Asthma can affect everyone at any age but it most commonly occurs in childhood. Even more, asthma has become the most common chronic disease in children. Childhood asthma is characterized by inflamed and constricted airways, like the adult asthma. Like the latter, childhood asthma cannot be cured but can be successfully treated.
The first signs of childhood asthma usually occur in children less than 3 years of age and are similar to those in adult asthma:
– Coughing
– Wheezing
– Shortness of breath
– Chest pain
– Chest tightness
Symptoms, their severity and frequency greatly vary from child to child and only about one third of children with respiratory problems who are younger than 3 years of age are diagnosed with asthma. However, if your child has asthma-like symptoms you are highly recommended to make an appointment at your health care provider or pediatrician as soon as possible.
Treatment of childhood asthma is no different to treatment of adult asthma. It is crucial to identify the triggers and make sure your child is not exposed to the triggers or to reduce the exposure to the minimum. Medications for childhood asthma include the same long-term-control and quick-relief medications for asthma as for the adult asthma with doses for children. Asthma medications in younger children must be administered by their parents, while both the parents and children must be properly educated about proper of inhaler.
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