Asthma: The most common chronic disease in children

2 types of asthma

There are 2 types of asthma , called bronchial asthma in medical terminology:

1. Allergisches Asthma
2. Non-allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is caused by allergies. This form of asthma is particularly common in children. In contrast, adults are more often affected by non-allergic asthma . Some patients also have both types of asthma at the same time.

Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma symptoms can affect people of all ages. Common asthma symptoms are:

• Paroxysms of shortness of breath, especially when exhaling
• nocturnal cough
• cough on exertion
• Persistent cough
• Increased mucus production
• Recurring or longer-lasting respiratory infections

Asthma comes in phases. It can also lead to very unpleasant asthma attacks . They can last a few minutes or even several hours and are associated with the following asthma symptoms :

• Sudden onset of shortness of breath
• Great restlessness or anxiety
• tightness in the chest
• gasping
• Whistling sound on exhalation
• Excruciating cough
• Yellowish mucus when coughing up
• If there is a lack of oxygen: bluish lips and fingernails

Causes of Asthma

In bronchial asthma , the mucous membranes in the airways swell . The muscles around the bronchi contract, causing spasms. The inflammation encourages the formation of mucus, which settles in the trachea. This makes it harder to breathe and causes coughing.

Common causes of allergic asthma :

• Pollen
• animal hair
• bird feathers
• House dust mites
• molds
• Food
• medication
• chemicals

In principle, the triggers for non-allergic asthma can aggravate any type of asthma:

• respiratory infections
• Physical exertion
• Cold air
• Smoking
• passive smoking
• Strong odors, e.g. B. Perfume
• strong feelings, e.g. B. Fear or sadness

diagnosis of asthma

It is important to have bronchial asthma diagnosed by a doctor. The symptoms of asthma are often similar to those of other diseases such as B. heartburn or pneumonia. A detailed medical history is therefore essential. The doctor will usually also perform a physical examination , for example by listening to the lungs.

A blood test , a lung function test or an X-ray of the lungs can also confirm the diagnosis. If allergic asthma is suspected, a skin prick test can help identify the trigger(s) of the asthma. Potential allergens are applied in small quantities to the scratched top layer of skin.

You can do this yourself if you have asthma

Avoid the individual causes of your asthma. Keeping an asthma diary is helpful in identifying possible asthma triggers. With the peak flow meter , a small, handy device, you can regularly measure the power of your breath. If you smoke, you should definitely stop so as not to further irritate your lungs .

For most asthmatics, nothing speaks against physical activity . They can even improve lung function. It’s best to choose an exercise that you can start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of, such as swimming. When exercising, you should always have your emergency medication with you .

Asthma training , where you learn how to use asthma medication correctly, makes sense. Here you can also find out what to do in the event of an acute asthma attack. You will also receive many tips on how to deal with your illness in everyday life. Ask your health insurance company where there is such an offer in your area and whether the health insurance company will pay for it.

Treatment options for asthma

Asthma symptoms are treated with medication . In addition, an attempt is made to prevent complaints from arising in the first place through preventive behavior . The patient is asked to avoid the triggers of the asthma as completely as possible.

Asthma medications can be given in tablet form or via a spray or inhaler. Two types of medication are used:

1. Airway dilating drugs
2. anti-inflammatory drugs

Airway dilating drugs widen the bronchi. This allows more air to get into the lungs. The drugs are used daily or for acute problems.

Anti-inflammatory drugs suppress inflammation. In this way, they prevent the symptoms from getting worse. To get the best effect, they should be taken daily for a long period of time. Many asthmatics can lead an almost normal life with it.

asthma in children

In Germany every tenth child suffers from asthma. About half of them become symptom-free during puberty.

Do you suspect your child has asthma? The following symptoms can indicate this:

• Your child wheezes or coughs when running and romping.
• Your child has a deep chest cough.
• Your child has a persistent cough at night.
• Your child cannot keep up with the pace of the other children.

Nowadays, bronchial asthma in children can be treated well with medication . For children under 2 years of age, a face mask is usually used instead of a spray or inhaler.

The everyday life of a child with asthma usually differs only slightly from that of a healthy child. With a little preparation, children with asthma can even take part in physical education classes .

This is how Med-Healths can help with asthma

A doctor at Med-Healths can give you guidance if you suspect bronchial asthma . In particular, it can help you to get to the bottom of the causes of your asthma . If the symptoms are clear, the doctor can also prescribe medication for asthma . Otherwise he will refer you to pneumology , i.e. to a lung specialist.

Caution: If you think you have asthma, you should definitely consult a doctor! In the event of an acute and severe asthma attack , it is advisable to call the emergency doctor .