How to identify an asthmatic crisis in children

Asthma can occur in two ways: episodically or continuously for several days or weeks, without altering the daily activity or with a minimum alteration of the same or in the form of 'crisis', that is, acutely, which means a shorter duration in time, but probably with a greater severity of asthma symp

Asthma can occur in two ways: episodically or continuously for several days or weeks, without altering the daily activity or with a minimum alteration of the same or in the form of 'crisis', that is, acutely, which means a shorter duration in time, but probably with a greater severity of asthma symptoms.

Then we tell you how to detect an asthma attack in your child, what the symptoms are and how to recognize the intensity of that crisis.

Symptoms of asthmatic crisis in children

Typical symptoms are a feeling of shortness of breath or breathlessness, dry cough (ie, no mucus), 'whistling' or wheezing when breathing, tightness or 'weight' in the chest. If the child performs sport, sometimes, he has to stop before his classmates 'because he can not do it anymore or he chokes', not because he is tired after exercising.

- Symptoms often begin or become severe at night. All these symptoms appear because the bronchi, which are the 'tubes' that move air from the nose and mouth to the lungs, during asthma attacks are narrowed, for a double reason: because their caliber or diameter decreases due to constriction of the bronchial muscle (bronchospasm) and because the wall of that bronchus is inflamed. Es - It is advisable to pay special attention to cough, which is usually dry, although if it is associated with colds it can be productive (with expectoration). Children usually do not know how to expectorate, although when coughing we can hear some noise of mobilization of secretions.

- This does not mean that every cough is a symptom of asthma, but if your child is diagnosed with asthma and presents it, it may be a warning that you need medication. If you have not yet been diagnosed and there is no other reason to explain the cough, you should be evaluated by an allergist who rules out the possibility of asthma.

Types of asthma attacks in children

1.

Mild. It presents with dry cough, mild respiratory distress, thoracic tightness and / or isolated wheezing, in relation to exercise.2.

Moderate. The same symptoms appear at rest.3.

Severe. These symptoms appear in maximum degree while at rest and insignificant efforts, such as talking, are not tolerated. It is convenient to pay attention to the muscles of the neck, which contract when making the inspirations or taking a breath. In very serious cases, wheezing disappears.Before any extreme difficulty to breathe, and whenever you notice 'sinking in the chest' when breathing, it will be better

to go to the emergency room .