Editorial Comments: Growing up with asthma I know how scary asthma can be not only for the parent, but also for the child who does not fully understand what is happening. In infants, asthma can be more of a concern because they can’t really tell you what is happening. As a parent, if you have any family history of asthma you need to be more watchful, however, asthma can develop in any child. This article explains some of the basics about asthma and what to watch out for in kids. If asthma is suspected, or your child is having any signs of breathing problems, it is very important to seek out medical attention immediately, especially if it is not accompanied by a cold of flu.
If your child seems to be continuously coughing, even long after the cold has healed, then it is time to bring your child to a doctor immediately. He or she may be having first traces of infant asthma which is common in children between 5 to 12 years old. There are particular cases in which this form of asthma affects children that are even younger.
Asthma is a serious lung ailment leading to an allergic inflammation of the lungs. There are many reasons of how a child may be a victim of infant asthma. Asthma may be caused by allergies, but not all the time. Exercise can also induce asthma. Asthma attacks among children are generally triggered by dust mites, pollens, certain type of molds, animal and soft toy furs, open-fire smoke, cigarette smoke, flour kept open in the kitchen, paints, certain chemicals, vigorous workout or excessive movements, sudden room-temperature changes, indigestion of food and many more. Since asthma can have many triggers, it is important to work with a health care professional to determin the cause or causes.
But how do see if your child is having infant asthma? Basically there are a few symptoms for you to identify, and immediately take action by treating it before it gets worse. Infant asthma can be a serious condition if left untreated.
Identifying the disease
If you see your child having cough for an abnormal period, especially more than two weeks after the cold have healed; then it is time to act. Seek medical treatment immediately, and besides that clean your house of dust mites or any other reasons that you possibly suspect would be the cause of the asthma.
Besides that, according to research children who are exposed to even one course of antibiotics during their first year of childhood may be more at risk of developing infant asthma. Check for this in the child’s medical check-up reports and see if this can be a cause.
If you realize that your child seems to have coughing fits and shortness of breath while playing, or wheezes frequently at night and wakes up with coughing fits, or every time he catches a cold it turns into several days of wheezing or occasional complaints of tight chest and difficulty of breathing, or can’t tolerate active sports, or the chest sucks in below the ribs or below the neck when your child inhales, then the child should seek a medical check-up immediately.
Treating and curing
An asthma treatment is done to aim one of the types of attack, either to counter inflammation which is the swelling of the lining of the airways and soreness, and blocks the air passage, or bronchi-constriction in which the actual narrowing of the muscles due to the muscles that wrap around the air passage tightens up.
When you suspect your child of having infant asthma, consider watching over these few things. First, decide what type of asthma it may be according to the symptoms and types of attack given above. Second, check how long the symptoms last for at least 6 months to see the symptoms’ persistence. Third, if you think your child has infant asthma visit the doctor to check for wheezing immediately.
Once confirmed, there are several treatments available. Depending on the type of the infant asthma you can take allergy prevention action, or give the child infant asthma medicines such as steroids oral liquid, tablet medicines, steroid inhalers, Cromolyn inhalers, Leukotriene Inhibitors, nebulizers, and also dry powder inhalers.
What are the signs of asthma in infants and young children?
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The most telling sign is a cough that lingers well after a cold clears — if your child is still coughing more than two weeks after getting better, that warrants a doctor visit. Other signs include wheezing or coughing fits at night, shortness of breath or wheeziness during active play, complaints of a tight chest, and visible chest “sucking in” below the ribs or below the neck when your child inhales. Any time you notice breathing difficulty that isn’t clearly tied to an active cold or flu, seek medical attention right away.
What commonly triggers asthma attacks in children?
Common triggers include dust mites, pollens, certain molds, animal fur, and soft toy furs. Cigarette smoke and open-fire smoke are strong triggers, as are flour dust, paint fumes, certain chemicals, and sudden room-temperature changes. Vigorous exercise and excessive physical activity can also bring on an attack. Because triggers vary from child to child, working with your child’s doctor to identify the specific ones in your home and daily routine is one of the most practical steps you can take.
Can a child develop asthma even without a family history?
Yes. While a family history of asthma raises your child’s risk and is worth mentioning to the doctor, asthma can develop in any child — regardless of whether it runs in the family. Early childhood is one of the most common periods for asthma to first appear, so staying alert to changes in your child’s breathing matters even if no one in your family has ever had it.
How is infant asthma treated?
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the asthma. For many children it involves avoiding known triggers — removing dust mite sources, keeping pets off furniture, and eliminating cigarette smoke exposure — combined with medication. Options a doctor may consider include steroid inhalers, Cromolyn inhalers, Leukotriene Inhibitors, nebulizers, dry powder inhalers, and in some cases oral steroid medicines. The right plan is very individual, so always work with a healthcare professional rather than trying to manage it on your own.
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