Asthma in children

What is asthma?

This disease makes it difficult for a child to breathe. The clinical condition causes swelling and inflammation of the airways that reach the lungs. When asthma manifests, the airways tighten and become narrower. A narrowing of the airways partially obstructs the passage of air and this results in the child’s difficulty breathing. These sudden flare-ups are called asthma attacks or exacerbations.

Asthma affects children in different ways. Some children only have asthma attacks during allergy season when they breathe cold air or exercise. Other children have very severe exacerbations in which they need medical attention.

Even if your child has several asthma attacks, you still need to treat the condition. If the swelling and irritation of the child’s airways is not controlled, asthma can reduce his quality of life and hinder his normal development.

Although asthma is a lifelong disease, proper treatment can control it and keep the child in good health. Many children play sports and live actively, despite the disease.

What are the symptoms of asthma in children?

Symptoms can be mild or severe. The most common symptoms in children are:

• Wheezing, which is a louder or quieter whistling that occurs when the airway narrows.
• A strong cough;
• The child feels a tightness in the chest;
• Feels short of breath;
• Has trouble sleeping due to coughing and wheezing;
• Tired quickly when exercising;

< li>In many children, symptoms worsen at night.

What causes them?

Scientists do not know exactly what causes the disease. But there are several risk factors:

• The disease has a family history;
• People with allergies are much more often affected, although not all people with allergies develop the disease. And not all asthmatics have allergies.
• Pollution can also cause or worsen the clinical condition.

Treatment of asthma in children

The doctor draw up a treatment plan for the disease.

Treatment goals are:

• Long-term disease control. The treatment plan drawn up by your child’s doctor will tell you what medicine your child should take. It will also help you track your child’s symptoms and, based on that, determine if treatment is effective. Most children are prescribed a daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids, and these drugs help reduce airway swelling and prevent attacks.
• Treatment of asthma attacks when they occur. The asthma action plan also tells you what to do when your child has an asthma attack. The plan will help you identify triggers that may be causing your child’s seizures. For an asthma attack, fast-acting medications such as albuterol are usually used.
• If your child needs the fast-acting medication more often than necessary, check with your doctor. This is a sign that the disease is out of control and it can cause complications.
• Asthma attacks can be life-threatening for your child, but you will be able to prevent them if you stick to the doctor’s plan. your child’s plan. Your doctor will need to teach you certain skills that will help you follow the plan.