Nearly nine percent of American children have garland asthma, making it one of the most prevalent chronic childhood disorders. Even among parents of asthmatic children, there is widespread ignorance about the disease.
The lungs resemble sponges due to the myriad of tiny tubes that connect to larger ones. Asthma is characterized by a narrowing of the airways due to inflammation and irritation. This discomfort can be brought on by several factors, including but not limited to: allergies, cold air, air pollutants, exercise, the common cold, and even stress.
Symptoms may come and go intermittently.
Many times, parents have told that their child does not have asthma since they rarely hear them wheeze. Wheezing can occur with a nasty cold or lung infection, even in people who do not have asthma. However, if this has happened multiple times, it is likely asthma.
The wheezing sound is not always present in people with asthma.
In many cases, a stethoscope and expert hearing are required to detect the wheeze. Some kids with asthma do not even have the wheezing symptom; they only cough. For most kids with asthma, coughing is the most noticeable symptom. It is the body’s way of opening up and maintaining its airways.
There are, of course, many additional causes of coughing in children. Most people suffer from allergies or the common cold. In contrast, asthma should be considered if your child coughs frequently at night or after exercise, has a persistent dry cough, or experiences a severe, prolonged cough with colds.
Asthma is highly manageable.
As mentioned before, the top priority is ensuring kids with asthma can still have happy, healthy lives. The problem is, we can actually make that happen. There are drugs that can relieve symptoms and prevent them, so it is not only a matter of avoiding and managing triggers. When taken daily or at times when asthma is worse or might get worse, a steroid inhaler or other preventative medication can make all the difference. However, the dose of steroids required is quite small, and while some families may find taking pills daily to be difficult, there are many ways to make it work. It is definitely worthwhile. Preventative medicine can make the difference between constant and no wheezing for some youngsters.
Which is, without a doubt, fantastic. Talk to your child’s doctor if you suspect or know that they suffer from asthma so that you can give them the healthy, joyful childhood they deserve.
