4 things to know about childhood asthma

Asthma is not just a genetic disease

Asthma is a multifactorial disease that depends on both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Allergic asthma, particularly prevalent in children, can be seasonal or permanent depending on allergen exposure.

But not all asthmatics are allergic. “Asthma can be induced by a virus. Its form is then generally mild,” says Professor Jocelyne Just, pediatric pneumo-allergist and vice-president of the French Federation of Allergology. As well as for asthma triggered only by the effort which appears after a physical activity.

Severe asthma is a rare disease

“The majority of children with asthma suffer from intermittent or mild asthma. They have few or no symptoms apart from one or two attacks a year. They only need treatment when they are not well” specifies the allergist.

Severe asthma affects 2 to 5% of patients. “It is therefore a rare disease, notes the Pre Just. It is important to make a diagnosis as soon as possible, because this form of (severe) asthma impairs respiratory functions in the long term and can affect the adult life expectancy.

Boys are more affected than girls

“It’s a fact, boys are more affected than girls for the simple reason that they are more often allergic, says the specialist. However, this does not predict the seriousness. The most serious forms are observed logically in patients who combine several allergies or several aggravating factors such as obesity.”

Asthma relieves but cannot be treated

There are multiple treatments depending on the severity. “Ventolin® is a rescue treatment, but it does not balance asthma.” Corticosteroids, on the other hand, aim to reduce inflammation. A desensitization can also be prescribed for people with allergies after the asthma has been controlled by the treatments.

“On a daily basis, it is recommended to the entourage not to smoke next to an asthmatic child, to favor hot and dry climates during the holidays and to ventilate the home.” La Pre Just adds: “Research is progressing on the treatment of severe asthma. Biotherapies targeting the causes are multiplying. The challenge is to intervene on the trajectory of the disease during life.”

A child with asthma can play sports

“Children with asthma can and should exercise normally, provided the asthma is well balanced,” insists our expert. Only scuba diving is not recommended. “It is possible that the doctor recommends taking Ventolin® before making an effort.” As a bronchodilator, this drug allows dilation of the airways to promote better oxygenation of the body.

What symptoms should alert?

A chronic cough that does not stop after three weeks, discomfort on exertion, wheezing, bronchiolitis or repeated bronchitis during the winter in children should be alarming. The doctor will then have to carry out functional tests, allergy tests as well as a chest X-ray to best adapt the treatment.

Our expert : Professor, Jocelyne Just, pneumo-allergist pediatrician and vice-president of the French Federation of Allergology.

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