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Asthma is the single most chronic disease that
affects children and it is thought that currently it affects over 8 million
children worldwide under the age of 18, asthma can be a serious condition
if left untreated, but with constant and proper supervision, it can be
controlled successfully.
Although asthma can occur at any age it is usually seen by the time the
child is around 5 years old, and in early childhood it is thought that
boys more than girls are affected by the condition.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition which affects the child's breathing, causing them
to have shortening of breath with a high-pitched wheeze. In the most severe
of cases, hospital treatment may be necessary but overall it can usually
be controlled with the use of inhalers.
Breathing problems occur in asthma due to constriction of the bronchioles,
which are small tubes leading from the trachea and asthma is thought to
be triggered and worsened by certain conditions.
What commonly triggers asthma?
* Allergens such as cows milk, wheat, soybean products and peanuts
* House dust mite, mold and animal hair
* Viral infections can trigger asthma with RSV and influenza being the
most common
* Tobacco smoke
* Other possible irritants are paint fumes, smog, aerosols and some perfumes
What are the main symptoms of asthma?
The most common signs and symptoms of asthma are
* Wheezing - this is a high-pitched whistling sound that is commonly associated
with asthmatics although not all people who have asthma will have a wheeze.
* A chronic cough - this is usually much worse at night, after exercise
and with exposure to cold air.
* Shortness of breath - this sign is normally made worse during exercise
* Tightness in the chest - this is an uncomfortable feeling of not getting
enough breath
What is the treatment for asthma?
It is essential that all triggers relating to your child's asthma should
be removed from the environment and allergens such as the house dust mite
should be kept to a minimum and avoid the use of any sprays or deodorants
around your child.
Your Doctor will suggest which form of treatment is best for your child's
asthma; asthma medication either can be inhaled or is available in pill
form, with inhalers being the more popular form for children.
Long-term control for asthma is usually in the form of inhalers containing
a substance called Salbutamol and depending on the severity of the asthma,
another substance called Prednisolone may also be prescribed for taking
during a more serious attack of asthma.
Prednisolone however is a steroid and as such, it will only be used for
short periods of time at the onset of a particularly bad attack of asthma.
Steroid medication can cause hoarseness, a cough and oral thrush. Children
who are given steroids will be advised to rinse their mouth and brush
their teeth after using steroids through inhalers.
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