Asthma is a chronic disease in which the airways become narrowed and blocked due to certain factors, making breathing difficult. It is thought to develop due to genetic and environmental factors. In childhood asthma, the lungs and airways become easily inflamed when exposed to certain triggers such as pollen, colds or other respiratory infections. When children develop asthma , daily life can be negatively affected and it can cause uncomfortable symptoms. Treatment is planned depending on the child's medical history and the severity of the asthma.
Asthma in children is no different from asthma that develops in adults. However, it can affect children more and cause serious complications. Risk factors for childhood asthma include a family history of asthma, food allergy, male gender, exposure to cigarette smoke and eczema (atopic dermatitis).
What is Childhood Asthma?
Childhood asthma can show a number of symptoms that can negatively affect children's educational achievement, sports and play activities, sleep quality and daily life. In cases where treatment is not planned and treatment is not started, asthma attacks can become severe and persist for a long time.
Asthma symptoms may differ in each child. A child with asthma may have very few symptoms or periods without any symptoms. There may also be periods of severe symptoms, called exacerbations.
The cough may develop during the day, at night or both, and may sound like wheezing or whistling when breathing. There may be symptoms such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and chest tightness during sports or other activities.
In addition, in case of respiratory infections, recovery can be slow and difficult. Bronchitis, sleep disturbance, fatigue and weakness can also be caused by this condition. Asthma, the exact cause of which is unknown, is thought to be affected by some environmental and genetic factors.
What are the symptoms of asthma in children?
A commonsymptom of asthma in children is frequent coughing attacks that may occur while the child is playing, at night or during laughter. While coughing may be the only symptom, the symptoms that can be seen in asthma cases are as follows:
- Shortness of breath
- Whistling or wheezing during breathing
- Complaints such as tightness or pain in the chest
- Insufficient sleep and fatigue
- Breathing difficulties that prevent play or exercise
Every child may have different symptoms, and not every wheeze or cough may be caused by this condition. For this reason, in case of any discomfort, you should first visit a doctor and find out the underlying cause of the condition.
Diagnosis of Asthma in Children
Asthma is often difficult to identify and diagnose. For the diagnosis, the child's medical history and complaints are usually evaluated. A physical examination is then performed and an attempt is made to detect it.
While the doctor is familiar with the child's medical history, he or she will also check whether family members have this condition and whether there is a genetic condition. The doctor checks for allergies, eczema-like skin conditions or lung diseases and asks questions about these conditions.
The times and frequency of cough and other symptoms that develop in the child are listened to in detail. In addition, the methods used to diagnose and diagnose asthma in children are as follows:
Physical Examination
During a physical examination by specialist doctors, the child's heart and lungs are listened to. If any problems are observed, some tests may be ordered.
Tests
Lung (pulmonary) function tests, which measure the amount and volume of air in the lungs, are commonly used to diagnose asthma, although some patients may also have a chest x-ray.
Experts may not recommend pulmonary function tests for children aged 5 years and under. The doctor will therefore pay attention to medical history, symptoms and physical examination findings during the diagnosis. Different tests can also be used to identify asthma triggers.
How is asthma treated in children?
The most appropriate treatment plan for asthma in children is evaluated and applied by specialists depending on the child's medical history, the severity of asthma and symptoms. Although there is no definitive treatment, some applications can be made to control the asthma attacks experienced by the patient and to improve the quality of life.
Along with the treatment plan, when and how often the medications prescribed by the physician will be used are explained. They are also told what to do during asthma attacks. In addition, family members, school and close environment of children with asthma should also be informed about this issue. The more awareness increases, the less negative effects that can be experienced.
In addition to the implementation and follow-up of the treatment plan, identifying triggering factors and avoiding these situations are among the main goals of treatment. The drugs used in treatment are preferred to ensure that the symptoms disappear quickly.