When a child has trouble breathing the situation can be scary for both the parents and the child. Parents should talk to their child in a soothing voice and calm the child by giving him or her a favorite comfort item, such as a blanket or stuffed animal. Keeping the child calm can help ease breathing; however, if the child begins to show signs of distress, such as blueish or grayish skin or rattling noise when breathing, immediate medical care is necessary.
Asthma
The American Lung Association estimates that in 2009, 7.1 million children 18 and younger have asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes an inflammation of the airways, making it difficult for the child to breathe. Asthma occurs when triggers in the air irritates the lungs. These triggers can include secondhand smoke, air pollution, pollen, mold, pet dander, feathers, dust, stress, exercise and certain foods. Medications can reduce the inflammation of the lungs and allow the child to breathe easier. According to the American Lung Association, asthma is one of the leading causes for missed school.
Croup
When a child has croup, the repetitive cough sounds like a barking seal. Croup is caused by an inflammation in the vocal cords and wind pipe. According to MayoClinic.com, children under the age of 5 are more susceptible to croup because of their smaller airways. Children should be taken to the doctor if they have a fever above 103.5 F, difficulty swallowing, has blue or grayish skin around the nose, mouth or their fingernails or has a loud, rattling sound when breathing. Most cases can be treated at home with a humidifier and drinking plenty of fluids. Sometimes hospitalization maybe required for the child to receive oxygen and breathing treatments.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic disease that is genetic and affects the lungs and digestive system. The body produces a thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and causes lung infections. Cystic fibrosis also affects the pancreas by stopping the enzymes produced by the pancreas from breaking down food. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Seventy percent of cases are patients under the age of 2. Signs and symptoms can include wheezing, trouble breathing, chronic cough, lack of growth and weight and lung infections. There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but there are treatments to help alleviate the symptoms.Treatment including medications, therapies and nutrition can help improve the quality of life.
