Oxygen in. Carbon dioxide out. Breathing is a process so automatic most of us don’t even think about it — unless you have a child who has trouble breathing. Watching a child struggle to catch a breath is scary, so knowing what ails him, and how to help, is crucial.
Asthma can occur at any age, but most children with the condition develop it by the age of five, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Approximately 6.5million, or 9 percent of children under the age of 18, have asthma; that makes it the most common chronic condition in childhood. In fact, asthma is one ofthe leading reasons kids are hospitalized.
Although severe asthma can be life threatening, in the vast majority of cases the disease can be managed with proper treatment. That’s why understanding the illness is one of your best defenses against it.
What childhood asthma is: Unlike a cold or other respiratory illness, asthma isn't contagious, so your little one can’t catch it from you or his friends. Instead, it’s a condition that restricts the flow of oxygen through the small airways in the lungs known as bronchial tubes. The bronchial tubes are lined on the inside with mucous membranes and encased by smooth, sensitive muscles on the outside. During an asthma attack (or flare-up), the breathing tubes become swollen or inflamed. Extra mucous is produced, which causes the muscles to spasm, further narrowing the passage way and making breathing difficult.
The result is a wheezing sound that may be more noticeable when a child exhales. Frequent coughing is a common companion of asthma as well as a tight feeling in the chest. If the problem becomes severe, your child’s breathing will become noticeably more rapid and emergency medical intervention will be necessary to restore it to normal.
What causes childhood asthma: Asthma often runs infamilies, so if you or your partner has the condition, there’s a chance your child may have it, too. Almost twice as many boys have asthma as girls, though experts aren't sure why. Other risk factors include obesity, a family history of allergies (including eczema), exposure to cigarette smoke (before or afterbirth), and a low birth weight.
Common triggers: Most children experience a flare-up in response to a trigger. Some substances that commonly irritate the air ways and cause an attack are:
- Allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pollen
- Pet dander
- Cigarette smoke, perfume, pollution, or other irritants
- Cold air or other changes in the weather
- Upper-respiratory infections, a cold, or the flu
Asthma symptoms: Flare-ups can happen suddenly or build up over time. If your child is coughing but doesn't have a cold, complains of tightness in his chest, and seems unusually tired, discuss yourconcerns with your pediatrician as soon as possible. If you notice that your baby’s lips seem blue or if he’s wheezing (even if he seems comfortable otherwise), breathing rapidly, or you see his chest pulling inward with each breath, call the pediatrician right away.
Ift he pediatrician diagnoses your child with asthma, you’ll probably be referred to a specialist for further testing. At first the diagnosis will seem overwhelming, but remember you are not alone. Millions of children live fairly normal lives with asthma. Read on to see how to treat the condition and how to manage your child’s life so that he can feel better right away.