A look at the effects of Asthma
Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs by narrowing the airways and this can mean that the passage of air into the lungs is restricted. Of all the long-term diseases, it is the most common that affects children but there are ways that it can be controlled and these can lead your child to have a normal and active life just like those children who do not suffer from asthma.
If your child is suffering from asthma then it is wise to make sure that you know the potential causes of asthma attacks. There are many triggers that can be found inside the home and some of the most common include dust mites, pets, mould and second-hand smoke. There are also some foods that can contribute to the likelihood of having an attack.
If you think your home is free of dust mites because you can’t see them you should think again as they are not visible to the human eye. They are microscopic creatures that thrive on things such as stuffed toys, bedding, pillows and carpets.
Generally, these are items that are found in the rooms of children so if your child spends a lot of time inside then it is wise to make sure that everything is washed regularly so that the dust mites are killed. If your child is suffering from severe asthma then it might be a good idea to invest in technology for filtering dust out of the air.
Mould is also something that can be present in the home that can be easily eradicated. Generally you will find mould in moist areas such as in bath materials and on a shower curtain.
This can generally be removed with soap and water and you can prevent it coming back by making sure that your bathroom is well ventilated. Opening the windows is a good step but you can also install an exhaust fan to draw moist air out of the bathroom.
Secondhand smoke can be harmful for anyone but it is particularly dangerous for people to smoke around asthmatic children. If someone in your home as a smoker make sure they do it outside and don’t allow anyone to smoke while they are in your home. If you are out in public make sure that you keep your child away from smoky places, something that has become easier since the introduction of the smoking ban.
Unfortunately, in many cities are pollution is rather common and it can be one of the main triggers for an asthma attack. This type of pollution can include that emitted by vehicles as well as from factories. If you can, try and avoid bringing up your child in an area of high air pollution, if you must spend time outdoors in a polluted environment then insist your child wears a mask to prevent an attack.
