What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?

It is understandable that many parents may be apprehensive then they hear their child wheeze but wheezy breathing is common in young children and usually does not indicate that true asthma is present or will develop later.

Asthma occurs when the small bronchial passages in the lungs become swollen with inflammation, partially obstructed by phlegm, or narrowed when the muscles surrounding the air tubes become tight (bronchospasm). This cause the characteristic wheezing sound. Some babies go through their first year of life with noisy, sometimes wheezy, breathing which is normal for them. As they grow, the small air tubes enlarge and wheezy breathing disappears.

Asthma tends to run in families, and in one form it is associated with an inflammation of the skin-eczema. Asthma may appear for the first time in childhood, or in adolescence, often as an extension of hay fever. It can also appear out of the blue later in life, the so called late onset asthma,which can be much more disabling than other forms and is often associated with recurring chest infections.

True asthma is a respiratory problem, but the symptoms may be confused with cardiac asthma which occurs at night in older patients with serious heart disease. Asthmatic bronchitis, sometimes called Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COAD),may develop after recurrent attacks of bronchitis.

Here are a few symptoms to recognize if a person is asthmatic:

Coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing. The main difficulty (and wheeze) is related to breathing out and not in.

In some cases cyanosis- a tinge of blue in the complexion. Fast pulse, more than 90 beats per minute.

Drawing in of the lower ribs on breathing in. This is especially obvious in babies and young children.

What are the causes of Asthma:

Respiratory infection may cause inflammation of the tubes.

Allergy to certain substances ranging from the house dust mite to animal fur or feathers and pollens or foods.

Nocturnal attacks in children are often associated with jouse dust mites, down pillows or pets sleeping in a child's bedroom.

Anxiety, excitement or exercise seems tp precipitate attacks in some people.

Asthma cannot be prevented, but the likelihood of an attack can be reduced by taking certain precautions. Do not smoke. Keep out of dusty, smoky surroundings. Seek prompt attention for coughs and colds. The child must be encouraged to lead as full and normal a life as possible, yet at the same time be helped and supported to do this by parents and doctors who understand how modern drugs can be used to prevent and control attacks.