Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory disease. It is responsible for 17 percent of emergency room visits for toddlers. As more and more toddlers are being diagnosed with asthma, an increasing number of parents are becoming concerned with how asthma will affect both their toddler's development as well as their quality of life.
A child having asthma may show the symptoms like recurring attacks of difficulty breathing, wheezing, prolonged expiration, and an irritating cough that is common, chronic illness in the early and middle childhood. However, the severity of asthma can vary as much as the toddlers and children who suffer from it so it is important to seek advice and treatment from a pediatrician.
Asthma in toddlers is usually attributed to extrinsic factors, meaning most attacks are related to something outside their body such as a pollen, mold, dust, smoke, pet hair, feathers, chemicals or food. The allergies are the most common causative agent for asthma attacks in toddlers. Toddlers with both asthma and allergies are prone to have twice as many attacks than those who have asthma but do not have allergies.
Diagnosis of asthma in toddlers is done by observation, a medical examination, and family medical history and oftentimes with laboratory testing and X-rays.
There are a wide variety of treatments available for toddlers who suffer from asthma. Whether through medication, breathing treatments, removal of allergens or asthma triggering agents, 98 percent of toddlers with asthma respond well to treatment.
However, asthma is a treatable illness, even for toddlers. Toddlers with asthma continue to grow, learn and play just as those without it will. The parents should educate themselves about their baby’s condition and always consult a pediatrician regarding that.