All About Asthma In Children

Our body comprises various complex systems like the circulatory and respiratory systems. Sometimes one of the parts of these systems may malfunction or get infected with some disease and cause a lot of damage to our body. Few of the conditions are acute, while few are chronic. Many such conditions as asthma are observed in children at a very young age. Asthma in children isn’t much different from that in adults. However, symptoms of asthma in children can sometimes be different from those in adults. Let us learn about the symptoms and causes of asthma in children.

Asthma in children

Asthma is a disease that leads to inflammation of the airways and the lungs. It is a long-term disease. The causes of asthma are genetic and environmental. Exposure to allergens and air pollutants could result in asthma. The symptoms of asthma in children are observed at an early age. Medicines like aspirin could also trigger asthma.

Asthma is classified into atopic and non-atopic asthma based on various factors. There isn’t any known cure for asthma, but it can be treated. Very the symptoms of asthma could be avoided by avoiding the allergens. Asthma in a person usually begins during early childhood.

When children are exposed to certain triggers, such as inhaling pollen and catching a cold, symptoms of asthma in children could be observed. 

These symptoms could interfere with children’s daily activities like play, school and sleep. If asthma remains unmanaged, then some children are prone to asthma attacks. Even though childhood asthma is quite similar to adults, children face different and unique challenges from what adults face. Children may often need to be hospitalized for days and miss many school days. The symptoms of asthma in children could also lead to many emergency visits to the hospital. Let’s take a look at the general symptoms of asthma in children. 

Symptoms of Asthma in Children

Common symptoms are a sign that could indicate asthma in children, as given below.

• A whistling or wheezing sound when breathing is exhaled out
• The child could experience shortness of breath
• Chest congestion or tightness could be observed in the child
• The coughing could also cause the production of sputum by the lung

The following signs could also be observed in children due to asthma:

• Trouble sleeping could be caused in a child due to shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing during the nighttime
• Bouts of sneezing and coughing worsen when the child catches a cold or the flu
• A respiratory infection is followed by bronchitis or delayed recovery
• During exercise or playing, trouble breathing can be experienced by the child
• Poor sleep due to wheezing and coughing could lead to fatigue during daytime activities

The severity of the above-stated symptoms can differ from child to child and can get better or worse with time. 

Let us learn about the underlying causes of symptoms of asthma in children.

Causes of Asthma in Children

Some factors that are believed to contribute to asthma in children include:

• Genetic causes such as parents having asthma could result in the development of asthma in their offspring
• The tendency to develop allergies inherited from parents has the possibility of developing asthma
• If children are infected with any type of airways infection at an early age, it could lead to asthma later on
• Exposure to air pollution or cigarette smoke could also lead to asthma

The Diagnosing of Asthma in Children

Childhood asthma could be hard to diagnose. A child’s symptoms and frequency are considered when diagnosing asthma in children. The medical history of a child is also considered important in diagnosing asthma.

The diagnosis of asthma is complicated as several other conditions exhibit similar symptoms to asthma. Those conditions include:

• Dysfunctional breathing
• Sinusitis
• Rhinitis

Treatment of Asthma in Children

The treatment of asthma depends upon the severity of asthma in the child.

Treating asthma includes preventing asthma and treating an asthma attack. For children under the age of 3 who exhibit asthma symptoms, doctors wait for a while before treating as long-term effects of asthma medications could be bad for the child.

Conclusion

Asthma is a disease in which the airways of the lungs are inflamed. Asthma is a chronic disease with no known cure. However, it can be controlled with proper precautions and medications. The symptoms of asthma in children include whistling or wheezing sounds while breathing in, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma can be caused due to genetic causes and environmental triggers like pollution and allergens. While no cure is available, asthma can be controlled with medications like inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers. The prevention of asthma in children involves decreased exposure to air pollution.