How to help children with asthma
Why is it significant?
When exposed to specific triggers, such as pollen or catching a cold or other respiratory illness, the lungs, and airways of children with asthma become quickly irritated. Childhood asthma can create annoying everyday symptoms that disrupt play, sports, school, and sleep. Uncontrolled asthma in certain children can lead to deadly asthma episodes. Childhood asthma is not a distinct condition from adult asthma, but children have unique obstacles. The condition is a primary cause of emergency room visits, hospitalisations, and school absences. Unfortunately, childhood asthma is incurable, and symptoms can persist until adulthood. However, with the correct therapy, you and your kid can keep symptoms under control and protect your child's developing lung
Some Statistics
• 1 million children in the UK are getting asthma therapy. • The rate of emergency hospital admissions for asthma among children and young people under the age of 19 in 2017/2018 was 174 in England, 165 in Wales, and 157 in Scotland (all per 100,000 children and young people aged 0 to 18 years).
• Only about a quarter of children with asthma have a personalised asthma action plan (PAAP).
• Almost half have experienced an asthma attack in the last year.
• Second-hand smoke can cause serious harm to children. An estimated 400,000 to one million children with asthma have their condition worsened by exposure to secondhand smoke
Common signs and symptoms of childhood asthma include:
Frequent coughing that increases while your kid has a viral infection, happens when your child is sleeping, or is prompted by activity or cold air are three common children's asthma signs and symptoms.
• Exhaling with a whistling or wheezing sound
• Breathing difficulties
• Constriction or tightness in the chest
If you believe your kid has asthma, take him or her to the doctor. Early therapy can help reduce symptoms and, in some cases, avoid asthma attacks.
If your kid has asthma, he or she may remark, "My chest hurts" or "I constantly cough." When your child is sleeping, keep an eye out for coughing that may not disturb him or her. Coughing or wheezing may be triggered by crying, laughing, screaming, or other powerful emotional reactions or stress.
If your kid has asthma, developing an asthma plan can assist you and other caregivers in monitoring symptoms and knowing what to do if an asthma attack happens.
Asthma Treatments
The majority of asthma medications are inhaled directly into the lungs, although others are tablets or liquids. Asthma medications are classified into two types:
Quick-relief medicines work quickly to open congested airways. During a flare-up, they can be used as needed. Quick-relief medications work quickly, but their effects are short-lived. These medications are also known as "fast-acting" or "rescue" medications.
Long-term control medicines work by preventing symptoms from occurring. They alleviate inflammation in the airways, which causes swelling and mucus. (Quick-relief medications merely alleviate the symptoms of inflammation.) Long-term control medications, often known as "inhalers" or "maintenance" medications, must be given every day, even if children are feeling well.
