How to Treat Childhood Asthma?
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
Doctors usually suspect asthma based on your child's symptoms, especially if your family has a history of asthma or allergies. Sometimes doctors may perform tests:
- Chest X-ray if the doctor suspects other respiratory problems in the child (e.g., pneumonia)
- Allergy testing to identify triggers for your child's asthma
- Lung function tests to confirm asthma (usually for older children)
How to Treat Childhood Asthma?
Medications to control asthma are generally divided into two types: maintenance preventive medications and acute relief medications.
Maintenance Preventive Medications:
- Inhaled corticosteroids: Inhale a small amount of corticosteroids once or twice a day, limited to the trachea rather than the whole body. Many large studies have shown that this has almost no side effects and does not affect growth and development.
- Oral montelukast (Singulair): One tablet before bedtime daily. Montelukast is not a corticosteroid (hormone). It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist, which also has minimal side effects.
Acute Relief Medications:
- Oral or injected corticosteroids (hormones): Because it is taken orally or injected, the medication enters the body as a whole. If the dose is too high or taken for more than 14 days, side effects may occur, but there is no need to worry about short-term use of normal doses.How to Calculate Normal Dose? 1-2 milligrams per kilogram per day. For example, a child weighing 10 kilograms should take 10-20 milligrams per day, which is a normal dose.
- Oral bronchodilators: There are many types of bronchodilators, both long-acting and short-acting, with similar effects.
- Short-acting inhaled bronchodilators: Short-acting inhaled bronchodilators are a lifesaver for asthma sufferers, but they are also a deadly weapon for abusers. Generally, during acute attacks, this medication can be used to relieve symptoms, but it should not be used in excessive amounts, and it is best not to use it continuously for more than two weeks.
Reference: MSD Manual, "Dr. Huang Yingning Accompanies You With Health And Care"
