The Food and Drug Administration is doing what it can to spread the word about child asthma, giving tips on both how to spot telltale signs and how to control the condition once a child has been diagnosed.
The number of children diagnosed with asthma has been rising steadily, from 8.9% of children in 2005 to 9.4% in 2010, about 7 million kids in total. The reason for this could be because of more accurate diagnoses. Previously, a child with asthma may have mistakenly been diagnosed with bronchitis or some such condition.
The FDA has stated that the earlier the condition can be caught, the safer the individual will be throughout their entire life. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, intense coughing, or an extensive wheezing noise while breathing. Intensified symptoms can usually be brought on by such things as a change in climate, mold, smoke, or various allergens. A family history of asthma can also put a child at greater risk.
Once diagnosed, there are a number of treatment options available. For temporary relief, a medication such as albuterol will be provided in order to mitigate symptoms. For the longterm, however, doctors will typically issue a controller medication known as an inhaled corticosteroid. This can improve the individual’s lungs and lessen the need for albuterol and other short-term options.