Asthmatic Bronchitis Childhood Asthma

Simply, asthma in children is called as childhood asthma. When translated in a medical

language, it is called Asthmatic Bronchitis. Again, it simply means a kind of bronchitis,
which is asthmatic in nature.

It will be important to know what does asthma mean, in the first place. Asthma means
panting (breathlessness), in Greek. In reality, asthma is more then panting. For example,
if you exert yourself with intense exercise, you feel panting, but that is not asthma.
Asthma means breathlessness due to the constriction of the respiratory tubes. The
constriction of the large and small tubes of the lung may be because of the spasm caused
by certain factors, discussed separately on this page.

Let us briefly understand the structure and the function of the lungs.
The lungs are two cone shaped vital organs on either side of the chest, as shown in the
figure. Air, which we breathe through the nose, enters into the lungs through the air-tube
(called Trachea) which bifurcates into two tubes, each going to the respective lungs. Each
of the bronchus (plural bronchi) branches into multiple, innumerous small tubes called
bronchioles. The bronchioles lead to terminal sacs called alveoli. The air eventually
passes through the bronchioles to the alveoli to exchange carbon dioxide (CO2) with
Oxygen in return.

In the normal circumstances, there is a clear passage in the bronchi and the bronchioles
facilitating effortless breathing process. In case of the asthmatic episode, due to certain
factors the bronchi and the bronchioles go into 'spasm' leading to obstructed air passage
(as shown in the figure II), not allowing the oxygen to go across. This is a typical
phenomenon of the acute asthmatic episode.

So, asthmatic bronchitis is nothing but a disorder of the respiratory system whereby the
lung tubes meet with episodic or chronic episodes of spasms, where the precipitating
cause might differ from patient to patient and the frequency of attacks, the duration of
attack as well as the intensity of the attack could vary from child to child.

The factors, which decide the intensity of the attack, are not only the external factors such
as the strength of the allergens or irritants but it is the individual sensitivity
(susceptibility) which decides the intensity of the breathlessness. Similarly, the same
rules apply to frequency, the length of the attack. When said so, it is not difficult to derive
that the Child Asthma is a disorder where one has to ascertain the 'internal' factors (such
as the susceptibility of the patients) rather then just the external factors such as the food
allergens. This understanding is quite vital with reference to the homeopathic approach to
the treatment of asthma.

As a result of the entire process, which involves spasm and an inflammation of the lung
tubules, the child may present with cough, difficult breathing (called dyspnea), panting
and weakness.
 Asthmatic Bronchitis Symptoms

Asthma in children comprises of a set of variable symptoms. The onset of asthma may
have typical cold and coryza, running of the nose, sneezing, nose block, sore throat, with
or without fever. Then the symptoms might settle to the chest producing cough and
congestion, leading to the typical 'chest spasm' which is described as a 'wheeze' in
common language. In medical language, we often call it 'bronchospasm', which is nothing
but the spasm of the bronchus (bronchi). The wheeze obstructs the lung tubes to give a
sense of breathlessness, called as 'dyspnoea'. The breathless when intense or prolonged,
gives panting, weakness and exhaustion due to inadequate oxygenation.

Coughing may be a constant accompanied symptom, which may be either a spasmodic,

barking, hacking or violent. It is not difficult to anticipate an attack of breathlessness
when the child starts having so called 'asthmatic cough'. The quality of cough may be
either dry (non-productive) or wet (productive). There may be secretion of fluid in the
lung tubes producing even more difficult respiration. It may come out as sputum
(expectoration). Many times the process of expectoration itself may bring more strain and
hence breathlessness. Sometimes, release of sputum or expectoration may give relief in
breathlessness due to partial clearing of the air-passage.

There is a possibility that the attack of asthma may begin all of a sudden without any
preceding cold or cough. The cases are not uncommon where the parents would find
children waking up in the middle of night with severe attack of asthma.

It may be noted that cough may be absolutely absent during the entire episode of asthma.

Some of the factors, which influence the level of severity during an acute attack of
asthma, may be noted with interest. Some children have a predisposition to have the
attack getting worse during some specific time, say 2 or 3 am early morning or on rising
up in the morning. Some children would feel comfortable only during certain body
posture such as sitting erect or lying on particular side of the body. Some are better when
being carried on the shoulder. Some are better sitting. Some feel better after having little
warm water while some are better if the doors and windows are open.

If we carefully examine the symptoms of asthma, we shall find that although the basic
symptoms remain the same, the exact symptoms vary from child to child. This suggests
that every case of asthma calls for individual attention in order to cure it.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Causes

The causes of childhood asthma could be broadly categorized into:

(i) Extrinsic (External) factors

They comprise of a wide range of allergies, which include allergens such as food
allergens, pollutants (industrial pollution), chemicals (pest control), environmental factors
(pollen, dust mites, cats, cockroaches, fungi, smoke, etc.), temperature intolerance
(affected by the change in the atmospheric temperature). Physical exertion or exercise is
known to induce asthmatic episode. Certain infections such as viral, bacterial or fungal
infections often lead to asthmatic breathing.

(ii) Intrinsic (Internal) factors

The extrinsic factors alone cannot produce asthma, as not every one who is exposed to
the pollen develops asthma. Again, not every one who is allergic to pollen develops
asthma! This means, the very individual susceptibility is probably the most important
aspect when we try to understand the causative factors responsible for child asthma. In
other words, asthma is not merely a disease of the lungs but of the immune system.
Asthmatic episode is an outcome of the fundamental tendency or the susceptibility, which
is genetically determined. (This is also true with a wide range of diseases.) Hereditary
influences also decide the predisposition to asthma as children with a family history of
asthma or allergy or eczema are more prone to asthma as compared to their counterpart
who do not have such a family history.
 Asthmatic Bronchitis Diagnosis

A typical and full-fledged episode of asthma could be diagnosed without difficulty by

parents as well as by the suffering child. The clinical symptoms of cough, wheezing and
labored breathing are suggestive of the diagnosis of asthma. When the attending
physician auscultates the chest with a stethoscope, a diagnostic broncho-spasm (wheeze)
may be found which confirms the diagnosis.

Additional clinical test with a small device called Spirometer which is used to decide the
flow of air inhaled and exhaled. In brief, this device is used to judge the extent of the
airway obstruction. The tests with the Spirometer are also called Pulmonary Functions
tests (PFT).

Asthmatic Bronchitis Treatment

Child asthma finds amazing cure with homeopathic treatment. Many pediatricians (child
specialist doctors) in India opt for getting their own children treated for asthma using
homeopathy. Homeopathy drastically reduces the frequency of attacks of asthma, reduce
severity as well as duration of attack. Also, after using homeopathic treatment, most
children may not required use of steroid inhalers as often. It also helps reducing the
frequency of colds.

Dr Shah's homeopathy:

Dr Rajesh Shah, M.D.(Hom.) has spent over 22 years studying various chronic diseases
including Asthma. His research based new molecules have worked wonders for Asthma
in children as well as in adults. He has international patents (granted and pending) on his
new molecules, which has changed the treatment protocol for asthma. Thousands of
children and families have witnessed astonishing results using Dr Shah's treatment in last
22 years.

Currently, Dr Shah's patients in 127 countries enjoy the benefits of homeopathic

treatment. Homeopathic treatment is absolutely safe and free from any side effects. Also,
it can safely be taken along with the conventional treatment.

What to expect from homeopathic treatment?

• Reduction in attacks of asthma and wheezing
• Reduction in severity of attack of asthma
• Reduced attack of frequent colds and cough
• Better immunity, better appetite and weight gain if child is underweight
• Reduced need for bronchodilators, steroid, antibiotics
• Reduction in frequent attacks of upper respiratory infections such as Tonsillitis,
sinusitis, ear infection, etc.
What is the duration of treatment?
Most children (and adults) observe results in about eight weeks. The duration of
treatment depends on several factors. Most children may require treatment for over eight
months.

What is the limitation of Homeopathic treatment?

Homeopathic medicines enhance overall immunity and reduce the attacks of asthma.
However, during the acute and severe attacks, it may not help. You may require to take
conventional medicines during acute attacks, and the homeopathic treatment may be
continued. Both the treatment can go hand in hand without any interference.