Asthma

Summary:

Children with asthma have reactive airways. The tubes that carry air to the lungs and the small passages in the lungs themselves are very sensitive to many things. When they are triggered, the airways react by getting smaller, swelling and forming mucous plugs. This can happen with colds and viruses, exposure to pets, dust, odors, allergens, or with exercise and emotional stress. Inhalation treatments with medication helps to open up the airways and reduce the swelling.

Asthma is a condition that can affect your child for many years. Identifying the things that trigger wheezing may help avoid future episodes. Wheezing is the "squeaking" or noisy breathing sounds your child makes when their airway is smaller or partially plugged. There should be NO SMOKING in the house of a child with asthma since smoke will irritate the airways of all asthmatics. Even if a family member goes outside to smoke and returns in the house, the smell alone may trigger an episode.

Contact a Health Care Professional Immediately:

	Your child has increase shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
	Your child is breathing fast. (A resting respiratory rate greater than 40 in a normal child is troublesome.)
	Your child looks blue or passes out. (CALL 911 IMMEDIATE, DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF)
	Your child looks sick or anxious.
	You have any concerns or questions.

Source of Infection/Mode of Transmission:

Symptoms:

Diagnosis:

Treatment:

Home Treatment:

	If your child starts wheezing, keep them calm or playing quietly. Excitement and physical activity can make the wheezing worse.
	Give the medicine as prescribed. Talk with your health care provider about restarting medicine whenever your child gets a cold to help prevent episodes.
	Don’t run out of medicine. Make sure you always have enough supply on hand. Especially when traveling.
	Over the counter medicines often don’t work well in children with asthma. Call your health care provider before giving your child nonprescription medicine.

Geographic/Seasonal Distribution:

Protections:

Preventative Measures:

	Keep your child’s room clean and free form heavy blankets, down comforters, stuffed animals, pets, carpets, drapes and feather pillows.
	Cover mattresses and pillows with plastic zippered cases. Wash linens frequently and dry on the highest settings.
	Encourage lots of fluids when a child is ill and wheezing.
	Keep prescribed medications on hand at all times and use them as directed by your health care practitioner. If the medications are prescribed for use only when the child is ill, start them at the earliest sign of a cold, cough, flu or wheezing.
	Take all your medications with you when you visit your health care practitioner.
	Try to avoid things that may cause an episode.
	Anything that the child is known to be allergic sensitive to. (i.e.. Insect sprays, perfumes, etc....)
	Cigarette smoke.
	Salicylates. (typically found in aspirins, buffrin, alka-seltzer, ben gay, vicks, mentholatum, pepto bismol.)
	Anti-inflammatory drugs. (ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin)
	Yellow dye #5, tertrazine, found in many products such as Kool-Aid, Hawaiian Punch, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.... Read the label carefully.
	Sulfites found in preservatives. Vinegar, dried fruits, restaurant salads, shellfish, syrup.
	Fumes from cleaning agents, paints and hair spray.
	MSG (Monosodium Glucgonate), found in some seasonings and prepared foods.

Notes:

	If medication is to be taken at school, talk to the school nurse about allowing your child to carry an inhaler with them during the day.
	Your child may participate in gym but may need to be excused when a cold, cough or wheezing is present.
	If your child has multiple episodes of asthma, consider using a medical alert bracelet.
	Above all, educate your self to the latest treatments and findings regarding childhood asthma.

Links:

[Health Home] [ Asthma ] [ Chicken Pox ] [ Encephalitis ] [ Fifth Disease ] [ Poison Oak/Poison Ivy ] [ Vomitting & Diarrhea ]

[Premier-Net Home] [Premier-Net Features] [Shopping] [Search]

Medical information on Premier-Net.com is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation or visit with your family physician or other health care provider.
Send comments to MedWeb@Vicioso.com.