ASTHMA
What is asthma?
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood in the world. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. During an asthma attack, the airways narrow down, and difficulty of breathing occurs. Patients generally have no complaints except during attacks. Asthma is characterized by recurrent wheezing (a whistling sound coming from the chest), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough. Complaints occur more frequently at night or early in the morning.
Do all children who wheeze have asthma?
Not all children who wheeze have asthma. Wheezing is heard in asthma patients during an attack. Causes of recurrent wheezing other than asthma include chronic sinusitis, recurrent viral lower respiratory infections, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, primary ciliary dyskinesia, immune deficiencies… etc. The most common cause of recurrent wheezing attacks, especially in children under 3 years of age, is viral lower respiratory infections. In 60% of patients, these complaints resolve after the age of three.
Does my child have allergy, asthma?
If one or more of the symptoms below is present, you should consult a pediatrician.
- Frequent wheezing attacks and shortness of breath
- Cough or wheezing that increases with activity
- Persistent cough at night without any viral infection (cold, upper respiratory infection)
- Complaints that continue after the age of 3
- Wheezing in the chest and a long-lasting cough when the child has a cold
- Remission of complaints with asthma medications
- If his complaints occur or worsen in the presence of: Aeroallergens (house dust mites, animal fur, fungi,pollen) exercise, viral upper respiratory infections, cigarette smoke or emotional stress
What are the risk factors that cause asthma?
Asthma occurs due to the combination of some genetic (hereditary) factors and environmental factors. Genetic factors include having an allergic condition in one of the relatives.
The most common environmental factors are: Allergens (dust mites, pollens, molds, animal fur, etc..), foods, medicines and additives.
Can asthma be controlled?
Asthma is mostly a controllable disease. It is essential that the family and the doctor cooperate and communicate. The symptoms of an asthma attack should be explained to the family and training should be given about the treatment of acute attacks. It is also very essential to avoid risk factors. Asthma is a controllable disease if attention is paid to prevention and cooperation with the doctor is achieved.
Dr. Gulben EFES