Asthma in Children
Introduction
In the UK, over 1.1 million children have asthma. Asthma in children is more common among boys than girls. Children who develop asthma at a very young age are more likely to 'grow out' of the condition as they get older. During the teenage years, the symptoms of asthma will disappear in approximately three-quarters of all children with the condition. However, asthma can return in adulthood. If the childhood symptoms of asthma are moderate to severe, it is more likely that the condition will return later in life.
Irritation of the bronchi
The bronchi of children with asthma are more sensitive than those of children without the condition, and certain substances, or triggers, can irritate them. Common triggers include house dust mites, animal fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, cold air, and chest infections. When the bronchi become irritated, they narrow, the muscles around them tighten, and there may be an increase in the production of sticky mucus, or phlegm. Your child may find breathing difficult, their chest may feel tight, and they may experience wheezing and coughing. The severity of asthma symptoms differ from child to child - from mild to severe. However, the narrowing of the airways is usually reversible, either naturally, or by using medicines.
Common triggers
The cause of asthma is not fully understood, but it is thought that it may be a combination of genetic (inherited) and environmental factors. Asthma often runs in families and you can inherit the susceptibility to asthma, which is then triggered by certain factors in the environment.
However, symptoms may sometimes occur for no apparent reason. Environmental factors that may trigger asthma include exposure to air pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, and certain substances that can cause allergic reactions (allergens) such as pollen and animal fur.
Relief and prevention
There is no cure for asthma, but there are a range of successful treatments which can usually successfully manage the condition. The treatment of asthma is based on two important goals: relief of symptoms, and preventing future symptoms developing. Successful prevention can be achieved through a combination of medicines, diet, exercise and identifying and avoiding potential triggers. (allergy avoidance)
Exercise-induced asthma
Sometimes, children with asthma find that their symptoms are made worse through physical exercise. This is known as exercise-induced asthma and is usually the result of poor asthma control.
How can the RespEase Sleeping Environment Help
The RespEaseTM bed helps you to have a better quality of life, to have a good nights sleep and to be more rested in the morning. The RespEase sleeping environment protects you from most common Asthma triggers at night: The HEPA filter stops 99.93% of all particles and on top of that the dehumidifier and the specialist bedding prevent the colonisation of the bedclothes with house dust mites (the most common asthma trigger).