What is asthma? Does my child have asthma? If my child has asthma, will he or she spread it to other children? Will asthma go away as my child grows up? Can my child stop taking medication when his or her symptoms get better? When a child is diagnosed with asthma, parents usually have one question or another. Many people have preconceived ideas about asthma from the media or TV shows, some of which are true and some of which are not. In this article, I will clear up the doubts about asthma for parents. I. Definition of asthma In medical terms, asthma can be defined as recurrent acute episodes of airway obstruction, resulting in increased mucus and swelling of the airways. In other words, it is a disease that will likely recur if not effectively controlled. Asthma causes the bronchi, which are responsible for ventilation inside the lungs, to become small and then blocked by swollen airway mucosa and phlegm. There are three hallmarks of asthma: airway narrowing, airway edema (swelling) and airway mucus (sputum). Second, the pathogenesis of asthma The pathogenesis of asthma is unclear and there are many theories and possible explanations. What we already know is that asthma is closely related to genetics (associated with 15 genes). Genetics is therefore a factor in the development of asthma, and children with a family history of asthma are at relatively high risk of developing asthma. Other risk factors are environmental and viral infections. Several epidemiological studies have described an association between air pollution and an increased incidence of asthma. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has also been shown to be associated with increased airway sensitivity and the development of asthma (25% of children infected with RSV develop asthma). III. Is asthma common? The prevalence of asthma is increasing every year. Reports indicate that 5% of children suffer from asthma, and this rate is increasing year by year. Many children develop asthma before the age of 6 years, and fortunately, only a small percentage of these children will continue to be affected by asthma in adulthood. Having other allergies (e.g., food allergies, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis) increases the risk of asthma persisting into adulthood. IV. How can I tell if my child has asthma? Children with asthma present with respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, frequent coughing (especially at night), poor exercise tolerance, and recurrent episodes of shortness of breath and pneumonia. If one of the above symptoms occurs, prompt medical attention should be sought. Having a family history of asthma, suffering from other allergic diseases, having pets at home, or living in a highly polluted environment may increase your child’s chances of developing asthma symptoms. V. How should a child be treated when he or she has asthma? There are three main types of medications used to treat asthma: one is a bronchodilator that relaxes the airways, and the main ingredient is salbutamol. The second group of drugs aims to reduce inflammation and mucus secretion in the respiratory tract, usually steroids, and is treated by inhalation, oral or intravenous injection. The third class of drugs is primarily aimed at allergic reactions. These medications do not treat the acute symptoms of asthma (such as shortness of breath and shortness of breath). Some cells in our body are capable of releasing chemicals that trigger asthma symptoms, and this medication stabilizes these cells from producing chemicals that can cause allergies, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms. VI. What’s the future? There are many medications available to effectively control asthma, and strict adherence to a treatment plan and monitoring of lung function can help your child live a happy and productive life. Asthma does not mean that a child has to say goodbye to physical activity, as many world-class athletes suffer from asthma. American swimming champion Janet Evans is an asthmatic. Evans is asthmatic, but it didn’t stop her from winning four Olympic gold medals and three World Championships. Therefore, do not give your child a restraining order because of asthma, scientific and reasonable exercise will benefit the body and have a certain improvement effect on asthma.