Advances in Pediatric Research
Open Access

Precautions, Signs and Symptoms of Asthma in Children

Innes Heaney^{* *}Correspondence: Innes Heaney, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Email:

Author info »

Description

Asthma is a long-term inflammation of the lining of the lung’s airways. It causes these airways quickly contract. As a result, a person with asthma may have difficulties in breathing, and longterm medication to manage the inflammation is generally required.

Asthma is clinically categorized according to the regularity of symptoms, Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate. Asthma may also be classified as atopic (extrinsic) or non-atopic (intrinsic), based on whether signs are precipitated by allergens (atopic) or not (non-atopic). While asthma is categorized based on severity, there is no clear method for classifying into different subgroups of asthma. Although the exact cause of asthma is uncertain, it is thought to be caused by persistent inflammation of the airways. Asthma, on the other hand, is assumed to have a hereditary aetiology (manner of causation of a disease or condition) because it runs in families. Asthma comes in a variety of forms, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. Asthma in children is quite common.

Signs and symptoms

• Coughing that intensifies when the children is infected with a virus.

• He or she coughs while sleeping.

• Coughing is also generated while exercise.

• Wheezing sound when breathing out.

• Shortness of breath.

• Chest mobbing or tightness.

• Childhood asthma might also cause:

• Problem in sleeping due to shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.

• Coughing or wheezing that become worse when infected with a cold or the flu.

• Trouble in breathing while playing or exercising.

• Fatigue, which can possible due to poor sleep.

Asthma symptoms and indications differ from child to child, and they may worsen or improve over time. Children may simply have one symptom, such as a persistent cough or chest congestion. Pediatrician will make a diagnosis based on child's medical history, examination, and tests.

Asthma is almost always a lifelong illness. Children with asthma frequently notice that their symptoms subside as they enter adolescence. When they reach adulthood, though, the symptoms may reappear. Apart from a placebo effect, there is no objective evidence of any benefit from the more often used unconventional therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, homoeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy, and others.

If children have had to take oral steroids (prednisone) more than once in the year, or having daytime or nighttime symptoms every week, then child has poorly managed asthma. Some young children with a type of asthma that only becomes active when they have a viral respiratory infection (common cold) can be managed with drugs that are used only when they are sick. When used appropriately, asthma medicines are safe at approved levels. Asthma has no known remedy. It is, however, very treatable. In fact, today's asthma therapies are so successful that many people may almost completely control their symptoms.

Precautions

By recognizing and avoiding/controlling the causes can help children to relive from asthma. Some of the vital ones are as follows:

Dust mites in the home: Dust mite allergies affect a large number of people. These are microscopic insects which cannot be seen through naked eye. Clothes and carpets are where they reside.

Cockroaches: Keep food and trash in closed containers, and keep surfaces and floors free of food crumbs.

Pollens and moulds both indoors and outdoors: Scrub bathrooms, kitchens, and basements once a week with soap and water.

Tobacco smoking and sprays: Do not smoke in your home, automobile, or in the presence of child. Do not burn wood, incense, or scented candles because they emit strong odours. Strong odours, such as perfume, hairspray, paints, and cleaning agents, should be avoided.

Conclusion

In conclusion, asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. The most common symptoms of asthma include narrowing and swelling of the airways, as well as increased mucus production. Asthma is diagnosed through physical examinations, lung function testing, blood tests, and chest Xrays. Symptom preventers and symptom controllers are the drugs used to manage asthma throughout time. Symptom reliever drugs are utilized to control the symptoms right away. Allergens and pollutants inhaled or ingested, cold weather exposure, activities, illnesses, and occupational variables such as dust and chemicals can all be considered asthma risk factors.