What you can do about your child asthma?

Some important facts about treatment

World Asthma Day takes place each year on the first Tuesday in May. The aim is to raise awareness of asthma and improve asthma care throughout the world.

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in children. It is a condition of inflammation of the lungs. The best treatment is inhaled steroids.When you take inhalation therapy,the steroid medicine goes directly through the lungs and has minimum side effects.When steroids are taken in tablet or syrup formulation the dose is much higher and most of it is absorbed in the rest of the body, not just lungs.Usage of oral steroids tablets regularly can have serious side effects such as weight gain,diabetes,cataracts,gastritis,and osteoporosis. Thesteroid in your inhaler contains corticosteroids and issafe. Thus inhalation therapy for asthma using MDI, Spacer and mask is a safe and effective way of treatment for asthma in children.

Q1: What is Asthma? Is it common in children?

Ans: Asthma is a characterized by bronchial hyper responsiveness and reversible airflow obstruction.it is reversible obstructive airway disease.it is a very common problem in children .The prevalence varies from 2 to 20 % in different parts of India.

Q2: What are the common symptoms of childhood asthma?

Ans: Recurrent respiratory symptoms are cough, shortness of breath, wheezing (noisy breathing), and chest tightness. These symptoms respond very well to bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory therapy.

Q3: What are the risk factors for the development of asthma in child?

Ans: Atopy in the child or the parents constitutes the most important risk factor. Various genes have been linked to development of asthma and also to its severity. Lack of breast feeding exposure to dust, mites other allergens, change in weather, emotional stress, and respiratory infections may trigger asthma.

Answered By: Dr.PrinceParakh,MD (Pediatrics)

FISPN, Consultant Paediatrics& Neonatology

Neotia Getwel Healthcare Centre

Uttarayon, behind city Centre, Siliguri

Ph- 0353 3053000/3041

E: Writetous.slg@neotiahealthcare.com

W: www.neotiagetwelsiliguri.com