DEFINITION
Asthma is a recurring condition in which certain stimuli
trigger constriction of the airways for a while so making breathing difficult.
Although asthma can occur at any age, but asthma is most
often begins during childhood, especially in the first 5 years of age. Some
children may still have asthma into adulthood. But on the other children,
asthma can be improved.
CAUSE
Cause of asthma in children is not clear. In general, the
formation of the immune system that is very sensitive role in the occurrence of
asthma. Several factors are expected to influence it:
An inherited trait. A child who has one parent with asthma
had a 25% risk of developing asthma, if both parents have asthma, the risk
increases to 50%.
Certain respiratory tract infections at a very young age.
Exposure to environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke
or other air pollutants.
The immune system is very sensitive to the lungs and the
airways become swollen and produce mucus when it gets exposure to certain
trigger factors. The reaction can be delayed, thus making the difficulty in
identifying the factors originators.
A trigger factor of asthma varies in each child, can be:
·
Viral infections, such as influenza
·
Exposure to air pollutants, such as cigarette
smoke
·
Allergy to dust mites, pet dander, pollen, or
fungi
·
Physical activity, such as sports
·
Changes in weather or cold air
But sometimes, the symptoms of asthma occur without obvious
precipitating factor. All of these trigger factors produce a similar response.
Certain cells in the airways release chemical substances. These substances
cause inflammation and swelling of the airway, as well as stimulating the
airway to contract. Repetitive stimulation of these chemicals increases the
production of mucus (mucus) in the airway. This raises the body's response to a
sudden narrowing of the airways (asthma attack). In the vast majority of
children, the airway back to normal between asthma attack.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of asthma in children often occurs in the
form of:
·
Cough frequent and intermittent
·
The sound of wheezing (wheezing) when the
children exhaling
·
Shortness of breath
·
Chest tightness or taut
·
Chest pain, especially in young children
Other signs and symptoms can appear in childhood asthma:
·
Sleep disorders due to coughing, wheezing, or
shortness of breath
·
Coughing or wheezing can worsen due to
respiratory tract infections, such as flu
·
Respiratory tract infections long recovery
·
Difficulty breathing, limiting the child in
playing or exercising
·
Fatigue, which can be caused by lack of sleep
An early sign of asthma in children can be recurrent
wheezing triggered by viral infection of the respiratory tract. Once the child
grows larger, more frequent asthma related to allergies in the respiratory
tract.
Signs and symptoms of asthma in children vary, and may
improve or deteriorate over time. Wheezing is usually associated with asthma,
but not all children with asthma wheezing sound. Children with asthma can have
only one sign or symptom, such as tightness in the chest or coughing long.
If a child is suspected of having asthma, then immediately
take the child to the doctor. Early therapy can not only deal with the symptoms
of asthma are being experienced, but also can prevent asthma attacks later.
Take the child to the doctor if symptoms are found as
follows:
·
Persistent cough, intermittent, or associated
with physical activity
·
Wheezing sound when exhaling children
·
Shortness of breath or rapid
·
Complaints tightness in chest
·
Alleged exposed to recurrent bronchitis or
pneumonia
DIAGNOSIS
Asthma in children should be suspected in children who have
recurrent wheezing attacks, especially if his family members are known to have
asthma or allergies. Sometimes inspection x-rays and an allergy test can help
to determine the cause.
Children with recurrent wheezing attacks need to be examined
for the possibility of other disorders, such as respiratory tract disorders,
vocal cord dysfunction, respiratory tract infections (such as bronchiolitis),
or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux). Older children can sometimes undergo
pulmonary function tests (spirometry) to measure how fast and a lot of air that
can be exhaled by children. However, this examination can give a normal result
of outside attack. Allergic skin test can also be performed.
TREATMENT
The goal of asthma therapy is to always keep asthma under
control. Controlled asthma in question is:
·
Minimal or no symptoms
·
No or slight asthma attack
·
Not hamper physical activity or exercise
·
Minimal use of asthma inhalers, such as
albuterol
·
Little or no side effects from the drugs used
Treating asthma include preventive measures and treatment of
asthma attacks.
Treatment aims to relieve an asthma attack to open the
airway and stop the inflammation that occurs, for example, by inhalation
therapy and other medications are taken by mouth or injected. The drugs are
given depending on the severity and frequency of attacks. Drug dosage can also
be raised or lowered to control the symptoms of asthma in children and to
prevent asthma attacks.
Children who have mild asthma and infrequent attacks usually
only taking medication during the attack. Children with severe asthma attack or
more often are also in need of medicines outside attack.
Because asthma is a disorder that is long with various types
of therapy, the physician should work together with parents and children to
ensure that they understand the disorder as possible. Parents and children need
to learn how to determine the severity of the attack, when to use the flyer
drugs by doctors and when to go to the doctor or hospital.
PREVENTION
Controlling the trigger factors of asthma attacks is the
best way to prevent asthma attacks.
Limit exposure to trigger factors of asthma. Be proactive to
help children avoid the allergens and irritants that can trigger asthma
attacks. Get rid of feather pillows, rugs, curtains, stuffed animals, and
potential sources of dust mites and other allergens from the child's room.
Do not smoke around children. Exposure to cigarette smoke
when the baby is a risk factor that makes a child can be affected by asthma. In
addition, cigarette smoke also often trigger asthma attacks.
Encourage children to be active. During the child's asthma
is well controlled, regular physical activity can make the lungs work more
efficiently.
Check with the child to the doctor if necessary. Check with
the child on a regular basis. Do not ignore the signs that the child's asthma
is not controlled, for example, children are too often using asthma inhaler.
Asthma can change over time. Consultation with a doctor can help to determine
the appropriate therapy so the asthma under control.
REFERENCE
- K, Anand D. M, John T. asthma in Children. Merck Manual
Home Health Handbook. 2009.
- Mayo Clinic. Childhood Asthma. 2013.
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