Although it seems counterintuitive, children who are exposed early in life to animal and natural allergens (such as plants) do not have a higher incidence of asthma-in fact,their risk is reduced.Some scientist believe that the exponential increase in allergy and asthma is due to our modern intolerance of dirt.We’re simply too clean! No kidding.They point out that prior to the twentieth century,most people lived on farms, where kids had close contact with farm animals and dirt, the kind you grow things in.Back then,the system of a child was taught early on how to tell a true enemy from a foe.Through experience,the immune system of a nineteenth-century child knew that pollen from a flower was nothing to fear,or the dander of a cat was harmless.It didn’t go into overdrive every time it was exposed to something new,triggering an allergic reaction.Deprived of these early lessons,the immune systems of children today are more prone to allergy,which can lead to asthma.Moreover, we load our children up with antibiotics,which over time may hamper normal immune function.
Smarter Child Tip Breast-feeding,which is beneficial to your child in so many other ways,also appears to offer strong protection against asthma.According to study publised by the National Institutes of Health evaluating children ages 3 to 5,a history of being breast-fed was associated with a 59 percent reduction in the risk of developing asthma.Interestingly,children who were breast-fed showed on a reduction in risk for asthma even if they were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.(This doesn’t mean that it’s okay to smoke around your children.We know that there is a greater risk of asthma and other health problems in kids who have been exposed to seconhhand smoke,but the risk is somewhat diminished if youe child is breast-fed).
Sabtu, 28 Mei 2011
Jumat, 20 Mei 2011
Asthma Triggers
What triggers an asthma attack? Common allergens are likely culprits, including pollen, dust mites, food allergies (especially to eggs), exposure to animal dander, and tobacco smoke, Environmental pollutants such as household chemicals may also trigger asthma, as well as certain medications, including aspirin. Phsysical activity is also a trigger, and excercise-induced asthma ( EIB for "excercise-incuded bronchospasm") is seen up to 90 percent of all asthma sufferers. Excercise-induced asthma is more likely to occur in cold, dry air. If you child is asthmatic, plan indoor exercise for days that are likely to trigger attacks. Warming up before exercise can help reduce the risk of having an asthma attack.
Finally, emotional stress may also be a trigger.
Children who suffer from a serious respiratory infection in the first two years of life are at much higher risk of developing asthma and the sam is true for children who suffer from frequent ear infection. There is also a genetic link : Children who have one or more parents with a history of asthma have double risk of developing asthma, compared to children with no immediate family member with disease.
In recent years, the rise in the incidence of asthma among children has prompted researchers to examine what has changed over the past decade or so to bring on such a dramatic increase. Some researchers speculate that in the indoor, sedentary lifestyle typical of modern Western society may increase the exposure to indoor asthma triggers. In one groundbreaking study, Swedish researchers working with theri American counterparts at Rutgers University found a strong association in children between both asthma and allergic symptoms and exposure to a group of chemical compounds commonly found in house dust called phthalates. The researches found a stunning relationship between the concentration of phthalates in dust collected in childrens homes and the childrens risk of asthma. Phthalates are widely used in industry and are virtually everywhere : They are used as additives to hair spray, plastic softeners, in wood finishes, perfumes, fragrance-containing soaps, nail polish and other beauty products, and most frightening, in a large number of soft plastic toys. Phthalates are endocrine distruptors, which means they adversely affect hormone production in the body, which in turn affects the development and function of all organ systems, including the nervous system. There are lots of good reasons to try to reduce your childs exposure to these chemicals, including their association with asthma.
There is also evidence that early exposure to fumes emitted from cleaning products and other chemicals (including paint, floor adhesive, and room fresheners) commonly found around the house may increase the risk of a child developing asthma. Needless to say, children should not be exposed to potentially dangerous fumes. Children who are asthmatic may find their asthma is irritated by any strong chemical odor, even those that dont necessarily affect other people. If you are using cleaning supplies around the house, keep your child away from the immediate area and make sure the entire house is well ventilated.
Finally, emotional stress may also be a trigger.
Children who suffer from a serious respiratory infection in the first two years of life are at much higher risk of developing asthma and the sam is true for children who suffer from frequent ear infection. There is also a genetic link : Children who have one or more parents with a history of asthma have double risk of developing asthma, compared to children with no immediate family member with disease.
In recent years, the rise in the incidence of asthma among children has prompted researchers to examine what has changed over the past decade or so to bring on such a dramatic increase. Some researchers speculate that in the indoor, sedentary lifestyle typical of modern Western society may increase the exposure to indoor asthma triggers. In one groundbreaking study, Swedish researchers working with theri American counterparts at Rutgers University found a strong association in children between both asthma and allergic symptoms and exposure to a group of chemical compounds commonly found in house dust called phthalates. The researches found a stunning relationship between the concentration of phthalates in dust collected in childrens homes and the childrens risk of asthma. Phthalates are widely used in industry and are virtually everywhere : They are used as additives to hair spray, plastic softeners, in wood finishes, perfumes, fragrance-containing soaps, nail polish and other beauty products, and most frightening, in a large number of soft plastic toys. Phthalates are endocrine distruptors, which means they adversely affect hormone production in the body, which in turn affects the development and function of all organ systems, including the nervous system. There are lots of good reasons to try to reduce your childs exposure to these chemicals, including their association with asthma.
There is also evidence that early exposure to fumes emitted from cleaning products and other chemicals (including paint, floor adhesive, and room fresheners) commonly found around the house may increase the risk of a child developing asthma. Needless to say, children should not be exposed to potentially dangerous fumes. Children who are asthmatic may find their asthma is irritated by any strong chemical odor, even those that dont necessarily affect other people. If you are using cleaning supplies around the house, keep your child away from the immediate area and make sure the entire house is well ventilated.
Rabu, 18 Mei 2011
Asthma
Asthma is one of the most common disease of childhood, affecting more than one in ten children. And its on the rise- the incidence of asthma has doubled since 1980. Asthma disproportionately affects young children, with fully half of all children who get asthma developing symptoms before the age of 5 years. Among older children, asthma is the number one cause of missed day at school and poor academic performance.
Asthma is characterized by an allergic reaction of the bronchial tubes, causing these small air passages to go into spasm and making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms of asthma include attacks of wheezing, shortness of breathe, excessive mucus production, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. A child who is in the midst of an asthma attack typically experiences a rapid heartbeat and appears distressed and anxious.
When a child has an asthma attack, the amount of oxygen carried in the blood s reduced, thereby compromising oxygen supply. This kind of oxygen deprivation in the brain-even when its very brief-can harm your childs brain development. Because of breathing difficulties associated with asthma, the amount of oxygen in the blood is frequently reduced when the disease is active. The effect of even mild levels of oxygen depletion associated with asthma on development, behavior, and academic achievement has recently been described in an article appearing in Pediatrics. In this report, Havard researchers found a clear correlation between abnormalities of brain function at all levels and reduced blood flow to the brain. They noted, "Adverse impaacts of chronic or intermittent hypoxia on development, behavior, and academic achievement have been reported in many well-designed and- controlled studies in children."
They further noted that adverse effects were found even at mild levels of oxygen depletion. This study underscores how asthma can impair a childs ability to succeed.
Asthma is characterized by an allergic reaction of the bronchial tubes, causing these small air passages to go into spasm and making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms of asthma include attacks of wheezing, shortness of breathe, excessive mucus production, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. A child who is in the midst of an asthma attack typically experiences a rapid heartbeat and appears distressed and anxious.
When a child has an asthma attack, the amount of oxygen carried in the blood s reduced, thereby compromising oxygen supply. This kind of oxygen deprivation in the brain-even when its very brief-can harm your childs brain development. Because of breathing difficulties associated with asthma, the amount of oxygen in the blood is frequently reduced when the disease is active. The effect of even mild levels of oxygen depletion associated with asthma on development, behavior, and academic achievement has recently been described in an article appearing in Pediatrics. In this report, Havard researchers found a clear correlation between abnormalities of brain function at all levels and reduced blood flow to the brain. They noted, "Adverse impaacts of chronic or intermittent hypoxia on development, behavior, and academic achievement have been reported in many well-designed and- controlled studies in children."
They further noted that adverse effects were found even at mild levels of oxygen depletion. This study underscores how asthma can impair a childs ability to succeed.
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