A child we all know is frequently taken to the hospital with complaints such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chronic cough. Most of these children, most of whom are not yet 6 years old, are diagnosed with asthma.
So how do these children, who are tried to be raised in the best conditions, get asthma?
Actually, it is more accurate to say that they do not cause asthma, but that asthma catches them. Because asthma, which is a hereditary disease, mostly affects children whose families have asthma. However, the unnatural lives of industrialized societies increase the risk of asthma. In addition to air pollution, chemicals used in daily life, allergens such as mites from carpeted houses, animal hair that we have to feed in our homes, and pollen block the respiratory tract, especially of children whose families have asthma. In order to find out that children who have difficulty breathing because their airways are blocked have asthma, it needs to be differentiated from many other diseases. Because it is similar to the symptoms of diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and reflux. Asthma, which usually occurs during viral infections, resolves spontaneously when children reach the age of 6. Ongoing disease in children with a family history of asthma is seen twice as often in boys and girls up to the age of 10. Asthma, which becomes more common with age, affects women more in adulthood. Just like other diseases, early diagnosis is very important in asthma. A child whose treatment is started early can continue his life like other children. But for this, it is necessary to first have accurate information about asthma and take precautions.
What causes asthma?
Asthma is thought to be caused by environmental and hereditary factors. According to research, the risk of a child suffering from the disease if both parents have asthma exceeds 60 percent. While the probability of a child with only one parent having asthma to get sick is between 20-40 percent, the probability of a child with no family history of the disease varies between 6-15 percent. Most children with asthma can breathe easily during normal periods. However, the respiratory tract of children with a family history of asthma is weaker than others. Since they are much more sensitive, substances such as cigarettes, house dust and pollen cause allergies in the respiratory tract of these children. The muscles in the respiratory tract contract and the glands, which produce more phlegm, swell. As a result, the narrowed airways fill with mucus, making it difficult for the child to breathe. As the narrowing of the respiratory tract increases, the child begins to breathe frequently and wheezing. In this case, the child needs to be treated immediately.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
•Repetitive, wheezing (breathing in and out at least 3 times)
• Shortness of breath and cough attacks
• Chronic cough attacks
• Symptoms appearing especially at night and in the morning
• More common diseases such as cold, sinusitis, otitis media
br /> • No matter how old the child is, three or more episodes of wheezing
• Rarely, shortness of breath and cyanosis
• A family history of asthma or other allergic diseases
The above symptoms are symptoms of respiratory problems. It varies depending on the degree of narrowing. If your child also has these symptoms, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
In which children is it more common?
Those who have little breast milk
In the family those with asthma
Children with hay fever and eczema
• Those who had viral infections during infancy
• Asthma is more common in children exposed to cigarette smoke and chemicals. Some factors may trigger an asthma attack in children prone to asthma. These; These can be listed as physical exercise, exposure to cold weather, weather changes, animal hair such as cats and dogs, carpets in the house, pollen, and some medications such as aspirin.
What can we do to protect our child from asthma?
Asthma, a chronic disease, It may be treated or resolve on its own, depending on the degree of narrowing of the airways. Most children with asthma from infancy recover spontaneously by the age of 6-7. Because as the diameter of the respiratory tract increases, the elastic tissue also increases. It develops with age.
However, asthma attacks can be reduced by making some changes in the living conditions of children who do not show improvement. For this, it is necessary to start with the changes in the home environment.
How is the home environment arranged?
• Vacuum cleaners that suck in water should be used
• Killing mites medications should be used (under doctor's supervision)
• The carpet in the child's room should be removed
• Duvet and pillows made of wool and feather beds should be replaced with fiber. If this is not possible, beds should be covered with nylon. • Sheets and curtains should be washed frequently.
• The child should be kept away from factors such as perfume, dust, paint, and smoke
How are environmental conditions regulated?
• Since viral infections increase asthma attacks, the child should be kept away from crowded and closed environments, especially in winter
/> • Unnecessary physical activities should not be done during periods of increased air pollution
• Children should not come into contact with patients with respiratory tract infections
• Drugs such as aspirin should not be given to sensitive children because they cause asthma attacks
• Extrapolated through breast milk. Nutrition reduces the risk of allergies. For this reason, those with asthma in their families should raise their babies with breast milk for a long time. These babies should not start complementary foods before the 4th month. • Patients with asthma should receive a flu vaccine every year.
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