It is a chronic lung disease which can cause breathing problems. When somebody has asthma, there is a little swelling or inflammation inside the airways. Some triggers like infections, exercise, chemicals, or weather can cause narrowing of airways which can make your child difficult to breathe.
Symptoms and signs of asthma
- Cough
- Breathing difficulty
- Fast breathing
- Lethargy
Small children can have refusal to feed or irritability
In severe cases, cyanosis (lips and finger turn blue), unconsciousness, or even death
What should you do as parents?
- Know your child’s triggers, which cause worsening of asthma.
- Identify early symptoms
- Keep medicines like nebulisers and inhalers at home and know how to use them.
- Seek your doctors help early and have an emergency plan ready.
Know, the medicines
There are two main types of medicines, relievers and preventers
They can be in the form of syrups, tablets, respules, or inhalers. Doctors can prescribe different medicines, depending on your child’s age or symptoms.
We use nebulisers or spaces to give respules or inhalers respectively.
Myths of asthma
If your child Asthma is well controlled, he can lead a normal active life. None of the medicines are addictive, and if used properly have minimal or no side-effects.
