Does Your Kid Have Child Asthma

The main airways of the lungs, commonly referred to as the bronchial tubes, become swollen in asthma kids just as they do in adults. Unfortunately, it's often more difficult to diagnose with asthma kids. Why? Because the symptoms are often found in numerous other childhood illnesses, such as a cough or chest congestion resulting from a common cold.

So what should you look for if you're concerned that your child might have asthma?

In the case of infants (and yes, infants can have asthma), you'll want to take notice any time you encounter a rattling cough, rapid breathing, frequent chest colds, grunting when nursing, and/or a weak cry. Of course, these may be perfectly innocent symptoms of nothing more than a cold. That's why it's important to involve your pediatrician if you become concerned. He can work with you to determine if there's a problem or not.

In small children, you'll not only want to look for symptoms, you'll want to listen to what your child tells you. For instance, if your kid mentions that his or her "chest feels funny" or asks "why am I always coughing," these are clues that you need to note. Asthma kids can be especially challenging because no two children suffer asthma in exactly the same way or exhibit the exact same symptoms.

Other symptoms you should look for in your child include violent coughing after strenuous activity, rapid breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath, or consistent coughing at night. A lingering cough after a recent cold can also be a sign of asthma. If symptoms appear to be aggravated by changes in the weather, laughing or crying, or strong perfumes or odors... these can all be indicators that should prompt a visit to your family physician.

In addition, there are some mild indicators that can be easy to overlook. For instance, waking up tired in the morning may be the result of coughing or having trouble breathing during the night. These occurrences can easily disturb your child's sleep and result in exhaustion. Or if your youngster is experiencing nightmares that involve asthmatic clowns or bears, this can often be a sign that his or her sleep is being disturbed by various asthma symptoms.

Some children may exhibit all of these symptoms, while other children may exhibit as few as one or two. That's why it can sometimes be challenging to diagnose asthma kids. However, by taking note of the little events in your child's health life (the lingering cough, the difficult nights, the shortness of breath), and sharing this information with your child's doctor, he can help you determine whether or not there's a problem.

If there is a problem, if it turns out that your child does have asthma, don't panic. Your doctor can help you develop a plan that can help minimize the occurrences of attacks and allow your youngster to live an active, rambunctious childhood. As he or she grows older, you may find that the symptoms become more pronounced or even less pronounced. So, you'll want to keep an eye on the situation. If the symptoms change, your doctor can adjust his treatments accordingly.

While the symptoms in asthma kids can be especially unsettling for a parent, there's no need to feel overwhelmed. Great advances have been made in recent years in the treatment of asthma. There's absolutely no reason your child can't still enjoy every moment of his or her childhood.

Read more about children with asthma by visiting Childhood Asthma

And if you'd like to learn more about asthma kids, please visit: Pediatric Asthma

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Recognizing A Child Asthma Attack

There are no set symptoms of childhood asthma attack. The symptoms vary from one child to another. Even the causes for these types of attacks are also often different in different children. In order to recognize these attacks, you will have to be very careful. The basic idea is to educate yourself about the various possible causes and symptoms. The more informed you are, the easier it will be for you to recognize if your child is suffering from any such thing. Once you recognize the symptoms, you are strongly recommended to get urgent medical assistance to the child. Following are some of the possible symptoms that you have to look out for.

The Time Of Attack

When it comes to recognizing childhood asthma attack, the first thing that you have to understand is that these attacks occur only when the symptoms go worse. Your child may not show any symptoms for years and all of a sudden you may find him/her in a serious attack of asthma. So, be very careful when your child is hit with a flu, cold, or allergy. Most people consider it normal, as they think it happens because of the weather changes - though it is true, but not always. So, every time your child is hit with any such thing, you must get him/her thoroughly checked up for asthma as well. Excess stress has also been found to be one of the major causes for such attacks. So make sure your child is not over stressed about anything.

Some Common Symptoms

Though there are no direct symptoms that can help you recognize childhood asthma attack, but you must be watchful of some common symptoms, such as Shortness of breath, Profuse sweating, Pale complexion, Trouble speaking, Chest pain and/or pressure, rapid breathing, Inability to stop coughing, Wheezing when breathing both in and out, Difficulty in breathing, and other symptoms that get worse despite use of medications.

"Silent Chest" Is Not A Sign Of Improvement

Sometimes, after use of certain medications, the chest goes silent (the coughing and wheezing stops). This is often considered as a sign of improvement, but most of the times it is not. In fact, when the asthma is not treated properly, it causes the lungs to tighten that makes it impossible for the air to circulate, which eventually causes the coughing and wheezing to stop. It can be a very dangerous thing because it may even affect the ability of the child to speak. The cyanosis may start developing, which is a specific situation of the child when their fingernails and lips start turning blue. This is a very emergency situation when you have no other option but to get your child admitted to the emergency ward of the hospital.

So, don't wait until you recognize childhood asthma attack. You must get your child medically checked up thoroughly every time it shows some unusual symptoms no matter how small it is. Immediate medical attention is needed in case the health of your child doesn't improve (such as coughing or shortness of breathe) even after use of medications for weeks.

There are definite warning signs and symptoms that can be associated with asthma in children. These symptoms can vary from child to child, and gaining an insight to such warning signs is the very first step that you can take to prevent a childhood asthma attack.

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Curing Child Asthma

Searching for a cure for your child's asthma at times seems like a search for the Holy Grail. Just when you think you have it, either it doesn't work or there is some other downside.

Childhood asthma can be cured, or at least, suppressed to the point where it has little or no affect on the sufferer. This seems to be the goal that we should realistically aim for. There are many medications available to help control asthma in children, so it can be very manageable for most of them. This, coupled with a daily regime and lifestyle that avoids asthma triggers, and enhances natural resistance, means that they can live an almost asthma free life. The most common medications are administered through inhalers, which can be either preventers or relievers.

Asthma can be triggered by many factors like allergens or irritants caused by weather conditions, food varieties, drug intake and pretty much anything that could be breathed in, even perfumes. Asthma can be triggered by other allergy attacks, for example the onset of the Hay fever season. Attacks can be prevented by avoiding triggering factors and by 'preventer' treatment.

There are a lot of alternative treatments for asthma, but because they have not been clinically tested we cannot be sure of their effectiveness. Because a lot are marketed by start up organisations or individuals, there is a credibility gap that needs to be overcome.

We have read that asthma can be classified into two main types: extrinsic, in which attacks are triggered by an allergy, and intrinsic, in which there is no obvious external cause for attacks. Fortunately in our child's case her asthma is dominantly extrinsic or 'allergic' asthma, so we have had some success in identifying the more persistent causes and simply masking them from her.

Some people find their asthma attacks are linked to certain foods. Dairy products, eggs, chocolate, wheat, corn, citrus fruits and sea food are the most frequent food triggers. Anyone experiencing asthma that they feel may be food related should contact their GP to help pinpoint the problem foods.

Certain foods may promote inflammation in the body, which can contribute to asthma and other allergic conditions such as eczema. Some of the foods which may do this are what are known as the omega-6 fatty acids, typically found in margarine and vegetable oils. Omega-3 type fats that are typically found in oily fish appear to have the opposite affect and reduce inflammation in the body. Before we started feeding our child with huge quantities of salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel and herring we realized diet wasn't an issue with her asthma.

Other common substances which seem to provoke asthma like food colouring and preservatives in processed foods also appear to have no significant affect on her.

Curing asthma with traditional remedies and natural cures does not inflict any adverse side effects on the patient. A holistic approach, blended with an amiable and balanced mix of prescribed medication will also relieve them from any further difficulty in breathing. So the conclusion is that, although there are natural remedies that can reduce the effects of asthma, there is still no outright cure. So a regime of reducing risk by controlling the exposure to aggravating elements is a sound course of action. Coupled with a regime of medication that suppresses the symptoms to the point where they no longer affect the child and the people who care about them.

In my child's case where we tried homeopathic solutions, they were not particularly effective. But her current treatment is working: find out more by going to http://www.assmatics.co.uk.

Andrew W Coyle is the father of two children who suffered from asthma and eczema during early childhood. With wife Rachel he spent a lot of time and money trying to find a cure that would allow his children to lead a normal life. Read more at http://www.assmatics.co.uk.

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Why Do Children Get Asthma?

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases which affect people of all ages and gender. It is defined as a chronic disorder of the lungs wherein the airways or the bronchi become narrowed. This condition can be distinguished by chronic symptoms such as obstruction of the airflow, inflammation and bronchospasm or bronchial hyper sensitivity. Although the signs and symptoms often resemble that of COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis, inflammation with this disorder is irreversible. Alarmingly, to date asthma affects over 12% of the US population and more than 300 million around the world. In the United States alone, asthma causes around 4000 deaths annually.

Especially disturbing is the fact that the number of children with asthma has also increased over the years. As a matter of fact, it is the chief cause of chronic disorder in kids. According to statistics, there's approximately 10% to 12% of children in America that are affected by this respiratory condition and it is progressively increasing. Asthma can start at any age but most patients experience their first symptoms no later than 5 years of age.

Some of the known risk factors for developing childhood asthma include the presence of allergies in kids. Children with asthma often have family members or relatives affected by the disorder as well. It can also develop if the child suffers from recurring respiratory infections. Children exposed to smoke during conception and after birth plus those who have a low birth weight are most likely to have asthma. Studies have also shown that kids raised in impoverished environments are affected by this respiratory ailment more so than those living in a high-income environment. Recent studies show exposure to pollutants increases the susceptibility of kids to become asthmatic. Those who were born by Caesarean section are more likely to have the disorder as well since they were exposed to more bacteria during birth compared with those who are born through a vaginal delivery.

Symptoms of an impending asthma attack include severe coughing at night and during play or even while laughing. A child may also become less energetic especially during play and might complain of chest pains or tightness in that area. Parents can also note rapid breathing or wheezing when inhaling or exhaling. More labored breathing can be detected due to retractions in the chest area as well as a tightened chest and neck muscles while breathing. For kids under 5 years old, upper respiratory infections such as the common cold usually trigger asthma attacks.

Aside from keeping a record of the each attack, the best way to treat this disorder is by bringing children with asthma to a specialist so the condition can be managed. For immediate relief, especially for infants, bronchodilator medications should be given. Most doctors also recommend the use of anti-inflammatory medicines. Just make sure that the dosage of the medicine corresponds to your child's weight and age. Also, since younger kids are not able to manage their breathing suitably to use ordinary inhalers, inhaled medications can be given in a different manner.

In order to reduce the risk of your child developing asthma or having an asthma attack it would be wise to keep them away from smoke, pollutants and other allergens that could trigger an attack.

Brenda has a son with asthma who was born via C-section. At first she thought he had outgrown the disease but this fall it came back as activity onset asthma. She has a couple of air purifiers in the home that are especially helpful during the winter months. Air purifiers can be a life saver for people with allergies and asthma.

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Guidelines For Treating Child Asthma

When it comes to asthma in children, parents play the most crucial role in prevention and control. Since your child still lacks the vital information that he/she needs in order to manage the condition effectively, you will be the one they will depend on to give them this information. As parents it is important that you know anything and everything about asthma so that it will be easier to explain to your child as to why it is dangerous and why they need to undergo the treatment.

Aside from knowing asthma in and out, you will also need to know everything about the medication that will be given your child. Research or ask further about the medications that are being prescribed. Most parents tend to miss asking crucial questions like the other chemicals that are included in the medication and the possible side effects that may be present. While it is obvious as to why you would want to ask about the possible side effects of the medication, the reason for asking the chemical composition of the drug is to avoid unnecessary allergies. Most of the drugs being prescribed for asthmatics are composed of several ingredients, and your child might be allergic to one of those.

As early as possible make sure that your child understands his/her condition, this is the reason why you will need to learn anything and everything that you can about asthma. This will allow you to explain the condition in simpler and easier to understand terms. You will also need to teach your child the importance of taking his/her medication, the names and the times that they are required to take it.

In order to help your child control their condition you will also need to know the triggers of your child's asthma. Triggers can be found almost anywhere and knowing which ones can cause an episode is critical so that it can be avoided. Triggers can be present in the food they eat, the weather, smoke, dust mites, pet dander and pollen. Learning all of these may take time, but do not get frustrated, in the end it will be worth all of the effort that you made.

Asthma is a very sensitive and dangerous condition. The earlier you will be able to gain everything that you need to know the more prepared you will be in handling the condition. While it is true that asthma can be doubly difficult to handle in children, it is your responsibility as parents to assure that the condition does not go out of hand.

Eddy Kong Wai W used to be an asthma sufferer for 20 years. For more detailed instructions and help on asthma treatment for children , be sure to visit http://www.17minasthmaandallergysecrets.com you want to get rid of asthma and allergy naturally by subscribing to the 10-day FREE mini-ecourse right now.

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