Asthma in Children

Also called: Childhood asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Your airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen.

In the United States, about 20 million people have asthma. Nearly 9 million of them are children. Children have smaller airways than adults, which makes asthma especially serious for them. Children with asthma may experience wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night.

Many things can cause asthma, including

  • Allergens - mold, pollen, animals
  • Irritants - cigarette smoke, air pollution
  • Weather - cold air, changes in weather
  • Exercise
  • Infections - flu, common cold

When asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it is called an asthma attack. Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms.

Symptoms of Asthma in Children

The following features are indicative of Asthma in Children:
  • wheezing
  • coughing
It is possible that Asthma in Children shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Asthma in Children

The following are the most common causes of Asthma in Children:
  • allergens exposure
  • cigarette smoke
  • air pollution
  • cold air
  • changes in weather

Risk Factors for Asthma in Children

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Asthma in Children:
  • family history
  • atopic dermatitis
  • occupational exposures to industrial or wood dusts, chemical fumes and vapors
  • exposure to secondhand smoke
  • air pollution

Prevention of Asthma in Children

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Asthma in Children. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia
  • avoid outdoor allergens and irritants
  • monitor breathing regularly

Occurrence of Asthma in Children

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Asthma in Children cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Common between 1 - 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Asthma in Children most commonly occurs in the following age group:
  • Aged between 1-5 years

Common Gender

Asthma in Children can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Asthma in Children

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Asthma in Children:
  • Pulmonary function tests: To measure how well the child can move air in and out of the lungs

Doctor for Diagnosis of Asthma in Children

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Asthma in Children:
  • Pediatrician

Complications of Asthma in Children if untreated

Yes, Asthma in Children causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Asthma in Children is left untreated:
  • less stamina
  • chest hurts
  • colds may go straight to the chest

Procedures for Treatment of Asthma in Children

The following procedures are used to treat Asthma in Children:
  • Allergy shots: Reduces the immune system reaction to specific allergens
  • Bronchial thermoplasty: Reduces the smooth muscle inside the airways by heating up insides of the airways

Self-care for Asthma in Children

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Asthma in Children:
  • Maintain low humidity: Keep your surroundings dry, if you live in a damp climate
  • Keep indoor air clean: Keep the check on air conditioning system
  • Reduce pet dander: Avoid pets with fur or feathers
  • Reduce the child's exposure to cold air

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Asthma in Children

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Asthma in Children:
  • Acupuncture: Helps to reduce stress
  • Relaxation techniques: Helps in reducing tension and stress
  • Homeopathy: Helps to stimulate the body's self-healing response
  • Yoga breathing exercises: To treat asthma

Patient Support for Treatment of Asthma in Children

The following actions may help Asthma in Children patients:
  • Make sure your child will take recommended medication regularly
  • Asthma action plan: Use a written action plan to identify symptoms early and give a copy of it to all of your child's caregivers
  • Talk to other parents of children with asthma
  • Join chat rooms and message boards on the Internet or a local support group that are dealing with similar problems
  • Help your child to connect with others who have asthma

Time for Treatment of Asthma in Children

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Asthma in Children to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 4 weeks

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Asthma in Children.
Air Pollution
Allergy
Asthma
Breathing Problems
Indoor Air Pollution

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