Causes of bronchial asthma in children

Bronchial asthma is a medical condition that causes an obstruction and swelling of the bronchi or the air passages of the lungs. As per studies done by the World Health Organization, there are over 300 million people worldwide, who suffer from this medical condition. A majority of this demographic figure are children. Asthma is a condition that can be treated with proper medication thereby, helping the patients to live a normal life. When visiting a doctor for treatment, you must make sure that you expose all the possible causes that you think caused bronchial asthma. Only after knowing the cause of the condition can the doctors control or prevent the disease. Here are a few causes of bronchial asthma that can help one assist the doctor in devising a better treatment.

Allergens

Bronchial asthma can be triggered by the existence of certain substances called allergens. Some of the common allergies that may cause an asthma attack include pollen, dust mites, molds,cockroaches, animal dander etc. When a child is exposed to a certain kind of allergen, his or her airways start to constrict and produce mucous thereby, preventing the air from moving freely to and from the lungs. Patients will therefore, develop a difficulty in breathing.

Respiratory infection

Children who have any kind respiratory infection will develop asthma. The most common respiratory infection that is associated with asthma is common cold. The organism that causes infection can give rise to a minor damage to the cells as well the tissues of the respiratory tract. This not only swells the bronchi but also prevents the air from reaching the lungs and causing an asthma attack.

Medications

Certain kinds of medicines have been found to cause asthma. Some of the most common medicines that may trigger asthma include aspirin, heart medicines, ibuprofen etc. These medications cause certain side effects that may make the airways tight.

Stress

Children undergoing a spurt of intense emotions may suffer from an asthma attack. The emotions release certain hormones that lead to a narrowing of airways. Some of the common emotions that lead to an asthma attack include anger, stress and fear. The attack lasts as long as the child undergoes the emotions. If the asthma attack gets severe, the patient may need medical assistance.