The impact of childhood asthma on the health care system is considerable. As one of the most chronic ailments among children, asthma is a frequent cause of emergency room visits and hospitals admissions. Chronic asthma is one of the most common long-term children's diseases. Statistics indicate that approximately one to two percent of all children will develop chronic asthma during their childhood, while 15 to 20 percent of all children will show signs of wheezing, despite not having chronic asthma. Saudi Gazette spoke to Dr. Mohammed Barzanji, a pediatrician and allergy specialist at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh hospital who said: “There are many factors why children become asthmatic, including exposure to cigarette or pipe smoke, pollution, dust and exercise or exertion.” He pointed out that exercise should still be encouraged, with asthmatic symptoms being treated by medication. The real problem lies with the fact that many parents have a lack of knowledge of asthma symptoms. Dr. Wid Kattan from the King Abdulaziz University described asthma as “bronchial asthma that is related to airway hypersensitivity, which causes reversible obstruction of the airways.” This means that an individual with bronchial asthma is oversensitive to things in the environment like dust; this causes an immune reaction, leading the airways in the lungs to narrow, constricting air flow. “The most characteristic symptom is wheezing in which whistling and coughing sounds are heard as the child breathes, particularly while exhaling,” explained Dr. Kattan. The most important thing in the management of asthma is a prevention of the factors that can cause attacks - such as inhalation of dust and pollen and severe exercise - though these vary from child to child. A mother of two asthmatic children in Jeddah, Basma Hassan Mohammed, shared her experience with Saudi Gazette. “My eldest son developed asthma when he was a year old and I wasn't aware of the symptoms until a doctor told me that he will get these attacks frequently,” she said. “Each time he used to get this attack, he was hospitalized for at least three days until I learned to use the inhaler correctly and at the necessary time.” Dr, Kattan added that the correct use of medication will prevent children from getting more of such attacks. The most common medication is, of course, the steroid inhaler, but he pointed out that most parents are fearful of administering it to their children on a regular basis. “I must point out that every child is different though, so some children who experience very mild symptoms only require occasional medication,” he remarked. It is therefore, necessary to consult with the doctor on a regular basis.
