Asthma in children: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments
ymptoms
Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction due to increased airway hyperresponsiveness due to chronic inflammation of the airways. Airway mucosal edema, mucus hypersecretion, airway smooth muscle contraction due to cough, dyspnea is an important symptom of asthma.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of asthma is based on a combination of detailed history listening, examination findings, laboratory tests and in vivo tests. However, these diagnostic methods may be limited by age and patient condition. Because of the structural and physiological peculiarities of the respiratory tract, pediatric patients may have symptoms of airway obstruction such as asthma even in children younger than 2 years of age.
Skin tests are possible, especially until age 2, but they are very limited, have a high dependence on blood tests, and can not be tested for asthma induction and lung function. Skin tests and maximal expiratory rate can be measured after 4 years of age. By the age of 6, almost all diagnoses including asthma provocation tests can be performed according to adults.
Treatments
The goal of asthma treatment is to minimize the inconvenience caused by asthma, to maintain normal lung function and daily life, to minimize the recurrence of future asthma, and to prevent permanent impairment of lung function. In order to achieve the goal of asthma treatment, the severity of asthma should be accurately determined and appropriate treatment should be attempted. In step 1, a rapid-acting beta 2 agonist is used. In step 2, inhalation steroids are used. Depending on the severity, a sustained beta 2 agonist, a leukotriene modulator, and theophylline may be used.
Causes of acute exacerbation of asthma include: 1) exposure to specific allergens 2) exposure to air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and volatile organics 3) exposure to dry or airy air or irritating odors 4 ) Rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus may cause viral infection.
In acute exacerbations of asthma, oxygen is first supplied to maintain an arterial oxygen saturation of 95% or more. Next, it is also effective to expand the bronchus using a rapid-acting inhaled beta 2-agonist, and to use a short-acting theophylline. In addition, the use of oral steroids can improve symptoms, and using inhaled steroids can reduce recurrence.
Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction due to increased airway hyperresponsiveness due to chronic inflammation of the airways. Airway mucosal edema, mucus hypersecretion, airway smooth muscle contraction due to cough, dyspnea is an important symptom of asthma.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of asthma is based on a combination of detailed history listening, examination findings, laboratory tests and in vivo tests. However, these diagnostic methods may be limited by age and patient condition. Because of the structural and physiological peculiarities of the respiratory tract, pediatric patients may have symptoms of airway obstruction such as asthma even in children younger than 2 years of age.
Skin tests are possible, especially until age 2, but they are very limited, have a high dependence on blood tests, and can not be tested for asthma induction and lung function. Skin tests and maximal expiratory rate can be measured after 4 years of age. By the age of 6, almost all diagnoses including asthma provocation tests can be performed according to adults.
Treatments
The goal of asthma treatment is to minimize the inconvenience caused by asthma, to maintain normal lung function and daily life, to minimize the recurrence of future asthma, and to prevent permanent impairment of lung function. In order to achieve the goal of asthma treatment, the severity of asthma should be accurately determined and appropriate treatment should be attempted. In step 1, a rapid-acting beta 2 agonist is used. In step 2, inhalation steroids are used. Depending on the severity, a sustained beta 2 agonist, a leukotriene modulator, and theophylline may be used.
Causes of acute exacerbation of asthma include: 1) exposure to specific allergens 2) exposure to air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and volatile organics 3) exposure to dry or airy air or irritating odors 4 ) Rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus may cause viral infection.
In acute exacerbations of asthma, oxygen is first supplied to maintain an arterial oxygen saturation of 95% or more. Next, it is also effective to expand the bronchus using a rapid-acting inhaled beta 2-agonist, and to use a short-acting theophylline. In addition, the use of oral steroids can improve symptoms, and using inhaled steroids can reduce recurrence.
