Patient's question:
Respected Doctor: My child is 8 and a half years old. She started experiencing asthma-like symptoms last year, but the doctor said it wasn't asthma. This year, she had three episodes—once at the beginning of August and once on the 20th. However, after taking theophylline, her condition improved, and it only took one day of medication. Could she really have asthma, and how should it be treated? Thank you for your response!!!How to confirm asthma at 8 and a half years old: Current symptoms: One day
Current general condition: Fair
Medical history: Allergic rhinitis
Previous diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes: Not asthma, treated with theophylline
Doctor's answer:
The main symptoms of asthma attacks include coughing, sputum production, chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. These are primarily caused by the swelling of the inner wall of the airways, an increase in secretions, and the contraction of smooth muscles surrounding the airways, leading to varying degrees of narrowing of the bronchi. During an asthma attack, exhalation is more difficult than inhalation, and the lungs often retain excessive air that cannot be exhaled, which can also cause a feeling of fullness in the chest and pulmonary emphysema. The common symptoms are as follows:1. Coughing
Coughing is a very common symptom of respiratory fatigue. It can occur in conditions such as colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and even tuberculosis or lung cancer. Coughing is also one of the most common symptoms of asthma. Many patients may only exhibit prolonged coughing in the early stages of the disease. Generally, coughing due to respiratory infections disappears within 2 to 3 weeks. However, if the cough persists for more than 1 to 2 months without improvement, is primarily dry, and is particularly severe at night, upon waking, or after exercise, and if pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, and examinations by ear-nose-throat specialists show no abnormalities, and if antibiotics are ineffective, it may be diagnosed as atypical asthma. Improvement in symptoms after treatment with bronchodilators, antihistamines, or corticosteroids also aids in diagnosis. If this prolonged cough can be ruled out as being caused by airway foreign bodies or other conditions such as tuberculosis, it can be diagnosed as allergic or cough-variant asthma.
2. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath refers to the sensation of difficulty breathing. Due to the contraction of bronchial smooth muscles, patients may experience shortness of breath. In mild cases, the feeling of insufficient air is only noticeable during exercise or strenuous physical activity, while at rest, only chest tightness is felt. In more severe cases, the symptoms are more pronounced, and difficulty breathing may occur even at rest. Others may hear wheezing sounds while the patient breathes. In even more severe cases, persistent wheezing occurs, accompanied by rapid breathing, inability to lie flat, and the need to sit up to breathe slightly more comfortably.
3. Nighttime Asthma
Many asthma patients experience waking up at night or during dawn due to breathlessness, often requiring rescue medication to fall back asleep. During the night, particularly between 4 and 5 a.m., airflow obstruction is most severe, making breathing difficult and increasing sensitivity to irritants. In severe cases, patients may be forced to sit with their hands in front of them, shoulders raised, sweating profusely, lips and fingers turning blue, and suffering extreme discomfort, making it impossible to sleep soundly. This not only leads to insufficient sleep but also affects learning or work.
4. Other Symptoms
Asthma patients may develop allergic reactions in their airways due to inhaling allergens such as house dust mites or animal hair. Patients often experience symptoms such as nasal allergies (e.g., itchy nose), itchy eyes, and skin allergies.