Get to Know the Causes, Symptoms, and Ways to Prevent Asthma in Children

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract characterized by recurrent wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. In children, asthma usually occurs when the lungs and airways become swollen from inhaling dust, cold air, or other respiratory problems.

Asthma in children can interfere with their daily activities such as playing, going to school, or sleeping. Unfortunately, asthma in children cannot be cured completely and can continue to be carried into adulthood. However, with proper treatment, asthma symptoms can be controlled and can prevent damage to the lungs.

Causes of Asthma in Children

The main cause of asthma in children is still not known with certainty. However, below are some factors that are believed to be the cause of asthma in children:

1. Have parents who also have asthma.
2. The presence of certain respiratory infections that appear at a young age.
3. Exposure to environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke and air pollution.

The increased sensitivity of the immune system can cause the lungs and airways to swell and produce mucus when exposed to certain triggers. Reaction to triggers can be delayed making it increasingly difficult to identify asthma triggers in children.

Asthma triggers can vary from child to child, here are some examples:

1. Viral infections such as the common cold.
2. Exposure to air pollution, such as cigarette smoke or motor vehicle fumes.
3. Allergy to dust mites, pet hair, or plant pollen.
4. Certain physical activity.
5. Changes in the weather, including cold air.

Asthma Symptoms in Children

Asthma symptoms can differ from one child to another. Symptoms that appear can also be more severe, or better, at times. However, asthma symptoms that are often found in children are as follows:

1. Children often cough and get worse when they are infected with a virus (flu). Usually occurs when the child is sleeping or triggered by physical activity and cold air.
2. There is a wheezing sound when the child is breathing out,
3. The child has shortness of breath.
4. There is a feeling of tightness or pain in the child's chest.

How to prevent asthma in children

Asthma that is left untreated can lead to complications such as severe asthma attacks that require emergency treatment, permanently reduced lung function, developmental delays in school, poor sleep quality, and interruptions while playing. For this reason, here are some preventive steps that can be taken to prevent asthma attacks in children:

1. Reduce exposure to asthma triggers.
2. Don't let people smoke around your child.
3. Encourage children to be physically active because it can train the lungs to function more efficiently.
4. Do not ignore the symptoms of asthma in children and consult a doctor if necessary.
5. Help your child to maintain the recommended healthy weight. Obesity can worsen asthma symptoms and increase a child's risk of other diseases.

Do not ignore the symptoms given by the child because they could be signs of an emergency that needs further treatment. Call your doctor or medical professional right away if you notice that your child has to take deep breaths in mid-sentence while speaking, has to strain when breathing, or his nostrils get bigger when he inhales.

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Source:

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021). Childhood asthma. Mayo Clinic. [online]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20351507