Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which restricts the amount of air flowing to the lungs.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma is one of the most common diseases in the US, affecting nearly 25 million people—about 1 in 13. Approximately 5.1 million of those afflicted with this chronic disease are children.
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which restricts the amount of air flowing to the lungs.
Mucus production in the airways also increases, further impeding air flow. The cause of asthma is not known, but the disease is often associated with allergies and symptoms can be triggered by many common allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, molds, animal dander, and cockroach droppings and remains. Irritants such as cigarette smoke and air pollution are other common triggers along with cold air and exercise.
Asthma usually begins in childhood and can manifest as early as approximately six months after birth. At that point, medical professionals often refer to it as “reactive airway disease,” which is characterized by a high number of ear infections and upper-respiratory infections. Because some kids outgrow this condition, it’s not usually classified as asthma until the child reaches school age.
People who live in urban settings are more vulnerable to asthma compared to those in rural or other settings, owing to factors such as the higher level of air pollutants; the often close quarters of living arrangements; and the greater prevalence of older buildings, which commonly have higher concentrations of the allergens that can trigger asthma, such as dust and mold. Factors such as poor prenatal care, low birth weight due to prematurity, or being born to a mother who smokes also increase the likelihood of children developing asthma or other respiratory ailments.
Children with asthma often have the typical allergy symptoms of sneezing and runny nose, but they also experience a persistent cough, which will tend to flare up after running and playing and may cause nighttime waking. In addition, they may complain of chest tightness and have difficulty keeping up with their peers while playing. Snoring—uncommon in children—is another potential manifestation of asthma.
During an acute asthma attack, children will typically appear alarmed as they struggle to breathe. They may also complain that their chest hurts, wheeze audibly, as well as suck in their belly and move their shoulders as they try to draw in air. A rescue inhaler must be used at this point or, if one is not available, medical attention must be sought immediately.
Though there is no cure for asthma, parents can take the following steps to minimize its impact and to help their children with asthma live life to the fullest:
Schedule a visit with your child’s doctor
The most important step you can take is to address the problem with your child’s primary care physician. He or she can prescribe appropriate routine asthma medications to help control symptoms on a daily basis as well as a rescue inhaler to be used in the event that symptoms worsen. The goal is to achieve symptom control with daily medications so frequent use of a rescue inhaler is unnecessary.
Eliminate triggers
To the extent possible, asthma triggers should be eliminated from your child’s living space. For example, your child should not be exposed to cigarette smoke—a major trigger. If your child is sensitive to dust mites, be sure to change his or her pillow regularly and launder the bedding frequently. It’s also a good idea to remove carpeting from the home, particularly in the child’s bedroom. If pet dander is a problem, it’s recommended to exclude pets from the home.
Prepare for different environments
Even if you carefully purge your home of potential asthma triggers, keep in mind that there will be times when your child is exposed to triggers in other places that you can’t control, such as the home of a friend who has a pet, an aging school building, or an athletic playing field. Make sure your child is equipped with a rescue inhaler in all situations in case an acute attack should occur in a different environment.
Don’t discourage athletics Though exercise can trigger an attack in some individuals, sports participation is still recommended for asthmatic kids because it promotes overall good health. Just be sure to discuss your child’s athletic activities with your primary care physician first to make sure he or she can participate as safely as possible.
Get vaccinated and wrap it up Influenza not only increases the production of mucus, but it can also trigger asthma attacks. Hence, it’s very important for asthmatic children to receive their annual flu shot. Also, children who are susceptible to cold-induced asthma should avoid exercising outdoors in cold weather and wrap up in a scarf to prevent cold, dry air from reaching the airway when they must go outside in winter. ✲
