May is National Asthma Awareness Month!

Asthma in Children and Teens
Asthma is a serious and increasingly common medical condition. It affects as many as 10 percent to 12 percent of children and teens in the United States. Asthma can begin at any age, but most children develop some symptoms by age 5.

What causes asthma in children?

It is not clear why more and more children are developing asthma. Some evidence suggests susceptibility to asthma is inherited. There are several theories to further explain its increasing prevalence:

• Greater exposure to more allergens, such as air and exhaust pollution, dust and secondhand smoke. Research has shown that asthma is much more common in people with allergies.
• Not enough antibodies, or a lack of exposure (due to vaccines and medical treatment) to childhood illnesses to build up their immune system. Accordingly, asthma may now turn out to be a disorder of the immune system where the body fails to make enough protective antibodies to fight off allergens and infections.
• Decreasing rates of breastfeeding. Fewer infants receive protective enzymes, proteins and essential nutrients from breast milk. This causes increased vulnerability to allergens and infections.

Symptoms

Asthma is a debilitating lung disease. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes. When bronchial tubes become inflamed they swell. This causes bronchial muscles to tighten or spasm, resulting in excess mucus and narrowed airways. This is known as an acute asthma episode or asthma attack. The resulting symptoms can be mild or severe and can change rapidly.

Signs and symptoms in children and teens include:

• complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"
• tightened neck and chest muscles
• wheezing—a whistling noise that occurs as the bronchial tubes narrow
• frequent coughing spells, which occur during play, at night or while laughing
• dyspnea—shortness of breath, rapid or shallow breathing
• trouble sleeping
• tiring quickly during exercise
• less energy during play

If a child has only one or two of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean he or she has or will develop asthma.

Treatment

Asthma is primarily treated with two types of medications. Inhaled corticosteroids prevent or control airway inflammation; beta-2-agonists dilate the airway. Equally important is symptom prevention, including making lifestyle changes to avoid asthma episode triggers.

What parents can do

Parents often feel helpless, fearful and discouraged. However, remaining actively involved in your child’s care is essential in keeping your child's asthma under control. You can work with your child's health professional to manage daily symptoms and prevent episodes, as well as lessen the length and severity when episodes do occur. Children need to know that their parents are knowledgeable, willing and prepared to help them manage this illness. When episodes occur, parents who are well prepared and non-anxious have a positive and calming effect on their child.

In short, here’s what you can do:

• Become knowledgeable about your child’s specific symptoms and triggers, such as cigarette smoke, cold air or smog.
• Work with the health professionals to control airway inflammation and prevent asthma episodes by adhering to medication schedules.
• Identify and treat early symptoms of episodes.
• Know when emergency help is needed and where to go.

Asthma, while potentially serious, is highly treatable. By following treatment recommendations and symptom prevention strategies, most children with asthma can live a healthy, full life.

If You are A Parent or Caregiver of a Child With Asthma and Would Like More Asthma Education Resources or Would Like to Schedule a Training, Please Visit Monarch Health Promotions.

We have Nationally Certified Asthma Educators Who Can Help.

Sources:

Rodriguez MA, et al. (2002) Identification of population subgroups of children and adolescents with high asthma prevalence: Findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine,156(3):269–275.

Stempel DA. (2003) The pharmacologic management of childhood asthma. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 50(3):610–629.

Drew Edwards, EdD

Monarch Health Promotions
Tucson, AZ.
(520)404-4558
monarchhp.com