All that you need to know about Asthma in Children

A growing medical complication in children’s health is Asthma. In children, Asthma usually prevails during the time of their birth. However, some young ones may develop it due to the environmental conditions. Many toddlers suffer from this respiratory disorder through genes. Asthma, though not a life-threatening condition, it can give rise to more health complications in the child’s future. Thus, it is important to take care and give immense medical attention at the early stages itself.

This article unfolds the essential information and knowledge one needs to have to attend to their children or loved ones suffering from Asthma.

Further, the article also discusses how Asthma can be treated with the help of right medication.

Development of Asthma in Children

When Asthma occurs owing to the dynamic shifts in the environmental conditions. The polluted environment results in weakened the response to various stimuli such as dust, pollens, allergens, and other elements.

A child suffering from an Asthma attack will face tightening of the muscles around the airways. This results in swelling of the line of the air passages, thus, creating a hindrance for the air to pass through.

  • Animal hair
  • Chemical
  • Exercise
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Viral infections
  • Strong emotions
  • Change of weather
  • Aspirin, and many more

Environmental factors lead to severe cases that call for immense medical attention till the time these symptoms are under control.

 

 

Symptoms of Asthma

A lesser know fact, Asthma and respiratory allergies tend to go hand-in-hand. An Asthma patient cannot run too much or indulge in physically challenging activities. On certain days, there may be a sudden allergic reaction and the child will have to skip his routine and consult the doctor on a regular basis. A tiring day at school may also result in hindrances in the child’s breathing. It tends to get worse during the night. The viral upper respiratory infections can occur from time to time during the childhood Asthma.

Most widely known symptom of Asthma is continuous coughing. The coughing sessions may frequently occur during any time of the day. In case where coughing is the only symptom, it’s known as cough-variant Asthma. Children may suffer from wheezing – a high-pitched whistling sound. Wheezing occurs due to turbulent airflow to the airways. In this process, the heart rate increases, and it becomes difficult to breathe. A common phenomenon is the retraction of the chest wall near the ribs. This phenomenon thought common; they tend to vary from one child to another depending upon the intensity of the disorder and the child’s immune system.

The climatic conditions play a significant role, and the intensity of the disorder may feel prominent during the night. Thus, it is important to choose the right Asthma healer to avoid such complications in the child’s future.

Other symptoms may also include:

  • Irritability
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Feeling out of breath
  • Trouble in exhaling
  • Breathing faster than normal
  • Dark bags under the eyes

Diagnosis for Asthma

For your child to continue to lead a healthy life, it is crucial that symptoms are brought under control with the correct Asthma treatment.

Asthma can be genetic. A patient with a family health history of allergies and Asthma tends to fall prey to this disorder. Coughing and breathlessness are common symptoms a child may face. Similarly, excessive physical activities can add to the disorder. Such, patients usually suffer from prolonged respiratory infections. Few cases, one may see positive results achieved by Asthma medications. Spirometry, a widely used breathing test, helps you to keep a check on the lung function. This treatment is suitable for children of the age of five. Another useful technique would be the Impulse Oscillometry technique that measures the airway resistance. Although, the patient’s can help in the diagnosis process, testing for air hyper-responsiveness has also proven to be useful in the diagnosis of Asthma.

Asthma Treatment

One needs to have a thorough discussion with the doctor and sketch out a plan for your child that primarily looks at measuring peak flow, avoiding Asthma triggers, detailed monitoring of the symptoms, and medicine schedules. Also, informing the school staff about your child’s condition can help. Make sure your child knows the doses and takes them. The right technique to take the doses should be taught. While most Asthma patients consume long-term drugs to prevent Asthma symptoms, most cases may also call more than one long-term medication.

Medicines like inhaled steroids and long-acting bronchodilators help provide immense relief to the patient.

Prevention of Asthma

As they say, prevention is better than cure. Asthma can be prevented by adopting minor changes in our day-to-day lifestyle. Keep your kid away from dust and smoke.

Research show that kids living on farms are less prone to Asthma and other allergies.

It can take quite a toll on the child who is suffering from Asthma. Children should be checked for Asthma if detected with this disorder, commencement of the diagnosis is extremely essential, followed by a complete treatment in time. Make sure the regular medical check-ups aren’t missed out.