Bronchial asthma in baby & child

One of the most common diseases in childhood is bronchial asthma. Every fourth child suffers from asthmatic disease, which can be maintained into adulthood. However, unlike adults, there is a chance to cure asthma completely in babies and children. If one suffers from asthma as an adult, a cure is no longer possible.

Between the ages of four and five, the development of asthmatic disease is most common. Despite this, according to a recent study, asthma in children is detected far too late. This in turn can lead to continuing to suffer from asthma in adulthood. Even more, it can cause long-term damage to the lungs and even disrupt development. If you notice any signs of asthmatic disease in your child, you should consult an expert as soon as possible. Asthma, or another respiratory condition that can lead to asthma, can be identified by attacks of coughing, mucous secretions when coughing, and a whistling sound when breathing. If your child suffers from any of these signs for a prolonged period of time, then you should consult a doctor immediately to find out the causes.

Generally, children are prone to respiratory problems as they are extremely sensitive in this area of the body. The trachea, lungs and bronchi are still particularly delicate and fragile in a child's body. Increased attention should always be paid to signs of respiratory disease if there is a history of allergies or asthmatic disease in the family. Research has shown that both children with a genetic predisposition to asthmatic disease and children with a genetic predisposition to allergy are much more likely to suffer from bronchial asthma than those children with no family history of either disease.

What happens in the child's body during asthmatic disease?

Breathing, of course, works the same in children and adults. Breathing is a process that we do naturally and completely unconsciously. The mouth and nose are the primary respiratory organs involved in breathing. Air passes through the larynx into the trachea and from here into the main bronchi. These lead into the left and right lungs. The smallest ramifications finally lead the inhaled air into the alveoli. Here the air is filtered and passed on to the blood, from where it is transported to the heart and supplies our body with oxygen.

Muscle fibres arranged in rings surround the bronchial tubes, the inside of which is in turn covered by a mucous membrane that performs important tasks in cleaning the airways.

Unlike an adult, this entire apparatus is generally extremely delicate and fragile in a child. Even in the absence of acute respiratory disease, children may experience disruptions when exposed to cigarette smoke, for example, or when playing in the cold air.

If the children suffer from a respiratory disease such as asthma, the small bronchial tubes have been affected. There is a tightening of the bronchial muscles, swelling of the mucous membrane and the formation of thick mucus. These three mechanisms together cause the narrowing of the airways. This is how shortness of breath, the coughing fits and the whistling sound on exhalation occur.

If one does not contact a doctor immediately, attacks can quickly worsen.

Triggers for an asthmatic attack can be numerous parameters. Most often, however, it is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that triggers asthma, or an allergic reaction.

Since asthma is a very complex disease, there are numerous different causes as well as courses. Allergic diseases in the family, hay fever, neurodermatitis and numerous other diseases are a risk factor for children. The risk increases the more family members are affected.

A recent study also found that smoking during pregnancy can lead to asthmatic disease in the child.

However, apart from genetic factors, environmental factors also have a great influence on the development of asthma in children. Such environmental influences can be polluted air in an exhaust-rich big city, but also the passive nicotine of the smoking parents.

Special attention must be paid to allergies, because children with hay fever, for example, are particularly at risk of developing asthma. The risk of asthma is particularly increased if the allergens (allergy triggers) are directly related to the allergy itself. The following allergens can cause an asthmatic reaction:

• A pollen allergy
• Animal dander allergy
• Food allergy
• House dust mite allergy
• Mould allergy

The listed symptoms may indicate asthma disease in children and babies:

• Episodic, seizure-like coughing and shortness of breath.
• Whistling and rattling noises when breathing
• skin problems in infants
• allergic diseases
• spastic bronchitis
• acute shortness of breath during physical exertion

The more advanced the disease is, the more severe the symptoms become. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, the following symptoms may also occur as the disease worsens:

• Overtiredness and feeling of sleepiness
• Persistent coughing and a feeling of suffocation
• Palpitations
• Chills

A clarifying conversation with the parents can provide information about which illness the child is suffering from. This anamnesis can be facilitated as a parent by keeping an illness diary for the child, in which one notes when, where and in which environment the complaints occur. Here it can be narrowed down whether it is an allergic reaction, an asthmatic attack or whether it is another type of respiratory disease.

This discussion should be followed by a physical examination. A subsequent spirometry (lung function test) can provide information on whether it is indeed asthma. In addition to spirometry, one can also opt for a so-called lung function profile (peak flow meter).

Long-term damage in children can be prevented by treating the symptoms very early.

First and foremost, the focus must be on alleviating the symptoms so that the child can live free of symptoms. In asthma training courses, children and parents can learn how to deal with the disease.

In general, asthma therapy is divided into two groups of medications. The preventive medication, which is taken regularly and over a longer period of time, and the bronchodilator medication, which is administered as needed during an attack.

In and of itself, the therapy consists of a combination between sprays or tablets and additional acute therapy.

The medication should be discussed with the attending physician. In addition to the general medical substances, more and more parents are also opting for homeopathic supplementary treatment. This can be particularly helpful when used in addition to conventional preparations. However, one should refrain from taking homeopathic remedies alone.

In order to create an environment for your children in which it can live free of complaints, you should consider some basic things.

If it is an allergy-related disease, then you should make sure that the child does not come into contact with the allergen. This is not always so easy, because especially with a pollen allergy you often cannot actively intervene. However, it is possible to adjust the place and time of the common holiday destination to the pollen flight.

Try to avoid stress. Stressful situations and mental strain can lead to an asthmatic attack. For this reason, make sure that your child grows up in a stress-free zone.

Bad environmental factors should be avoided. Breathing in exhaust fumes can have a negative impact on the progression of the asthma condition. It is absolutely harmful if the child is exposed to nicotine and passive smoke in his environment. To avoid this, do not smoke in the home and do not go to places where smoking is allowed.

A healthy diet and plenty of exercise can have a positive effect on the course of the disease. Contrary to popular belief, it is quite good and important for the child to engage in sports activities. This can only do him good. Make sure that he knows his limits and does not exceed them. A healthy diet is another important factor that should not be ignored in any case. The health of the little patient will be strengthened and his immune system will become more resistant.