Asthma in children needs early detection and treatment

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Asthma in children is a very common condition today, it is worrisome that the disease tends to increase. If asthma in children is not detected and treated early, the disease can cause complications that seriously affect the health of children.

1. Asthma in children

Asthma, also known as bronchial asthma, is a very common chronic respiratory disease in children, characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways. When exposed to irritating factors, the patient's bronchi will be constricted, edematous, filled with mucus, causing obstruction, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing.
Triggers for asthma attacks in children are often due to exposure to allergens such as pollen, pet dander, cigarette smoke, chemicals; caused by an infection in the air, a change in the weather, etc.
Symptoms suggest that the child has asthma:
The child has repeated coughs, especially coughing a lot at night. Cough is a response of the body to help push out secretions or allergens such as smoke, dust, pollen, ... out. Coughing is a symptom of many different respiratory diseases, but if the cough persists, coughing especially at night, it could be a sign of asthma. Wheezing: Due to swelling of the bronchi, the air through the bronchi is obstructed, creating a wheezing sound. This is considered a typical sign of asthma. Shortness of breath, very fast and fast breathing: Children have difficulty breathing due to narrowing of the airways, the phenomenon of rapid breathing, rapid breathing will be worse when the child is active such as jogging, climbing stairs,... Pale face, Sweating: When the body is not supplied with enough oxygen, the child will have signs of pale face, fatigue, sweating.

2. Is asthma dangerous?

Children are twice as likely to have asthma than adults (the prevalence of asthma in children is 10% compared with adults is 5%). Children 12-13 years old in our country have the highest asthma rate in Asia and the trend is increasing. If not detected and treated in time, asthma in children can cause dangerous complications such as:
Atelectasis: This is a common complication, appearing in more than one third of children hospitalized due to asthma. asthma. When asthma is under control, atelectasis improves. Multilobular alveolar dilatation: In patients with asthma, the elasticity of the alveoli will gradually decrease over time leading to a decrease in exhaled air volume and an increase in residual gas. Pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum: Bronchial asthma causes the alveoli to expand, in the dilated alveolar areas, there are few blood vessels to nourish, the pressure in the alveoli increases, When having to work hard or cough strong, alveoli easily burst, causing pleural effusion, pneumomediastinum. Respiratory arrest with brain damage: prolonged respiratory failure causes cerebral hypoxia. Respiratory failure: common in patients with severe acute asthma or malignant asthma. The patient has continuous shortness of breath, cyanosis, sometimes stops breathing and must be supported by a ventilator. This is a dangerous condition that can be fatal.

3. Is Asthma Curable?

Asthma in children is difficult to completely cure, but if the disease is detected early and followed the doctor's treatment, the disease can be controlled.
Parents need to recognize the signs that the child is about to have an asthma attack such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, waking up at night. Give your child a quick-relief inhaler or inhaler recommended by your doctor, then let your child rest for at least 1 hour.
In case the reliever medication doesn't work, the shortness of breath continues, the child has difficulty speaking, the child has to sit and breathe, the nostrils rise and fall, double contractions around the ribs and neck when breathing, lips and fingertips are pale. This is a critical condition, must quickly bring the child to the nearest medical facility for emergency.
Use long-term asthma medicine for children when: the child's asthma is not well controlled, the child has frequent asthma attacks > 1 time a week, the child wakes up with asthma attacks more than 2 times a month, the child has to taking asthma relievers every day, the child has been hospitalized for severe asthma attacks. The current asthma prevention drugs are usually inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs, which need to be taken according to the doctor's instructions and for a long enough time to improve asthma.
In addition, it is necessary to limit triggers that can trigger an asthma attack such as: Do not leave pets in the house, avoid using sprays such as mosquito spray, perfume, room spray, do not smoke near places. young. Children's sleeping areas need to be kept neat and clean. Do not let children eat foods that cause allergies such as seafood, peanuts, fried foods,...
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has an asthma screening package for patients with asthma. manage. Vinmec's asthma screening package helps:
Screening for early detection to promptly control and treat the disease Perform clinical examination, take medical history, measure respiratory function, otolaryngology and clinical examination bronchial filter. This asthma screening package can be used by any patient, especially those at high risk for asthma including:
Having recurrent episodes of wheezing or wheezing Coughing infrequently, especially increased nighttime or early morning awakening Cough or wheezing after physical activity Difficulty breathing that persists during a certain season of the year Cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath following exposure to respiratory allergens (house dust, mold...) or irritants (paints, oils, perfumes...) Ever had a cold that led to pneumonia or lasted for more than 10 days Have had a diagnosis of asthma, but it's not clear.

When registering for the Asthma Screening Package, customers will receive:
01 appointment with an Allergist - Clinical Immunology 01 screening tests: Measurement of respiratory function Measuring FeNo Endoscopy otolaryngology Allergen testing Vinmec Times City International Hospital has a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors, fully equipped with modern facilities and equipment for diagnosis most effectively diagnose the disease and stage it before treatment. Especially when coming to Vinmec International General Hospital, patients do not have to wait long, have a quick examination time and are carefully guided by a team of experienced medical staff on the use of drugs, medicines and other medical conditions. A specially designed aerosol-aerosol that guides positive lifestyle changes to help patients easily adhere to their asthma management.
Therefore, when there are symptoms of bronchial asthma, patients should go to Vinmec Times City International Hospital for timely diagnosis and treatment, helping to minimize the life-threatening acute asthma attacks. of the patient at any time.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.