Why did I have asthma as a child? Kids often ask me, “Why did I have asthma as a child?” It’s almost like they’re asking, “What happened to me?” I very clearly say, “It’s not your fault,” and there’s nothing wrong with you.
Asthma is something we know is inherited, just like you inherit your eye color or hair color. I try to remind them that although they can’t control the “hereditary” part of asthma, they can control a lot of things about it, like their environment, their asthma management, and how they take their asthma medications.
All of these things play a role in understanding why they have asthma or how sick they are with it.
I try to emphasize that there are kids who do have severe asthma, but with the right education and knowledge of how to manage their asthma, they may not be as sick as they think they are.
They may be at a stage where no one will even know they have asthma.
Genes can skip generations
Sometimes parents are perplexed as to how they may have passed on asthma genes to their child when they do not have asthma or the other parent does not have asthma.
I often explain to parents how genes skip generations.
Even if you do not have asthma yourself, you can carry the gene that predisposes you to asthma and pass it on to your child, along with some other genes from your other parent.
Your child may inherit a genetic predisposition to asthma from you.
Environmental factors are easier for parents to understand because sometimes there is physical evidence of what triggers an asthma attack.
For example, a child visits Grandfather’s house with a cat and wheezes or coughs.
People can understand that environmental factors can make symptoms worse or better.
Parents often want to know why their kid gets asthma
When it comes to asthma, there are two main reasons why it can happen. First, it’s genetic. That means your child has inherited genes from you or another parent that make them predisposed to asthma.
Second, it’s the environment. So, if a kid has two parents who have bad asthma, they’re more likely to have asthma.
But if a kid doesn’t have any allergies, they’re not likely to get asthma right away.
It’s all about how much exposure to allergens, like dust mites or cockroaches, they get from their environment.
For example, if a kid lives in urban San Francisco and has no allergies, they might get asthma, but if they live in Sacramento and have no allergies, they probably won’t. These are just two examples of how asthma can occur.
Monitoring asthma in children
According to a study, asthma treatment aims to gain clinical control and minimize future risk to the patient. To achieve this goal for children with asthma, continuous monitoring is necessary.
All components of asthma (symptoms, lung function, hyperresponsiveness, inflammation) may exist in different combinations in different individuals.
To date, there is little evidence on how to include these components for effective monitoring in children with asthma.
Treatment of asthma in children
Asthma treatment in children needs a multi-pronged approach that focuses on symptom management, inflammation control, exacerbation prevention, and quality of life improvement.
Here are some of the key factors to consider when treating asthma in children:
Medications:
- Quick-relief medications: Short-acting beta-aminobutyric acid (SABAs), such as albuterol, are used to relieve asthma symptoms as soon as possible by relaxing the airways.
- Long-term control medications: Inhaled Corticosteroids, Leukotriene Modifiers, Long-Acting Beta-Aspirin (LABAs), and Combination Inhalers are prescribed to reduce airway inflammation and delay asthma symptoms.
- Action Plans: An asthma action plan is developed with the child’s healthcare provider to help identify triggers, understand medication usage, identify exacerbating symptoms, and know what to do in the event of an asthma attack.
- Avoiding Triggers: Prevent exacerbation of asthma by identifying and reducing your exposure to triggers like dust mites, pollen and pet dander, tobacco smoke, air pollution, cold air, and respiratory infections.
- Allergy Management: Allergy shots (i.e. immunotherapy) or medications used to treat allergies help reduce the intensity of asthma symptoms caused by allergic reactions.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Promoting a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and keeping the home clean can have a positive effect on a child’s respiratory health.
- Regular Check-ups: It is important to schedule follow-up visits with your child’s healthcare provider to track asthma control, adjust asthma medications if necessary, and address any worries or symptoms.
- Education and Support: The best way to manage asthma is to educate the child and their parents about asthma, how to use an inhaler correctly, how to recognize asthma symptoms, and how to communicate with healthcare providers.
A Word From GetMe Treated
Asthma treatment for children needs to be tailored to the child’s age, the severity of the symptoms, the triggers, and the overall health of the child.
It is important to monitor and adjust the treatment plan as needed to maintain good asthma control and improve the quality of life of the child.
FAQs Related To Why Did I Have Asthma As A Child
Why did I have asthma as a child but not now?
As kids get older, their airways become better equipped to handle swelling and other irritants that can irritate their airways.
Does childhood asthma ever go away?
As a child grows, the symptoms of asthma may improve and seem to disappear.
Can asthma go away permanently?
No. You can’t completely get rid of asthma, but you can get it under control to the point where you don’t have any symptoms at all.
Can kids with asthma live a normal life?
The good news, though, is that you can help manage your kid’s asthma so they can stay active and healthy.
What age does asthma usually start?
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Most children develop asthma at some point in their childhood, usually before the age of 5.
Does childhood asthma damage the lungs?
With proper treatment, you can manage symptoms and protect your child’s lungs as they grow.
What is baby asthma called?
It’s called reactive airway disease
Other Helpful Blog Posts:
- How To Clean Your Child’s Ears
- How To Clean An Autistic Child’s Ears
- Eswatini’s Neglected Children
- How To Protect Your Baby’s Skin From Diaper Rash
- Gestational Diabetes Effect On Baby
- Baby Blood Sugar Levels
- How To Make 1 Year Baby Food At Home