Controlling Asthma a Challenge in Children

(ARA) - Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting nearly 9 million children in the United States. Although it has serious health consequences, many parents don't know how to keep their child's asthma under control. In fact, a recent study including 194 children with asthma under the age of 5 showed that less than 16 percent were optimally controlled, based on parents' reports.

To encourage parents to get their kids all aboard for asthma control, Dr. William Hitchcock, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, has helped develop "All Aboard for Asthma Control," a new resource that includes easily understandable information on the signs and symptoms of asthma, environmental triggers and treatment options.

"Since young children often have trouble expressing pain or discomfort, diagnosing asthma and assessing respiratory control can be very difficult," said Dr. Hitchcock. "It's important for parents, caregivers and kids to get on board and learn about signs of asthma and treatment options."

"All Aboard for Asthma Control" is available for free at Everydaykidz.com, where parents can learn more about asthma and are encouraged to make a pledge to get their children "all aboard for asthma control."

Understanding Asthma
Asthma is a reversible obstructive lung disease caused by increased reaction of the airways to a variety of stimuli ranging from respiratory infections to allergic reactions to airborne irritants. Each person reacts differently to these triggers, but examples include pollen, mold, cigarette smoke and animal dander. The condition typically leads to breathing problems known as asthma attacks, which narrow airways and result in difficulty breathing.

"If a child is experiencing asthma symptoms, or if they need a rescue bronchodilator medication more than twice a week, parents should speak with a healthcare professional about medication that controls asthma inflammation," said Dr. Hitchcock.

Unlike rescue bronchodilator medications, which are used for quick relief of symptoms during an attack, medications that control asthma inflammation are used every day and help prevent asthma symptoms from occurring. These medicines should be used daily as prescribed -- even during symptom-free periods -- because they treat the inflammation, or "quiet part" of asthma that cannot be heard, seen or felt.

"Every child is different, so I recommend speaking with a health care professional to determine what your child needs," Dr. Hitchcock said. "For children as young as 12 months of age with persistent asthma, I often prescribe an inhaled corticosteroid to help control their symptoms."

Guidelines from the National Institutes of Health recommend inhaled corticosteroids as the preferred treatment for children who need a controller medicine for persistent asthma. These guidelines help physicians manage asthma, and they may be considered, together with other information by the doctor, to determine individual patient treatment needs. Pulmicort Respules(R) (budesonide inhalation suspension) is the only FDA-approved nebulized inhaled corticosteroid approved for children 12 months to 8 years of age. This medication can help prevent asthma symptoms that can lead to an attack, but it is not a quick-relief medicine and should not be used to treat an acute asthma attack. The nebulizer provides a way to deliver certain asthma medications to young children, allowing them to inhale the medicine through a mask or mouthpiece. When using a nebulizer, children don't need to learn or use any special breathing techniques, they simply breathe naturally.

To learn more about asthma through "All Aboard for Asthma Control," and to take a pledge to get your child all aboard for asthma control, visit Everydaykidz.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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