Pediatric Asthma - Information and Tips

As children, we ve all been to the doctor for some kind of illness or the other multiple times. But there is one disease that affects almost 5 million children in the United States and that can cause the life of a child to change dramatically because of the effects it tends to have on the child s lifestyle. That disease is asthma. As mentioned before, millions of children are affected by asthma, and the causes of pediatric asthma have been found to be mainly irritants or allergens in the environment.

Symptom of pediatric asthma can vary from individual to individual, but there are some common signs that indicate the possibility of pediatric asthma. Those signs include tightness of the chest, wheezing or coughs, with other symptoms present in adults not being present in children. Diagnosing pediatric asthma in children less than 5 years of age is done mostly on the basis of the parents’ observations, and so there will be a lot of things that a parent will have to look into when taking the child to the doctor.

Pediatric asthma can lead to children not being able to experience everyday life as other kids do. For example a child suffering from pediatric asthma will feel out of breath every time he or she is on the playground and so will not take part in many games. They will also probably become tired easily, and may do things to prevent a coughing fit or wheezing. If you notice your kid engaging in such behavior, he/she is probably having some respiratory issue. So it’d be best to take the kid to a pediatrician.

Triggers for pediatric asthma can come in many forms, due to allergies or due to other triggers such dust mites, pollen, cockroach and mold. It is up to the parents to know what the child is allergic to and make sure he or she is not allowed contact with anything that may trigger an asthma attack. Pediatric asthma is something that could either get better or remain the same in children. Some children are seen to outgrow the asthma while there are others who do not get attacks for years until it flares up suddenly when they are older. It is hard to say if pediatric asthma is something that can be fully cured, but precautions will definitely help the healing process. The best way to help a child with pediatric asthma is to help him or her understand what the disease is about, get them the proper medication, and allow them the joy of being able to live a normal life.



source

Asthma inhaler may not work for many children, study shows

Those with gene variant and using inhaler daily 30% more likely to have asthma attack than those who do not.

The most commonly-prescribed asthma inhaler may not work for a significant proportion of children who use it to relieve their symptoms every day, a new study shows.

Researchers from the Universities of Brighton and Dundee have found that children with a particular gene change do not get the benefit they should from Salbutamol – the "blue" inhaler most often prescribed by GPs – which goes under the brand name Ventolin.

One million children have asthma. The researchers say that 100,000 of them may have the particular form of gene that prevents the inhaler working when used daily.

The authors of the study say that no child should stop using the inhaler, which works for many. But they say more research needs to be done to find out whether there are alternative treatments that will work better for those with the gene change – in which case genetic testing might become routine.

The research, led by Prof Somnath Mukhopadhyay at Brighton and Prof Colin Palmer at Dundee, involved nearly 1,200 children and is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. It found that a specific change, called the Arg16 variant, in the gene that makes the body molecule that binds Salbutamol, may cause the medicine to be less effective as a reliever when used at least once a day. Salbutamol is used to relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack. Children are often on long-term medication as well.

Those who had the gene variant and used an inhaler daily were 30% more likely to have an asthma attack than those who did not. Those with a double copy of Arg16 were twice as likely not to respond to the drug.

Researchers said it was possible that the presence of this gene change in young people with asthma and who were taking Salbutamol frequently could be worsening their health and driving up healthcare costs.

Mukhopadhyay said: "Salbutamol via the blue inhaler is effective 'reliever' treatment in most children but it is common experience among doctors that a proportion of children do not seem to respond to this medicine as well as others.

"Some of these children could progress to develop asthma attacks with wheeze and cough that leads to days off school, visits to GPs, courses of oral steroids and, often, hospital admissions, despite the use of concurrent controller medication.

"Our study shows that common gene changes may predict the children with asthma who will have a worsening of symptoms with this commonly used medicine. We need to find out if alternative reliever medication will provide better asthma control in these children."

But he stressed that children should continue using the inhaler as their doctor has directed until more research has come up with alternatives. "Our work does not alter current consensus guidelines for the treatment of asthma," he said.

Palmer said the research was "just scratching the surface" of the move towards using genetic information to give people personalised medicine – the drugs that will work best for them. It is known that not all drugs work on all people.

"This study gives us a better understanding as to who is at risk of poor asthma control using these drugs," said Palmer. "However, this information is not useful if we do not have a better treatment for these children.

"We now need to determine if other medications might be more effective in the children with the Arg16 variant."


P.S. protect yourself naturally against asthma by eating lots of Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



source

Clinical trials: Giving back to the community

It's hard for families to volunteer for clinical research trials in asthma. It means added time and attention tracking the smallest changes of a frustrating and life-threatening disease.

By participating in these important trials, however, parents and children not only help themselves, they also further our knowledge of new treatments for the entire asthma community.

There are many benefits to participating in clinical trials, including personalized attention from a team of specialists.

But there is also added benefit in the knowledge of doing something good for fellow patients with asthma, since asthmatics, particularly children, need help.

Pediatric Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disorder, affecting nearly 6.7 million children in the United States. That's roughly one out of every 10 children.

Pediatric Asthma - either inadequately controlled or undiagnosed - is a leading cause of missed school and missed participation in healthy activities like sports.

We are near the top in per capita emergency room visits for children's asthma in the state.

Too often, children in our community need intensive care to treat asthma attacks that could have been avoided. Without a dedicated pediatrician, children with asthma may go undiagnosed, leaving them at risk for severe asthma attacks and families unaware and unable to control the disease.

Just as patient families volunteer themselves for clinical trials to help, we can also donate our time and experience to make an impact on the Jacksonville community.

We as providers and citizens can also promote the importance of primary care for all children and the importance of detecting asthma symptoms.

At Nemours, we have one of the leading pediatric asthma research teams in the country.

Our group finds it imperative to act locally by supporting events like the American Lung Association's recent Night Air Affair, the recent GreenWalk at the University of North Florida and their Climb Jacksonville event in February.

New Nemours clinical studies are available to pediatric asthma sufferers, as well as educational programs.

It will take all of us - patients, families, providers and everyday citizens - to combat this growing problem and make Jacksonville an easier place to breathe.

So go ahead, do something good for others.

Join us.


P.S. Boost your over-all health by eating lots of Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.




source

Inhaled Steroids Still Most Effective Treatment for Asthma

Children who have been prescribed steroidal inhalers to control asthma symptoms should continue to use them, despite questions raised by a medical study concerning their long-term benefits.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006, found strong evidence that steroidal inhalers effectively control symptoms in toddlers at high risk for chronic asthma. However, the study found, the treatment did not ultimately prevent children from developing the disease.

"Most experts agree inhaled steroids are the most effective treatment for chronic asthma," said Dr. Jamshed F. Kanga, a pediatric pulmonologist at Kentucky Children's Hospital and professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric pulmonology in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. "The question we don't yet know the answer to is whether treatment for a long period of time will result in the disease being cured."

Kanga says that although the study raised some interesting questions for further study, it has not changed treatment guidelines.

"Asthma is a serious disease and children with chronic asthma should be on controller therapy," Kanga said.

Diagnosing asthma

Kanga says diagnosing asthma in young children can be difficult because symptoms are often very similar to those of viral infection. However, if the symptoms become more chronic and persistent, then a diagnosis of asthma should be considered.

Treatment options

Once a diagnosis of asthma is made, Kanga says, the symptoms need to be controlled and treated to prevent damage to the airway. Asthma medication falls into two groups: rescue or reliever medication and controller medication.

Rescue medication is a temporary treatment and does not address inflammation in the airways. These medications are taken at the first sign of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing. Rescue medications work quickly to relax muscles surrounding the airways, making it easier to breathe almost immediately. If needed, rescue medications are sometimes taken before exercise to help prevent asthma symptoms. The most common rescue medication is albuterol, which is sold under many brand names.

The second type of medication, controller medication, addresses inflammation in the airways. These medications are used every day in an effort to keep asthma under control. When taken daily, controller medications reduce inflammation in the lungs, helping to reduce and even prevent symptoms of asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids, the same drug tested in the journal study, are a common controller medication. Leukotriene modifiers, mast cell stabilizers and long-acting bronchodilators are also examples of controller medications.

Inhaled corticosteroids: risks, benefits, alternatives

"The best medications we have to treat chronic asthma are inhaled steroids," said Kanga. "Although there is a lot of concern that in children long-term steroid use leads to a decrease in growth, most experts agree the benefits outweigh any potential short-term growth decrease. Most three- to five-year studies show only a slight growth difference. That difference often disappears as the child ages."

Minimizing side effects

Nonsteroidal controller medications such as Singulair (montelukast) are the latest drug treatment option to become available. There is not yet enough data to determine if they are better than corticosteroids, Kanga says, but they do provide an alternative for children with mild asthma. If growth is a concern, it is also possible to give a lower-dose steroid.

"In our clinic, all patient heights are monitored closely," Kanga said. "If a child is in good control, we always try to cut back the dose of their inhaled steroid. We attempt to optimize treatment by monitoring the inflammation of the airways with a regular lung function test, every three to six months."

Spirometry is a simple lung function test that can be performed on children 5 and older. A nitric oxide monitor is another way to measure inflammation in the airway to help ensure the patient is receiving the correct dose of steroids and thus the optimal treatment.

Future of asthma treatment

Doctors once thought children would 'outgrow' their asthma; however, long-term follow-up has shown that many childhood asthma patients continue to have asthma as adults. Longer studies are needed, Kanga says, to address the important question of whether treatment helps with long-term obstruction.

"It is important to remember asthma is still underdiagnosed and often inappropriately treated," Kanga said. "To optimize your treatment, talk with your doctor about appropriate medications. We want every child to be able to live a normal life and participate in sports. We have very good medications today and most children with asthma can lead a very normal life."



source

What You Should Know About Asthma Pediatric Cases

What You Should Know About Asthma Pediatric Cases

Asthma in children is one of the most trying experiences that parents may have while their children are still very small. Asthma pediatric cases are very common nowadays because of the many triggers in the environment, as well as in the food that our children eat everyday. More often than not, children who are living in the city are often the hardest affected by asthma pediatrics due to the smoke emitted from vehicles and other pollutants in the air.

Common Symptoms in Asthma Pediatric Cases

If you are a parent with very young children who have asthma, taking note of the common symptoms of asthma pediatric cases is very important. Unlike adolescence and adults, very young children often cannot express what they feel very well. In most cases, they will just appear to be irritable and cry a lot, and it is really hard to tell what is wrong with them. Since your child could not aptly express what he or she is feeling at the moment, you will need to be very perceptive.

To determine the first signs and symptoms of asthma pediatric attack in you child, you should note the common signs and symptoms of the disease. Note that most asthma pediatric cases have different signs and symptoms. To determine what are the early signs and symptoms of pediatric asthma in your child, you will need to take notes of what happened during the last time your child had an attack.

Is There Such a Thing as a Pattern for Asthma Pediatric Episodes?

Technically, each child may have some unique experiences with asthma pediatric episodes. However, if you are a very keen observer, in most cases, asthma pediatric attacks on very young children follow a pattern. For instance, every time your child is exposed to smoke, he or she will start sneezing followed by coughing. After a few hours of coughing, he or she will start wheezing and getting out of breath. If you have noticed this pattern in your child, chances are this will happen every time he or she is exposed to smoke.

Preventing Asthma Pediatric Episodes

Recognizing the triggers of your child’s asthma is very important. Knowing what triggers asthma in your child would help you prevent such attack. For instance, if you observe that your child would react strongly towards smoke, then, make sure that he or she is not exposed to smoke to prevent an attack. Knowing what to prevent can mean everything in the case of asthma.


source

The Link Between Allergies and Asthma

Allergies and asthma frequently often go together. Pediatric asthma is actually very common in the US especially in children. Your child's body's reaction to an allergen can often lead to an asthma attack, or it might cause an existing condition to become worse. This is a serious issue for those who suffer from both allergies and asthma, because it involves twice the discomfort and a greater risk of health problems.

Allergens cause your body to produce antibodies to get rid of the irritant, causing you to experience a reaction that usually involves sneezing and watering of the eyes. The airways and nasal linings become inflamed as a result of your body's response, which frequently leads to an asthma attack in those who suffer from the condition. Those who have respiratory allergies along with asthma typically experience more severe attacks.

Can treating your child's allergies prevent pediatric asthma? It can certainly lower your chances of experiencing an asthma attack. Receiving injections to treat your allergies is beneficial because it restricts your antibodies from reacting to the allergens. And so the chances of an asthma attack are reduced.

For those children who suffer from pediatric asthma attacks, it's essential that parents should do their best to avoid the irritants that lead to inflamed airways. The most typical culprits are dust mites, pet dander, pollen and certain foods. Those who have family members with allergic asthma are more likely to acquire the disease. These people are advised to be very careful with possible allergens. Most allergy induced asthma is triggered by more than one factor.

You don't always have to use medication if you are successful at avoiding the situations that lead to an attack. However, if you do use medication, it's important that you treat the symptoms of both conditions. Nasal sprays can reduce inflammation caused by allergies. Inhalers can reduce inflammation caused by asthma. Be aware, though, that self-medication can have serious consequences. First of all, you should visit your doctor to discuss the most appropriate course of treatment. You can use medication to cure either of these conditions, but caution is advised because they can aggravate certain health problems.

People are advised to take control of their problem by making sure they know which factors trigger their attacks. Discuss all this information with your physician so he or she can formulate the best possible asthma treatment for your situation. The doctor will try to gauge the factors that you have encountered before and the reactions of your body towards past treatments.

P.S. Boost your immunity against pediatric asthma by taking Vitamin D rich foods.

source

How Exercise Can Trigger Asthma

Although it comes as a surprise to many people, exercise is one of the most common triggers of pediatric asthma attacks. As many as 9 out of 10 people with asthma experience exercise-induced asthma, an exacerbation of their symptoms during or after a workout.

Exercise is still one of the best things you can do for your body, but if you have exercise-induced asthma, it can be tricky to work out without triggering asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing. But it’s not impossible. Indeed, many star athletes suffer from exercise-induced asthma, and the symptoms can be minimized by taking medication and precautions, such as avoiding exercise in cold weather.

With the right treatment, children with exercise-induced asthma can still be active and participate in sports.

To learn more about exercise-induced asthma and how to prevent it, check out the following information from our A–Z Health Library.

An asthma attack is a short period when breathing becomes difficult, sometimes along with chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing. When this happens during or after exercise, it is known as exercise-induced asthma or exercise-induced bronchospasm. About 70% to 90% of people with persistent asthma and about 10% of the population without asthma have exercise-induced asthma.
Exercise-induced asthma develops most often in athletes, especially those who train or perform in cold air. Swimming appears to cause the fewest problems for children with asthma; it may even help reduce the severity of exercise-induced asthma.

For most people:

* Shortness of breath may occur early in an exercise period. Some people get worse 5 to 10 minutes after exercise stops.
* Difficulty breathing usually goes away within 20 to 30 minutes after stopping exercise.

Exercise-induced asthma is often not diagnosed, especially in children. Most experts agree that a medical history and a physical exam are not accurate tools for diagnosing exercise-induced asthma. If you notice the symptoms of asthma (such as wheezing or shortness of breath) after your child exercises, it is important that you bring this to the attention of your health professional. However, children with asthma should still be encouraged to exercise and should not be excused from exercise unless really necessary.

For people with pediatric asthma symptoms during exercise, using asthma-controlling medicine before exercise may help reduce symptoms, especially in cold, dry weather. For these people, some asthma experts recommend the following:

* Take your medicine daily, if needed, to decrease airway inflammation Click here to see an illustration. and decrease the overreaction (hyperresponsiveness) of the airways that carry air to the lungs (bronchial tubes).
* Use an inhaled bronchodilator (beta2-agonists), cromolyn, nedocromil, or leukotriene pathway modifier before exercising.
* Warm up before exercising.

Other steps you can take to decrease asthma symptoms when you are exercising include the following:

* Avoid exposure to air pollutants and allergens whenever possible. Exercise indoors when air pollution levels are high.
* Wear a mask or scarf wrapped around your nose and mouth if you are exercising in cold weather. This may help warm and moisten the air you breathe in.
* Exercise slowly for the first 10 to 15 minutes.

If your child has exercise-induced asthma, be sure his or her teachers and coaches know when your child’s daily medicines should be given and what to do if your child has an asthma attack, especially before and during physical exercise. Your child’s daily treatment and asthma action plans provide this information. School officials need to know the early warning signs of an asthma episode, how your child’s medicines are used, and how to give the medicines. School personnel also should know how to contact your child’s health professional.



source