Asthma in Children

Asthma in children is a disease that affects children's lungs, and that makes it very difficult for them to breathe. This occurs due to chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in the chest, coughing and, wheezing.

An Asthma attack is recognizable by the shortness of breath it causes because the inner lining of the airways swells, and the muscles around the airways become rigid and tight, causing a large amount of clear, thick liquid substance, called mucus. The most common triggers are allergies, colds, and exercise.

Childhood asthma is not exactly a different disease from adult asthma, but in children, it represents complications in different ways. Asthma is one of the leading causes of emergency room visits and school absenteeism in children.

Symptoms of Asthma in children

Recurrent cough that doesn't go away
Coughing that intensifies at night
A whistling sound when you breathe
Fatigue
Congestion
Chest pressure
Difficulty in breathing

The symptoms of childhood asthma can vary significantly from child to child, depending on many external factors. It can also get better or worse over time, which is why constant medical supervision is essential. With proper treatment, symptoms can be controlled, and damage to the lungs can be prevented from growing.

Risk factors:
Some risk factors may increase your child's chance of developing Asthma, such as:

Constant exposure to cigarette smoke.
Previous allergies.
Obesity
Living somewhere where there is a lot of pollution
Being male
Having sinusitis or pneumonia or other respiratory conditions
Family history of Asthma
Animal hair
Pollen, dust, and mold.
Viral infections
Climate change

Triggers that cause Asthma Crises

Among the most common triggers are:

Infections such as colds and flu.
Exercise or physical exertion
Breathing cold air
Breathing cigarette smoke
Breathing dust, animal dander or pollen (allergens)

If your child has an asthma crisis, it is essential to seek medical assistance immediately.

Once a child has been diagnosed with Asthma, there are two types of medication available to treat it.

Quick-relief treatment: used to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack
Long-term treatment: used regularly as a method of prevention

Prevention

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Unfortunately, Asthma is not a 100% preventable condition. Despite being a chronic disease, there are steps you can take to keep your child's Asthma under control:

Eliminate cigarette smoke in the home
Use unscented cleaning agents and detergents
If you have a pet in the house, keep it clean at least once a week and use a soap that reduces its allergenic load.
Change mattress covers and sheets constantly
Use mattress covers made of "allergy-proof" materials
Keep humidity levels low inside the house to avoid organisms such as mold
Keep the house ventilated
Avoiding carpets and lots of stuffed animals in your child's room