Asthma in toddlers is something many parents do not expect to content with, but the truth is that many children aged 3-5 years are victims of asthma. Asthma occurs when the body has an allergic reaction to a substance which is termed as an allergen or an irritant. The most common allergens include pollen, dust mites, mold, dander and tobacco smoke. These allergens cause the body to produce excessive histamines that tend to inflame and greatly reduce the size of the airways in the lungs. The airways are constricted and clogged with excessive mucus making it hard for the patients to breath. In most cases asthma is manageable and cured if the allergen is identified and avoided. In some cases of asthma in toddlers the parents fail to get emergency treatment on time as they are unable to recognize the
symptoms of asthma. This has at times caused avoidable deaths.
Symptoms Of Asthma In Toddlers
Asthma in toddlers manifests as a cough with apparent congestion making it hard for the parents to distinguish the condition as asthma. The cough may appear to be persistent and hacking in nature. There are some cases where the toddlers seem to have a wheezing cough. In most cases the toddlers seem to dislike physical activities that are strenuous such as running and playing games with other children as they have breathing problems. This is accompanied with other asthma symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, flared nostrils, inability to feed well due to breathing distress and muscle retraction. If the sleeping toddler appears to exhibit rapid breathing it is time the parents rushed him to the nearest emergency room as this might be a warning sign that his condition is worsening.
Asthma in toddlers has to be managed as per the guidance of the healthcare professional. The children are usually treated with bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids which help reduce the inflammation and free their airways making it easier for them to breath. It is important to have worked out an asthma management plan as the toddlers may be spending time in a day care center or a play home. The parents need to give such care givers explicit, easy-to-understand written instructions based on the instructions of their physician.
Asthma in toddlers may get worse if they are exposed to tobacco smoke. So keep your home and car free of smoke and avoid going out to places where smoking is not prohibited. It may help if you keep the house free from dust, mites, molds and animal dander. In some toddlers foods can cause
allergic asthma to set in, so pay attention to the food being given. Milk, eggs, preserved and processed foods, chocolates and nuts have been identified as triggers in some patients. There are many cases where the toddler became symptom free and cured after the allergen was identified and contact was restricted.
Parents need to monitor their child's condition using devices such as the peak flow meter. This can help to warn them about an impending attack and if appropriate remedial action is taken, it will save the child from a trip to the emergency room. Never make the mistake of neglecting signs of the condition worsening as there have been some unfortunate deaths due to negligence on the parent's part. On the whole asthma in toddlers has to be managed with care under medical supervision.
