Management of asthma in children

   

 

Dr. Rotimi Adesanya

Asthma could affect the psychology and even growth of the child if not properly managed. But if managed and treated properly, the child can outgrow it.

Parents should comply with the drugs prescribed by the doctors. They should not wait until the child has the symptoms before they give the medications.

My advice is that parents should not panic when they are told their children are asthmatic.

Asthma is a chronic disease, but it usually does not kill people. Deaths resulting from asthma are less than one per cent.

The asthmatic child should be taken to the hospital for regular check-ups, every three to six months. This would help to ensure that the child does not suffer many of the problems resulting from asthma.

Parents can actually help prevent their children from developing asthma. A clean environment is important and asthma occurs because the child is reacting to something. ,

Environmental manipulation is a process by which those things the child reacts to are removed from the environment. This is normally encouraged.

A child with asthma should not be exposed to rooms with rugs because of the particles and dust therein. A carpet is more advisable or something that is cleaned regularly to be free of dust.

Parents who smoke should also stop smoking in the house because it could trigger asthma attacks. Generators should not be kept near the windows because of the smoke and heat from it.

They can safeguard their children’s health by taking a few simple measures, such as preventing dust mites , avoiding putting pets into a baby’s room, eradicating the house of cockroaches, avoiding second hand smoke and voiding weaning too early. Mothers, who breastfed for, at least, four to six months can benefit their babies with stronger immune systems.

Babies should not be given anything apart from breast milk of formula before the age of six months.

Most often food allergies occur when babies are weaned too early. Food allergies in infants can be life threatening and are known to contribute to the development of asthma.

Air pollution (smokes, fumes etc) is thought to increase the risk of children developing asthma.

Treatment

The child can be treated with drugs. The drugs are two types: the relievers and preventers.

Relievers: The relievers are those that work immediately. They are given to the child to relieve them to help their airways dilate. That is why it is called relievers to relieve that acute situation.

A common drug used is Salbutamol, which is in syrups, tablet, injection and inhaler forms. This relieves the immediate situation so the patient does not die. They should also keep relievers drugs at home.

Preventers: The preventers are supposed to be given so that the asthma attack does not happen later. The preventers are usually those that work much later. What they do, as their name suggests, is to prevent asthma attacks.

Many of the preventers are long active steroids. These steroids, as well as other anti-inflammatory drugs, can decrease the symptoms of asthma. Steroids have some side effects when taken periodically.

When there are severe asthmatic attacks, it is an emergency case, the doctor would have to admit the patient and give oxygen and some injections of both the relievers and preventers.

Also in emergency conditions, drugs, such as Salbutamol are given as inhalation drugs through the nebulizers and inhalers

Early detection and proper treatment helps.

Parents are encouraged to stock some relievers like the tablet and inhaler in case of imminent or established attack.

It is very important because if it is not treated early, asthma could damage the lungs. The airway could be damaged permanently if not addressed properly. So, it is important that the child is treated properly.

In conclusion, asthma can be managed and treated effectively and the child can outgrow it.

Concluded