Asthma in children

It is often believed that bronchial asthma is an "adult" disease. In fact, asthma in children is fairly common, simply because of the inconsistency and blurred symptoms of a pediatrician can not always put the right diagnosis on time, and parents miss valuable time that could be spent on treatment.

Asthma in children: causes

Bronchial asthma in children is a disease of an allergic nature, accompanied by inflammation of the bronchi. The baby's breathing pathways narrow, which leads to problems with breathing and even suffocation. The development of asthma in children is affected by three main factors: heredity, development and external factors.

Quite often asthma affects children, whose parents were also predisposed to this disease. But the predisposition itself does not cause disease: asthma in children is manifested only under the influence ofallergens and some other factors. Environmental factors (pollen, dust, tobacco smoke, animal hair) and internal factors (respiratory infections) can act as allergens. Asthma attacks can provoke physical and emotional stress, cold air.

Asthma in children: symptoms

Usually doctors are afraid to diagnose "bronchialasthma "to young children, so that in the cards one often encounters formulations like" asthmatic bronchitis "or" obstructive bronchitis. " The diagnosis is complicated by the fact that asthma in children is quite difficult to recognize. First, it is still difficult for a child to formulateFeel. Secondly, the baby's bronchi are smaller than in adults, and asthma can not be caused by asthma. Thirdly, the symptoms of asthma may resemble the symptoms of other diseases.

But it's better to be safe and accept ARI for asthma, than vice versa. What disturbing symptoms should I pay attention to?

• The child's breathing periodically becomes frequent and intermittent
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  Difficulty breathing, lack of air, shortness of breath
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  When you breathe, you can hear a whistling sound
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  The thorax strongly moves during inspiration or exhalation (retraction)
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  The child complains of weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite
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  The child loses interest in his favorite games, behaves passively and apathetically
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  There is a chronic cough (often the only symptom)
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  Ribs begin to protrude
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  Due to lack of oxygen, lips, face, nails can get pale or cyanotic

The most common symptoms occur at night and early in the morning. For definitive diagnosis, some symptoms are few, the doctor should appoint additional examination. If he states that this is not asthma and he will not appoint anything - stand on your own. Again: in this case it is better to be safe, but be sure of the health of your child.

Asthma in children: treatment

Bronchial asthma is not treated until the end. Treatment allows control the disease so that the child can lead a completely normal life, including sports. Symptoms can fade and even disappear with age, but the increased sensitivity of the airways will not go anywhere, so it is impossible to predict whether the symptoms will appear again or not.

How to treat asthma? First of all, you need to protect the child from the influence of factors that provoke attacks of suffocation. After that start drug treatment. For the treatment of asthma, two types of drugs are used: drugs that stop asthma attacks, for emergency care and long-acting drugs for the prevention of seizures and monitoring of the condition.

Usually children are treated with the same drugs as adults, only dosage is different. In the treatment is used step approach, which allows you to minimize the dose of the drug. The dose and frequency of admission depend on the age of the child and his current condition.

What is the role of parents in the treatment of asthma in a child? They must protect the child from exposureallergens and other factors that provoke seizures; follow the implementation of the treatment plan drawn up by the doctor; to monitor the child's condition, noticing the onset of attacks. It is very important to form a child Correct attitude to the disease: he must be able to follow the state, behave correctly during seizures, but do not feel defective.