Environmental pollution and the constant increase in respiratory diseases have a detrimental effect on the child's immunity. As a result, bronchial asthma often develops in children.
This is a disease provoked by the course of inflammation of the respiratory system, resulting in bronchospasm with a significant release of mucus. Asthma is mostly chronic, and the mucus itself prevents air from entering the lungs normally. It can be allergenic and non-allergenic. The allergenic type manifests itself with the prolonged presence of the allergen. The most common are food, dust, pet hair. Non-allergenic type of asthma is much less common, its occurrence is associated with the sensitivity of the child to various infections.
Basic shapes
According to the classification of asthma in children, it can be allergic and non-allergic. Their causes are somewhat different, but the manifestations are identical. The atopic form of bronchial asthma in children occurs due to the penetration of the allergen into the body.
The non-allergic type of the disease proceeds similarly to the allergic one, however, during the examination it is impossible to detect provoking factors. Among the main reasons, it is necessary to single out the inhalation of cold air, strong physical exertion, as well as the inhalation of pungent odors.
Special attention should be paid to asthma triggered by conventional aspirin. After taking this medicine, certain processes are activated in the body, which lead to a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi. Often, such a disease is accompanied by pathologies of the stomach and intestines. Most of the attacks are more severe.
Causes of occurrence
The etiology of bronchial asthma in children is very different, factors such as:
- genetic predisposition;
- environmental factor;
- high allergen content;
- use of certain drugs.
Heredity is of great importance, and if asthma is observed in both parents, then the possibility of developing it in a child increases significantly. Negative environmental conditions can provoke this disease. The air in a large city is especially dangerous for a child.
Cigarette smoke is considered one of the strongest allergens. Maternal tobacco use during pregnancy can cause an allergic reaction in the child.predisposition.
Features of the development of the disease
Pathogenesis of bronchial asthma in children consists of several stages, proceeding sequentially. In particular, they distinguish such as:
- sensitization;
- pathochemical;
- pathophysiological.
Sensitization is the first contact with an allergen. The immune system begins to produce immunoglobulin in response to its penetration. The allergen settles in the bronchi, and immune cells begin to actively fight it.
The pathochemical stage develops upon repeated contact with the allergen. It binds to immunoglobulins on the surface of cells. In response, inflammation of the bronchi occurs.
The pathophysiological stage is characterized by the fact that bronchospasm begins to develop, swelling of the walls of the bronchi is observed, followed by the release of viscous sputum. The lumen is very narrowed, and the passage of air is difficult. As a result, an asthma attack develops.
Degrees of severity
There are several different grades of asthma in children according to which clinical signs are assessed. Mild is characterized by the fact that exacerbations are short, with timely treatment, the prognosis is quite favorable.
Moderate severity has a fairly pronounced symptomatology. Daytime attacks are repeated daily, and nighttime attacks several times a week. During its course, a disability of the 3rd group is issued, especially if additional signs are observed.
Severe asthmacharacterized by the fact that the attacks are repeated every day and night. The sleep and activity of the child are greatly disturbed. Significantly difficult inhalation and exhalation. The prognosis of the course of the disease is unfavorable. Disability of the 2nd-3rd group is issued.
Main symptoms
To help your child, you definitely need to know how asthma develops in children and how exactly it manifests itself. This will allow you to determine what you can do yourself to eliminate the attack, and when emergency care is required. Among the first signs, one can distinguish such as:
- feeling of lack of air;
- cough that occurs mostly at night;
- squeezing sensations in the chest area;
- hoarse breathing after exposure to an allergen.
A distinctive feature of asthma is that at the initial stage of the development of the disease, all signs are very quickly eliminated when the medicine is used. Before the onset of an attack, most children change. They become either too irritable and restless, or lethargic and sleepy. After a while, other symptoms of bronchial asthma in children join, in particular, such as:
- difficulty breathing;
- noisy, hoarse breathing;
- heaviness in the chest area;
- paroxysmal cough.
The attack is relieved when the child takes a sitting position, leaning on his hands and slightly raising his shoulders. How to recognize the course of bronchial asthma, absolutely every parent should know, because if the diseaseaccompanied by frequent attacks, this leads to oxygen starvation of the internal organs. This can cause developmental delays.
Diagnostics
For an accurate diagnosis, an allergist's consultation is required. Doctors prescribe tests to determine allergens in the body or spirography. This research method is aimed at determining the air volume of the lungs, as well as the rate of air inhalation. Spirography allows you to determine if there is an obstruction in the lungs and at what level it is located.
In addition, sputum and blood tests, as well as a chest X-ray, may be required. An informative diagnostic method is a test with bronchodilator drugs. In children of the first 2 years of life, diagnosis is difficult due to the presence of an obstructive syndrome.
First Aid
It is very important to provide first aid to a child with an attack of bronchial asthma. It is very important to calm him down, since the psychological factor plays a very important role in the development of an attack. Remove all tight clothing from the baby, open the window to let fresh air into the room.
Give the child an inhaler or nebulizer, as well as the drug "Eufillin". Additionally, it is desirable to make a warm bath for hands and feet. If all these measures fail to stop the attack within 30 minutes, you need to call an ambulance, as this can lead to respiratory arrest. Emergency care for bronchial asthma in children will preventdevelopment of dangerous complications.
Features of treatment
If a child has been diagnosed with bronchial asthma, treatment should be started immediately so that the existing disease can be quickly eliminated. Despite the fact that there are many different medications, this disease cannot be completely cured. For therapy, medications are used that prevent the development of spasm, eliminate inflammation and remove the allergen from the body.
The complex of therapeutic measures includes frequent wet cleaning of the premises, the use of air purifiers and humidifiers. It is advisable to remove down mattresses and pillows, carpets. Other methods include:
- physical training;
- breathing exercises;
- hardening a child;
- reflexology;
- carrying out rehabilitation techniques in s alt mines.
Recently, a course of allergen-specific immunotherapy has become very popular. The essence of this method is the introduction of a small amount of the allergen to the patient and the subsequent control of bronchospasm. Over time, the concentration of the allergen increases, the reaction to the irritant becomes less acute.
Medications
How to treat bronchial asthma in a child with medication, only a qualified doctor can determine. It is worth noting that no drugs can completely cure the chronic form of the disease. There are medications that can helpeliminate the attack and remove the allergen from the body. They are prescribed depending on the severity of the course of seizures with a gradual increase in dosage.
Modern drugs prescribed for bronchial asthma in a 3-year-old child can be symptomatic and basic. Symptomatic remedies help eliminate spasm and facilitate air access to the lungs. Apply them when an attack occurs. Basic remedies help eliminate inflammation and remove allergens. They are used for permanent treatment, so they are not characterized by instant action. Among the basic drugs, Nedocromil and Cromoglycic acid are distinguished, as well as glucocorticoids for the inhaler.
They act locally, release histamine from cells, suppress the reaction to the allergen, and also prevent the development of bronchospasm. With prolonged use, these drugs reduce bronchial hyperactivity, reduce the frequency and duration of attacks, and are completely safe for children.
Receptor antagonists provide a good result in the treatment of asthma provoked by taking medications, as well as caused by physical effort. They can be used in combination with inhaled glucocorticoids to enhance their anti-inflammatory effects.
When carrying out specific therapy, which is prescribed during remission, bronchodilator drugs are prescribed. In particular, methylxanthines, which are prescribed in tablet form or asintravenous means.
Ancholinergics are used for inhalation with mild asthma. The combination of "Fenoterol" and "Ipratropium bromide" will be effective. The effectiveness of antihistamines in bronchial asthma in children is quite low. For therapy, second and third generation agents are used. They have a long duration of action and a minimum of side effects.
Antihistamines can prevent the development of an asthma attack provoked by an allergen, exercise, and also reduce existing symptoms. In particular, drugs such as Loratadin, Petirizin, Ketotifen are prescribed.
Folk techniques
Folk treatment of bronchial asthma in children is aimed at reducing sensitivity to allergens and reducing the incidence of bronchial spasms and swelling of the mucosa. In addition, such techniques can eliminate inflammation and strengthen the immune system. Sufficiently effective anti-inflammatory drugs are herbs such as yarrow, licorice, sage, chamomile.
To strengthen immunity, you need to use echinacea, celandine, horsetail, strawberry leaves. They have a very mild effect, they can be used even during an exacerbation. Nettle, wild rosemary, coltsfoot are used to thin sputum and facilitate expectoration. It is also useful to take baths with an extract of needles, to take walks in a coniferous forest. Sea air will help strengthen the respiratory system.
Homeopathic remedies
Many homeopathic remedies are used to treat children, as they are completely natural and do not cause side effects. However, it is worth remembering that some herbal ingredients are allergens, so before giving them to a child, you should make sure that there are no contraindications.
Some foods are also very good homeopathic remedies. To normalize the well-being of the child, it is enough just to include them in the usual diet. Ginger root has a positive effect on the condition of the baby, as it contributes to the expansion of blood vessels, and also prevents the occurrence of seizures. Tea tree oil and honey are good remedies as they help relieve coughs and prevent shortness of breath.
Clinical guidelines and care
The nursing process for bronchial asthma in children should be comprehensive and aimed at caring for the baby, as well as maintaining the remission period. Therapy begins with an assessment of the severity of the course of the disease. The treatment plan changes all the time so that the child's well-being can be monitored.
Asthma care in children involves strict adherence to important medical recommendations, namely:
- use impervious covers for bedding;
- wash bed linen at high temperature;
- disposal of soft toys.
If an asthmatic child lives in the house, then it is strictly forbidden to keep pets, as theywool is a very strong allergen.
Rehabilitation activities
Rehabilitation of children with asthma includes physical therapy, drainage massage, hardening. All these activities are carried out if there are no acute manifestations of the disease. They will help to normalize well-being and prevent complications.
In case of bronchial asthma in children, the national program implies sanitary treatment. Mineral water, clean air, climate and wellness procedures are effective prevention of disease exacerbations. Benefits for obtaining a ticket are provided only in the presence of a disability. Before rehabilitation, it is imperative to cure acute diseases and possible complications of chronic ones. It is recommended to visit sanatoriums in the area where the child lives, as there will be no need to adapt to the new climate.
Respiratory gymnastics is important, aimed at increasing the elasticity of lung tissue. The simplest method is to exhale with resistance, exhale through a tube placed in the water, inflate balloons.
Baby disease
Bronchial asthma in children under one year is quite severe. Due to the characteristics of the body of the baby, it is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis. In this case, treatment begins quite late, which often leads to disability of the baby.
In an infant, the disease occurs mainly as a result of food allergies and ingestiondrug allergens. Much also depends on the characteristics of the course of pregnancy.
Asthma can appear in the first months of a child's life. The doctor may mistake frequent bouts of shortness of breath for one of the complications of SARS. The thing is that the baby has a very small lung capacity. This provokes a narrowing of the bronchi, which significantly impairs their patency.
Child has difficulty breathing and coughing for a long time. Characteristic asthma attacks may also occur.
Possible Complications
A very dangerous condition in asthma is status asthmaticus. This is a rather sharp deterioration in well-being, as well as the development of severe obstruction, which cannot be eliminated by the use of inhalation drugs. A similar condition can occur with improperly conducted therapy, severe psycho-emotional overstrain, physical exertion, as well as the penetration of an allergen into the body. Children with this condition should be taken to the hospital for timely comprehensive care.
In case of a severe course of the disease, a disability is established for the child. If there is a favorable prognosis, then it is prescribed for 2 years, followed by a comprehensive diagnosis. Otherwise, disability is established when the child reaches the age of 16.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the occurrence of the disease, it is imperative to carry out prevention. It implies the strengthening of the immune system, as well as the normalization of the well-being of the child. If aasthma is genetic in nature, then preventive measures should be mandatory.
Breastfeeding is very important, it is desirable to prolong it as long as possible. If this is not possible, then you need to choose the most adapted mixture. The introduction of complementary foods is possible only after the approval of the doctor and in strict sequence. It is necessary to eliminate the allergens in the house, as well as to ventilate frequently and not to have pets at home.
