Childhood allergies and asthma
It is estimated that, out of the 17 million Americans who suffer from asthma, 5 million of them are children. Childhood asthma is so common that it results in nearly 3 million visits to a physician and 200,000 hospitalizations each year. Asthma often begins in early childhood. Up to 80% of children with asthma show symptoms of the condition before the age of five. The first signs of asthma in infants and children are often a cough, a fast or noisy breathing pattern, and chest congestion. These asthma symptoms can be so subtle that the children might not even be aware of them. For example, a child might grow so accustomed to chest tightness that it seems normal. This is why it is crucial for parents to take note of these subtle changes. A parent’s observations could be the basis for a physician to diagnose the condition sooner.
Some children will outgrow the disease, but others will not. It is just as unclear why asthma starts as why it goes away. Severe childhood asthma often goes away, but mild asthma often does not. If asthma occasionally occurs in childhood, especially as a result of viral respiratory infections, there is a greater chance that the symptoms will ease with age. In fact, about half of all children who have chronic asthma will have fewer symptoms or none at all by adolescence. Since older children tend to get fewer viral respiratory infections, this alone might account for fewer asthma attacks.
It is also possible that the asthma symptoms will remain, but that the triggers will change. An older child who once suffered from asthma due to viral infections could begin to experience attacks triggered by allergens or environmental factors.
Childhood asthma can lead to many absences from school. The symptoms of asthma can make participation in a variety of activities difficult for children. As a result, a child can feel left out. In addition, the symptoms of asthma — especially difficulty breathing — can leave a child feeling scared. Although having asthma at a young age can lead to restricting activities initially, every effort should be made to help asthmatics live normal lives. With proper treatment and management, many young asthmatics can excel in sports. In fact, a great number of accomplished athletes around the world have been asthmatic. Some have even competed in the Olympics and for professional sports teams.
As for allergies, some of the most serious allergy symptoms that a child can experience are triggered by foods. Food allergies were reported in Europe as early as the beginning of the 1900s. Physicians around the world have been treating food allergies since the 1940s. Children account for the majority of those affected by food allergies. In the United States, 6-8% of children and 2% of adults have food allergies, and about 100 people die each year from food-related anaphylaxis. According to a recent study, teens who have a food allergy as well as asthma are more likely to experience anaphylaxis for several reasons: They often dine away from home; they do not always carry medications with them; they might not recognize symptoms; and even if they do, they might ignore the symptoms.
For both asthma and allergies, mild and severe forms of the conditions occur in children and should be treated at the first signs of symptoms. Early, consistent treatment is important for several reasons. First, it could prevent the condition from getting worse. In fact, there is some evidence that allergen immunotherapy can actually help a child outgrow allergies. Second, if symptoms are left untreated, learning and development can be affected. Third, it is always important to give a child whatever he or she needs to experience life in the fullest, healthiest way possible. If a child is always coughing or struggling to get a full breath, he or she is less likely to attend school, socialize, or play. Even a child with severe symptoms should feel as normal as possible.
To help a child manage asthma and allergies, it is important for parents, physicians, and school administrators to work together and keep certain goals in mind:
• Reduce or avoid triggers. This means establish a smoke-free, clean environment in which animal dander and dust mite and cockroach droppings are minimized. Also, reduce the overall amounts of dust, mold, and mildew in the home.
• Foster an overall healthy lifestyle. Make sure that the child has a good diet, proper rest, and exercise. Also, make sure that all medications are available and are used correctly. An asthma care plan should be clearly communicated by the child’s health provider and given to the parent for posting at home.
• Help the child achieve emotional health. Inspire confidence in the child. Give the child opportunities to achieve and succeed. Encourage the child to see herself or himself as a healthy person, not a sickly person.
• Prevent symptoms from threatening normal living. If the child is constantly struggling to breathe, it will make concentration on schoolwork, friends, and exercise more difficult. With proper management of symptoms, exercise should be encouraged not just for the child’s overall well-being, but also to strengthen his or her upper respiratory system.
• Foster communication to create a supportive environment. Make sure that the principal, teachers, coaches, and school nurse are all aware of the child’s condition and the specifics of treatment. Make sure that the child is allowed to take medications on schedule and follow other directions of his or her asthma care plan. Every effort should be made to treat the child normally. However, all school personnel should be prepared to assist the child in case of an allergic reaction or an asthma attack.
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