Childhood asthma is an inflammation of the airways, located specifically in the bronchial tubes of the lungs. Such inflammation distorts the normal functions of the bronchial airways, causing an increase in mucus production, swelling and muscle contraction. It is one of the leading causes of absences in school-aged children and is a priority for the American Lung Association.
Significance
Asthma is a chronic disease that does not have a cure; however, asthma can be controlled. The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the understanding of the disease and the more successful treatments will be to control it.
Identification
Common symptoms of childhood asthma include constant and/or intermittent coughing, wheezing (whistling upon exhalation of breath), rapid breathing and/or shortness of breath.
Considerations
Almost 33 percent of hospitalization cases for children under 15 can be attributed to asthma, making it the third-leading cause of childhood hospitalization for this age group.
Misconceptions
Childhood asthma is not a psychological problem, as is commonly believed. Though stressful or emotional situations can trigger asthmatic attacks, they are not the cause of asthma itself.
Warning
Childhood asthma often goes undetected until major symptoms, such as heavy wheezing, rapid breathing and extreme coughing, develop.
Potential
Early detection of asthma, before these obvious symptoms develop, can prevent children from the unnecessary development and suffering of more complex respiratory illnesses associated with untreated asthma.
Recommendations
If your child has recurrent respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, and frequent coughing spasms or wheezing, he should be evaluated by a physician.
Tags: rapid breathing