Did you know that asthma is the most common chronic disease that affects children? The worst part is that it becomes very hard to diagnose this disease in babies below the age of two years.
Asthma
So what is asthma exactly? This is an inflammatory disease that mostly affects the airways and the lungs. An asthmatic child will have difficulties in breathing because the airways are irritated and swollen. We all want to protect our babies from all harm, but can we keep them from contracting this chronic disease?
Here is the deal. If there is a history of asthma in your family, your baby might also be at risk. Studies have shown that many children with asthma developed symptoms before they attained five years old.
Symptoms of Asthma
Symptoms you can look out for include wheezing, frequent coughing, allergic reactions and eczema. Some of these symptoms may occur because of other various respiratory diseases so we recommend seeing a doctor who will be in a better position to examine your baby and make a proper diagnosis.
To establish that what your baby is experiencing is an asthma attack, you will notice their nostrils flaring, the skin around the ribs sucked in as they breathe, wheezing, coughing or breathing rapidly. If you do not have an inhaler with you, it’s important that you rush them to an emergency room immediately.
However, I advise you to have an inhaler on hand to provide quick relief in case of an attack.
What do allergies have to do with it?
If you have an asthmatic child, you should know that any exposure to allergens such as cockroaches, dust, mites, animal dander or pollens might alleviate the symptoms.
Having a roach-infested house especially triggers asthmatic symptoms because of their saliva and droppings that act as allergens. You should always keep a clean house that is free of clutter, excess moisture and dirt so that you can keep such pests at bay.
There are other possible asthma triggers that you should look out for. These are air pollutants such as tobacco smoke, cold air and viral infections like the common cold.
Prevention
Experts will quickly point out that there is no given way to prevent asthma from your child. However, there are a few tips we can give that might ensure that you have a healthy baby all the way.
- Breastfeeding your baby or feeding them with hypoallergenic baby formulas for around 6 months to build a strong immune system
- Reducing the exposure to allergens mentioned and air pollutants such as tobacco smoke
- Take precautions during pregnancy; avoid smoking and alcohol
- Proper feeding techniques for your baby to maintain an optimal weight; there might be a link between obesity and asthma.
Treatment
If you have an asthmatic baby, they need proper treatment to ensure that we managed the symptoms at an early stage.
You should contact your paediatrician to develop a proper treatment plan that will help you prevent and deal with possible asthma attacks.
Asthma might turn fatal if left untreated for long periods of time. If you notice some of the above symptoms mentioned in your baby, an attack, or severe allergic reactions, please seek immediate professional help.
