Children are being diagnosed with asthma more and more frequently, especially in cities, at a very young age. They are struggling to breathe at a period when they ought to be enjoying themselves with their pals. This results in frequent breathlessness, wheezing, and occasionally sleepless nights, which upsets their everyday routines. Their academic lives are also impacted since they might not be able to participate as much. To learn more about the increase in asthma cases among children and what parents can do to help manage them, HT Lifestyle contacted professionals.

Children's increasing vulnerability in major cities was discussed by Dr. Kavita Choudhari, a consultant allergist and immunotherapist at Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital in Pune. She went into detail on the statistics, highlighting the rising number of cases, and stated, "Recent studies reveal that the overall asthma prevalence among children in India stands at 7.9%, with a higher prevalence among urban areas." About 16.67% of urban children in big cities like Mumbai suffer from asthma. This is more than twice the national average. Additionally, there are more cases of allergies. Between 15% and 20% of children in cities have allergic diseases, such as food allergies, eczema, and rhinitis, according to another poll.

The primary causes of the increase in childhood asthma

A number of variables are contributing to the rise in childhood asthma, including common indoor allergies and widespread air pollution. Furthermore, pollution exposure during childhood establishes the groundwork for respiratory problems later in life.

Dr. Kavita Choudhari went into detail about some of the main asthma triggers, emphasizing indoor allergens as well as outdoor contaminants. The increase in asthma and allergies in youngsters is caused by a number of linked causes, she said. Air pollution is among the most important. Particulate matter, particularly PM2.5 from traffic emissions, industrial sources, and building dust, enters the lungs deeply, causing airway inflammation and exacerbating asthma symptoms. Dust mites, cockroach excrement, mold, and pet dander are some of the frequent indoor allergens that contribute to the problem. Children's sleep can also be restricted by persistent symptoms, which has an impact on their general well-being. Additionally, the emotional burden of living with a chronic condition might result in social isolation, worry, and tension.

Dr. Rahul Verma, Director of Neonatology and General Paediatrics at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, told HT Lifestyle that one of the primary causes of air pollution is its long-term effects on children's health, including asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

"The harm of pollution during childhood does not just vanish," he added. It has the potential to cause issues for the remainder of one's life, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses. Additionally, weaker lungs are more susceptible to illnesses like pneumonia and even age more quickly. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution is responsible for approximately 2 million premature deaths each year, many of which are caused by early childhood exposure.

What strategies may parents use to control their children's asthma?

Parents have a key role in managing their kid's asthma. The following four asthma care advice for parents was given to HT Lifestyle by Dr. Salil S. Bendre, Director of Pulmonology at Mumbai's Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital:

1. Having an asthma action plan in place

• After speaking with your expert, prepare a written, step-by-step guide outlining the medication regimen, exacerbating causes, and action plan in the event of an asthma attack.
• Begin by sharing it with the child's immediate family members, teachers at school, tuition, or athletic academies, as well as the adults around the youngster.
• To guarantee the kid receives prompt and timely treatment in the event of an emergency, continue to review the plan and make adjustments after speaking with your expert as needed.

2. Regular clinic visits and house inspections

• Each morning, have your youngster blow into a peak flow meter and record the reading. Usually, a sharp fall occurs one or two days before the onset of coughing or wheezing, giving you time to start emergency medication right away.
• The FeNO (fee-NO) test, a 10-second breath test, can be performed by doctors. It measures the amount of nitric oxide gas in exhaled air, which is an indicator of airway inflammation. Low readings indicate quiet lungs, whereas high readings indicate inflammation that requires more aggressive therapy.

3. Use the medication consistently every day

• Every day, even when your kid is well, make sure to use the controller inhalers that help keep airways calm.
• The most frequent reason for unexpected flare-ups is missing doses. Make a log to keep track of how many doses your child has taken and use phone reminders.
• To make sure the method is correct, record a brief video of the youngster using the inhaler and share it with the physician

4. Manage the triggers

• The majority of dust mite particles and pet hair (if you have pets) comes from beds, which makes the symptoms worse while you're sleeping.
• Use mite-proof covers for pillows and mattresses, and wash the linens in hot water.
• As pet dander can irritate airways, keep pets outside the bedroom or away from the bed if your kid has asthma.

What are the options for schools? 

The majority of a child's day is spent at school. For this reason, schools must also be well-prepared to handle allergies and asthma. By controlling particular asthma triggers, schools may contribute to the safety of pupils.

Dr. Kavita Choudhari stated, "Schools can integrate regular respiratory and allergy screening programs to identify vulnerable children early, avoiding serious complications." Effective pest management and the maintenance of clean, well-ventilated areas are also essential for lowering allergies and asthma. Finally, promoting good habits, like a balanced diet and outside play, aids in the development of the immune system, which enables kids to fight allergies and asthma more effectively.

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