Asthma in children

By Ministry of Health


Asthma is one of the most common diseases in childhood.


What is Asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the small airways causing breathing difficulty or asthma.

Asthma breathing problems usually happen in episodes. Even though asthma cannot be cured in the short term, it can almost always be controlled.


What is the cause of Asthma?

Asthma is due to excessive sensitivity of the lungs to stimuli.

Triggers range from viral infections to allergies, to irrigating gases and particles in the air.

Each child reacts differently to the factors that may trigger asthma, including:
- cough and cold
- allergic reactions to pollen, mould, animal dander, feathers, dust, food and cockroaches
- vigorous exercise
- exposure to cold air or sudden temperature change
- cigarette smoke
- excitement or stress


What are the signs and symptoms?

Airway obstruction, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing are the effects of asthma.

If severe, this can cause severe shortness of breath and low blood oxygen. Wheezing though characteristic of asthma is not the most common symptom.

Coughing is also a sign of 'hidden' asthma when wheezing may not be noticeable to the patient, his or her family or the physician.

Children who frequently cough or have regular respiratory infections should be evaluated for asthma.

Those who cough after running or crying may be suffering from asthma.

Recurring night cough is common as asthma is often worse at night.

Infants who suffer from asthma often have a rattly cough, rapid breathing and may experience an excessive number of pneumonias, episodes of bronchitis or chest colds.

Wheezing episodes might not be noticed until after the infant is 18 to 24 months of age.


What are the treatments?

Two main of medications are used to treat asthma. They are:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
They help to reduce underlying inflammation in the airways and have a preventive action. These agents include corticosteroids such as beclomethasone and fluticosone.

- Bronchodilators
They act mainly to dilate the airways and enable better air entry into the lungs. Examples of bronchodilators are salbutamol and salmeterol.



OTHER IMPORTANT MEASURES

You can take other important measures to eliminate or reduce factors which could trigger asthma. They include:
- Regular cleaning of the rooms to reduce dust and accumulation of other allergens. Dusting should be done with a damp cloth to avoid dust being dispersed into the room air.
- Avoid carpets as a floor covering because it attracts dust. Carpets if present, should be regularly vacuumed and washed or dry cleaned.
- Avoid feathers or tree cotton wool 'kapok' in bedding material because these collect dust and cannot be washed. Use pillows and comforter fillings which are made of polyester filling that is designed for washing.
- Parents who smoke should stop the habit because smoke and fine ashes from cigarettes are very potent irritants to children with asthma. Strong perfumes and air fresheners should also be avoided as they can also trigger an asthma attack.
- Exercise will help asthmatic children to develop a strong chest. With the appropriate use of inhalers, except during acute attacks, children with a diagnosis of asthma should still participate in physical activities and sports. Swimming is also believed to be the best sports for asthma sufferers because the air the child breathes is moist.

- Ministry of Health Public Awareness Programme
Source: Weekend, 19 July 2008