What are the Symptoms of Pediatric Asthma?

Pediatric asthma manifests as recurrent coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. When these symptoms coexist, they are easy to detect and diagnose. The onset of pediatric asthma is associated with genetic factors, environmental factors, and allergens. Once similar symptoms appear in children, timely treatment is necessary to quickly control the condition and prevent sustained harm to the child.

1. Difficulty Breathing: The patient experiences precursor symptoms followed by chest tightness, even feeling like the chest is being pressed by a heavy stone. After approximately 10-15 minutes, they develop difficulty breathing with a clear and crisp breathing sound. The patient is forced to sit upright, unable to lie flat, with the head leaning forward, shoulders swollen, and hands sweeping the floor due to panting. The duration of this episode can range from tens of minutes to several hours, and it can be relieved through self-selection or gradual treatment.

2. Coughing and Mucus Expectoration: The precursor period often involves coughing due to bronchial mucosa allergies. Initially, the coughing is dry without mucus, varying in severity. Before the onset of asthma, coughing often improves. However, coughing may increase again during the end of a specific episode due to the relief of bronchial spasms and mucosal edema, resulting in the expulsion of a large amount of secretions. At this point, coughing and mucus expectoration may increase with the presence of purulent sputum. A few patients may have unremarkable coughing, and coughing may be the only symptom easily mistaken for chronic bronchitis. The symptoms of suffocation may not be prominent in a minority of patients.

3. Chest Pain: If asthma attacks are severe and prolonged, chest pain may occur, which may be related to respiratory muscle fatigue. Sudden severe chest pain may occur when asthma is complicated by pneumothorax.

4. Other Symptoms: In some patients, especially in severely affected children and young adults, vomiting may occur during asthma attacks, and even incontinence may occur. Persistent severe asthma may lead to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, anxiety, confusion, drowsiness, coma, and other neurological and psychiatric symptoms. If complicated by infection, fever may occur, followed by symptoms of fatigue and weakness.

Children with bronchitis may have weaker immune systems, so it is important to supplement them with sufficient protein, such as lean meat, eggs, milk, soybeans, and soy products. However, it is advisable to minimize the intake of foods that are prone to allergies, such as shrimp, crab, salted fish, and milk, to prevent allergic reactions. Many common foods and items in daily life can effectively treat pediatric bronchitis. For example, sponge gourd is particularly beneficial for asthma patients as it contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, and vitamin C.

Pediatric bronchial asthma is generally caused by respiratory infections. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and panting. In severe cases, it may lead to symptoms of rapid breathing and shock. It is crucial for patients to seek prompt medical attention during the early stages of the disease.