Childhood Asthma

Asthma is a serious health condition that can lead to an unhealthy life. It is a common problem among adults, however children are more at risk to the disease. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can help save the child’s life.

Children with asthma may sometimes experience stronger, more dangerous symptoms than adults. This is due to the fact that their airways are smaller and their lungs are not fully developed. Asthma symptoms cause the airways to narrow and make breathing more difficult. Asthma in children is also more common than asthma in adults simply because they are not used to the harmful substances that can cause the disease. There are also certain factors that cannot be avoided. If a child has a low birth weight, they are more susceptible to developing asthma. Or, if their parents have asthma or allergies, they are more likely to have asthma symptoms. The reason for this is unknown.

Being exposed to certain asthma triggers at a young age can also lead to childhood asthma. Tobacco smoke, mold and pet dander are all common causes of asthma. If a child has a sensitivity to the allergen, they will start to portray childhood asthma symptoms.

To avoid the dangers of asthma in children, you should know the signs and symptoms to look for. Frequent coughing is the most common sign of asthma in children. If it has a wheezing or croup-like sound it can be an indication that the child’s airways are inflamed. The coughing spells will normally happen during the night. It can also happen when the child is laughing hard. They may have difficulty catching their breath which will bring on the cough and asthma symptoms. Rapid breathing, or shortness of breath is also a strong indication that the child has asthma. They may complain of tightness in their chest and neck. If you notice that the child’s energy is decreased during playtime or if they are weak and tired more often, then the child could have asthma. Frequent headaches and loss of appetite is also a big symptom of asthma in children.