What Are The Differences In Asthma For Adults And Children

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes airway obstruction, making it hard for the air to move in and out of the lungs. Asthma causes airway inflammation and increases airway responsiveness to various environmental triggers. Exposure to asthma triggers can cause asthma flare-ups. The symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, chest tightening, and breathlessness. It can be a life-threatening disease if not managed properly.

Although, asthma is a common childhood disease in infants and children, a person can develop asthma at any stage in life. Asthma that starts in adulthood is different than childhood onset asthma, as it is often non-atopic, severe, and associated with a faster decline in lung function. Studies of asthma's natural history have shown that almost 80% of cases begin during the first 6 years of life.

There are some similarities in adult and childhood onset asthma. Children are more sensitive to allergens and are more prone to an asthma attack as compared to adults, because their bodies are still developing. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest pain, increased mucus secretion in the airways, pressure in the chest, shortness of breath after physical activity, difficulty sleeping, delayed recovery from a respiratory infection, such as a flu or cold. Although recurrent episodes of wheezing and cough are seen in children and adults due to asthma, there is a need to be aware of other clinical causes of airway obstruction, as there are various diagnostic possibilities. Though there are similarities in symptoms and triggers for adult and childhood asthma, their diagnosis and treatment is not the same.

Difference In Asthma Diagnosis For Adults and Children

For diagnosis of asthma, the doctor may ask about a person’s family history and get information about symptoms experienced. Asthma is typically diagnosed with some tests that measure the flow of air in the lungs, such as Spirometry, FeNo, Peak Flow Test, Impulse Oscillometry (IOS), or Body Plethysmography can help to confirm the diagnosis for asthma.

Younger children may not be able to complete these tests as it requires the person to blow hard into a tube. Skin or blood tests can be recommended by the doctor to check whether the child has any allergies that might trigger asthma symptoms. Diagnosis of asthma in children can be difficult for children below the age of 5 but in late childhood (7-10 years), spirometry tests can be reliable and help as a diagnostic tool. Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) can also be used in the diagnosis and management of diseases of the airways in children. For this test, the patient needs to perform simple tidal breathing manoeuvres that require less effort and co-operation than spirometry.

Difference In Asthma Treatment For Adults and Children

Asthma treatment for children includes quick-relief medicines that help to control symptoms or even an asthma attack. For adults, quick-relief medications might not help in controlling airway inflammation even if it helps to manage the symptoms. Long term medications are taken every day to prevent symptoms and attacks. These are controller medications that reduce airway inflammation and help improve asthma control. An inhaler is one of the most effective ways to treat asthma, but it might be difficult for some children to use inhalers. Nebulizers are machines with tubes that take in liquid medicine, turn it into mist so that a person can inhale it. This method of taking inhaled medication is useful for children.

The best option to start with a treatment, for both children and adults, is to consult an asthma specialist. The doctor will be able to determine which treatment is right for a person as every asthmatic may have different symptoms, and levels of asthma severity. It is necessary to take preventive measures and minimize the difficulties caused by asthma that allows an asthmatic to live a normal and active lifestyle.

Although asthma symptoms can be controlled there is no cure for it. Read more, to know if children can outgrow asthma?