Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes narrowing of the airways, resulting in breathing difficulty. When the children are exposed to certain triggers like pollen, cold, or respiratory infection, asthma can arise. Asthma attack in children is also known as pediatric asthma. The lungs of children who have asthma symptoms can quickly get inflamed when they’re exposed to any trigger. Children’s asthma is not significantly different from adult asthma, but children can suffer from more challenging conditions. Children’s asthma can’t be cured completely, but symptoms can be controlled to prevent lung damage. Sometimes, asthma attacks in children can lead to a visit or admission to the hospital.

Signs And Symptoms Of Asthma In Children

Not all children with asthma conditions have the same signs and symptoms. A single child may have different symptoms in each asthma attack. The general symptoms and signs of children asthma are following:

• Persistent coughing
• Coughing that happens during playing, cold air, laughing or crying
• Deficiency of energy while playing
• Avoiding sports and social activities
• Disturbance in the sleeping pattern due to persistent coughing or breathing problems
• Rapid and shortness of breathing
• Chest pain and tightness
• Wheezing while breathing
• Tight neck and chest muscles
• Feeling tired
• Joint and muscles pain
• Trouble eating

Severe Asthma Attack Symptoms

Following are the symptoms for severe asthma attack that require immediate medical attention:

• Stopping in the middle of sentence to catch breath
• Using stomach muscles to breathe
• Chest pull in while breathing
• Severe wheezing
• Severe persistent coughing
• Fast heartbeat
• Blue lips
• Sweating
• Chest pain
• Sinking of the belly during expiration

Causes Of Asthma Attack In Children

Following are the major causes of asthma attack in children:

i. Airways Infections

The infection occurs in the airways due to cold, pneumonia, and sinus that result an asthma attack in children.

ii. Allergens

Sometimes, children’s exposure to allergens as dust, mites, mold, pollen, and pet dander can cause an asthma attack in children.

iii. Irritants

Several irritants also lead to an asthma attack in children. These irritants include chemicals, cold air, smoke, aerosols and pollutants in the atmosphere.

iv. Exercise

Strenuous exercise can cause shortness of breath which may lead to an asthma attack in children.

v. Stress

Stress is a significant cause to trigger an asthma attack in children and adults. Stress interrupts our hormones and disturbs normal functioning of the lungs.

Risk Factors Of Asthma In Children

Asthma is one of the leading causes of children’s long-term illness. Following risk factors that make a child more likely to have asthma includes:

• Low birth weight
• Family history
• Nasal & other allergies
• Exposure to tobacco directly or indirectly
• Being raised in a poor environment

Pediatric Asthma Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pediatric asthma includes:

i. Questions About Medical History And Symptoms

During this diagnosis method, the doctor asks for a family history of asthma, eczema and lung diseases. The doctor also asks for other symptoms in the children, if any and how often these occur.

ii. Physical Exam

In this diagnosis method, the doctor listens to the children’s heartbeats, examine lungs, check his eyes, and nose to diagnose asthma symptoms and its severity.

iii. Tests

Chest X-ray, blood tests, skin test, and lung test (spirometry) help find out the triggers of asthma symptoms in children.

Treatment Of Children Asthma Attack

Based on the children’s history and severity of symptoms, the doctor will make a care plan known as an asthma action plan. This plan contains information on how much and when the medications should be used. The medicines approved for the children are given in doses according to their age, weight and immune system. There are mainly two types of asthma medications:

Quick-Relief Medication

These medicines provide children immediate relief of asthma symptoms. These medicines are also known as a short-acting bronchodilator. These medicines include albuterol and levalbuterol. These medicines are also used to prevent asthma symptoms triggered by exercise.

Long-Lasting Medications

These medicines prevent airway inflammation and keep asthma under control. These medicines are also known as maintenance medications. These medicines include:

Inhaled Corticosteroids

These are the most common anti-inflammatory maintenance medicines to treat asthma. These medicines include fluticasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, and mometasone.

Theophylline

Theophylline is used to open the airways and is taken daily. Theophylline is also known as a bronchodilator.

Leukotriene modifiers

Leukotriene modifier is used to treat mild asthma and is included in the medical plan to control the asthma symptoms. These modifiers include montelukast, zafirlukast and zileuton.

Medication delivery devices

Some asthma medicines are given by devices that deliver the medication directly into the lungs. Inhalation devices include:

• Dry powder inhaler
• Nebulizer
• Metered-dose inhaler

Avoid Children Asthma Triggers

To prevent the children asthma attack and to keep them from getting worse following steps should be taken:

• Clean the carpets often to avoid dust mites
• Use pest control to prevent cockroach
• Avoid smoking at home
• Avoid scented cleaning products
• Check the air quality of your area daily
• Help your child to maintain a healthy weight

In a children asthma attack, the children’s lungs get inflamed due to exposure to triggers such as pollen, mite, cockroach and fumes. There are certain symptoms to diagnose asthma like shortness of breathing, chest pain, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. The following causes arise the children’s pediatric asthma as airway infections, allergens, irritants, exercise, and stress. The risk factors that trigger a child’s asthma attack are family history, low weight, passive smoking, and nasal allergy. Child physical exam, questions about family history and specific tests can diagnose the children’s asthma. The treatment includes short-term medicines and long-term medicines to treat the children’s asthma attack and control asthma symptoms. Some delivery devices as inhaler and preventive measures also play a vital role in controlling the asthma attack.