Asthma is one of the diseases that affect the bronchial tubes that deliver air to and from the lungs. It usually appears in children, with the possibility of it appearing at any other age. The mechanism of disease development differs from one person to another, as bouts of shortness of breath disappear after the end of childhood in most people, while it continues in another group for long periods. In the recent period, there has been a significant increase in the number of asthma patients, and this may be due to the increase in the factors stimulating the occurrence of the disease, such as the high quality of hygiene and sanitation (Sanitation), and the decrease in the number of children in the family.
Elderly people are rarely affected, and in such a case, the causative agent of asthma cannot be identified, and the patient needs large amounts of medication to control the condition.
Symptoms of asthma in children
Asthma symptoms include
Severe respiratory attacks that increase during the night.
Bad cough.
Increased breathing rate.
Difficulty breathing air.
Cyanosis due to lack of oxygen.
Causes and risk factors for asthma in children
Asthma occurs in children due to infection of the respiratory system with some types of viruses, in addition to the patient’s exposure to some allergens, especially during certain seasons such as autumn and spring.
Triggers of asthma
There are many factors that increase the risk of asthma attacks, as follows
Great physical effort.
Exposure to cold air.
Exposure to certain allergens, such as: mold, animal dander, tree pollen, grass, and some types of medicines.
What is an asthma attack
Complications of asthma in children
Asthma in children may cause many complications, which include the following
Influencing the type of activities that the patient can engage in.
Decreased sleep quality.
Permanent shortness of breath.
Visit the emergency department frequently in cases of an acute attack.
Exposure to long-term side effects of medications that are used to stabilize the patient''s condition.
Diagnosis of asthma in children
Asthma is diagnosed by performing an examination of the performance of the lungs (Spirometry), through which the amount of oxygen is known during inhalation and exhalation, and some bronchodilator drugs are given, which should improve the patient''s condition.
In some cases, it is difficult to diagnose the disease in children, especially when there is wheezing, as it is one of the common things in children in general, and it is difficult to conduct an examination of the performance of the lungs to ensure that the child has the disease.
Treating asthma in children
Asthma in children can be treated through the following
Anti-inflammatories
It includes inhaled steroids, which reduce inflammation in the area and reduce the patient''s risk of severe seizures. The use of this form of treatment helps to reduce the side effects associated with oral steroids.
bronchodilators
This type of treatment works to expand the bronchi, which relieves the condition within seconds to a few minutes and for a period of time ranging from 4-12 hours.
Other treatments
They include the following
leukotriene levels.
Immunotherapy.
Vital medicines.
Prevention of asthma in children
In fact, there are no clear ways in which asthma can be avoided, but some things can be followed that help prevent attacks, such as the following:
Commitment to take the medications prescribed by the doctor in the correct doses and times.
Identify the causes of asthma in the patient and try to avoid them as much as possible.
Alert and respond quickly when a seizure occurs to avoid aggravation.
Monitor breathing continuously.
