Childhood Asthma

There is no actual difference between the asthma in children and adults. In other words, the airways of the person are still affected similarly. However, sufferers are faced with a unique challenge during attacks. In fact, these have prompted many emergency visits to the hospital and the disruption of school attendance.

Causes

There is actually no definite explanation about why a child develops asthma. In most cases, childhood asthma begins when the lungs flare up from repeated respiratory infections. Another reason is genetics; a child can inherit the condition from parents. Finally, overexposure to allergic substances like pollen and dust mites or harmful materials like smoke from a cigarette can cause asthma. In addition, signs and symptoms of asthma can appear in a child as young as 5 years old.

If children experience asthma attacks, they will certainly need immediate medical attention. This condition can disrupt sports, school and other activities. If the asthma is severe, the child may have to be hospitalized for several days, which can disrupt their daily activities to a greater degree.

An asthma attack is easier to trigger in children because they are more exposed to allergenic objects and have lesser resistance to harmful substances compared with an adult. In other cases, it can be triggered when a child encounters stress and panics. Needless to say, this situation could develop into a more extreme condition if the child does not undergo treatment.

Treatment

Treating a child with asthma involves dealing with the symptoms and an asthma attack when they occur. Depending on the severity of the condition, the person could undergo short- and long-term treatment methods. A short-term medication involves opening the inflamed airways the moment they swell up during an asthma attack through an inhaler or other equipment. Short-term treatments also focus on what can trigger an asthma attack in a child. This method varies greatly with the child’s age, health and actual asthma triggers.

Long-term treatments consist of medications, which need to be taken regularly, along with other treatment therapies that will last for several years. Such medications are designed to improve the resistance of the child, prevent asthma symptoms for several hours and even inhibit psychological asthma triggers.

Depending on the child’s profile, the doctor could prescribe a set of medications that need to be taken on a regular basis. Medication devices for inhalation are best for babies and young children who are not yet ready to take regular medications.