Allergies and Asthma

It is an allergic condition characterized by attacks of difficult breathing and often begins in childhood and may last throughout life. It tends to occur in families. It tends to be worse at night and during winter. An acute attack may be caused by eating or breathing things to which the person is allergic. There is a spasm of the windpipe and its branches, so that breathing becomes difficult. The condition is diagnosed by the following features.
1. The patient is breathless.
2. A wheezing sound is heard during his breathing.
3. He cannot get enough air. So his nails and lips may turn blue.
4. The neck* veins may be distended.
First-aid
1. Reassure the patient. Never panic and keep calm.
2. Ask him to take his usual medication, which may be in the form of an inhalation spray or tablets.
3. Make him sit at a place that is warm and airy. Loosen any tight clothing.
4. Steam inhalation may also help.
5. Shift him to a hospital immediately if there is no response to the treatment given.
Most asthmatic children have allergies which bring on the attacks, but emotional upsets, temperature changes, pollution, exercise and infection can also bring on attacks. By far the commonest allergy is to domestic house dust — specifically to the house dust mite. Children may also be allergic to grass pollen, pets, and feathers in pillows, mould, foods and many other things. The rising pollution levels in metro cities are contributing in a big way to a dangerous increase in Asthmatic patients.
Prevention is the best cure. Avoidance of any known allergic substances is the most obvious starting point, but this can be difficult in practice. Drugs help greatly to prevent attacks and some children can be adequately protected against certain allergies by having a course of desensitizing injections. A happy and relaxed family atmosphere and parents who understand the disease make a real difference to the number of attacks a child has.

Popularity: 1%

Filed under: Asthma Attacks