Asthma Answers

The number of children with asthma is constantly increasing. Every year a growing number of children are diagnosed with asthma. It can’t be cured, but it can be controlled and treated.

Numbers from 2006 show that 6.8 million children under the age of eighteen have asthma. Of that, 1.2 million are under the age of five. 4.1 million children have had an asthma attack. Plus, there’s an unknown number of children that haven’t been diagnosed yet.

The latest numbers available at the time of writing was from 2006, so the numbers are a few years old now, but still a very good guide.

The exact cause of asthma is unknown, however there have been studies that tie asthma to cat allergies, second hand smoke and outdoor air pollution, especially in urban areas.

There common symptoms of children’s asthma are about the same as with adult asthma. It includes wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and pressure in the chest.

Half of all children with asthma show signs of it before they’re five years old. Infants and toddlers are more sensitive to getting asthma. While doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, respiratory viruses, which are very common in children under the age of five have shown a connection with asthma.

In infants and toddlers it’s especially difficult to know if they’re having difficulty with asthma because they can’t speak or communicate that they’re having a problem breathing.

Symptoms for infants and toddlers include breathing increased by fifty percent. Normal breathing for a newborn is 30 to 60 breaths a minute, 20 to 40 in their first year and 20 to 30 in their second year. You may also notice that are wheezing or panting during normal play activities when they normally wouldn’t show any signs of breathing difficulties. Because they’re having problems breathing, they may also act distant and not show interest in their favorite activities. Also, you may notice that their crying sounds softer or different.

Triggers of asthma attacks and problems is similar to those of adults. It can be allergy related, such as from inhaled particles like pet dander or pollen. Exercise, such as running can also cause an attack. When they’re sick with an infection like the flu, they can be very susceptible to an attack. Even the weather, like extremely cold weather can set off some breathing problems for a child. There is also some signs that an attack can be related to emotional stress like crying or even laughing.

Treatment is generally the same for children as it is for adults. This includes prescribed prevention medicine and rescue inhalers, just with a reduced dosage.

One of the easiest ways to reduce problems with asthma is in a child’s bedroom. The first is to purchase allergy proof/resistant pillow casings for their pillows, mattresses and box springs. Then wash their linens once a week in hot water.

The good news is that fifty percent of children do outgrow their asthma as they reach adolescence. This is because their airways mature and become more resistant to inflammation and irritants. While they’ll never be completely cured, they will notice a dramatic decrease in problems.