| Asthma is one of the most common respiratory | | | | more so than those living in a high-income environment. |
| diseases which affect people of all ages and gender. It | | | | Recent studies show exposure to pollutants increases |
| is defined as a chronic disorder of the lungs wherein | | | | the susceptibility of kids to become asthmatic. Those |
| the airways or the bronchi become narrowed. This | | | | who were born by Caesarean section are more likely |
| condition can be distinguished by chronic symptoms | | | | to have the disorder as well since they were exposed |
| such as obstruction of the airflow, inflammation and | | | | to more bacteria during birth compared with those |
| bronchospasm or bronchial hyper sensitivity. Although | | | | who are born through a vaginal delivery. |
| the signs and symptoms often resemble that of | | | | Symptoms of an impending asthma attack include |
| COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and | | | | severe coughing at night and during play or even while |
| chronic bronchitis, inflammation with this disorder is | | | | laughing. A child may also become less energetic |
| irreversible. Alarmingly, to date asthma affects over | | | | especially during play and might complain of chest |
| 12% of the US population and more than 300 million | | | | pains or tightness in that area. Parents can also note |
| around the world. In the United States alone, asthma | | | | rapid breathing or wheezing when inhaling or exhaling. |
| causes around 4000 deaths annually. | | | | More labored breathing can be detected due to |
| Especially disturbing is the fact that the number of | | | | retractions in the chest area as well as a tightened |
| children with asthma has also increased over the | | | | chest and neck muscles while breathing. For kids under |
| years. As a matter of fact, it is the chief cause of | | | | 5 years old, upper respiratory infections such as the |
| chronic disorder in kids. According to statistics, there's | | | | common cold usually trigger asthma attacks. |
| approximately 10% to 12% of children in America that | | | | Aside from keeping a record of the each attack, the |
| are affected by this respiratory condition and it is | | | | best way to treat this disorder is by bringing children |
| progressively increasing. Asthma can start at any age | | | | with asthma to a specialist so the condition can be |
| but most patients experience their first symptoms no | | | | managed. For immediate relief, especially for infants, |
| later than 5 years of age. | | | | bronchodilator medications should be given. Most |
| Some of the known risk factors for developing | | | | doctors also recommend the use of anti-inflammatory |
| childhood asthma include the presence of allergies in | | | | medicines. Just make sure that the dosage of the |
| kids. Children with asthma often have family members | | | | medicine corresponds to your child's weight and age. |
| or relatives affected by the disorder as well. It can also | | | | Also, since younger kids are not able to manage their |
| develop if the child suffers from recurring respiratory | | | | breathing suitably to use ordinary inhalers, inhaled |
| infections. Children exposed to smoke during | | | | medications can be given in a different manner. |
| conception and after birth plus those who have a low | | | | In order to reduce the risk of your child developing |
| birth weight are most likely to have asthma. Studies | | | | asthma or having an asthma attack it would be wise |
| have also shown that kids raised in impoverished | | | | to keep them away from smoke, pollutants and other |
| environments are affected by this respiratory ailment | | | | allergens that could trigger an attack. |