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Treatment For Asthma In Children
By Andy Kahn

Asthma is a chronic lung condition with narrowed airways and inflammation. It can occur at any age, though mostly children are affected. If a child is diagnosed with asthma, it is important to treat it even if the child may feel good at most of the time. This is because even a mild asthma may result in changes to the airways that speed up and worsen the natural decrease in lung function that occurs as a person ages. An early treatment is also important in babies and small children because they may have more serious problems than adults due to their smaller bronchial tubes.

One review has noted that one-third of fatal asthma attacks occurred in children with mild asthma. Hence, even if a child’s asthma does not appear severe, a right plan has to be developed by working with the physician. Some experts suggest using the rule of two which states that young children should be treated with long-term medications for persistent asthma if they have symptoms more than 2 times a week or use more than 2 canisters of a quick-relief medication per year. Since asthma develops from a complex interaction of genetics, environmental factors, and the reaction of the immune system, no one plan will be effective for all children.

Medications like oral or injected corticosteroids may be used to get the child’s asthma under control before starting with daily medication. They can be taken to treat any sudden and severe symptoms such as shortness of breath. Inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethansone dipropionate, triamcinolone acetonide, fluticasone propionate, budesonide and flunisolide are the preferred medications for long term treatment of asthma as they reduce the inflammation of the airways in the child. They have to be taken daily to keep the asthma under control and to prevent asthma attacks.

Short acting beta 2 agonists like albuterol and pirbuterol are medications that are used to relax the airways and allow the child to breathe easily, during asthma attacks. Apart from these medications, educating the child about asthma is more important. The more a child knows about asthma, the more likely it is to control symptoms and reduce the risk of asthma attack. Instructing the child on how to use a metered-dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler correctly can help him or her control the symptoms and avoid asthma attacks that can result in emergency care. An asthma action plan that contains directions to help the family and the child control asthma attacks at home has to be made. This helps to identify triggers that can be changed or avoided, be aware of the symptoms and know how to make quick deicisions about medication and treatment.

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