Can Children Be Born With Asthma or Is It Developed

No, children are not born with asthma, but they can develop it at a young age. Asthma affects nearly 5 million children in the U.S. alone, and is the leading cause of school absences. And though asthma is a chronic disease, it can be managed in children with the help of medications or preventive measures.

The good news for asthmatic children is that most children tend to outgrow this disease as they grow older. As asthma affects a child’s ability to breathe, it is a serious condition that in some cases can even cause death. This is why it is important to have asthma treated by a doctor, and carefully follow the doctor’s instructions.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes the muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes in the lungs to contract, narrowing the air passage. The lining of the air passages becomes swollen and inflamed and causes increased mucus production that blocks air to the lungs.

Asthma can occur at any age, but is most often developed in childhood. It is one of the most common diseases in the world. Asthma is a very serious condition especially in children and is the number one of emergency rooms visits.

In the U.S. and in Canada, 5 children die from asthma every week. There is currently no cure for asthma. But most adults and children managed this disease with the aid of mediation and by avoiding asthma triggers.

Causes

Asthma attacks are often caused by asthma triggers. Common triggers of asthma include include; cold air, viruses, smoke, exercise, dust mites, and pet dander or fur. Experts also believe that asthma is hereditary and that genes do play a factor in a person develop asthma. In rare cases, some food allergies can also cause as asthma attack.

Asthma Triggers

Pet Danger

Animals shed dander (small particles of skin). This dander contains proteins secreted from their saliva and oil glands. This can cause serious problems for asthmatic children who are sensitive to animal dander.

Any fur-bearing pet has the potential to aggravate asthma symptoms and potentially trigger an attack. This is even more of a concern in winter months when the house is sealed up and the pet is indoors most of the time.

A significant number of asthma attacks in children are triggered by "colds" - upper respiratory tract infections caused by viruses. Younger children are most susceptible to cold-related asthma attacks.

Children who have asthma triggered by colds may develop wheezing or trouble breathing, usually 2-3 days after they start having a runny nose. These children often develop worse coughs than other children and the cough may last weeks after the cold has gone.

Dust often triggers asthma attacks in children. Reducing the amount of dust in the home can help decrease asthma symptoms. Dust is found in upholstered furniture, carpets, drapes, plush toys, pillows and mattresses.

Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in your house. They are about 1/100th of an inch in length. Dust mites aggravate asthma symptoms. They love warm, humid areas filled with dust.

Reducing the number of dust mites in a home can be accomplished by covering mattresses with an airtight plastic or polyurethane cover, washing bedding in very hot water every 2 weeks, removal of carpets and rugs (especially from cement floors), reducing humidity to less than 50%, and frequent cleaning of upholstered furniture.

Asthma symptoms can be triggered by allergies. These allergies may include foods such as peanut butter, eggs, orange juice, milk, chocolate, or fish.

Attacks may also be triggered by allergies to animals including cats, dogs, hamsters, birds or rabbits. Household items such as comforters and pillows may contain feathers. Pollens from flowers, trees, grasses, hay, ragweed, and mold spores may also cause allergies, which could in turn, lead to asthma attacks.

Exercise benefits everyone, even children with Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA). Overexertion may cause wheezing in children with asthma. Exercise programs help children with asthma increase their activity tolerance, without aggravating their symptoms. Exercise improves the efficiency of the heart and lungs, strengthens muscles, and improves posture.

It is important to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program and to continue to take medication as prescribed.

The vapors from household solutions and sprays may aggravate asthma symptoms. Vapors come from household cleansers such as paint, paint thinner, and liquid chlorine bleach. Sprays including furniture polish, cleaners, room deodorizers, perfumes, deodorant, or talcum powder can trigger asthma.

Smoke is a significant asthma trigger. Second-hand smoke from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars is detrimental to children with asthma. The effects of one cigarette can remain in a home up to 7 days. It is very important that children with asthma live in a SMOKE-FREE HOME.

Asthma attacks can be triggered by strong emotions such as laughing too hard, crying, coughing, fear, anger, and frustration.

Changing seasons can lead to extremes in weather conditions including very cold temperatures or excessive humidity. Both of these conditions can trigger an asthma attack.

Fatigue and lying down can cause mucus to accumulate, potentially increasing asthma symptoms.

How Can I Tell If A Child Has Asthma?

By watching and listening for clues or symptoms you can tell if your child might have asthma.
Another word for clues is symptoms.

Asthma Symptoms Includes;

• Coughing
• Wheezing (a whistling sound heard when your child breathes in or out)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains or tightness
  Young children might point to their chests and say “I hurt” or “I feel funny here.” Babies cannot
  say anything at all. That’s why it is important to take your baby to the doctor for well-baby visits.
  Your doctor can tell if your baby has asthma.
  If you think your child might have asthma, take him to the doctor.

Is Asthma Easily Diagnosed?

It is quite often difficult to diagnose asthma in children because the symptoms are often mistaken for a respiratory infection, such as bronchitis. A condition that began as asthma can turn into an infection because mucus became trapped in the lungs.

Parent's input can be vital for diagnosing asthma. If you notice your child is having breathing difficulties, observe him or her carefully. Note when your child's symptoms occur; during activities, near pets, etc. and report this to your doctor.

What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma?

Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are classic symptoms of asthma, however quite often children do not display these symptoms. Rapid respirations, noisy breathing, and chest congestion are all symptoms of childhood asthma.

Can Children with Asthma Take Part in Sports

Children who adhere to doctor-directed asthma management routines, including proper medication administration, can be as active as they like. Regular physical activity may improve respiratory function and decrease symptoms.

Will My Child Always Have Asthma?

Approximately one quarter of asthmatic children have their symptoms disappear as they grow older. For some children their symptoms will worsen. Children need to be taught to accept their condition and understand that if they participate in their own care and cooperate with their physicians, they can live healthy, productive lives, just like anyone else.