Frequently asked questions—About asthma
Asthma is an ongoing condition that interferes with your child’s breathing. Children with asthma almost always have some degree of inflammation in their lungs even if there are no symptoms. As a result, their lungs are especially sensitive and easily irritated. When irritated by a trigger, their airways swell up and become filled with mucus. This blocks the flow of oxygen to their lungs and makes it hard for them to breathe. At the same time, the muscles around their airways constrict and grow tighter. When this happens, their breathing passages narrow; this also makes it hard to breathe and creates a variety of asthma symptoms. It is therefore, important to take a preventive (also known as controller) medicine regularly to keep this inflammation down in the first place.
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In some cases, yes. Children with a family history of asthma have a greater chance of getting it. But your child can develop asthma even if there is no one else in the family who has asthma.
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The causes of asthma are not known and there’s no accurate way to predict who will get asthma. Children with a family history seem to be more prone to getting asthma, particularly those who are allergic to something in their home environment (such as pets, dust mites, molds). Other environmental factors such as air pollution, indoor pests, dust, tobacco smoke, or toxic chemicals may provoke asthma as well. The underlying problem of asthma is swelling (inflammation) of the airways. A swollen airway is more susceptible to environmental triggers and viral respiratory infections.
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There is no known cure for asthma; however, there are ways you can help prevent your child’s asthma symptoms. First, it’s important to be aware of their symptoms and triggers and to take steps to avoid triggers when at all possible. There are also controller medicines, like PULMICORT RESPULES, that help to prevent inflammation in your child’s lungs from getting worse when they come in contact with a trigger.
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Controller (sometimes called “preventive” or “maintenance”) medicines, when used as prescribed, prevent asthma symptoms and attacks on an ongoing basis. Some medicines, such as PULMICORT RESPULES, work by preventing the underlying inflammation from getting worse and causing asthma symptoms or attacks. It’s important to remember, though, that because they aren’t rescue medicines, controller medicines should not be used to treat sudden symptoms.
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Children’s asthma symptoms are like children themselves: sometimes loud, sometimes quiet. Your child’s “loud” symptoms are the more obvious ones you see and hear during an attack—wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
“Quiet” symptoms are just as important to watch for. They include irritability, anxiety, unusual paleness or sweating, restlessness during sleep, and tiredness.
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Your child’s lungs are especially sensitive and are easily irritated by things in the air. Some common triggers, which include both irritants and allergens, are:
- Tree/grass/weed pollens
- Molds
- Dust and dust mites
- Foods or food additives
- Animals
- Indoor pests such as cockroaches
- Strong odors/perfumes
- Cooking fumes
- Aerosol sprays
- Cigarette smoke
- Wood/fireplace smoke
- Weather changes/cold air
- Colds or viral infections
- Prolonged crying or laughing
- Reflux disease/heartburn
- Medications
There are also times of year when your child may be more susceptible to viral triggers like cold and flu germs. During those times of the year, it may take a little more effort on your part to help keep your child’s asthma under control.
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It’s a known fact that dog dander can trigger asthma symptoms and if your child has allergies, she may be more prone to this type of trigger. You may want to consider holding off for now just to be on the safe side. However, if you do choose to get a dog, there are things you can do to reduce the impact of pet dander. You might want to consider purchasing a short-haired dog, as they tend to shed less. Be sure to keep the dog off furniture, out of your car, and out of your child’s bedroom. Remove carpeting to minimize trapping dog hair and dander. Wash the dog frequently and make sure to vacuum and dust the areas of the house where the dog is permitted on a daily basis. Consider purchasing room HEPA filters for the rooms where the dog is most of the time.
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It’s a known fact that cat allergens can trigger asthma symptoms and if your child has allergies, she may be more prone to this type of trigger. The source of cat allergens is their saliva and urine. When they clean or lick themselves, their saliva dries on their hair and ultimately transfers to the air. If you do choose to get a cat, make sure to keep it out of your child’s room. Also remember to keep litter boxes out of bedrooms and bathrooms that your child uses.
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If your child has asthma or asthma-related breathing problems, you may be familiar with rescue (sometimes called “quick relief”) medicines, like albuterol or oral steroids, which are used to provide fast relief from sudden asthma symptoms that accompany attacks. But, rescue medicines are not meant to be used every day.
Controller (sometimes called “preventive” or “maintenance”) medicines, when used as prescribed, help prevent asthma symptoms and attacks on an ongoing basis. Some work to keep the underlying inflammation caused by asthma from getting worse. It’s important to remember, though, that because controller medicines aren’t rescue medicines, they should not be used to treat sudden symptoms.
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