Asthma and Children

There are so many possibilities of asthma attacks. An asthmatic person is sensitive in many things around him. Especially if he came from a family with history of asthma. Here are some possible causes:

* Infection of upper urinary tract like allergic rhinitis.
* Dust, molds, pollen and other inhalants.
* smoke from cigarettes and vehicles.
* Cold weather or sudden change of weather.
* cat's fur
* Medicines like aspirin, beta blockers or indomethacin.
* Chemical or paint odors.
* Irritants in air passages such as: perfume, hairspray, powder and other pollutants.
* Sometimes too much exercise or workout or any tiring activities.
* foods that may cause asthma attacks such as: egg, nuts, chocolate, seafoods, milk, flour, shellfish.

The said foods that may cause asthma varies in different types of people. It is possible that a person is allergic to egg while others are allergic to seafoods. If a patient knows that he's allergic to certain foods. He should avoid it as much as possible.

Often times asthma begins at a very early age. And over half of young asthma patients become asymptomatic as they age. Or the symptoms suddenly vanish until it is totally gone.. For your information. There is no medicine that can actually cure asthma. It is actually the symptoms that are cured.

Based on studies,Teens who started to have asthma (15 years and above) for the first time, has possibilities that they will bring it as they age. There are different categories of asthma:

1. Frequent Episodic Attack- In this category, a wheezing sound can be heard every 4 to 6 weeks and there are no visible symptoms in children.
2. Chronic Asthmatic Group- These are children who has mild wheezing sound. They easily wheeze when they are tired, coughing at night only. and has limited activities.
3. Severe Chronic Asthmatic group- They are children who has daily attacks. They are usually small,underweight and barrel chested. You will hear a different squeaking sound and severe passage obstruction. That's why they are usually given steroids. that should be taken everyday and with constant monitoring.

There is what we call as Status Asthmatic's wherein it is the most severe asthma attack. that can't be treated with common medicine. This patient is having a hard time breathing. Seems like dying. This may cause death if not prevented.

Asthma Attack revenge of the allergen

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflamed, swollen and narrowed airways, making breathing difficult. Although no cure has been found for asthma, it can be controlled.If you are asthmatic, you have sensitive airways that react to certain factors such as stress, infection (flu, common colds), dust, mites, feathers, cigarette smoke, and changes in the weather. These can trigger the selling and the narrowing of your airways.

No one really knows exactly what causes asthma. In asthma, the irritation of your ultra sensitive airways results to the three changes:

• cells in your air passages produce excessively thick and sticky mucus that tends to clog your airways
• your air passages swell or become inflamed
• the muscles in your airways constrict and tighten

These changes cause your air passages to narrow or constrict, causing difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest.

In case of asthma attack try to do this tips,

• take only asthma medications prescribed by your doctor
• do not take cough medicines
• if your attack is caused by a bacterial infection, take the appropriate antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
• if your symptoms persist, or you are experiencing a moderate attack or a severe one, get emergency help right away.

To minimize or prevent an asthma attack do this tips,

• take controllers (as prescribed by physician)
• know the signs and symptoms of an incoming acute asthma attack
• know what trigger your asthma attack
• avoid triggers

The sign and symptoms of an incoming acute asthma attack

• coughing a lot during exercise or even during rest after exercising
• shortness of breath
• wheezing when breathing
• tightening of the chest

What triggers an asthmatic attack?

There are numerous causes that "trigger" your asthma attack. However, these can be divided into three major groups:

Allergens - the largest group includes common "triggers" like pollen, molds, mildew, cockroaches, feathers, and dust mites.

Irritants - this group are found in common household items such as acrosol sprays, cleaning products, and perfumes. Tobacco smoke, air pollution and industrial chemicals also belong to this group.

Physical Conditions - this group includes exercise, weather changes and emotional stress. It also includes viral infections like common cold and flu.

How do you know you are having an asthma attack?

Asthma attacks may start suddenly, or may take days to develop. Attacks range from mild, moderate to severe.

Mild-to-moderate attacks - are more common. There is a feeling of tightness in your chest and you may start coughing and spitting out mucus or phlegm. You may also feel restless or irritable and have difficulty sleeping. You oftentimes make a whistling or wheezing sound when you are breathing air in and out, which may be due to narrowed air tubes.

Several Attacks - during severe attacks you may become breathless and may have difficulty talking. Your neck muscles become tight as you breathe. Your lips and fingernails may have a grayish and bluish color. Your breathing becomes more forceful, usually accompanied by the upward movements of your chest.