Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes periodic attacks of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
- Infections like cold and flu
- Allergens such as food, pollen, dust, mites, pet dander, and smoke
- Exercise
- Weather, especially extreme changes in temperature
- Perfumes and fragrance
- Emotional stress and anxiety.
Signs and symptoms of bronchial asthma:
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness of chest
- Wheezing
- Excessive coughing
- Night cough, which keeps the child awake
Treatment:
Inhaler therapy with mask and spacer:
a) Preventive therapy: Inhaled steroids below 5 yrs and inhaled steroids plus long-acting bronchodilators above 5 yrs. These are needed to treat inflammation associated with asthma. These inhalers deliver low doses of steroids to the lungs with minimal side effects if used properly.
b) Rescue or fast-acting inhaled short-acting bronchodilators work immediately on opening airways during an asthmatic attack. Be sure to keep a rescue inhaler with an asthma patient in case of an asthma attack or asthma emergency.
While there is no asthma cure yet, there are excellent asthma medications that can help with preventing asthma symptoms.
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