Asthma in children is one of the most common chronic diseases. According to a survey in 2000, the prevalence of asthma among children in urban areas of China was 1.97%, but it is estimated that the current data is much higher than this. According to statistics from the United States, there are millions of children suffering from asthma there.
As a parent, you need to know that asthma can be controlled and that children with asthma can lead normal lives.
If your child has asthma, learn as much as you can about the disease.
1. What is asthma?
The root cause of asthma is still unclear, which is also the status quo of most diseases currently known to humans.
But we know that asthma is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways . This inflammation leads to narrowing of the airways, causing difficulty in breathing, and can be fatal in severe cases.
Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. However, these symptoms are also seen in other diseases, so it is not easy to be a doctor. Don’t make a diagnosis for yourself or other people’s children based on popular science.
Asthma can begin at any age, but onset in childhood is very common.
How common is asthma in children?
Nine million American children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with asthma.
According to statistics, asthma is the leading cause of absenteeism among elementary and middle school students in the United States. In a classroom of 30 children, there may be two or more children with asthma. (In some states or localities, this rate is much higher)
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that in the United States, the incidence of asthma in children under 5 years old increased by more than 150% from 1980 to 1994. In 2000, 4.6 million children under 18 years old were treated for asthma , and more than 728,000 children under 18 years old received asthma-related treatment. In the same year, at least 214,000 children under 18 years old were hospitalized for asthma.
Our data is relatively inaccurate, so I use the data from the United States. Patriots, please don’t criticize me.
3. What risk factors make children more susceptible to asthma?
1. Genetics
Children who have a parent or sibling with asthma are more likely to develop the disease. The risk is even greater if both parents have asthma.
2. Allergies
For many people, allergic reactions can trigger various asthma symptoms.
Specifically, allergens may include:
(1) Food . Foods that are likely to cause allergies include eggs, milk, wheat, soy products, nuts and peanuts .
(2) Other common allergens that trigger asthma in toddlers include house dust mites , mold, and animal dander .
(3) Pollen can be an allergen for older children .
(4) Tobacco smoke . Smoking is an important risk factor for childhood asthma and a common cause of asthma in people of all ages. Studies have shown that there is a clear link between secondhand smoke and asthma.
(5) Irritants in the air. In addition to secondhand smoke, other irritants in the environment can also trigger asthma. These irritants include smoke, aerosol sprays, and even perfume and other fragrances .
3. Weather changes. Cold air, wind, rain and sudden changes in weather can sometimes trigger asthma.
4. Viral infections. Certain types of viruses can trigger asthma. The two most likely viruses to affect children are respiratory syncytial virus (which causes bronchiolitis, which is common in infants) and parainfluenza virus.
5. Even intense physical activity (especially in cold air) is a common asthma trigger. There is a type of asthma called exercise-induced asthma (EIA).
4. What are the symptoms of asthma in children?
Common symptoms of asthma include:
(1) Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or even a feeling that you can’t get enough air. This requires immediate medical attention.
(2) A high-pitched sound from the lungs when breathing, like a whistle. This is due to the constriction of the airways when the child has asthma. If you hear this sound when your child breathes, you must see a doctor.
(3) Chronic cough, especially at night and after exercise or exposure to cold air, may also be a symptom of asthma.
5. Diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
The diagnosis of asthma is complicated and is a matter for doctors; as for treatment, what you need to know is:
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that the goals of childhood asthma treatment are to:
A restful night’s sleep
Avoid the need for hospitalization or emergency treatment
Ability to participate in normal games and activities
A normal lifestyle not restricted by asthma
Please note that the goal is not a complete cure. For many chronic diseases , all we can do now is to coexist peacefully with them in the long term.
Commonly used drugs for treating asthma in children can be divided into two categories:
(1) Quick relief drugs
Immediately relieve asthma symptoms and make breathing easier. These medicines start working within minutes and the effects may last for hours.
(2) Long-term control medication
Its effects over time can reduce asthma symptoms and acute asthma attacks.
Long-term controller medicines do not provide quick relief of asthma symptoms, but require regular use for at least a week or more to be effective. They need to be used continuously.
Many parents are worried about the toxicity and side effects of long-term use of a certain drug . Yes, this is indeed a problem, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too. It’s obvious which is more important. However, what can comfort everyone is that at the current level of technology, the toxicity and side effects of drugs used for asthma are already very small.
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