Asthma and the Effects on Children

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Asthma and the Effects on Children

• A guide all parents need to read.
• Tyler Owen
• 4th Period

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What is Asthma?

• Asthma is a disease of the lungs that causes the
  airways to become blocked or narrowed which
  results in breathing difficulty.
• There are two types of asthma allergic asthma
  and non-allergic asthma

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Allergic Asthma

• About 90 of children diagnoses with asthma have
  allergies.
• Inhaling substances called allergens brings on
  the asthma symptoms.
• Airways are hypersensitive to the allergens, and
  when exposed to them the airways become inflamed
  and flooded with thick mucus.

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Common Allergens

• Windblown pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds
• Mold spores and mold fragments
• Animal dander and saliva
• Dust mite feces
• Cockroach feces

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Other Irritants

• Tobacco smoke
• Smoke from a fireplace, candles, incense, or
  fireworks
• Air pollution
• Cold air, especially vigorous exercise in cold
  air
• Strong chemical odors or fumes
• Perfumes, air fresheners, or other scented
  products
• Dusty workplaces

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Possible Signs Your Child May Have Asthma

• Frequent coughing spells
• A chronic cough
• Less energy during play
• Rapid breathing
• Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"
• Whistling sound when breathing in or out.
• See-saw motions in the chest from labored
  breathing.
• Shortness of breath, loss of breath
• Tightened neck and chest muscles
• Feelings of weakness or tiredness

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Facts about childhood asthma

• Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in
  children.
• It affects as many as 10-12 of children in the
  United States.
• Most children show symptoms by age 5.
• Asthma rates in children are rising.

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Risk Factors for Developing Asthma

• Nasal allergies (hay fever) or eczema (allergic
  skin rash)
• A family history of asthma
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Low birth weight
• Exposure to tobacco smoke before or after birth
• Black or Puerto-Rican ethnicity
• Being raised in a low-income environment

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Getting a Diagnosis

• A medical history questionnaire and a physical
  exam will be completed by a physician.
• A lung function test maybe needed to detect
  possible limitations
• In some cases a chest or sinus X-ray may be
  requested.
• Children under the age of 5 are seldom given a
  breathing test but may be diagnosed based on
  questions and observations.

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Why the Increase?

• Some experts believe that children spend too much
  time indoors and are exposed to more and more
  dust, air pollution, and secondhand smoke. Others
  suspect that children are not exposed to enough
  childhood illnesses, bacteria, and viruses which
  might cause the immune system not fully mature.

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The Air and Asthma Rates Connection

• Air pollution is noted as a possible cause for
  the increase of asthma. I believe that air
  pollution does contribute to both the increase of
  asthmatic symptoms as well as the increase in
  diagnosis of asthma. Air pollution effects both
  the indoor air and outdoor air. It is important
  that we work on lowering the pollutants we put in
  the air.

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What We Can Do to Lower Indoor Pollutants

• Use pump instead of aerosol products
• Limit the chemicals used to clean
• Find eco-friendly products
• Change air filters on a regular basis
• Do not smoke
• Look for green products

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What We Can Do to Lower Outdoor Pollutants

• Don't drive car pool, ride a bur or bike, or
  walk.
• Don't put gas in your car until after 7 PM.
• Avoid using outboard motors, off-road vehicles,
  or other gasoline-powered recreational vehicles.
• Avoid mowing your lawn or using other
  gasoline-powered equipment until the late evening
  or until the air quality improves.
• Don't use paints, solvents, or varnishes that
  produce fumes.

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References

• http//www.cdc.gov/asthma/default.htm
• http//www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?cdvLUK9O0Eb2
  2542
• http//www.aafa.org/
• http//www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/management/i
  nfopapers/health_professionals/4001_air.asp