Kid Tips - Asthma

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Asthma is an inflammation of the lungs causing narrowed air passages due to bronchospasm, mucous production, and airway swelling. This results in coughing or wheezing, which can be severe. The tendency to develop asthma can be inherited.

Attacks of asthma usually occur following exposure to allergens (such as animal dander, house dust, mold, pollen, or foods) or irritants (such as cigarette smoke, paint, or aerosol sprays) or with infections (viral bronchiolitis, for instance). In some people, exercise can trigger an attack.

The first line of defense against asthma is to find and eliminate those factors that trigger asthma attacks. Often, reduction and elimination of these "triggers" can provide excellent relief for the patient. A few triggers, such as pollen, dust, and mold, are almost impossible to remove, and might require the use of allergy shots to reduce their impact on the patient’s asthma.

Irritants, on the other hand, almost universally trigger asthma attacks, and should be avoided. Cigarette smoke has been found to be particularly harmful for patients with asthma. Even the residual odor of a burning cigarette can trigger attacks, long after the cigarette is put out. If you or your child has asthma, you should never allow anyone to smoke inside your home or car.

Treatment of Asthma

Although removal of triggers is the best long-term treatment for asthma, there still will be times when treatment with medication is needed. Medications for asthma are grouped in two broad categories:

Fast-acting drugs

These include the beta-agonists, or bronchodilators. They relax the smooth muscles around the small airways and allow them to dilate. They bring relief within minutes and their effect can last several hours. They do not, however, treat the inflammation. They are primarily used for immediate relief, or prior to exercise. If you find that regular use is required, then please contact your physician or our office so that additional long-term measures can be started.

Preventive medications

These include inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium, nedocromil sodium, and the leukotriene inhibitors, which help decrease the inflammation in and around the airway, thus preventing further attacks. This is a very important class of medications for the treatment of asthma. They can take weeks to reach their full benefit, but are extremely effective in preventing future attacks, reducing the dependence on the fast-acting bronchodilators, and alleviating the effects of irritants and other triggers. Most importantly, these often provide the key to normalizing the life of a child with asthma. These facts are important in understanding the prescribed medications. You will not see a great improvement in the first few days of taking these medications, and it is easy to become lax and stop taking them. Be patient, and continue to take them as prescribed. The long-term benefits for health, activity, and self-esteem are enormous.

Nonprescription medications

One quick warning about the over-the-counter drugs for asthma. These are often advertised as being super-fast-acting, and they are. The problem is that they are just as fast in wearing off, and they can leave matters in a far worse state. Our advice: don’t use them.

Exercise-related symptoms can be improved with good general control of asthma. Proper warm-up prior to exercise is important (for your general health, not just asthma) and some activities (such as running) might require pretreatment with medication.

Final Words

One thing to keep in mind – Asthma is never a reason to avoid exercise, sports, and any other activities. People with asthma can do whatever they wish to do.

"You must learn to control your asthma.
Don’t let your asthma control you!"

Contact your physician's office if you see any of the following:

• Your child is needing bronchodilators more often, and more regularly, than before
• Your child's prescription medicines do not seem to be helping as much as they used to.
• Your child has an asthma attack that does not seem to be improving despite the measures that have been prescribed.
• You have any other concerns or questions.

Contact your physician's office immediately, or call 911, if you see the following:

• Your child is having a severe asthma attack, and seems lethargic or unable to catch his breath.
• Your child has ingested an overdose of medication.
  

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Note to health care professionals: You are free to use these materials for your patients, provided you include the following statement:

This patient education handout provided courtesy of the
University of Kansas Department of Pediatrics.
Copyright 2003-2006 KU Pediatrics. All rights reserved