Asthma in Children - Asthma Develop in Children, Particularly in the First 5 Years
By Andy Kahn
Asthma is a recurring condition in which certain stimuli trigger the airways to temporarily narrow, resulting in difficulty breathing. Although asthma can develop at any age, it most commonly begins in children, particularly in the first 5 years of life. Some children continue lo have asthma into the adult years; in others, it resolves. More children than ever have asthma. Doctors are not sure why this is so, although there are theories. More than 10% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma, a 75% increase in recent decades. The rate soars to 40% among some populations of urban children.
Asthma is a recurring condition in which certain stimuli trigger the airways to temporarily narrow, resulting in difficulty breathing. Although asthma can develop at any age, it most commonly begins in children, particularly in the first 5 years of life. Some children continue lo have asthma into the adult years; in others, it resolves. More children than ever have asthma. Doctors are not sure why this is so, although there are theories. More than 10% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma, a 75% increase in recent decades. The rate soars to 40% among some populations of urban children.
Most children with asthma are able to participate in normal childhood activities, except during flare-ups. A smaller number of children have moderate or severe asthma and need to take daily preventive drugs to enable them to engage normal play and other activities.
For unknown reasons, children with asthma respond to certain stimuli (triggers) in ways that children without asthma do not. There are many potential triggers, and most children respond to only a few. Triggers include indoor irritants, such as strong odors and irritating fumes (perfume, tobacco smoke); outdoor pollution; cold air; exercise; emotional distress; viral respiratory infections; and various substances to which the child is allergic, such as animal dander, dust or house dust mites, molds, and outdoor pollen. In some children, specific triggers for flare-ups cannot be identified.
The asthma triggers cause certain cells in the airways release chemical substances. These substances cause the airways to become inflamed and swollen and stimulate the muscle cells in the walls of the airways to contract. Repeated stimulation by these chemical substances increases mucus production in the airways, causes shedding of the cells lining the airways, and enlarges the muscle cells in the walls of the airways; Bach of these responses contributes lo a sudden narrowing of the airways (asthma attack). In most children, the airways return to normal between asthma attacks. [http://www.healasthma.com]www.healasthma.com
Risk Factors for Asthma : Doctors do not completely understand why some children develop asthma, but a number of risk factors are recognized. A child with one asthmatic parent has a 30% risk of developing asthma; if both parents have asthma, the risk increases to 60%. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are more likely to develop asthma. In the United States, children in urban environments are more likely to develop asthma, particularly if they are from lower socioeconomic groups. Although asthma affects a higher percentage of black children than white, the role that genetic aspects of race play in the increasing rate of asthma is controversial because black children are also more likely to live in urban areas. Children who are exposed to high concentrations of allergens, such as dust mites or cockroach fetes, at an early age are more likely to develop asthma.
Most children with asthma are able to participate in normal childhood activities, except during flare-ups. A smaller number of children have moderate or severe asthma and need to take daily preventive drugs to enable them to engage normal play and other activities.
For unknown reasons, children with asthma respond to certain stimuli (triggers) in ways that children without asthma do not. There are many potential triggers, and most children respond to only a few. Triggers include indoor irritants, such as strong odors and irritating fumes (perfume, tobacco smoke); outdoor pollution; cold air; exercise; emotional distress; viral respiratory infections; and various substances to which the child is allergic, such as animal dander, dust or house dust mites, molds, and outdoor pollen. In some children, specific triggers for flare-ups cannot be identified.
The asthma triggers cause certain cells in the airways release chemical substances. These substances cause the airways to become inflamed and swollen and stimulate the muscle cells in the walls of the airways to contract. Repeated stimulation by these chemical substances increases mucus production in the airways, causes shedding of the cells lining the airways, and enlarges the muscle cells in the walls of the airways; Bach of these responses contributes lo a sudden narrowing of the airways (asthma attack). In most children, the airways return to normal between asthma attacks. [http://www.healasthma.com]www.healasthma.com
Risk Factors for Asthma : Doctors do not completely understand why some children develop asthma, but a number of risk factors are recognized. A child with one asthmatic parent has a 30% risk of developing asthma; if both parents have asthma, the risk increases to 60%. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are more likely to develop asthma. In the United States, children in urban environments are more likely to develop asthma, particularly if they are from lower socioeconomic groups. Although asthma affects a higher percentage of black children than white, the role that genetic aspects of race play in the increasing rate of asthma is controversial because black children are also more likely to live in urban areas. Children who are exposed to high concentrations of allergens, such as dust mites or cockroach fetes, at an early age are more likely to develop asthma.
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