With The Right Handling, Asma Children Can Grow And Grow Maximum

Asthma in children is increasing in numbers, parents need to recognize their symptoms so they can be handled properly. (Freepic)

JAKARTA Asma is still one of the chronic diseases that is often found in children. Asma that is not handled properly has long-term impacts.

Asthma is a chronic disease in respiratory salura which is characterized by shortness of breath due to inflammation and narrowing of the respiratory tract. People with asthma can be from various age groups, both young and old.

People with asthma have a respiratory tract that is more sensitive than normal people. When the lungs are exposed to triggering asthma, the muscles in the respiratory tract will be stiff so that the channel narrows. In addition, phlegm production also increases.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2018 reported that 2.4 percent of all Indonesians had asthma. Meanwhile, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 noted that people with asthma worldwide reached 262 million people, with the death toll from asthma reaching 461,000 people.

Secretary of the Respirology Coordination Work Unit of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Dr. Wahyuni Indawati, Sp.A Subsp. Respi(K) said, the number of incidences of asthma in children tends to be higher than adults.

"The number of asthma events varies between countries, but it is estimated that around 20 percent in children. If calculated globally, it currently reaches 300 million people and is predicted to increase to 400 million by 2025," Wahyuni said in an online webinar organized by IDAI.

It is not known what causes children to experience asthma. However, asthma is a disease due to genetic disorders. The risk of asthma is getting higher when there is a history of family members, both parents or siblings with asthma.

Although the exact cause is unknown, children who suffer from respiratory asthma become more sensitive and easily narrow when exposed to the originator, such as dust, pollution, or excessive physical activity.

"The flow of children's breath with asthma is like shame on the daughter's leaves. As soon as there are originators, they immediately kiss, swell, and produce excessive mucus," he said.

In children, the characteristic symptoms of asthma can be observed, among others, from recurrent coughs, shortness of breath, and breathing sounds ngicles'', especially at night or early morning. If parents know the symptoms of asthma and can control it well, then the child can still undergo normal activities without being disturbed by attacks.

Most Indonesians think that children with asthma should limit physical activity so as not to trigger recurrence of symptoms. However, this claim was actually denied by Wahyuni.

He emphasized that with proper control, children with asthma can still do activities like other children. Limiting physical activity is not the main solution in dealing with asthma in children.

Physical activities such as swimming, walking can still be done by children with asthma while still monitoring body reactions while doing these physical activities.

"Children's asthma doesn't mean they can't exercise or play. Instead, we want children to stay active, as long as their asthma is under control," he said.

"So the point is not to limit, but to manage well. In fact, athletes like David Beckham also have asthma, but can still excel," Wahyuni added.

So that children can grow optimally, Wahyuni encourages parents to recognize and avoid symptoms originators such as home dust, animal hair, food with preservatives, to cigarette smoke.

"Asma in children cannot be completely cured, but can be controlled by proper handling. If controlled, children can grow and develop like other children without any significant disturbances," explained Wahyuni.

"With appropriate treatment and controlling the triggering factor, children with asthma can grow healthy and carry out activities like other children," he continued.

If asthma is not handled properly, it can cause children's weight growth to be disrupted. Therefore, it is important for parents to understand the complaints experienced by children so that they can provide proper assistance.