ASTHMA literally means narrowing of the airways and shortness of breath. When we say asthma to our patients, parents react as if we said cancer and get scared. Are you sure? he asks, gets angry, and sometimes consults a second doctor. However, when we say bronchitis, the reaction is SO SOFT; IS BRONCHITIS DIFFICULT OR HEAVY? QUESTIONS ARE ASKED, SUCH AS IS IT ALLERGIC BRONCHITIS? AND THE PATIENT assumes that this is a disease that can be easily treated, and accepts the diagnosis without worry and starts the treatment immediately. In other words, naming the diagnosis of asthma-bronchitis, which both occur with similar mechanisms, is important for the family. The family asks whether this will go away or whether there is a definite treatment or not when it comes to ASTHMA, but when it comes to BRONCHITIS, they immediately start medication without further elaboration. Yes, of course, no two diagnoses are the same. Asthma is a recurrent inflammatory disease of the airways.
It is the most common chronic disease seen in children in our country, this rate is expressed as 6-8%. Wheezing and wheezing that occur in attacks in sensitive people. Shortness of breath and cough, especially night cough and cough in the morning, are among the most important symptoms. The causes of asthma are examined under two headings: allergic and non-allergic. Although asthma can occur in all age groups, children under the age of 2 usually have bronchiolitis, bronchitis and some phlegm. The diagnosis is made with names such as wheezing child, and some of them are medical and some of them are used in colloquial terms to actually say that your child has respiratory problems. Sometimes the patients are so transitional that two diagnoses can be used at the same time by physicians.
If the disease is allergic; If a parent has a disease such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, hay fever or eczema in the family, they will definitely be questioned. Just as our child's eyes resemble his uncle's, bronchial allergic sensitivity such as house dust and pollen may also resemble him. In other words, allergy may be genetically inherited. But on the other hand, over time, our child may become sensitive and develop an allergic reaction to any substance, even if it is not in the family. Sometimes, when we tell a 5-year-old patient that he has a pollen allergy, how can it be that he hasn't had it until now? he asks. However, it is a known scientific fact that allergies develop at older ages.
In cases of asthma and bronchitis where there is no allergy. We especially see children who feed at night and therefore develop reflux disease. Another large group in which there is no allergy is our patients who have bronchial stenosis due to viral upper respiratory tract diseases. In this case, the majority of children who we protect from allergenic factors such as polluted air, reduce their exposure to viral infections, increase their resistance with vaccines and some medications, stop night feeding and treat reflux will be successful in the treatment against this disease.
The most common allergens we encounter are; house dust and mites, pollen, molting pets, mold fungi. In the fight against these, it is important to keep the indoor humidity around 50%, not to dry clothes at home, and to keep items that contain a lot of dust, such as fuzzy woolen toys, clothes, and carpets, away from the child. We recommend that the rooms that the child uses frequently should be cleaned every day with a vacuum cleaner that absorbs water or has a HEPA filter.
It is important not to smoke in any room of the house, and even for the parent who smokes to clean his hands and mouth and change his clothes before touching the child, so that the smell does not trigger cough. Diagnosis of asthma-bronchitis can be made by examination of the physician. It is not necessary to take a film or do an analysis. Examination Even if the child's breathing sounds are normal at that moment, it does not mean that he does not have asthma-bronchitis.
A person who has coughed, vomited phlegm, wheezed and experienced these symptoms several times in the past can be followed up by a physician and examined at the time of the symptoms and diagnosed. If bronchitis is not asthma, that's why some tests can be done at the first meeting, such as a chest X-ray or a respiratory function test, if the person is older than 5 and compatible, and some blood tests can be done. If there is suspicion of allergy, a blood test and, if age is appropriate and compatible, a skin allergy prick test can be performed. Another factor that confirms the diagnosis is the patient's response to the medication.
In the treatment, first the symptoms are taken under control, then attacks are tried to be prevented, the need for medication is minimized; the aim is for the child to be able to fulfill his/her daily life like all children. Training on how to use the given medications. The doctor should give it to the patient himself. The patient should be followed up regularly and the things he should and should not do should be explained in detail. If asthma recurs. Bronchitis patients with bronchitis should receive flu vaccinations every year between September and the end of December.
There are many questions about what we should or should not feed, and I would advise you not to expect a miracle, especially from quail eggs. Some studies have shown that grape seed powder, ready-made syrups are available in our country and Although it is stated that there are patients who benefit from cold administration of turmeric, the main thing is to have regular meals and consume all mixed foods. During the period when the cough is severe, herbal teas such as sage and linden and drinking plenty of water can provide relief by thinning the phlegm. Treatment of asthma and recurrent bronchitis is a team work. .Here, the family's regular use of the prescribed medications, regular physician follow-up, the child's compliance with the medication and device used, the correct diagnosis and medication use by the physician, and the correct environmental precautions taken bring success in the treatment.
Read: 0
