If it is a cold, the symptoms should not last more than 10 to 15 days and generally tends to resolve spontaneously, as this is a disease induced by viral infections. But if the cough is chronic and persistent, then it is necessary to have the correct diagnosis from a specialist.
It is important to take into account that asthma is the most common chronic disease in children worldwide and in 80% of cases, the onset occurs before the age of five years. So if your child is in this age range and has symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest and worsens when doing physical activity, laughing, crying or being exposed to changes in temperature, smoke, dust and strong smells, then there is an alarm signal. Dr. Jenniffer Wittgreen, a pediatric pulmonologist, highlighted that in Panama these conditions occur more frequently in the rainy season, which is when viral infections are activated, especially in those patients who begin to go to school.
The doctor explained how we can identify if our children are suffering from asthma: “This type of cough is generally dry, prolonged and worse at night. Many times it has a pattern that begins very early in the morning and the symptoms improve at the beginning of the afternoon, but it worsens again as soon as night falls and generally this condition remains for more than three weeks ”.
RISK FACTOR'S
There are some ills that are associated with the presence of this disease.
The specialist highlighted that a history of allergies in the child or in close relatives with rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, reflux and sinusitis are indications of asthma.
After determining this, through a medical history, a physical examination of the patient should be done through some pulmonary function tests that allow us to determine if there is an airflow obstruction and if the child also responds well to the use of salbutamol.
GOOD FORECAST
Many years ago, having asthma was synonymous with a decrease in the patient's quality of life, but it is a thing of the past, since today there are multiple known treatments that allow its control in 95% of patients, but it largely depends on evaluation measure on time.
The first line to treat this disease are inhaled medications and not nebulization in the first instance, since inhalers have lower doses and fewer side effects. “Nebulized medicine is only applied to those patients who do not respond to inhalers and who have an airway obstruction so severe that you have to use them. The use of cough syrups is also contraindicated, which is very common, but they do not work in these cases ”, explained Wittgreen.
Likewise, according to the doctor, if it is treated properly, infants can overcome the disease after five years of age, as a result of development and changes in their immune system, to the point that an improvement occurs and no treatment is required. treatment.
What is an asthma attack?
According to the World Health Organization (O.M.S), during an asthma attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes becomes inflamed, causing a narrowing of the airways and a decrease in the flow of air in and out of the lungs.
It is one of the main non-communicable diseases. It causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways to the lungs.
Recurrent symptoms frequently cause insomnia, daytime fatigue, decreased activity, and absenteeism from school and work.
The O.M.S estimates that there are currently 235 million patients with asthma.
