What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease of the lungs that results in breathing difficulties, caused by spasm of the bronchial tubes, or airways. The symptoms are also compounded by inflammation of the lining of these airways and the accumulation of secretions within them.

What are the symptoms of asthma in childhood?

During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways and the branches in the lungs called bronchioles begin to tighten and go into spasm. The tissues swell, causing air to be trapped resulting in:
•    Difficulty breathing
•    Wheezing
•    Coughing and sometimes producing phlegm
•    Tightness in the chest

When symptoms of asthma get significantly worse, this may be the start of an asthma attack. Be aware of any signs of worsening asthma in your child. These may include:

•    An increase in symptoms
•    The reliever inhaler not helping as much as usual
•    A drop in peak expiratory flow rate  
•    Racing pulse
•    Restlessness
•    Lips or finger nails may look blue

Should a child not respond to treatment during an asthma attack, a healthcare professional should be called immediately.

What are the causes of asthma in childhood?

Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is caused by sensitivity to a variety of allergens, namely animal fur, house & dust mite, pollens, grasses or pollution and cigarette smoke. This type of asthma frequently develops in childhood and in such cases there is often a family history of allergies.
Children who develop asthma often have other allergies and may also suffer from eczema or have a family history of eczema. Boys are more commonly affected and children frequently outgrow the disease by adolescence.
Small children need early diagnosis and treatment to prevent damage to the lungs and severe breathing problems. They often show distress more quickly than older patients as their bronchial tubes are smaller and more delicate.

How is asthma in childhood treated?

Managing the disease in children requires preventative measures from parents like refraining from smoking altogether or at least in the house or around the child. It is also important to ensure that allergens are removed efficiently from the home (many new vacuum cleaners are designed to remove microscopic particles) and to eliminate foods that can prompt an attack.
A doctor should be contacted so that he may adjust medication to cope with the extra demands on the body and prevent any asthma attacks, if the child develops a cold or viral infection.
Children suffering an attack should sit upright and take the prescribed inhalers designed for the emergency. Asthmatic children and their teachers and friends, should be made aware of the medication so that help can always be provided with the correct care without fuss or panic. They should remain active and attend school normally, always keeping their medication with them.
Psychological factors are important too. Emotional stresses, overprotection and anxiety by parents can play a part in the precipitation of asthma attacks, especially if the child is made to fear the occurrence of an attack.

What to do if you believe your child has asthma:
Contact your doctor so he can diagnose and treat the condition, or eliminate it as the cause of breathing difficulties; the cause of the symptoms may be a chest infection or other underlying disease that could also need treatment.

Dr. A. Bose
Mr Jai Cheema
© Allcures.com September 2011