The rate at which a child breathes plays a significant role in assessing the severity of any issues with the windpipe or lungs. In the event that your child is under six months old or exhibits additional symptoms like blue lips or extreme sleepiness, you should seek immediate medical attention if their breathing is faster than the typical rate shown in the box below.
Does your youngster breathe too quickly?
Depending on their age, children’s natural breathing rates change. When your child is sitting still and at rest, count how many breaths he or she takes throughout a 60-second interval. Then compare the result to the graph below. Your youngster is likely to need medical help if he or she is breathing too quickly and is taking more breaths than is typical for someone of that age.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ASTHMA
Asthma causes the tiny airways in the lungs to occasionally grow smaller due to mucus production and thickening of the airway walls. Breathing becomes challenging as a result of the airflow in the lungs being partially blocked. An allergic reaction to a specific material, such as house dust mites, pollen, animal fur, or a particular diet, can cause asthma episodes. Attacks, however, can also be brought on by an infection, breathing in irritants, or experiencing physical or mental stress. Children with hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema are at an increased risk of developing asthma, and this risk frequently runs in families.
Symptoms
Wheezing episodes and breathing problems are the main signs and symptoms of asthma. These attacks can range in intensity from mild wheeze to severe, distressing shortness of breath. While some kids never stop wheezing, others may do so for months at a time. Either way, wheezing is dangerous and should always be handled seriously.
Treatment
The type and severity of the attacks will determine the course of treatment. Only a bronchodilator, to be used when the attacks happen or before exercise, will likely be prescribed by your doctor if your child only occasionally experiences breathless attacks. Your doctor may prescribe additional medications to be taken on a regular basis to prevent attacks and lessen severity if your child frequently experiences asthma attacks or frequently coughs at night. The asthmatic child does not need to be treated like a disabled person. In fact, research has shown that exercise is useful even if you need to take more medication to prevent attacks after working out. Thus, encourage your child to engage in activities like swimming.
Avoiding asthma episodes
By determining the trigger factor(s) and then assisting your child in avoiding it, you may be able to lessen the frequency of asthma attacks in your child. However, there is frequently no evident cause. Your doctor may be able to assist you by setting up skin tests in which a solution of the supposedly allergenic substance is applied to or injected into the skin to determine whether an allergic reaction is elicited. Keeping a diary of your child’s activities, including what they ate, may also be beneficial, or if, for instance, they get attacks inside the home but not outside, or when visiting some friends but not others. All of this information may provide important hints on the cause of your child’s asthma.