With autumn around the corner, asthma and allergies concern many families. The following is an overview of this condition, its causes, and basic treatment approaches. Your pediatrician will be your guide in best handling this situation.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease of the passageways that carry air to the lungs. These “airways” become narrow and the linings become swollen, irritated, and inflamed, causing labored breathing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath—constituting an “asthma attack.” Cough may be the first and sometimes the only symptom of early asthma. Other asthma symptoms are wheezing, fast breathing, or difficult breathing that uses extra muscles from the neck, abdomen, and chest to help “draw in” air. Symptoms of asthma can be different for each person, depending on how often they occur or how much or how fast the airways become narrowed
Prevention and early treatment of asthma may help reduce the number of days your child is absent from school or in the hospital. Controlling the symptoms of asthma will help your child feel healthy and make it possible for him to participate in sports and other physical activities with his friends.
What are the common asthma triggers?
Certain things “trigger” or worsen asthma. They are divided into “non-allergic” and “allergic” triggers. Your pediatrician will help you recognize what triggers your child’s asthma to reduce or eliminate asthma attacks.
Non-Allergic Triggers.
- Infections in the airways
- Viral and bacterial infections of the ear, nose, and throat (fever is often present)
- Other infections (such as pneumonia)
- Cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoke
- Other irritants in the air (air pollution, such as smog due to automobile exhaust, incinerator smoke, and even smoke from a fireplace)
- Cold air, dry air
- Sudden changes in the weather
- Exercise
- Emotional stress
Allergic Triggers.
Although allergies are not well understood, they tend to occur in families (i.e. genetic causes). The following allergens may initiate or worsen your child’s asthma.
- Pollens
- Dust (house dust mites)
- Animals
- Mold
- Chemicals used in industry
- Some foods and medicines (common ones: nuts, eggs, penicillin)
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