Health & Fitness
A Guide For Hartford Parents On Recognizing Childhood Asthma
More than 11 percent of Connecticut children experience asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and night coughing spells.
In Connecticut, asthma is considered the single most avoidable cause of hospitalization; however, it is one of the most common admitting diagnoses in pediatrics.
Childhood Asthma In Connecticut
Children are among Connecticut residents who disproportionately experience asthma symptoms, along with women, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Blacks and residents of the state's five largest cities. According to the Connecticut Health Foundation, the asthma rates across the state are almost 2 percent higher than the national average, with 11.3 percent of children having asthma, as compared with the national average of 9.5 percent.
Causes Of Childhood Asthma
Developing asthma during childhood causes the lungs and airways to become inflamed due to certain triggers. Though scientists don’t fully understand the causes of asthma, there are some factors that can put children at a higher risk of developing symptoms.
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One of the major factors that can put children at a greater risk for developing asthma symptoms is a child’s inherited genetics and family history, as a parent can pass down asthma to their child. Additionally, infections in the airways at a young age can cause symptoms to develop, and exposure to environments with a lot of air pollution, pollen or smoke can also have an effect.
Depending on the environment and how severe the asthma is, certain surroundings and triggers will make symptoms worse. Without the proper medication and management of symptoms, severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening.
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Symptoms Of Childhood Asthma
Childhood asthma is the same disease that can impact adults, but it often affects children in more-severe ways. Symptoms of childhood asthma can include wheezing or whistling when taking a breath, frequent coughing, difficulty breathing and less energy when playing, added recovery time when getting over viral infections, shortness of breath and chest tightness or congestion.
These symptoms, and more, can go on to affect children drastically by causing difficulty with a child’s sleep schedule or disrupting their participation in school and extracurricular activities. Children may begin to seem withdrawn or uninterested due to their lack of energy, which is a telltale sign that the child should see a doctor.
Although it's not always easy to spot asthma symptoms, it’s important to address them and get proper treatment from a doctor. A child may only exhibit one or two symptoms of asthma, such as having chest congestion or a cough that won’t seem to go away. These symptoms can be caused by asthma, as well as other respiratory problems, so parents should take their child to a doctor to be properly diagnosed.
In more-severe cases, however, there are some signs that require a child to receive emergency medical attention. If a child is having trouble breathing when playing or talking to the point that they need to take a breath mid-sentence, widening their nostrils while breathing in or if they have an increased heartbeat, symptoms may be getting worse and should receive immediate medical attention.
Treatments For Childhood Asthma
Addressing symptoms early and getting your child the relief they need can help improve their asthma over time. There are various asthma treatments based on the severity of your child’s symptoms, but the most common types of prescriptions for asthma relief include inhalers, nebulizers, liquids and pills.
For those with less-severe asthma, using quick-relief inhalers may be enough to manage symptoms and help your child breathe more easily. These forms of medication can help prevent an asthma attack and may alleviate more-minor symptoms. If you’re in need of refills on these prescription medications for your child, you can schedule a telehealth appointment through GoodRx Care as an option. However, if you notice your child is using the quick-relief inhaler often, that’s a sign their asthma is not under control and they should see a doctor.
If the symptoms are more severe, a child may need to see an asthma specialist to form an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan details the medications a child will need to manage their symptoms, information on what to do if symptoms worsen and contact information in case the child needs emergency care. This information should be shared with anybody who may be entrusted to watch your child, such as teachers, coaches, babysitters or caregivers.
Doctors can prescribe long-term medications which will control symptoms over an extended period, called maintenance medications. These kinds of medications are meant to prevent inflammation in the airways over a long period by giving children a daily dose.
No matter what your child is prescribed, GoodRx can help Hartford parents compare medication prices and get their child relief at the best possible price.
Why Asthma Can Get Worse In The Winter
As the harsh New England winter sets in, be prepared and remember that asthma symptoms can flare up even more during this time of year. Temple Health explains that the cold outside air, respiratory illness and exercise can all have drastic effects on our lungs during the winter months, as the dry air irritates the airways and causes inflammation.
Additionally, our airways develop a thicker layer of protective mucus during the harsh winter. However, this can lead to respiratory infections such as a cold or flu, which further restrict the airways, triggering symptoms.
Although people with asthma experience the same kind of symptoms in all seasons, the winter months heighten these symptoms and cause extra discomfort. Symptoms may seem more noticeable than during other times of the year and can be more difficult to manage, even with doctor-prescribed medication.
Resources In Connecticut To Help With Childhood Asthma
Childhood asthma can have a negative impact on your child’s health and well-being, particularly if they need to miss school or opt out of extracurricular activities that trigger their asthma. Getting the right treatment is important to help your child breathe easily this winter and all year round.
The Connecticut State Department of Public Health offers a wealth of information for parents to further educate themselves on the symptoms of asthma, learn about insurance options and how to keep symptoms at bay.
When your child’s doctor prescribes medication for asthma relief, GoodRx can help you compare prescription prices and provide affordable options for health care throughout Connecticut. Simply enter the name of your prescription to compare prices and search for any free available coupons on that medication. Then, show your coupon to the pharmacy to save up to 80 percent on the regular retail price.
