|
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for our Patients and Families |
|
Dekalb Pediatric Center 404-508-1177 |
|
To contact us: |
|
ASTHMA |
|
What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic condition where the bronchial tubes become inflamed or swollen in response to certain triggers. When the immune system gets flared up the muscles of the airway tubes constrict (get smaller), the inside lining of the airway swells, and mucus is secreted in the airway—all leading to a variety of symptoms. Symptoms: Symptoms can be mild or very disruptive, can occur sporadically or daily, and can be different for each child with asthma. Often there is a family history of asthma, but a child’s symptoms may be different from an adults. Common symptoms include: · Coughing · Whistling or wheezing sound when breathing out · Shortness of breath · Chest congestion or tightness · Trouble sleeping due to cough or wheeze · Cough or wheeze that gets worse with a cold · Shortness of breath with exercise or playing What you can do If you think your child may have some of the symptoms of asthma make an appointment. Early diagnosis will help control acute symptoms and a care plan will be developed to control flare-ups. If your child has been diagnosed follow your care plan. Start medication such as a bronchodilator (Albuterol, Ventolin, ProAir) at the first sign of symptoms. You may have been instructed to also begin a steroid (Flovent, QVar, Pulmicort) or have a nebulizer at home to begin treatments. If you are giving medications and your child is continuing to have symptoms make an appointment to be seen as soon as possible. Read here about how to use an inhaler and spacer. Additional Resources: Asthma in Children Medline Plus Asthma in Children and Teens American Lung Association Asthma Basics KidsHealth (video of an astma flare up) Allergy and Asthma Network, Mothers of Asthmatics Founded in 1985 to help families affected by allergies and asthma AANMA is the leading nonprofit family health organization dedicated to eliminating suffering from allergies and asthma. Their web site is loaded with helpful information. They publish the magazine Allergies and Asthma Today. |
|
Asthma can be treated with a variety of medications. |
Not all children who wheeze have asthmaNot all children with asthma wheeze |
|
Common Triggers of Asthma · Grass, tree, and weed pollens · Airborne molds · Dust mites · Foods or food additives (like MSG) · Animal dander · Cockroach droppings · Strong odors/perfumes · Cooking fumes · Aerosol sprays · Cigarette smoke · Wood/fireplace smoke · Cold air · Colds or viral infections · Exercise · Prolonged laughing or crying · Reflux disease/heartburn · Medications · Emotional distress |
|
When to seek emergency care Seek medical care immediately if your child is having trouble breathing. If you have Albuterol, give 2-4 puffs. Many flare ups begin with coughing and progress to wheezing, rapid breathing and fatigue. One tip is to ask your child to breathe out. If it comes out as a tight cough or grunt instead of hearing air flow you know treatment is needed. Severe symptoms which require immediate attention include: · Pulling in at the sides and chest with breathing · Sweating, increased heart rate, chest pain · Breathing so hard your child can not complete a sentence without stopping to take a breath · Using abdominal muscles to breathe · Flaring (widening) the nostrils with breathing If the symptoms worsen, or come on quickly call 911 |