Asthma in Children: What Parents Need to Know!

“Oh, my baby is coughing!” “He’s coughing all the time!” “He’s having trouble breathing…” How scared do parents get when they see things like this? This could be asthma . But don’t be scared! Let’s learn about it properly. Then it will be easier to protect our baby from this disease.

What is asthma?

Simply put, asthma is a condition that occurs in the bronchial tubes in our lungs. Imagine a road that suddenly becomes blocked. It is difficult to drive, right? That is what happens when you have asthma. There are many small tubes in our lungs. (They are called bronchial tubes.) These tubes are very sensitive. When you have asthma, the muscles in the walls of these tubes tighten (contract), the inside of the tubes fill with mucus, and the tubes narrow. This makes it difficult for the lungs to take in and out air normally. Just like when a road is blocked and cars are unable to drive, the lungs also have difficulty breathing. Look at the two diagrams below:

(a) Normal Airway: This airway is well-opened, so there is no obstruction to the flow of air in and out. The walls of the airway are of normal thickness. (b) Airway in Asthma : Here, the airway walls are swollen, the muscles are tight (contracted), and the airway is filled with mucus, making it narrow. This makes it difficult for air to enter and exit.

How common is asthma?

Asthma is a very common disease in young children. On average, about one in four to five children will have a wheezing episode at some point in their lives. But more than half of them will only have a mild episode. It usually develops in children between the ages of 2 and 8. For most people, it gradually gets better. But for some people, it can recur as they get older. While most children seem to outgrow the condition as they reach puberty, a small number of people will have it again in adulthood.

Why does asthma develop?

Each person can develop asthma for different reasons. Sometimes it comes on suddenly, like a storm. There are several things that can cause this:

• Colds/viral infections
• Sudden changes in weather (cold, hot)
• Dust
• Allergies
• Cigarette smoke
• Stamens of flowers
• Some animals
• Some foods (for example, peanuts)
• Some medications (for example, aspirin)

Sometimes it's hard to know what's causing asthma. Each child has different triggers for asthma, and it's hard to predict when the condition will flare up.

How long has it been since you developed asthma?

It can last from a few hours to a few days. Many children recover from asthma and are fine again. But if the doctor puts on a stethoscope, it can sound like a small wheeze. Usually, children remain healthy after the asthma symptoms go away.

How do I know if my baby has asthma?

The main symptoms are cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Coughing while standing still can also be a symptom of asthma. This cough often occurs at night (like in the evening), in cold weather, or after exercise. If you have any of these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor.

Is there any medicine for asthma?

Yes! There is good medicine for asthma.

Medicines

There are three main types of medications given to children:

1. Relievers: These are medicines that are given during an asthma attack. They work by relaxing the tight muscles (reducing muscle tightness). They work quickly, so you can feel better quickly. (Examples: Bricanyl, Ventolin, Atrovent). These are also called bronchodilators.
2. Preventers: These are medications that are given daily. They work by reducing the swelling in the airways. This reduces the frequency of asthma attacks. (Examples: QVAR, Pulmicort, Flixotide, Tilade, Intal)
3. Anti-inflammatory agents: These are also given to reduce swelling. However, these are only given to people who have frequent asthma attacks. (Examples: Accolate, Singulair)

If your baby has asthma attacks more than once a month, or if he or she is constantly taking those quick-relief medications (reliever), be sure to talk to a doctor. Important: Don't smoke at home or in the car! It can make asthma worse. It's important to maintain a smoke-free environment.

How to give the medicine:

For medicine to work well, the medicine needs to go directly to the lungs.

Methods of administering medication

Medication can be given through the following methods.

• Puffer with a spacer device: This is the most commonly used device. It's a small tube made of plastic. It makes it easier to deliver the medication directly to the lungs.
• Dry powder inhaler: This contains powdered medicine.
• Nebulizer: This vaporizes the medicine.

A spacer is a small tube made of plastic that helps deliver the medicine directly to the lungs. For small babies, there is also a mask that can be worn over the spacer. For infants and young children, the medicine should be given through a face mask attached to the spacer.

Asthma Action Plan

Ask your doctor or asthma nurse for an asthma action plan. It tells you what to do when you have an asthma attack and what to do in an emergency. It's like a firefighting plan.

Action Plan – What to Do

Things to do in general: When asthma strikes:

1. Soothe the baby and make him/her calm.
2. If there is a cough or shortness of breath, give the reliever medicine. (4 puffs from the puffer, one puff at a time, taking 4 breaths through the spacer) Give within 4 minutes. Give again if necessary.
3. But if it doesn't work, go to a doctor or hospital immediately.

In an emergency: If the baby has any of these things, call an ambulance immediately:

• If it is very difficult to breathe
• If you can't talk
• If it turns blue
• If it gets difficult soon
• If you feel like your chest wall is rattling when you breathe (drawing in the chest wall)

Until the ambulance arrives, give 4 puffs of reliever medication (such as Ventolin) through the spacer every 4 minutes. When calling the ambulance, say, “My baby has a severe asthma attack.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about asthma