The constant wheezing and breathlessness your child suffers indicates that he may be suffering from Asthma – a chronic respiratory disease. Medical experts tell M&B how you can effectively deal with the disease before it gets worse...

Director, Pulmonology, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, Dr Raj Kumar Mani, explains the characteristics of the disease. “Asthma, to some degree, is hereditary. It does tend to run in the family but it is not necessarily so. The symptoms of asthma include persistent cough, wheezing and breathlessness.

Symptoms often get worse after a viral infection. Asthma attacks can be triggered by weather change, viral infection, smoke from fire or fuel, dust and atmospheric pollution. As in the case of diabetes, asthma needs to be managed. If managed well through the use of inhalers, the child can lead a normal healthy life,” he assures.

He feels parents must be properly counselled once their child has been diagnosed with asthma. “As a parent, you may tend to get hyper and start restricting every movement of the child. You have to stop controlling the child and focus on controlling the symptoms. Your child can participate in sports and go about regular, day-to-day activities, provided he is undergoing proper treatment. The child’s growth must not be hampered in any way. Also, make sure that he is not given any junk or canned food,” he advises.

M&B panel expert, paediatrician Dr Geetanjali Shah, says that another deterrent would be frequent attacks which can hamper the growth of the child. “Due to constant coughing and wheezing, the child’s food intake can get affected, leading to health problems. Like sinus and allergic reactions, asthma has a hereditary component. Apart from environmental triggers, asthma attacks can occur through contact with pigeon droppings, chalk dust, perfume, animal hair and cigarette smoke. It cannot be diagnosed in a single visit. The child will suffer from wheezing wherein the lung tube contracts. Sometimes, the attacks could also be severe in nature. Depending on the history, frequency and duration of the attack, a diagnosis is made and the course of treatment is decided,” she says.

Once proper diagnosis is made, patients are given a metered dose inhaler (MDI) which can be used with a spacer and mask. The child will have to puff twice – morning and evening. There are two types of inhalers – the reliever and the preventer. At the acute stage of asthma, children are given the reliever inhaler to ease the symptoms quickly. Preventer inhalers are given to keep the symptoms from developing.

“We also prescribe tablets and syrup,, but inhalers are the more effective form of medication as it reaches the lung tissues directly and requires less dosage. However, there is no permanent cure for asthma. The symptoms may not appear for years and then suddenly the child may suffer from an attack out of the blue. The tendency may be there but it may not manifest for a long period of time. But with long-term treatment, it may seem almost cured,” avers Dr Shah.

Patients are asked to blow into a machine to check the lung dynamics. Inhalers are then given to see response suggestive of hyperactive airways. “Children can also be monitored at home using a breath meter. They can blow to measure the capacity of breath. If it’s lesser than the normal rate, then he must be taken to the doctor. In most cases, the asthma is at the medium stage. Inhalers act locally. The mist broncho dilates the lung tubes and avoids the lungs from getting constricted. Long-term use of inhalers in the prescribed dosage prevents asthma from getting out of control and often the lungs don’t react to the dust, thereby allowing the child to breathe in a relaxed manner,” explains Dr Shah. “Very few asthma patients go through broncho spasm, which is an exacerbated condition, requiring a good emergency management. This is the only situation that can be life-threatening to the individual if not dealt with appropriately,” she assures. M&B

SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA Wheezing Persistent cough Chest tightness Breathlessness Signs of cold or allergy Tiredness or weakness

TESTS TO CONFIRM ASTHMAPulmonary Function Test (PFT)IgE (blood test done to check instances of allergic reactions)Clinical examinationSpirometry (done for children above six years)Lung Function Test (done for children above seven years)

Words Poornima Nair Iyer
Visuals Mother & Baby Picture Library