This content was originally produced for audio. Certain elements such as tone, sound effects, and music, may not fully capture the intended experience in textual representation. Therefore, the following transcription has been modified for clarity. We recognize not everyone can access the audio podcast. However, for those who can, we encourage subscribing and listening to the original content for a more engaging and immersive experience.
All thoughts and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views held by the institutions with which they are affiliated.
What is Asthma?
Parents will often bring their kids in for a cough and wonder if their child is asthmatic. Well, not all coughs are asthma, but most asthmatics do cough. So what exactly is asthma?
According to the American Lung Association, the official definition of asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways involving airflow obstruction due to bronchial hyperresponsiveness and underlying inflammation. So what does that mean?
Well, the bronchi are the large tubes in the lungs. When someone with asthma starts to have an asthma attack, the muscles in the bronchi go a little crazy. They hyper- or over-respond to a stimulus that normally wouldn't cause someone a problem, and it gets supertight, constricting airflow. In addition, they become overly inflamed, creating a lot of mucus and swelling. Together, the bronchi restrict airflow into the smaller areas of the lungs, and a person with asthma starts to have a hard time breathing as a result.
Managing and Treating Asthma
To treat asthma one needs to treat hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Medications like albuterol which is a bronchodilator will help relax the bronchi muscles to open up the airways. Other medications like inhaled steroids will help tackle the inflammation on a daily basis so even if a patient's asthma is triggered the person only needs to reduce the constriction of the bronchi because the inflammation part of asthma has already been treated.
Prevention and Family History
Parents of kids with asthma often ask me, "Could we have prevented our child from having asthma?" Unfortunately, not really. The tendency for a person to have asthma runs in families. If a parent has allergies, asthma, or eczema, their child is more likely to have any of those three, or in my kids' case, all three, because I have all three.
While asthma itself can't be prevented, asthma exacerbation absolutely can with good asthma management. Many factors in a patient's history determine what medications are needed and how much medication is needed. It can take a little while to get a patient's asthma under control, depending on what their triggers are and how well they respond to the medications.
If you think your child is asthmatic, your pediatrician will be able to help determine their diagnosis, their level of asthma, and what the best treatment options are.
More Answers to Your Questions on Keeping Your Kid Healthy and Happy
Latest trends and issues in children's health on the Healthy Kids Zone with Dr. Cindy Gellner
What to Do When Your Baby Sounds Congested
Preparing for the new school year means a lot more than just buying school supplies. Learn how to take action now and prevent a last-minute scramble later to set your child up for a healthy, successful school year.
How to Make School Mornings Easier for You and Your Kids
From forgotten lunches to last-minute outfit debates, school mornings can be challenging. Learn strategies to make them smoother, including setting up backpacks the night before, limiting screen time until after school, and sending kids off with a positive goodbye.
When Does Your Child Really Need Lab Work?
Parents often ask about blood tests during routine pediatric visits, but healthy children rarely need them. Learn more about the focused approach pediatricians take to evaluate your child's health and why it may be different than adult screenings.
