Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases affecting people’s lives around the world. This is not just a temporary shortness of breath, but a human respiratory disease that affects the airways, causing inflammation and narrowing. If left untreated, it can cause breathing difficulties and severe seizures. It is more common in children and adults and can usually be controlled with medication and avoidance of triggers.
The World Health Organization said the disease affects more than 262 million people and kills approximately 455,000 people worldwide each year, making it a global health challenge that needs to be recognized and carefully managed.
In Saudi Arabia, Dr. Nawal Nassar Al Nassar, Chairman of the Drug Education and Drug Information Committee at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital, explained that asthma is the most common disease, with an estimated 1.5 million people infected, according to statistics from the Saudi Thoracic Society 1436 AH.
A whistle rings in my chest
Dr. Hussein Hassan Jamal, Consultant Family Medicine, said: Asthma is one of the most common diseases among children. This is a disease that affects the bronchi of the lungs and causes frequent shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing in the chest, especially at night and during play or physical activity. Asthma is a chronic disease, but with proper treatment, it is highly controllable.
Regarding the causes of inflammation in children’s asthma, Dr. Hussain says: Colds and viral infections are among the most common causes of worsening symptoms in children. Strong odors, cigarette smoke, dust, animal dander, mold and cold air can also cause asthma attacks, and repeated exposure to these factors increases the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, making them more sensitive, which is reflected in the child and his daily activities.
Inhaled corticosteroids are safe
Regarding how to control asthma, Dr. Hussein Jamal pointed out the need to allow children to live a normal life without restrictions, and this depends on a clear treatment plan, including drug treatment and avoidance of irritants. Inhaled cortisone is the main treatment for childhood asthma because it calms inflammation in the bronchi, reducing the frequency and severity of attacks. It is important to reassure your family that inhaled cortisone is different from cortisone taken orally or by injection and is very safe when used correctly. Under medical supervision, bronchodilator inhalers are used when necessary to quickly relieve symptoms, but they are not a substitute for regular preventive treatment, and they play a role in prevention and reducing severity, highlighting the need for children with asthma to receive an annual influenza vaccination from 6 months of age.
Dr. Hussain points out that many children with asthma suffer from nasal allergies, including frequent sneezing, stuffy nose, and runny nose. Untreated nasal allergies can make asthma difficult to control, so treating both conditions together can improve your breathing, sleep quality, and overall symptom control.
Will my child be born with asthma?
Pediatrics resident Dr. Haneen Alshehri said the cause of asthma is due to genetic predisposition, stressing that this is an important factor and that children are more likely to develop asthma if a parent or sibling has asthma, allergic rhinitis, or eczema. One cause is recurrent chest infections in early childhood, especially when accompanied by severe viral infections. Regarding why some children are born with asthma, Dr. Haneen says: Although children are not born with asthma as a full-blown disease, they can be born with a predisposition or predisposition to develop asthma, which usually develops during the first few years of life after exposure to a trigger. The danger of asthma lies not in the diagnosis itself, but in neglect or poor control. Asthma has complications, and some people require intensive treatment. Asthma is therefore addressed with a clear plan for each child, starting with a medical history, performing the necessary laboratory tests and tests, determining the appropriate medication, its dosage and method of use, and regular follow-up to assess improvement. Modify your plan if necessary. In addition to regular follow-up to adhere to the plan and make the child’s life normal and safe.
bluish lips
Dr. Abdullah Khayat, associate professor of pediatrics and consultant in pediatric thoracic disease and sleep medicine, said: We have received cases where children suffering from asthma complain of shortness of breath, frequent coughing, and whistling sounds in the chest while playing or sleeping at night, and their symptoms improve with the use of asthma inhalers.
In addition to blue lips, Dr. Khayat noted the importance of going to the emergency room if your child is having trouble breathing and symptoms do not improve after the spray.
Regarding the potential of exercise for people with asthma, Dr. Sahar Al-Adal, a family medicine consultant, explained that while many people think that having asthma is an impediment to exercise, exercise is actually important and beneficial for people with asthma. She explained how to prevent asthma attacks during exercise by properly controlling your asthma with preventive treatments, using an emergency inhaler before exercise (as directed by your doctor), warming up before exercise, and gradually increasing the intensity of your exercise. It also recommended that people with active asthma accompanied by a severe cold, or whose symptoms cannot be controlled, immediately stop some sports.
killer electronics
In the same context, Dr. Sahar Al Akhdal, consultant in family medicine, warned about the relationship between some habits that have recently spread in society and asthma. Although e-cigarette use is considered a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking and has been observed in various age groups, recent studies have proven that e-cigarettes are not safe, especially for asthma patients, as they cause bronchial inflammation and irritation, increasing airway hyperresponsiveness. This leads to narrowing of the airways and increased mucus secretion, the same basic mechanism that causes asthma attacks. Therefore, e-cigarettes are not safe for asthma patients because they increase attacks and weaken disease control.
family suffering
At the beginning, Umm Sameer said: “My two children suffer from asthma and shortness of breath, especially during windy seasons. I am very careful not to use incense or air fresheners to avoid exposing my children to asthma irritants. Aromatic scents increase children’s fatigue, so I no longer use them out of concern for their safety.”
In the same context, Lacan’s mother said: “My husband is a smoker and my daughter is 10 years old and suffers from asthma attacks.” The good thing is that my husband has quit smoking.
