Asthma in Children

This article can help moms out there on how to deal with their children with asthma.


Asthma in Children

Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness. About two-thirds of all children who develop asthma will grow out of it, but left untreated asthma can cause permanent damage to the airways. Very rarely, a severe asthma attack can be fatal.

About asthma

About one in 10 children has asthma and it's the most common long-term medical condition.

Asthma is a condition where the airways become irritated and inflamed. As a result, they:

* become narrower
* produce extra mucus

This makes it more difficult for air to flow into and out of the lungs and causes the symptoms of asthma.

Symptoms of asthma

The symptoms of asthma may be mild, moderate or severe. They may include:

* coughing
* wheezing
* shortness of breath
* tightness in the chest

These symptoms tend to be variable and may stop and start. They are usually worse at night.

Causes of asthma

The exact cause of asthma isn't fully understood at present. Sometimes, the symptoms flare up for no obvious reason, but you may notice certain triggers that set off your child's asthma attack or make their symptoms worse. These triggers irritate the airways in your child's lungs and can include:

* infections such as colds and flu
* irritants such as dust, cigarette smoke, fumes and chemicals
* allergies to pollen, medicines, animals, house dust mites or certain foods
* exercise - especially in cold, dry air
* emotions - laughing or crying very hard can trigger symptoms, as can stress

Factors thought to increase a child's risk of developing asthma include those listed below.

* Asthma often runs in families and children can inherit the tendency to get inflamed airways. Children can also inherit the tendency to have allergies (this is called atopy), which increases the risk of developing asthma.
* Boys are more likely than girls to get asthma as a child.
* If you smoke when pregnant, your baby is more likely to get asthma. Children with parents who smoke around them are also more likely to get asthma.
Diagnosis of asthma

If you think your child has asthma, contact your GP for advice. He or she will ask about your child's symptoms and if you have noticed any factors that trigger the symptoms. Your GP will also do a physical examination, and may ask you about your child's medical history.

Your Doctor may also do one or more of the tests listed below.

* Depending on the age of your child, your doctor may use a device called a peak flow meter to help diagnose asthma. A peak flow meter measures how much, and how fast, air can be expelled from your child's lungs. This device can also be used to monitor whether a treatment is effective.
* A spirometry test can also measure how well your child's lungs are functioning but provides more detailed information than a peak flow meter.
* Other tests such as a chest X-ray may be done to make sure no other breathing problems are present.
* An allergy skin test may be done to find out whether your child is allergic to certain substances.

In children under five, diagnosis may be made if your child responds to asthma treatments.

Asthma attacks - what to do

In the event of an asthma attack you should:

* give your child his/her reliever treatment immediately, preferably with a spacer
* sit your child down (don't lie them down) and try to relax them
* wait five to 10 minutes - if the symptoms don't go away, you should call your GP or an ambulance but continue giving your child their reliever, preferably with a spacer, every few minutes until help arrives

If you go to hospital, take details of your child's treatments with you.

Visit your doctor after your child is discharged from hospital so you can review their treatment.

Living with asthma

Medicines are only part of the treatment for asthma. Asthma also needs to be managed by dealing with the things that make it worse. Identifying and avoiding the things that trigger your child's asthma are an essential part of their overall treatment plan.

Keeping a diary to record anything that triggers your child's asthma can help you to discover a pattern. Frequent occurrence of the following may help identify the trigger.

* Low readings on your child's peak flow meter.
* Disturbed sleep because of coughing or wheezing.
* Missed school or social activities.

The older your child, the more he or she will be able to understand and participate in his/her own asthma management. With good preventative measures and appropriate treatment, most children with asthma lead completely normal lives.