Children with COPD, how to ensure their well-being
The welfare of children is the main mission of parents. Once children become ill, adults must ensure that this trance is temporary for the little ones. For this, nothing better than knowing the health problems that affect children and in this way, inform themselves to ensure their comfort.
One of these health problems is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD. There are two types of these conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both pose a serious change in the health of children who must receive the necessary care so that their lifestyle is not altered in any way.
What causes COPD
More than an illness, COPD is a general concept which serve to distinguish various chronic pulmonary diseases that limit the flow of air in the lungs. The most familiar terms with which it is named are as chronic bronchitis and emphysema have been said.
The most common symptoms of COPD are the dyspnoea, which manifests through lack of breath, excessive sputum production and a chronic cough. However, COPD is not translated as the so-called smoker's cough, but it is a lung condition that can be fatal that if it evolves in a negative way can be a serious danger to children.
In general, prolonged exposure to irritants that injure the lungs and airways is the cause of COPD. It is possible that, at the beginning of the condition, it does not cause symptoms or they are very mild. As the disease progresses, they get worse and become more severe:
- Cough with a lot of phlegm
- Difficulty breathing, especially when exercising
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
Treatment of COPD
The first thing that COPD patients should do, and their families, is to change their lifestyle. Stop smoking in the environment where the boy It is essential since tobacco smoke is one of the worst irritants that one of these patients can face. To avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed by not being able to breathe, some medications should be used.
Medications such as bronchodilators, which relax the muscles that surround the airways and make it easier to breathe. Depending on the severity of COPD, the specialist may prescribe immediate-action or long-acting products. Those of immediate action have an effect that lasts between 4 and 6 hours and should only be used when needed. The effect of long-acting bronchodilators lasts about 12 hours or more. These medications are used daily.
Damián Montero
