What is asthma? Can asthma be seen in children?
“Asthma is a condition characterized by spasm and narrowing of our small bronchi and airways. Usually as a result of a stimulus, asthma can manifest itself or be triggered in children with airway sensitivity. While various allergens, especially house dust, can cause asthma, non-allergic causes, air and environmental pollution, cigarette smoke exposure, humidity and moisture variations, being overweight and exercise are also factors that can cause asthma. Unfortunately, asthma is also very common in childhood and can manifest itself from the early months.”
What are the symptoms of asthma? In which cases should we suspect asthma in children?
“The most common symptom of asthma is wheezing and shortness of breath attacks. These attacks can sometimes start spontaneously or sometimes complaints may occur with upper respiratory tract infections, exposure to allergens or external stimuli. In children, asthma may manifest itself as prolonged coughs outside of its classical form and listening findings such as wheezing may not be present in these children. If children have wheezing and wheezing attacks, prolonged coughs, respiratory problems without a cold, it is necessary to suspect that our child may have asthma.”
How is asthma diagnosed? Is there a definitive test to diagnose asthma?
“Asthma is a clinical diagnosis and unfortunately, there is no test that shows asthma definitively, tests only support us as an aid to diagnosis. The most important supportive findings in the diagnosis of asthma are the presence of a history of asthma and allergic diseases in family members, the presence of conditions such as atopic dermatitis, hay fever, food allergy in our child, the presence of findings supporting the diagnosis in the tests performed, and conditions such as prolonged cough, wheezing attacks, shortness of breath compatible with asthma. Blood or arm allergy tests, pulmonary function tests and radiologic examinations, if necessary, are the tests that support us in the diagnosis.”
Is asthma an innocent disease? Can it damage the lungs?
“Asthma is not a disease that causes permanent damage as long as it is well treated, attacks are prevented and kept under control. However, since the events that cause bronchial spasm and narrowing, which we call continuous inflammation, can continue, in periods when these are not well recognized and treatment is not given appropriate to the severity level of the disease and the disease is not kept under control, widespread secretions and mucus plugs can form in the bronchi, blocking the mouths of the bronchi and causing lung collapse or bronchial dilatation. The most important factor in preventing these is regular treatment and follow-up of the patient.”
Is asthma temporary? Are we condemned to lifelong medication?
“Since asthma is a genetic disease, it can have a chronic and long course, especially in children in whom allergies are detected. Children who do not have a family history and do not have an allergic constitution may have temporary conditions that mimic childhood asthma, and it is important to make a differential diagnosis of this condition with classical asthma. While many asthma patients can manage the disease without medication or with medication at certain times, some patients may require long-term medication. Asthma is not a homogeneous disease, but a disease with multifactorial components and characteristics that vary from person to person. Therefore, follow-up and treatment should be individualized. “
