Asthma is a common disease of respiration tube. It has a chronic inflammatory symptom. Some common signs of childhood asthma are chest tightness, coughing, wheezing and short breaths. It is increasing at a rapid rate now and approx 15-20 % of children are suffering from it. Though it can not be surely said that what causes asthma yet it is assumed that there are surely some environmental /lifestyle factors and genetic changes behind it.
In the last 20 years asthma has risen significantly in the country. This is a very short time for a change in gene structures to cause a desease with such a rapid rate and this fact gives strength to the environmenttal reasons ( allergy, infection, lifestyle and diet).
REASONS OF ASTHMA IN CHILDREN – There are many factors that contribute in the developement of asthma :
- Allergies can develope asthma in children. Specially those allergies that are related to respiration system.
- If there are any members with asthma history in the family, it increases the possibilities of asthma in the child too.
- Exposure to excessive smoking, tobacco before and after birth of the child can cause asthma.
- If the child grows up in a polluted surrounding, the chances are more likely for him to catch asthma.
WHY CHILDREN ARE GETTING ASTHMA THIS MUCH ?
Some people say that since children are newly exposed to dirt, pollution and harsh environment their body does not have that much antibodies to fight external agents and they easily get caught to allergies and asthma. An other view says that as children now do not face much childhood illness due to medical facilities, their immune system is not very strong and they easily develope serious deseases like asthma.
WAY OF DIAGNOSING ASTHMA ?
Asthma can be diagnosed by a medical practitionar by clinical evaluation. The doctor can detect asthma by interviewing the parents about the symptoms along with some general examination of your child. There may be no symptoms of asthma at the time of medical examination as it is an episodic desease.
ASTHMA TREATMENT
Asthma can not be cured but can be controlled effectively by medicines. Asthma medicines are inhaled rather than taking by mouth or injection. Inhaled medicine directly goes to the lungs and starts to give a quick relief to the patient despite of the amount of the medicine being very small. There are two types of inhalers and doctor decides which one is better for a certain person. Chosing wrong inhaler causes failure of the treatment.