Summer Asthma Alert

For children with this respiratory disorder, the season's warm days can bring danger.

After this year's harsh winter, most of us are rejoicing that the warm weather is finally here. but for children with asthma, summer can present problems.

“if pollen is a trigger for a child, it can cause more symptoms,” says Archana Singh, M.D., chief of Pediatric Pulmonology at the Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. “Some patients are triggered by extremely hot weather, and exercise can also play a role. if the child is active outdoors on summer days, he or she could be at greater risk for an asthma attack.”

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. the inflammation causes the airways to produce large amounts of mucus, which may in turn cause plugging of the inflamed airways, making it even harder to breathe.

Among children and adolescents, asthma is the leading cause of hospital stays and school absences. in recent years there has been a spike in the number of children developing asthma, and experts aren’t sure why. but they attribute asthma attacks in part to environmental factors such as air pollution, indoor pollutants such as fumes from cleaning liquids, animal dander, house dust mites and smoking or second-hand smoke.

Because a child’s airways are narrower than an adult’s, children have a greater risk of developing airway constriction. According to Dr. Singh, the most frequent symptoms of asthma in children are coughing and wheezing, a high-pitched whistling sound with every breath. Other symptoms include tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, poor exercise endurance and a tired feeling.

At the Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a child suspected of having asthma undergoes a thorough examination, evaluation and tests to confirm diagnosis. Treatment must include the avoidance of asthma triggers, says Dr. Singh. In addition to outdoor summertime triggers, asthma triggers include acid reflux, infections such as the flu and sinus problems, prolonged crying or laughing, and vocal cord problems.

As is the case with adults, medications can be prescribed to treat asthma. rescue medicines are taken when children are having an asthma attack, with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and/ or difficulty breathing. long-term control medicines are prescribed to be taken daily to prevent asthma symptoms. Children must take these medicines even if no symptoms are present, says Dr. Singh, and some children may need more than one long-term control medicine.

“Asthma cannot be cured, but you can keep symptoms at a minimum,” she says. “the goal of treatment should be to use the minimum medication necessary to maintain control of the condition and pre- vent long-term lung damage.”

When to call 9-1-1

Asthma attacks can be life-threatening, warns Archana Singh, M.D., chief of Pediatric Pulmonology at the Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Immediately give the child the quick-relief medication prescribed by his or her physician and call 9-1-1 right away, says the doc- tor, if your child’s breathing difficulties leave him or her unable to speak in full sentences, confused, weak, and/or with a bluish or grayish tint to the skin.

For more information on the treatment or management of asthma at the Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, contact the division of pediatric pulmonology at 732.565.5467.