What you should know about asthma in children
Asthma in children can be a truly frightening experience. An asthma attack is
bad enough in adults. It can cause acute distress to a child who is yet to reach
a basic level of understanding.
An estimated five million children in America suffer from asthma. Asthma in children usually manifests by age five or earlier. Boys tend to have a higher incidence of the disease than girls.
The vast majority of pediatric asthma cases - around 80% of them - are caused by allergies. The child usually inhales the allergen, which triggers a series of biochemical reactions that results in an asthma attack. For this reason, the single most important factor in managing asthma in children is to identify the specific allergen/s that triggers the disease and to avoid exposure to those substances.
Child asthma attacks
If the child has other health conditions like sinusitis or rhinitis, it can increase the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause asthma to worsen. Certain medications like aspirin as well as beta blockers (used to control hypertension) are known to worsen asthma.
In general, triggers for asthma in children are similar to those for adults and may include the following.
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Dust and dust mites
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Mould and fungi
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Animal dander
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Cockroach parts
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Pollen from trees, weeds, grass, etc
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Wood smoke
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Second hand tobacco smoke
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Strong fumes or odors including paint fumes, industrial pollutants and perfumes
Apart from the above, asthma attacks in children can also be triggered by high levels of stress or anxiety, exercise (this is called exercise-induced asthma) and cold air.
There are several risk factors that predispose children to developing asthma. Low birth weight is one. So is the presence of asthma in close relatives or having a family history of allergies. If the mother is exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy or if the child is exposed to it after birth, it can lead to a higher risk of developing asthma. If the child is allergic to one or more substances, that can heighten chances of becoming asthmatic. Infections affecting the respiratory tract can also increase the risk, particularly if such infections occur repeatedly.
Controlling asthma in children involves two kinds of treatments - quick-acting medication to relieve symptoms when attacks occur and ongoing treatment aimed at preventing asthma attacks. Both are equally important. Quick-relief medications should be available at all times to deal with attacks.
If the child has persistent symptoms, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs as well.
When a child has a severe asthma attack, treatment should be given as quickly as possible with minimum loss of time. If the attack is severe enough, it may be necessary to give oxygen as well. A beta-receptor agonist prescribed by the doctor should be inhaled continuously, where required.
The doctor will prescribe a specific asthma treatment plan for the child. He will then monitor the child regularly to observe if the plan is effective, measuring lung function using spirometry. If the disease has been brought under control for a period of time, the doctor may adjust the medication accordingly. If there is no improvement, he may prescribe another course of treatment.
With the right care, asthma in children can be brought under control in a majority of cases. Asthma attacks usually respond well to medication and the child can breathe easy again.