It’s hard for parents to see their child struggling to breathe or speak due to sudden asthma flare. Not let asthma affect your kid’s childhood; with good management, you can control the asthma symptoms.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways causing mild to severe breathing problems. However, symptoms of asthma in children can be controlled by reducing or avoiding exposure to allergens.
Pediatric asthma or childhood asthma is asthma in which airways in infants, toddlers or children narrows down and swell, making it difficult for air to get in and out. Sometimes asthma can lead to an excessive accumulation of mucus in your child’s lungs, making it difficult for them to breathe.
You will be amazed to know that childhood asthma is just like adult asthma; however, children have to experience new challenges. The sad part is there is nothing like childhood asthma treatment, but you can always control the symptoms and prevent them from further growth in the lungs.
Symptoms of Asthma in Children
If we talk about symptoms of childhood asthma, then it includes:
- Breathlessness
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
These symptoms may be experienced by your child during the night or early in the morning. Due to increased exposure to allergens from the pillows, mattress and bedding, the symptoms of asthma in children can flare up during the night. Even during the morning, your child may experience worsening asthma symptoms because hormone levels that protect against asthma symptoms are at lowest. If the asthma symptoms worsen for a few minutes, then it can lead to an asthma attack.
Read related- 6 Breathing Exercises for Severe Asthma
What Causes Childhood Asthma?
Treatment of asthma in children sounds quite impossible, but if you are responsible for causing childhood asthma in your kid, you can prevent it. Some of the reasons that cause childhood asthma:
Genetic Factor
You will be surprised to know that allergies and asthma have strong links with the genes that the child inherits from their parents. Read our blog ‘Is Asthma Genetic?‘ to know more about this.
Environmental Factor
Exposure to active/ passive smoking either through the mother, who during or after smoking increases the risk of asthma and can be responsible for poor functioning of your child’s lungs.
Sometimes allergens like animal hair and house dust mites can be responsible for contributing to childhood asthma.
Exercise
Even exercise can contribute to causing asthma exacerbations.
Other factors responsible for childhood asthma:
- Obesity
- Low birth weight
- Previous Allergic Reactions
- Living in a place with a high level of air pollution
How to Prevent Childhood Asthma?
Does childhood asthma go away? It is one of the questions that is always on the mind of parents whose kid has asthma. However, with proper planning, you can avoid asthma triggers. So follow the below-mentioned tips to prevent childhood asthma:
Avoid Exposure to Allergens
You should make sure to reduce exposure to allergens that might trigger asthma, like animal fur, dust mites, pollen and molds. You should wash your child’s bedding, and pillow covers every week and try to remove the carpet from your child’s playroom or bedroom. To get rid of dust mites and molds, keep your house clean and vacuum it frequently.
Ensure No One is Smoking around Your Child
You should make sure that no one should ever smoke around your child. When your kid inhales the smoke, then an irritating substance will settle in the airways, which may lead to an asthma attack.
Educate Your Child About their Asthma
You must make your child understand what factor may trigger their asthma and what preventive measure should they take during an asthma attack or what your child should do during an emergency.
Keep Note of Your Child’s Weight
Asthma is very common in obese children, and asthma symptoms can worsen because of unhealthy body weight. Because the fat tissue of your child’s body may produce an inflammatory substance that might affect their lungs and trigger asthma.
Acid Indigestion or Heartburn
Acid reflux or indigestion may cause asthmatic symptoms, including chest pain, coughing, and breathing problems. If your child is experiencing acid indigestion frequently, then you should keep track of the food that might cause heartburn and should avoid giving them to your child.
Regular Physical Exercise
You must encourage your child to stay active, play regularly and do exercise to control their asthma in control. Moreover, staying physically active also helps in maintaining the weight of your child that is the most important point required for reducing the risk of an asthma attack. However, don’t forget to consult your child’s doctor to see which exercise will be good for your child.
Key Takeaway
As a parent, it’s your responsibility to consult your doctor for childhood asthma treatment and how to prevent it.
If you have questions about your child’s symptoms or treatment, talk with a Meddo doctor today. Doctors are available 24/7 and can provide answers, a treatment plan and prescriptions if needed.
