Of all the reasons that young children suffer from Asthma, pollution is the biggest culprit today. In Indian metros, 4 out of 10 children below age 5 are found to be asthmatic. Not good news. So what can be done about it? Well, the first step is to know what Asthma is and what causes it.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is defined as an inflammation and narrowing of the windpipe causing difficulty in breathing. This inflammation causes the airway to become sensitive and over reactive enough to produce excess mucus, swelling and muscle contractions. Signs of Asthma include persistent coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing, whistling or grunting while exhaling, flaring the nostrils, sucking in the ribcage muscles, fatigue and bluish skin.
Causes of Asthma
Allergens such as pollen, animal fur, mould, air pollutants such as cigarette smoke and paint fumes can be major contributing factors to the start of Asthma. In addition, excessive exercise or inhaling cold air can bring on an asthma attack. So if you have furry pets, you could prioritize your child's health over your pet. Consider the air pollution in and around your area. If it is higher than permissible limits, do think about how you can protect your child from it. Too much exercise in the form of running, especially in cold weather can be the start of childhood Asthma. Swimming has proved to be the most Asthma-friendly form of exercise. If there are smokers in your home or family, then consider the options you have of keeping your child away from second-hand smoke. If your child is prone to respiratory infections, try getting him or her vaccinated with the flu shot annually.
How do you know if your child has Asthma?
You may notice that your child, although asleep at nights, coughs a lot, or has eczema or allergies. Or better still; check the family history for Asthma. Sometimes respiratory illnesses get passed down the generations. A night time cough is more indicative of Asthma than a simple tendency of a child to wheeze due to a cold. If your child tends to cough a lot after running or crying, then do not dismiss that he or she could be suffering from Asthma. Get your child checked up thoroughly by a recommended pediatrician as early as possible. Babies tend to grunt while being breastfed. Slightly older children usually complain about chest pain or "feeling funny" in the chest. This is their way of explaining a shortness of breath. Any of these signs and symptoms is an alarm call for the parent to have the child checked as soon as possible with a pediatrician.
Treatment of Asthma
Each Asthmatic child will show varied degrees of severity and although there is no cure for it, there are ways in which it can be managed to cause the least amount of suffering. Remove trigger factors as much as possible - the pet, a family member who smokes, dirt and dust around the house, moving away from a polluted locality, get your child to switch to an easier sport and so on. Stick to medication given to you by the doctor. Be alert about the dosage and timings when administering medication to the child. These medicines usually have side-effects so be sure to ask your doctor and never hesitate to contact him in situations of emergency. Most importantly, try to keep your child warm at all times, especially in the winters.
Asthma is an illness that can be managed better when not feared. Keep updated on latest information on treatment and prevention. This is the best way that a parent can stay involved in a child's health care.
