According to Web Med (2016), asthma is a chronic condition that mainly affects the air passages. The internal surfaces of these air passages are usually swollen thereby making it a challenge for air to pass through into the lungs which eventually results to compromised respiratory functions of the body. According to CDC (2013), the total number of children under the age of 18 years with this disease stood at 6.1 million which represented 7.3% of the total population of individuals with the condition. Currently, the morbidity levels of the condition stand at 6.3 million children which represent 8.3% of the total individual having the condition (CDC, 2016). As such, it is evident the numbers have been increasing over the years, It should be noted that this condition is more severe in children compared to adults since their air passages are smaller. As such, it is imperative that these conditions be effectively addressed in children with the objectives of reducing undesirable outcomes associated with this condition.
The common triggers that can lead to this condition in children include; allergens like animal fur, pollen and mold, irritants like air pollution and cigarette smoke, bad weather conditions like cold air, exercising and pulmonary infections like colds and flu. The common symptoms that show the manifestation of this condition include; intermittent rapid breathing, coughing spells which are frequent, lower enthusiasm levels, wheezing sound during breathing shortness of breath, feelings of tiredness and weakness and retractions (Mayo Clinic, 2016). These symptoms usually present themselves in children first at the age of five years. It is suspected that the reason for the current increment of this condition in children is because children spend most of their time indoors which translates to them being exposed to the triggers of the condition. Such triggers have mainly been identified as air pollution, dust and effects from second-hand smoke. In addition to these triggers, the risk factors likely to increase the susceptibility of these children to the condition include eczema and nasal allergies, respiratory infections, a family with a history of the disease, low weight at birth, being exposed to tobacco before they are born and children with either black or Puerto Rican ethnicity (Web Med, 2016).
The diagnosis of this condition is carried out by performing a physical exam on the children, taking a medical history of the children and checking on the symptoms. Physical examinations include using a stethoscope to check for the conditions of the heart and the lungs and also possible signs of allergies on the eyes and nose. The medical history tests will include the child being checked to determine whether they may have had a previous cause of breathing difficulties, eczema and lung infections (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Shortness of breath and wheezing sounds when breathing are also possible signs of the condition. Laboratory tests for this process include carrying out a spirometry test to test the strength of the lungs in the process of exhalation, blood tests to determine the presence of sinus and allergy skin testing. The proper management of this disease is effectively identifying the triggers to the condition and having a close observation of the symptoms of the disease to address it at the earliest time possible. The treatment involves either a short-term intervention or a long-term intervention. Inhalers are usually used in addressing the disease in case the child is in need of quick relief (Mayo Clinic, 2016). The long-term treatment regime involves taking the prescribed medication. Examples of these medications are Inhaled corticosteroids and Theophylline which act by keeping the air passages open.
According to the Healthy People 2020 (2020), it is evident that the prevalence rates amongst individuals worldwide have been increasing steadily since the 1980s and as such there is the need for effective methods being developed to address the condition. Additionally, significant morbidity and mortality rates are more prevalent in certain groups in the society particularly children, women and African Americans. As such, there is the need for active preventive and treatment measures which should be aimed at addressing the problem amongst populations.
Research question
Is living in a clean environment clean from triggers effective in addressing asthma in children?
References
CDC. (2013). CDC - Asthma - Most Recent Asthma Data. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_data.htm
CDC. (2016). FastStats - Asthma. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm
Healthy People 2020. (2020). Respiratory Diseases | Healthy People 2020. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/respiratory-diseases
Mayo Clinic. (2016). Childhood Asthma. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20193128
Web Med. (2016). Asthma in Children & Infants: Symptoms and Treatments. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/asthma/tc/children-asthma?page=2
