Asthma in children - Treatment

Treatment should be instituted early to avoid possible complications. An allergic factor is present in 90 to 95% of children is essential whenever possible reduction of this allergen. To do this, pets should be avoided (at least in the nursery) should be well ventilated rooms and dusters. Also be controlled aggravating factors, such as passive smoking and viral infections.The goal of treatment is to control asthma.
Asthma is kept under control when:»Child has few symptoms or is asymptomatic'Presents rare exacerbation"Physical activities are not limited»Use of inhalers is minimal"Adverse drug reactions are minimal or no
Asthma Treatment consisted of preventing and treating symptoms of asthma.Preventive medications reduce the child's airway inflammation, inflammation can lead to symptoms. Drugs with open airways immediate action when they are inflamed and stop breathing.If a child who has symptoms more than 2 times per week, the doctor will prescribe a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and a fast-acting bronchodilator.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
The most effective and commonly used medications for asthma are inhaled corticosteroids with management, who have few side effects and reduce the need to administer additional medication.
Bronchodilators
Fast-acting bronchodilators interrupt symptoms of asthma. The most common beta-2 agonist is albuterol. If the patient requires the use of a bronchodilator more than 2 times per week is recommended to carry out long-term changes in medication to get better control the disease.For children under 3 years with symptoms of asthma, is indicated for a period of waiting (waiting vigilance), because long-term effects of asthma medications on infants are unknown. If an infant or small child (under 3) present frequent episodes or severe breathing difficulties, a plan will be prescribed medication to relieve symptoms.However, children under 2 months need to use a nebulizer to administer asthma medication. Nebuliser is a device that sprays liquid medication through a mask applied to the patient.Child's symptoms and trigger factors that will vary with time, so treatment should be evaluated periodically in order to effectively control the asthma.
Emergency treatment for an asthma attack
Seek emergency medical help if your child has difficulty breathing. Although episodes of asthma varies in severity, seizures usually begin with cough, which progresses to wheezing and accelerated. Increased heart rate, sweating and chest pain may also occur.
Allergy Prevention
The risk of allergies and therefore asthma can be partially reduced by a few preventive measures:"Reduction of allergens in house"Avoid early food diversification (introducing solid foods before 6 months and the eggs before 12 months)"Prevent or treat viral respiratory infections promptly, especially bronchiolitisThese precautions are especially important in themselves as parents are allergic, due to the existence of allergic land.In children and adolescents with asthma, it is important that physical activity was not reduced. Conversely, playing a sport allows the development of respiratory capacity. In the case of an asthma-related effort is enough patients to make treatment prior to exercise. It should be noted that in most cases, asthma does not prevent the patient have a normal life, provided to take some precautions.
Prevention of asthma
»Avoiding triggersBanning smoking around children - exposure to cigarette smoke during childhood is a risk factor for asthma, but also a trigger of asthma."Encourage your child's physical activity - given that asthma is under control, physical activity done regularly can lead to efficient functioning of the lungs»Preparing an action plan by the physician to control asthma and bringing it to all child caregivers (teachers, coaches, baby sitters, etc.)"Using a portable spirometer (peak flow meter) - device detects impaired lung function before symptoms in children.