Asthma can be a severe condition for children and can lead to long-term health consequences. It is marked by episodes of coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and often with shortness of breath.
Most bouts of asthma are relatively mild, but some flare-ups can become serious very quickly, making it especially concerning for parents of young children who have difficulty understanding or describing their symptoms accurately. They may be unable to differentiate between a mild asthma attack, an acute attack, or a severe attack.
Fortunately, there are many tests that doctors use to diagnose and determine asthma. What type of treatment is most appropriate?
Table of Contents
What Causes Asthma in Children
Asthma in childhood is caused by an overreaction of immune system to certain triggers or allergens in the environment. The most common triggers include dust, mold, pet dander, smoke, and pollen. Other major causes of asthma are air pollutants, cold air, and viral infections.
It’s important to note that not all children will react to the same triggers. Each child is unique and may need to experiment with different medications and treatments in order to find one that works best for them.
In addition to environmental factors, genetics can also play a role in pediatric asthma. If your child has a family history of asthma or allergies, there’s a higher chance they’ll develop the condition themselves.
Which children are at risk for asthma?
So which children are at risk for asthma? In general, any child can be at risk for developing asthma, but certain factors do increase the likelihood. Those who are of a lower-income group and live in inner-city environments often have higher rates of the development of asthma. This is believed to be due to the higher levels of air pollution found in urban areas. Additionally, certain ethnic groups such as African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to suffer from asthma than other groups.
Furthermore, children with allergies have an increased risk of having allergic asthma symptoms or even chronic asthma. A family history of asthma also puts a child at greater risk of developing it themselves. Finally, having had respiratory infections when you were younger can also raise your risk of getting asthma later on.
Symptoms of Asthma in Children
Asthma in children can present with a variety of symptoms. The most common symptom is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. This may accompanied by chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. It’s important to note that not all children will experience the same set of symptoms. Nor will they experience them at the same intensity level.
Children with asthma may also have accompanied fever, fatigue, and different types of skin rashes as well as swelling around their eyes or lips due to allergies. When an attack begins there can be rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and inability to concentrate; this could lead to restlessness and lack of sleep too.
It’s important for the parents or other caregivers to monitor the child for such signs. And take them for medical attention if needed. Many times pediatric asthma might not show up in regular tests such as x-rays and complete blood workups. It usually needs thorough interviews and clinical visits in order to make a definite diagnosis.
Asthma Diagnosis in Children
Diagnosing asthma in children can be tricky, particularly in very young children who cannot accurately describe their symptoms. As a result, an accurate diagnosis of asthma should involve a comprehensive evaluation that includes both medical history and physical exams. ENT doctors or health care providers will ask questions about the child’s family history of asthma and possible exposures to allergens or irritants that may trigger asthmatic reactions.
In addition to obtaining a detailed medical history, doctors will usually conduct a physical exam of the child’s lungs, nose, and throat by listening for wheezing or other breathing difficulties with a stethoscope. If needed, pulmonary function tests such as spirometry may also be ordered to measure airway obstruction as well as determine how well the lungs are working overall. In cases where allergies are suspected as triggers of pediatric asthma symptoms, skin prick testing or blood tests may be necessary to look for possible sensitivities.
Once the diagnosis is made, it is important for parents to have an ongoing relationship with their doctor or health professional in order to track progress and monitor changes in treatment plans as needed.
Asthma Treatments Options for Children
When it comes to treating children with asthma, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one child may not work for another. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to help children manage their asthma symptoms.
The most common treatment option for pediatric asthma is medication. Most commonly, this includes inhaled corticosteroids (such as Flovent or Asmanex) and long-acting beta-agonists (such as Advair). Other drugs such as theophylline may also be prescribed in some cases.
Additionally, many children benefit from lifestyle modifications like eliminating any triggers or allergen exposure that can trigger an attack and reducing stress levels which can exacerbate symptoms. In severe cases, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) or biologic therapy with additional medications such as Xolair or Nucala.
It’s important to remember that every child is different, so what works well for one child might not work at all for another – that’s why it’s essential to discuss your child’s specific treatment goals with your pediatrician before beginning any new therapies.
Asthma Prevention for Children
Asthma prevention for children is an important and often underrated part of the management of asthma as well as the asthma action plan of treatment. By helping to create an environment that reduces exposure to common triggers. You can greatly reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks in your child’s future.
First and foremost, it is important to avoid common triggers. Second-hand smoke should be avoided whenever possible as it has been linked with a greater risk of developing allergic airway diseases such as asthma. Additional triggers include mold, dust mites, pet dander, and household cleaning product fumes. Install air filters in your home to help filter out potential allergens in the air.
Parents should get involved in their children’s exercise routines to monitor physical activity levels which can trigger asthma attacks or symptoms. Have your child avoid exercising outdoors when pollen counts are high and always have spare medication available just in case of an attack or manifestation of severe symptoms.
Finally, you should also make sure that your child takes all prescribed medications regularly, including preventative medications if necessary. Make sure your child gets sufficient restful sleep as well — even mild nights with little sleep can cause inflammation in the lungs making them more susceptible to an asthma flare-up!