Asthma in Children

Asthma also named as Bronchial Asthma is a never ending disease which makes the breathing process problematic for its bearer due to the inflammation of bronchial tubes in respiratory system by narrowing the air passages. These tubes are sensitive to some substances in the environment that are unpredictable in nature and thus it affects each individual differently.

Few things to Know

Airways Obstruction

A person suffering from the asthma always has hindrances in his airways. That’s why the air cannot move freely inside and outside the body.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the redness and swelling of bronchial tubes. It is common for the people having asthma.

Airway Irritability

People undergoing with this vulnerable asthma disease have sensitive airways and thus even the minute dust particles, pollens etc. can prompt the airways and make them narrow and block the airways.

Asthma, one of the life threatening disease in today’s world is quite common as the people tend to neglect their health and the environmental concerns in which they live as well in the race to earn more and more.

How Is Asthma Classified?

Based on the occurrence of symptoms the following are the types of asthma:

Mild intermittent asthma

As the name suggests in mild intermittent asthma, minor symptoms are felt for even less than two times a week. Even at night, symptoms may occur less than twice a month. In this phase, there are rare chances of having asthma attacks.

Mild persistent asthma

In this type, the frequency of the occurrence of Symptoms is escalated to three to six times per week. Also the symptoms seen at night is increased to three to four times a month. In this phase Asthma attacks are sometimes uncontrollable and might affect the daily routine activities.

Moderate persistent asthma

Symptoms in this kind is also occurring three to six times a week and at Night time, symptoms are felt for three to four times a month. But here the degree of symptoms is much higher than the previous one. However the frequency remains the same.

Severe persistent asthma

This is the highest level when we classify the asthma on the basis of symptoms as you might experience the severe ongoing symptoms both at day time and at night as well. The frequency of such asthma attacks is also very high and this calls for limiting the daily activities as well.

Children become the easy prey for such hazardous diseases and the degree and frequency of Symptoms occurring in children can be different from child to child. Symptoms of asthma especially seen in children are given below:

Recurrent coughing spells, occurring especially at the time of play, night, or while giggling.
Looking not so excited and energetic during play, or taking breaks frequently to take some extra breath during play
Swift or shallow breathing noticed by the parents
Feeling some chest tightness or “hurting” in chest
Listen to the Whistling sound when the child is breathing in or out commonly known as wheezing.
Retractions that are see saw movements in chest is felt and observed.
Rapidity of breath, loss of breath
neck and chest muscles seems to be tight
Feebleness or tiredness

Symptoms of Asthma

The degree and frequency of Asthma symptoms varies from person to person. You might face the symptoms while doing certain tasks or at any point of time.

Asthma symptoms that you can observe are as follows

short breaths or even breathlessness
feeling tightness or ache particularly in chest
shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing especially at nights and make you awake whole night
A whistling or wheezing sound comes when you are respiring. This symptom is most prominent sign for diagnosing the asthma in children
When your respiratory system is attacked by cold or the flu viruses the signs mentioned above escalates in their intensity.

If you notice the above signals that your body is giving to you, you might be at the risk of getting this helpless disease. Also, start noting the condition of symptoms that are occurring in your body.

Below are the happenings indicating that you are prone to asthma that is worsened with the passage of time and your ignorance to the early signs and symptoms.

Frequent recurrence of bothersome Asthma signs and symptoms
Escalated struggle in breathing
The requirement of using the fast-relief inhalers

Asthma signs and symptoms may flare up if you are prone to certain situations

Exercise-induced asthma that means it increases when you are exercising.
Occupational asthma that occurs at the workplace due to some irritants present there such as chemical fumes, gases or dust
Allergy-induced asthma, activated by airborne triggers, such as pollen, cockroach waste or particles of skin and desiccated saliva particles shredded by the pets.

Causes of asthma

No single reason has been recognized till now for triggering the asthma. As it is believed by certain investigators that this serious breathing condition is triggered by a multiple factors. These factors are mentioned below:

Heredity Factor

It means that If any of the parent or their ancestors are diagnosed with the asthma, the future generations are more likely to cultivate it as well.

History of viral infections

People who are more prone to the viral infections when they are small are more likely to develop the asthma condition when they become adults.

Hygiene factors

As per this factor the babies who are not taken care of by their mothers or are exposed to poor hygiene practices in their early months and years are more prone to this disease. As their immune system suffer a lot at that time and is not strong enough to resist the asthma and other such conditions.

Early allergen exposure

If you are living in such environment in which there is frequent contact with the probable irritants then, it might increase the risk of evolving the asthma in your body.

It is also noticed that the Extreme weather conditions can also trigger the asthma attacks.

Environmental Conditions like extreme dry or cold weather, high humidity levels etc. may also make you vulnerable by stimulating the asthma symptoms or causes. Extreme occurrence of the emotions like laughing loudly, shouting or crying etc. are also very bad for the asthma patient.

Treatment of Asthma

There are three primary categories that are discussed below for the treatment of asthma:

Breathing exercises
Rescue or first aid treatments
Asthma control medications

It totally depends on your symptoms that which treatment is beneficial for you and the optimum combination will be determined by your medical expert.

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises can aid you to get more fresh and clean air in your lungs. When these exercises are practiced for long time, it can increase the lung capacity and help in easing out the symptoms.

Rescue or first aid treatments

These medications are taken when the asthma attacks occurs to you. They provides the immediate treatment to the symptoms of asthma.

Examples of such first aid treatments include: Inhalers, Nebulizers etc

These instruments help you when you need to inhale the medicines deep into the lungs for instant treatment. Bronchodilators

It works by calming down the tightened muscles especially in your lungs. Anti-inflammatories

As the name suggests its key target is to reduce the inflammation in your lungs and thus easing out your breathing process

Sitting at upright position for some time also assists in relaxing the symptoms of asthma. Two to six puffs of medication is taken while easing out the early symptoms of asthma.

If symptoms continue for around 20- 25 minutes, and a second round of medication is immediately needed or else contact the medical practitioner.

Long-term asthma control medications

These medications are permanent ones that should be taken on regular basis to prevent the asthma symptoms and its worsening. However, consult the doctor to adjust your dosages as right amount of medication in such cases is very much needed.

Asthma home remedies

Home remedies are very helpful in stopping the symptoms at your home without any possible side effect. It is like a blessing when there is emergency.

Few Natural Substances

Coffee or caffeinated tea

Chemicals present in coffee is helpful in opening up the airways naturally and that’s why can ease out the symptoms of asthma for some precious hours.

Essential oils

Taking the certain essential oils through inhaling machines is very helpful. Eucalyptus essential oil is helpful in easing the breathing difficulties. Lavender and basil essential oils also work for this purpose. But certain individuals face problems while using these oils because of its Strong smells and chemicals present in it.

Mustard oil

Taking massage of this fatty oil into your skin also helps to open the blocked airways. So it is very helpful for asthma patients.

When to seek the emergency treatment of Asthma?

Asthma is a severe condition that can also be life-threatening if you pay no attention towards the early symptoms of it. But sometimes these symptoms can also become worsened and emergency appointment with the doctor is necessary in this case. So, below is the list of signals where the emergency treatment is needed, so that you can manage your asthma very well.

Worsening of major symptoms like breathlessness, pains in chest etc.
Even after using the quick-relief inhaler such as albuterol, there is no betterment in your conditions.
You feel tired or there is Squatness in breath when you do only some physical work at any place.

You must come in contact with the doctor in the following situations:-

If you think you have asthma and notice its symptoms in your body

If you are worried with constant coughing or wheezing that lasts for more days or any other signal of having asthma, immediately rush to your family doctor as diagnosing and treating the asthma early may stop the long-term lung damage.

To keep the track of your asthma after its diagnosis.

It is always better to work with your doctor to keep the frequency and occurrence of asthma under control as it will aid you in long-term controlling of asthma.

If your asthma symptoms get worse

After you have started taking your medications and you have noticed that doesn’t seem to ease out your symptoms. Don’t try to take the risk of solving the problem by yourself. Consulting your doctor should be the first priority in that case as over taking of the asthma medication can lead to harmful side effects. It may also make your asthma worse and uncontrollable.

To review your treatment.

Asthma is highly variable in nature and often changes over time. So, reviewing your medication after some time is necessary and thus take the appointment with your doctor regularly to discuss your changing problems. .

Prevention

Preventing asthma is not possible because it is more based on heredity and bodily factors. One can only take certain preventive measures related to the environment. After developing this vulnerable disease following prevention can be take to easily manage the asthma:

Following your asthma action plan seriously that is detailed plan showing the medications as well as its timings. This will provide more ease in managing an asthma attack. One can also include the frequency of doctor appointments as well.
Get vaccinated for the other diseases like influenza and pneumonia that may trigger the asthma attacks.
Avoid the places where you think that it might contain certain substances that can trigger the asthma.
Try to monitor your breathing rates regularly so that any early sign of its worsening can be easily noticed.
The more swiftness you will show in controlling the asthma, lesser are the chances of getting a severe asthma attack. As the daily and swift dosage of medication will help you in dealing with asthma.
Follow the diet plan and the medication as prescribed by the doctor.

Conclusion

Asthma is a vulnerable disease but its control and management is always in your hands, so eat right, breathe right and treat right.

Asthma in Children – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment