What is asthma?
Children with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers, their airways narrow, making it hard to breathe.
Three main factors cause the airways to become narrow:
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- The muscle around the airways tightens (bronchoconstriction)
- The inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflammation)
- Extra mucus (sticky fluid) may be produced
How do you recognise asthma?
Children with asthma may have one or more of the following symptoms:
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- Wheeze (noisy breathing when breathing out)
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath "tummy" breathing
- A dry, irritating, persistent cough, particularly at night, early morning, with exercise or vigorous play
They often describe their symptoms as a sore tummy, sore chest or a frog in their throat.
How is asthma diagnosed?
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- A pattern of repeated episodes of wheeze or shortness of breath
- A persistent wheeze, cough or "chestiness" that lingers long after a cold or flu
- Improvement in symptoms after a trial of asthma medications
- A family history of asthma or allergy
Note: It is often difficult to diagnose young children with asthma, as many children have asthma-like symptoms of wheeze and cough. Doctors may prescribe asthma medications to treat these symptoms, even without a diagnosis of asthma.
What triggers asthma symptoms?
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- Colds and flu (most common trigger in young children)
- Cigarette smoke
- Exercise/activity
- Inhaled allergens (e.g. pollens, moulds, animal dander and dust mites)
- Environmental factors (e.g. dust, pollution, wood smoke, bush fires)
- Changes in temperature and weather
- Certain medications (e.g. aspirin)
- Chemicals and strong smells (e.g. perfumes, cleaners)
- Emotional factors (e.g. laughter, stress)
- Some foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings (uncommon)
Every child's asthma is different. Not all children will have the same triggers, nor will they react to every trigger listed above. You may not always know what triggers a child's asthma. It is helpful to identify triggers in order to avoid them. However this is not always possible (e.g. colds and flu). A doctor or your local Asthma Foundations can assist in understanding these further. Call the Asthma Information Line on freecall 1800 645 130.
Types of asthma medications
There are three main groups of asthma medications:
Relievers, Preventers, Combination Medication.
Relievers
Relievers provide relief from asthma symptoms within minutes. They relax the muscles around the airways for up to four hours, allowing air to move easily through the airways.
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- Keep a child's blue reliever medication with him/her at all times. It is the only medication to use in an asthma emergency.
- If a child is using reliever medication more than three times per week to ease asthma symptoms it may be a sign that his/her asthma is not well controlled. Contact a doctor to review the child's asthma.
- Keep using the reliever medication as required but see a doctor for a review of his/her asthma.
Preventers
Preventers make the airways less sensitive, reduce the redness and swelling inside the airways and dry up the mucus. It may take a few weeks for preventers to reach their optimal effect.
Preventers must be taken daily, even when you are well, to reduce the risk of asthma attacks and to prevent lung damage. A number of these medications are corticosteroids (more commonly known as 'steroids'). They are similar to steroids that we produce naturally in our bodies. They are not the same as the anabolic steroids misused by some athletes.
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- Some children may only need preventers for a set period while other children need to take preventers all year round
- Preventers need to be taken at the same time each day at the dosage prescribed by a child's doctor
- Preventers take time to work, so an improvement in symptoms may not be noticed for a couple of weeks. Do not stop a child's preventer medication after only a few days
- When a child is well (no asthma symptoms and rarely using his/her blue reliever), a doctor may choose to review his/her medications
- Ask a doctor if you have any questions or concerns about asthma medication and/or asthma delivery devices
Combination medications
Combination medications are taken daily and are usually prescribed for children aged four years and over. Combination medications combine a preventer with a long acting symptom controller in the same delivery device.
Combination medications need to be taken at the same time each day at the dosage prescribed by a child’s doctor, even when the child is well.
How are asthma medications given to young children?
All children should use a spacer when taking medications which increases the amount of medication that gets to the lung.
Disclaimer: This section is published for information only. Any person with asthma should seek medical advice.
For further information,
click here to find your local Asthma Foundations or to have specific questions answered call 1800 645 130.
