Principles for the Management of Childhood Asthma

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Firstly, it is necessary to adhere to the principles of long-term, continuous, standardized, and individualized treatment. In the acute exacerbation phase, rapid relief of symptoms is required, primarily through anti-asthma treatment. During the remission phase, it is essential to maintain long-term control of symptoms, anti-inflammation, and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, while also avoiding triggers and self-care. The treatment goal is to control and eliminate asthma symptoms as much as possible, reduce the number of asthma attacks, or even prevent them, maintain normal or near-normal lung function, allow participation in normal physical activities, including sports training, etc., minimize drug side effects, and prevent the development of irreversible airway obstruction.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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How to test for asthma?

Asthma is fully referred to as bronchial asthma. It is primarily due to the presence of inflammatory cells in the airways over a long period of time. These inflammatory cells render the trachea highly reactive. With this hyperreactivity, patients often experience wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which typically occur in the early morning and at night. These symptoms can generally be alleviated with or without medication, and if a patient typically exhibits these symptoms, an asthma diagnosis can essentially be made. However, if the symptoms are atypical, such as having only coughing or wheezing, it may be necessary to perform some pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, ultrasounds, or electrocardiograms on the patient to rule out other diseases that could cause wheezing and coughing. Therefore, doctors will arrange for these tests based on the patient's symptoms.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of asthma

Asthma is a common respiratory disease. What are the symptoms after the onset of asthma? Typically, asthma patients exhibit characteristic symptoms, including episodic chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, often accompanied by a wheezing sound. The breathing difficulty usually manifests as difficulty exhaling. However, some asthma patients show atypical symptoms, possibly presenting only with coughing or chest tightness, known as cough-variant asthma.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Which is more serious, bronchial asthma or asthma?

Bronchial asthma, commonly referred to as asthma, is generally considered non-comparable as both terms describe the same disease, just with different names. Clinically, asthma often occurs in young infants, and is typically linked to environmental factors and genetic predispositions. Patients with bronchial asthma may exhibit recurring symptoms such as rapid breathing, chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath during attacks. It is crucial for such patients to eliminate triggering factors and to receive timely treatment with anti-allergy medications, bronchodilators, and cough suppressants to manage the symptoms. With prompt and effective treatment, the symptoms caused by the disease can be effectively controlled.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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What department should I go to for asthma?

What department should you visit for asthma? First, we need to clarify the definition of asthma. The term "asthma" most commonly refers to bronchial asthma, but also to cardiac asthma. Starting with bronchial asthma, it is a respiratory system disease, and the most appropriate department to visit is the Department of Respiratory Medicine. Of course, in the case of an acute attack of bronchial asthma, if the condition of the patient is very severe, then they may choose to visit the emergency department. Additionally, in some areas where there is no Department of Respiratory Medicine available, such as in rural areas or community health centers, patients can only visit a general internal medicine department. As for cardiac asthma, it is a concept that is gradually being phased out. Cardiac asthma, as the name suggests, is associated with cardiovascular system diseases. Under these circumstances, the most fitting department to visit is the Department of Cardiology. Of course, if the patient's condition is critical, then the most suitable choice is still the emergency department, where emergency physicians will decide how to handle the patient's condition based on their specific medical needs.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Is childhood asthma dangerous?

Pediatric asthma is divided into remission and acute exacerbation periods. Generally speaking, pediatric asthma is very safe during the remission period. During this process, we just need to standardize, plan, and adhere to long-term medication. However, some asthma cases enter a continuous state during the acute exacerbation period, which may present with panting, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. This situation is very dangerous. We need to promptly provide treatment to relieve asthma and relieve spasms. If the medication does not provide relief, immediate hospital emergency treatment is required.