Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by wheezing.

What are the causes?

When the very small breathing passages of the lungs become constricted and congested with fluid, it is very hard for air to get in and out, and thus the characteristic sounds of asthma are heard. The constriction results from inflammation that causes the tiny airways to swell and leak fluid. By and large, this inflammation results from some form of allergy. All wheezing however is not allergic. Infections, aspirations and even some forms of birth defects may result in wheezing. One such infection is bronchiolitis that occurs in infancy and early childhood and is caused by a virus.

Possible Symptoms

• Wheezing!
• Difficult breathing with visible retractions or sucking in of the rib cage.
• In some more serious instances, cyanosis or a blue color to the skin. This is a sign of a grave situation and means that not enough oxygen is getting into the blood stream from the lungs.
• Cough, especially at night.  

What is the treatment?

• All cases of wheezing, when they first occur, should be medically evaluated.
• When a wheezing attack occurs, remain calm, administer prescribed medications and pay attention to keeping your child well hydrated.
• Use medications such as inhalers as prescribed, to stop the attack.
• Use anti-inflammatory medicines on a regular basis as directed by your child’s doctor.
• Whenever possible, remove all potential allergens inducing substances such as dust, molds, house mites (hard to do!) perfumes, etc. Family pets (especially cats) may make the problem worse, if this is the case they may have to find a new home.
• Never smoke, or allow any one else to smoke in the presence of your child or in your home.  

Call the Doctor If:

• The wheezing attack does not respond to prescribed medications.
• Fever is present.
• Wheezing occurs in the very young, especially those less than a year of age.
• Wheezing is associated with a cough that produces thick yellow or green mucus.
• If wheezing occurs after a child has been eating foods such as peanuts or has been playing with small objects that could be aspirated.  

Asthma is not much fun. Fortunately, better understanding of the causes of asthma and the relationship to inflammation as the underlying physiologic process, has totally changed both treatment and prevention. Children who have asthma no longer need to be limited in their activities or frightened by the word “asthmatic.” To assure these results, it is essential to have a proper diagnosis, a well understood plan of treatment, an environment as free of allergic producing substances as possible and the availability of appropriate medications. This is one disorder of childhood where the advice and treatment of the medical team is very important.

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