Asthma is a common respiratory condition of the lungs. It is characterized by inflammation of the airways, leading to respiratory distress, cough and wheezing. Treatment in children is aimed at prevention of asthma attacks and therapy for acute exacerbations.
Types
There are two main medicines used to treat asthma in children: bronchodilators and corticosteroids.
Features
Bronchodilators open the airway from the inside, while corticosteroids reduce inflammation outside the airway.
Considerations
Asthma medicines come in inhalations and in nebulizer solutions. When using an inhaler with children, it is important to use it with a spacer, a plastic tube with a face mask that allows children to effectively inhale the medication.
Benefits
Preventive treatment of asthma with inhaled corticosteroids helps decrease the amount of asthma attacks, and reduces doctor's visits and school absenteeism because of the disease.
Prevention/Solution
Other treatments for asthma include control of allergies in the preventive setting, and magnesium to relax the muscles surrounding the airway in an acute attack.
