Asthma & Children Signs, Symptoms & Treatments

What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways, or a form of allergic response, caused by reactions to various The reaction causes swelling of the lining, tightening of the muscle, and increased secretion of mucus in the airway. The narrowed airway makes it difficult for a person to breathe. stimuli.

What is Asthma? Asthma is currently affecting an estimated 7.1 million children under 18 years. It tends to be an inherited tendency, and will worsen over time if not treated properly.

Signs & Symptoms  Wheezing  Coughing  Difficulty breathing (especially exhalation)

What causes it? Asthma triggers: Respiratory Infections or colds Allergic reactions to airborne allergens (pollen, mold, animal dander, dust, etc.) Allergic reaction to food (nuts, wheat, milk, eggs, etc.) Exposure to sudden changes in temperature Cigarette smoke Stress or excitement Strenuous exercise Each child reacts differently to these factors. Children who are obese experience increased rates of asthma. Asthma affects boys twice as much as girls.

Mothers are encouraged to breastfeed and to withhold solid foods until infants reach six months of age, to decrease the potential risk of childhood allergies. Can you prevent it? Another way to help prevent asthma is to quit smoking. Infants born to mothers who smoke are more likely to develop asthma later in life.

Identify and remove substances from the environment that could potentially cause flare-ups. Dust and vacuum the child’s environments frequently. Replace the furnace filters often. Keep the child indoors on days when abrupt weather changes are expected. If attacks are caused by strenuous play, the parent or teacher should observe the child’s activity levels, and watch for any sign of heavy breathing. Flare-up Prevention

How can you treat it? If you know the cause of a flare-up, remove the child from the environment that contains the substance, stay calm, and encourage the child to keep quiet. If you know the cause of a flare-up, remove the child from the environment that contains the substance, stay calm, and encourage the child to keep quiet. Make sure that the child is assuming a position that makes breathing easier, preferably sitting upright. Make sure that the child is assuming a position that makes breathing easier, preferably sitting upright. Administer the prescribed medications. Anti- inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators, in the form of inhalers or aerosol breathing treatments, are usually prescribed to decrease swelling in air passages. Administer the prescribed medications. Anti- inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators, in the form of inhalers or aerosol breathing treatments, are usually prescribed to decrease swelling in air passages. Offer small sips of room-temperature liquid. Offer small sips of room-temperature liquid. Record observations and contact the family if there is no relief from the medications, or of the family specifically requests it. Record observations and contact the family if there is no relief from the medications, or of the family specifically requests it. Don’t delay in calling for emergency medical assistance if the child shows any sign of struggling to breathe, discoloration, etc. Don’t delay in calling for emergency medical assistance if the child shows any sign of struggling to breathe, discoloration, etc.

Treating Asthma at School Checklist for Parents: Checklist for Teachers:  Develop an Asthma Action Plan with your child’s doctor.  Mark all your child’s medication with his or her name, the name of the medication, and complete instructions on how it should be used.  Learn the school’s asthma policies.  Talk to the school teacher and nurse about your child’s asthma, and provide them with emergency contact information.  Keep file of your students’ medical information, for use in an emergency.  Monitor your students daily and watch for any uncommon changes in behavior or appearance.  Maintain clean indoor environments.  Keep up with sanitation standards.  Frequently review the school’s policies about allergies and asthma.  Arrange a meeting with the parents of your students with asthma. This enables you to better understand the child’s condition.

Resources Marotz, L.R., Cross, M.Z., Rush, J.M. (2009). Health, safety, and nutrition for the young child (7th ed.). Albany, NY: Delmar. American Lung Association (n.d.) Asthma & Children Fact Sheet. Retrieved on January 26, 2011 from disease/asthma/resources/facts-and-figures/asthma- children-fact-sheet.html.