Top Advice on Childhood Asthma Kendal

By  Supernanny Team 13/06/2007

Although we don’t hear much about asthma in our everyday lives – unless it touches us personally – it’s a common ailment among children. Around half of the kids who have it will outgrow it – but if it’s left untreated, it can severely damage your child’s airways. One child in 10 in the UK is currently receiving treatment for the condition, and the UK has the highest incidence of severe wheeze in children aged 13-14 years.

What is it?

Basically, asthma is an inflammation of the bronchial airways, and it can be caused by anything from airborne irritants to viral infections. The most common cause, however, is allergies. Other triggers include exercise, and, infrequently, emotional responses. In an attack, the muscles around the walls of the bronchial airways tighten and become inflamed, narrowing the airways. Mucus or phlegm may build up, making the attack worse. The result is extreme shortness of breath and if this isn’t treated or reversed immediately, oxygen levels in the blood fall.

That’s the worse case scenario, but many asthma victims suffer more mild symptoms – common ones include frequent respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, limitations on physical activity, or chest tightness.

Spotting the signs

Diagnosing asthma in young children can be difficult because many children have wheezing in their first five years or so, and not all of them go on to develop asthma. It’s also difficult to assess how well a child’s lungs are working due to the method of testing – the peak flow monitors used to test older children and adults are difficult for a young child to use. Because of this, parents have to be educated and sensitive to subtle cues. Symptoms range from fatigue during moderate exercise to severe shortness of breath, heavy breathing and wheezing. Other signs may include a runny nose and sneezing, headache, congestion, chest tightness, grey or bluish skin, and stressed breathing.

There are many allergy symptoms beyond this list, and they will often correlate with the severity of the asthma condition. If you suspect your child has asthma, or you’re curious about symptoms your child is exhibiting, talk to your paediatrician or an asthma specialist immediately.

Treating asthma

You can combine medical treatment with self-help measures to control your child’s asthma.

Medical treatment

There are two main types of asthma medicines: relievers and preventers. They work in different ways but both are administered via an inhaler, which ensures medication goes directly to your child’s lungs. Inhalers can come as sprays or powders – if your child is prescribed a spray she can take it through a device called a spacer, which makes an inhaler easier to use. Steroid tablets may also be given after a severe attack.

• Relievers are designed to be taken if an asthma attack starts, and relax the muscles around the airways in order that your child can breathe easily again. Your child nee...

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