provide an allergic treatment as an adjunct to the treatment of asthma. Oral allergy treatment or allergy shots can help reduce the tendency of asthma attacks.
Young children may rely on their parents to assist in asthma treatment and to determine when to use emergency inhalers. Older children are usually more vigilant if they suddenly have asthma attacks they can treat themselves.
Conclusion about childhood asthma
Asthma in children can be effectively controlled with treatment plans and treatments. Children with asthma are expected to move and participate in activities appropriate to their age. Your health care provider or group can help you get over your anxiety in the face of your child's asthma. Over time, you will learn how to overcome and prevent attacks, and how to encourage your child to stay passionate and active every day.
