Baby Asthma Advice - One of Three Parts

What is asthma

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. People with asthma have airways that are almost always red and sensitive (inflamed). Their airways can react badly when they have a cold or other viral infection, or when they come into contact with an asthma trigger (something that sets off their symptoms). When this happens the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten and they become narrower. The lining of the airways swell and often produce a sticky mucus. As the airways narrow, the air has to squeeze in and out, and this is what causes the person with asthma to find it difficult to breathe.

Asthma symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a tight feeling in the chest

Asthma affects more than 5.2 million people in the UK, including one in ten school children and one in 12 adults. With the correct treatment, support and advice, most people with asthma can lead full and active lives.

What causes asthma

It is difficult to say for sure what causes asthma. What we do know is that asthma is not an infectious disease, but often runs in families. If one or both parents have an allergic condition such as asthma, hay fever or eczema, their child is more likely to develop asthma.

Many aspects of modern lifestyles such as changes in housing and diet and a more hygienic environment may have contributed to the rise in asthma over the last few decades.

Environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse but has not been proven to actually cause asthma.

Mothers who smoke during pregnancy also increase the chance of a child developing asthma.

Around two thirds of children will have fewer symptoms as they reach teenage years. But asthma can return in adulthood. If your child has severe asthma it is more likely to continue or return in later life. Asthma is often a long-term condition, but it does not mean it will get worse as your child gets older.



What are the things that can set off (or trigger) my child's asthma symptoms

A trigger is anything that irritates the airways and sets off the symptoms of asthma. Common triggers include colds or 'flu, cigarette smoke, exercise and allergies to things like pollen, furry or feathery animals or house-dust mite. Everyone's asthma is different and your child will probably have several triggers.

Asthma symptoms in children

The typical symptoms of asthma in young children are; coughing, particularly at night and after exercise, a wheezing or whistling noise in the chest, getting short of breath when doing everyday things like walking upstairs.

Depending on the age of your child, it can be tricky to tell definitely if he or she has asthma. Lots of other childhood snuffles cause wheezing, so the doctor may be unwilling to diagnose asthma.

If your child is old enough, the doctor may want to measure how well his or her lungs are working with a peak flow meter. A peak flow meter is a small hand-held device with a marker that slides up and down when you blow into it. The marker stops at the point when you blow hardest. Each time your child uses the meter (usually morning and evening) the result is marked on a chart. It can help along with keeping a record of their symptoms to give the doctor a better picture of how well controlled your child's asthma is. The doctor may decide to give your child their own peak flow meter on prescription and ask you to keep a diary of readings before seeing him or her again.

Children under five or six are usually unable to use a peak flow meter accurately, so it is difficult to tell how well their lungs are working. Your doctor will discuss your child's medical history and current symptoms, and as asthma tends to run in the family, will ask if anyone else has asthma or related allergies like eczema or hay fever, before making a diagnosis.

Will my child grow out of asthma

The simple answer to this is that many children do grow out of asthma, but others don't. The reasons for this are unclear but research, much of it funded by Asthma UK, is currently going on to investigate childhood asthma, and answer questions such as this.

Throughout childhood, asthma is generally more common in boys than in girls. This trend reverses during puberty when more girls develop asthma for the first time. By the age of 18 years, asthma is more common in girls. Although we don't know exactly why this happens, it may be that hormones play a part. Hormonal changes certainly affect asthma in adolescent girls.

Some girls find their asthma is worse around the time their periods start for the first time. However, other factors such as the pressures of starting a new school and emotional stress need to be taken into account as well. Symptoms usually settle down once their menstrual cycle becomes established. However, some women continue to find that their asthma gets worse before their period.

Baby Asthma Part Two


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