Understanding Juvenile Asthma: Causes, Symptoms & Management

Juvenile asthma is a type of respiratory disease that develops during childhood. Approximately 5 million people under the age of 18 in the US suffer from the condition, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Identification

• Juvenile asthma occurs when the airways become inflamed, making it difficult to breathe. Children with the condition may develop a sudden, inability to breathe called an asthma attack.

Causes

• Juvenile asthma occurs due to an immune system response to triggers. Possible triggers for asthma in children include cigarette smoke, a cold, dust mites, pets, pollen, mold, exercise or weather changes, explains the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of juvenile asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest congestion or tightness. Children may have difficulty sleeping due to coughing, or tire easily during physical activity.

Treatments

• Children with juvenile asthma typically use an inhaled medication like albuterol in a rescue inhaler to stop asthma attacks when they occur. Doctors also prescribe daily medications to decrease the frequency and severity attacks, including inhaled drugs like budesonide, or oral tablets or liquids like montelukast.

Risks

• Because they reduce the body's supply of oxygen, severe asthma attacks have the potential to be life-threatening. Children may need to visit the emergency room in some cases if rescue inhalers fail to relieve symptoms of an attack.