Childhood Conditions & Illnesses
Introduction: (From Montessori Centre International)
Intermittent illness is considered a normal part of childhood while the immune system matures and builds up its defenses against invading organisms. Upper respiratory infections, for infections
ASTHMA:
With childhood asthma, the lungs and airways become easily inflamed when exposed to certain triggers, such as airborne pollen. In other cases, childhood asthma flares up with a cold or other respiratory infection. Childhood asthma can cause bothersome daily symptoms that interfere with play, sports, school and sleep. In some children, unmanaged asthma can cause dangerous asthma attacks.
Childhood asthma isn't a different disease from asthma in adults, but children do face unique challenges. Asthma in children is a leading cause of emergency department visits, hospitalizations and missed school days. Unfortunately, childhood asthma can't be cured, and symptoms may continue into adulthood. But with the right treatment, you and your child can keep symptoms under control and prevent damage to growing lungs.
Common childhood asthma signs and symptoms include:
Frequent, intermittent coughing
A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
Shortness of breath
Chest congestion or tightness
Chest pain, particularly in younger children
Other signs and symptoms of childhood asthma include:
Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
Bouts of coughing or wheezing that get worse with a respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu
Delayed recovery or bronchitis after a respiratory infection
Trouble breathing that may limit play or exercise
Fatigue, which can be caused by poor sleep
The first signs of asthma in young children may be recurrent wheezing triggered by a respiratory virus. As children grow older, asthma associated with respiratory allergies is more common.
Asthma signs and symptoms vary from child to child, and may get worse or better over time. While wheezing is most commonly associated with asthma, not all children with asthma wheeze. Your child may have only one sign or symptom, such as a lingering cough or chest congestion.
It may be difficult to tell whether your child's symptoms are caused by asthma or something else. Periodic or long-lasting wheezing and other asthma-like symptoms may be caused by infectious bronchitis or another respiratory problem.
When to seek emergency treatment
In severe cases, you may see your child's chest and sides pulling inward as he or she struggles to breathe. Your child may have an increased heartbeat, sweating and chest pain. Seek emergency care if your child:
Has to stop in midsentence to catch his or her breath
Is using abdominal muscles to breathe
Has widened nostrils when breathing in
Is trying so hard to breathe that the abdomen is sucked under the ribs when he or she breathes in
Even if the child hasn't been diagnosed with asthma, seek medical attention immediately if he or she has trouble breathing. Although episodes of asthma vary in severity, asthma attacks can start with coughing, which progresses to wheezing and labored breathing.