BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

ASTHMA IN CHILDREN – Early Detection and Treatment is Key!

Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can come and go, varying with the extent of airway narrowing.

ASTHMA IN CHILDREN – Early Detection and Treatment is Key!

Asthma is a common respiratory condition that affects millions worldwide. 

According to UpToDate 2024, around 6.5% of children under 18 have asthma, and it is more common in boys than girls under age 15. This condition is marked by airway narrowing in the lungs. 

Symptoms: 

Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can come and go, varying with the extent of airway narrowing. 

Triggers and Risk Factors: 

  • Upper respiratory infections: Viral infections (e.g., colds) are the most common asthma triggers in infants and young children, with rhinovirus, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and influenza being prevalent culprits. 

  • Environmental factors: Cold air, changes in atmospheric pressure, rain, or wind can worsen asthma. Air pollution, including smoke and particulates, can also trigger symptoms. 

  • Tobacco smoke exposure: Exposure during pregnancy and childhood increases asthma risk. 

  • Family history: Children with a personal or family history of asthma, allergies, or eczema have higher risks. 

  • Stress: Major life stressors can increase the risk of asthma attacks in children. 

  • Physical activity: Exercise can trigger asthma, although short bursts are often tolerated better than prolonged exercise. With proper treatment, children with asthma can still participate in sports at any level. 

Recognizing Asthma Symptoms: 

Typical asthma symptoms in children include dry coughing and wheezing, particularly noticeable at night or early in the morning. Cold air or physical activity can also trigger these symptoms. Wheezing often sounds like a whistling noise, usually heard during exhalation and sometimes only detectable with a stethoscope. 

Asthma symptoms usually develop before age 5, but diagnosing it in infants can be tricky. One-third of children under age 3 may wheeze with colds, but not all will develop asthma. Diagnosis is often clearer when recurring symptoms continue after age 3 and respond to bronchodilators or specialized tests. 

Diagnosis and Management: 

A proper asthma diagnosis involves evaluating the child's medical and family history, and sometimes, specialized tests to confirm asthma and rule out other causes. 

Lung function tests: These measure airflow after a deep breath. If airflow is blocked, the test may be repeated after the use of a bronchodilator to check for reversible obstruction (a hallmark of asthma). 

Treatment: Asthma management involves: 

  • Identifying and avoiding triggers 

  • Regular check-ups every 1-3 months to monitor symptoms and lung function 

  • Knowing when and how to use quick-relief medication 

Asthma Action Plan: 

  • Green Zone: Lungs are functioning well. No symptoms; the child can sleep well and play sports. Continue preventive medication if prescribed and avoid triggers. 

  • Yellow Zone: "Caution" – Symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness appear. Use a quick-relief inhaler or nebulizer and continue daily medication. Visit the doctor if symptoms don’t improve. 

  • Red Zone: "Emergency" – Severe symptoms persist after quick-relief medication. The child struggles to speak, shows chest retractions, or has bluish lips. Seek immediate medical care while continuing quick-relief treatment. 

Emergency Symptoms: 

  • Severe breathlessness, inability to speak 

  • Chest retractions (skin pulling in around ribs) 

  • Bluish or pale lips 

  • Fatigue and reduced activity 

With proper care and understanding, parents can effectively manage asthma, allowing their child to thrive and confidently engage in everyday activities. 

Related posts

Asthma: Signs, causes and prevention
Asthma is a common and common non-communicable disease in children. Around the world today, about 235 million people have asthma, according to WHO estimates. Many people mistakenly believe that asthma only occurs in developed countries. However, in reality, the disease occurs in every country. Of which more than 80% of deaths due to asthma occur in developing and underdeveloped countries. So, what is asthma? How to identify diseases, how to classify and prevent asthma?

Recent posts

Recognizing Roseola in Children
Most parents and kids have likely dealt with roseola at least once! To better understand this common condition, let’s dive into what roseola is and how to recognize it.

By Dr. Pham Quang Vinh

CHILD MALNUTRITION IS MORE COMPLEX THAN IT SEEMS
Malnutrition is a major cause of death in children under five and leads to serious effects like stunted growth, poor memory, and digestive disorders.

By Dr. Le Thi Kim Dung

8 TIPS FOR PARENT TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM COMMON RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES DURING SEASONAL CHANGES
During seasonal transitions, children are more prone to respiratory illnesses such as upper respiratory tract infections, laryngitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma. These conditions can be triggered not only by sudden weather changes and an underdeveloped immune system but also by preventable factors. Here are ways to support your child's respiratory health:

By Dr. Pham Thi Thuy Trang

ALARMING FIGURES ON WORKPLACE MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH IN 2024
Musculoskeletal health is always a priority in the workplace. Reports indicate that up to 47% of employees experience reduced productivity due to muscle pain and joint aches. Discover preventive measures and improvement strategies in the article below!

MASKED HYPERTENSION
Masked hypertension refers to a condition where a patient’s blood pressure (BP) appears normal (below 140/90 mmHg) when measured in a clinical setting but exceeds the threshold of 135/85 mmHg when measured outside the clinic, such as at home or with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) over 24 hours. The concern with masked hypertension is that it often goes unnoticed, yet it poses significant health risks. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as kidney failure, vision loss, heart failure, and an increased risk of stroke.

Related Products

Pediatric Respiratory Telemedicine
Wheezing, Colds, Hiccups, Respiratory tract infections are common Respiratory problems in children. Remote consultation service for pediatric respiratory diseases connects parents and CarePlus's doctor for proper care and specific advice to take good care of your children. ₫300,000

Asthma & COPD Screening Test
There have 6.7% of Vietnamese people over 35 years of age getting moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - the highest rate in the Asia-Pacific area. The disease progresses silently but takes the world's fourth-leading cause of death (following cancers, cerebrovascular disease and coronary artery disease). However, we can screen COPD actively for prevention, early detection of disease, timely treatment and increasing chances of completely cured. CarePlus International Clinic has developed Asthma and COPD Screening Package based on practical and necessary tests and thorough consultation from professionals. Especially, the modern medical equipment offers accurate diagnosis results, seamless process of examination - testing - consultation which helps saving time of customers. When being suspected or diagnosed, patients would have all supports to be treated in Singapore. ₫1,100,000 ₫880,000

{{currentDoctor.Name}}
*{{ errors.first('form-1.Register name') }}
*{{ errors.first('form-1.Phone') }}
*{{ errors.first('form-1.Email') }}
Patient info:
*{{ errors.first('form-1.Patient name') }}