Asthma Allergy Clinic

Hello, Good afternoon. I am Dr Shilpa Nayak. I am a paediatrician with special interest in Asthma and allergy related disorders.

asthma is a major cause of school absenteeism and hospital admission in children between the age of 5- 18 years of age. Over 6 million children over the world are suffering from Asthma. So, today I am going to talk about childhood Asthma.

Common symptoms of Asthma are a recurrent cough, recurrent cold, wheeze, restlessness, chest tightness, cold that straight go to a chest and night cough. So, if your child is suffering from any such symptoms, then you should visit your physician for Asthma evaluation.

What causes Asthma?

Asthma is caused due to the swelling of the air way response to inhalation of the indoor and outdoor allergens. For example, dust mites, pollen, molds, animal dander and insects like cockroaches. 

In case of acute asthma attacks, the muscle surrounding the air way get tighten and less air is passed through the lungs.

A physician can help you by conducting different tests. For example, Spirometry or lung function test if your child is 5 years and above and is co operative.

An allergy test is done to find out the allergen that your child is allergic to. And later allergen avoidance help in reducing the frequency and severity of the Asthma symptoms. The doctor may advise for a blood test or X-Ray of the chest if indicated.

So asthma management includes Allergen avoidance, in which the allergen that has been diagnosed by allergic trick testing should be avoided completely.

Pharmacotherapy includes the preventer medicines and the rescue medicines.

Preventer medicines are given as the long term medicines for Asthma, whereas Rescue medicines are provided at the time of a severe attack. Besides this, your doctor will give you Asthma Action Plan and Peak flow meter to monitor the symptoms.

Reduction of stress and breathing exercises indirectly help in Asthma management.

So with the help, proper care and with the proper medication, your child can live a normal and healthy life.

For more information, you can contact me via lybrate.com