Yes, childhood asthma can be well-managed, and most children lead completely normal, active lives. Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in children (over 7 million children worldwide), but with proper treatment and trigger avoidance, your child can play sports, attend school regularly, and sleep peacefully through the night.
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Asthma is a condition where the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult.
What happens during asthma:
Why some children get asthma:
| Risk Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| **Family history** | If parents have asthma/allergies, child is more likely to have it |
| **Allergies** | Eczema, food allergies, allergic rhinitis increase risk |
| **Premature birth** | Lungs may not be fully developed |
| **Respiratory infections** | Early severe infections can trigger asthma |
| **Pollution exposure** | Air pollution, smoking during pregnancy or around child |
| **Obesity** | Overweight children have higher risk |
Good news: Many children "outgrow" asthma or have much milder symptoms as they get older!
| Age | Asthma Presentation | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 years | Wheezing with colds, recurrent bronchiolitis | Hard to diagnose definitively. May be called "reactive airway disease" |
| 2-5 years | Frequent coughing, especially at night. Wheezing | Can start formal diagnosis. Nebulizers often used |
| 5-12 years | Classic asthma symptoms. Can use inhalers | Peak flow monitoring possible. Sports participation important |
| Teenagers | May have less symptoms OR may worsen | Compliance can be an issue. Peer pressure, smoking risk |
Common signs of asthma:
Pattern recognition:
Call ambulance or rush to hospital if:
Urgent (same-day doctor visit):
Common triggers in India:
| Trigger | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| **Dust mites** | Wash bedding weekly in hot water, use mattress covers, reduce carpets |
| **Pollution** | Stay indoors on high AQI days, use air purifier, avoid traffic areas |
| **Smoke** | No smoking at home (even in other room!), avoid dhoop, agarbatti near child |
| **Pollen** | Keep windows closed during high pollen season |
| **Pets** | Keep pets out of bedroom, bathe them regularly |
| **Cold air** | Cover nose/mouth with muffler in winter |
| **Exercise** | Warm up slowly, take preventive puff if prescribed |
| **Strong smells** | Avoid phenyl, room fresheners, perfumes near child |
Two types of asthma medicines:
1. Relievers (Emergency use - "rescue inhaler")
2. Controllers (Daily prevention)
Important: Controller medicines are NOT steroids that cause side effects like tablets. Inhaled steroids are safe for long-term use in children!
For children under 6: Use spacer + mask
For children 6+: Spacer without mask
Common spacers available in India: Zerostat, Aerochamber, Babyhaler
Work with your doctor to create a written plan:
| Zone | Symptoms | Action |
|---|---|---|
| **Green (All clear)** | No symptoms, sleeping well, can play | Continue controller medicines |
| **Yellow (Caution)** | Some coughing/wheezing, waking at night, using reliever more | Increase controller as per plan, avoid triggers |
| **Red (Emergency)** | Severe breathlessness, reliever not helping | Use reliever, call doctor/go to hospital |
Sleep tips (Neend ke liye):
Exercise:
Diet:
A: Night coughing that disturbs sleep is a classic sign of asthma, especially if it happens regularly. Other causes include post-nasal drip, reflux, or just a lingering cold. If night coughing is frequent (raat ko jagta hai regularly) and you notice wheezing or breathlessness, consult a pediatrician. A proper evaluation can confirm if it's asthma.
A: This is a very common myth. Inhalers are NOT addictive. Asthma is a chronic condition that needs management - stopping the inhaler doesn't cure asthma, it just removes the treatment. Many children can reduce or stop controller medication over time as their asthma improves, under doctor's guidance. Using inhaler properly is BETTER than avoiding it and having frequent attacks.
A: YES! Inhaled steroids are very safe. The dose is very small, and it goes directly to the lungs - very little is absorbed into the body. The small amount that might be absorbed is much safer than the alternative: uncontrolled asthma, frequent oral steroids, emergency visits, and damaged lungs. Decades of research confirm inhaled steroids are safe for long-term use in children.
A: Absolutely! Many Olympic athletes have asthma. With good asthma control, your child should have NO limitations on physical activity. In fact, exercise is GOOD for asthmatic children - it strengthens lungs. Just ensure proper warm-up, carry reliever inhaler, and if prescribed, use preventive puff before exercise.
A: Inhalers with spacer are actually BETTER than nebulizers for most situations! They're faster, portable, and deliver medicine more effectively. Nebulizers are useful when child is too young or too sick to use an inhaler, or during severe attacks. Don't think nebulizer is "stronger" - same medicine, just different delivery method.
A: Delhi's pollution season is tough for asthmatic children. Keep child indoors when AQI is very high. Use N95 mask when going out. Use air purifier at home. Increase controller medication dose (as per doctor's advice) during high pollution days. Keep windows closed. Do indoor activities instead of outdoor play. Monitor symptoms closely.
A: Many children do "outgrow" asthma - symptoms decrease significantly or disappear by teenage years. However, it varies - some continue to have asthma, and some may have it return in adulthood. You can't predict for sure. Focus on good control now - well-controlled asthma has better long-term outcomes.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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