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EVERY BREATH THEY TAKE

© Terrie-Lynn Daley

Approximately 4 million children have ASTHMA, and many others have it, but their parents are unaware of it and they go undiagnosed. It is the most common chronic disease in children, and the most common reason for missing school due to chronic illness. An incurable disease, it can be controlled with the proper medication.

Normally, the lungs are responsible for exchange of fresh air with the waste product carbon dioxide from a child's body. When oxygen passes through the nose and mouth, it is warmed and moistened to avoid injury or assault to the airways. The nose and airways Also trap dust, mold, pollen, bacteria and chemicals, such as smoke, that has the potential to result in serious damage to the lungs. There are smaller airways past the nose that branch out, like a tree, into the lungs with air sacs known as alveoli. There is a thin layer of sticky mucus that lines the nose and airways that trap foreign particles, which are removed by a cleansing process in the body. This cleansing process is conducted with tiny structures known as cilia that whips back and forth, moving the mucus and foreign particles up towards the mouth and nose, that results in a child coughing or sneezing them out of their body. Muscles surrounding the airways contract and allow the airways to selectively direct the flow of air in and out of a child's body.

In a child with asthma, the child's airways, that normally function with muscle contraction, mucousa swelling and mucus formation goes into overdrive and in excess of the normal level of functioning. The muscles tighten, the mucousa swells and decreases the size of the airways, with increased mucus production and sticky plugs of mucus formed in the small bronchial tubes. The airways, then become overly sensitive to infections, weather, exercise, irritants and allergens. Bronchospasm is known as the muscles tightening, and along with the increased mucus with the smaller airways being plugged with increased mucus is all a part of the disease known as ASTHMA.

ASTHMA results when a child's airways become inflamed as a result of allergy, viral respiratory infections, and airborne irritants. Childhood asthma is based on genetics and strong allergies. 75% to 80% of children with asthma are found to have severe allergies. Allergic reactions in children produce both immediate and delayed reactions. The delayed reactions cause more serious injury and airway inflammation. Half of the immediate allergic reactions in a child are followed by a delayed reaction in their airways. Inflammation results in the airways becoming irritated and hyper-responsive. This prolonged inflammation can result in scarring of the airways.

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