Asthma in School Age Children

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Asthma in School Age Children

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition which is directly associated to the swelling of air passages in the lungs. It causes the airways to become narrow resulting in difficulty breathing or breathlessness. An asthma attack can occur as a reaction from triggering factors such as dust, mold and pets. When asthma is triggered, it reacts by producing more mucus on an already obstructed airway. It then adds additional spasm on the passage airways, manifested through wheezing cough and tightness of the chest. When the airways are obstructed it constricts to compensate for the decrease of oxygen supply. As a result, a breathing struggle is manifested.

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder afflicting school-age children and is the leading cause of school absences. Studies showed that asthmatic children have three times more absences as compared to those without asthma. Its unpredictable nature hinders afflicted children to live a normal life. Asthma in school age children can inflict unseen repercussions to children. It is believed that children with asthma are more likely to develop behavioral problems and learning disabilities.

www.controlling-asthma.info

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School age years are the developing stage for children. It is the stage where children start to gain new friends, participate in numerous activities and discover new things, but asthma threatens to impede all of these. It becomes a hindrance for children to enjoy their growing years. Usually children diagnosed with asthma are restricted from taking part in a number of activities. Most often, they are restrained from participating in strenuous school activities and sports. They tend to become more self-conscious and insecure.

Asthmatic children often have low self-esteem and poor self-image because other children perceive them differently. Frequent absences in school due to asthma flare-ups may result in low grades and learning difficulty. At this stage, children would want to gain independence. This hunger for independence hampers proper administration of asthma management. Parents should explain to their child the importance of medication compliance. Children need to be educated regarding their condition to help them cope with the disease.

www.controlling-asthma.info

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Keeping your child's asthma under control will result in reduction of asthma attacks. This will benefit them greatly since they won't have to miss their classes and will give them hope to live a normal life. Parents should communicate with school authorities regarding their child's asthma condition. Children should also be encouraged to learn how to manage asthma on their own. Teach them how to recognize triggering factors, symptoms and the proper administration of asthma medications.

Make sure that your child has access to quick relief medications such as inhalers. Your child's friends can also help in managing the condition by teaching them what to do and where to get rescue medication in case of a sudden asthma attack. Asthma in school age children is definitely manageable. You just have to ensure that the school is properly informed regarding your child's condition. A well-managed asthma means less sick days. Now, parents will be less worried with their child's asthma condition, and even if they are in school they know they are well attended to.

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AsthmaResource

The number of children with asthma is on the rise. For parents who have a child with asthma, learning to understand and deal with the condition is cri... more »

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