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The most common symptoms of asthma are:
· Wheezing (breathing sounds which are harsh and sound like whistling)
· Cough (usually dry in nature)
· Breathlessness
· Chest tightness.
· In infants along with these symptoms, there may be crying, irritability and refusal to eat feeds.
The symptoms of asthma are produced due to the narrowing of the airways (bronchi).

There is narrowing of the airways and excessive mucus production. Excess mucus production leads to repeat respiratory track infections. These changes dramatically reduce the oxygen supply to the lungs, which leads to the above-mentioned symptoms.
Although the exact cause of asthma is not known, it is believed to be due to an inflammatory reaction that is allergic in nature and is triggered by allergy producing agents like dust, pollen grains, pet's furs etc. Most of the children grow out of asthma as they grow old but in some children asthma can result in permanent damage to the airways. There are certain trigger factors, which can precipitate an attack of asthma. These factors are:

· Flu or common cold infection.
· Very cold weather can sometimes precipitate an attack of asthma.
· Irritants like: fumes, volatile chemicals, strong vapors, cigarette smoke etc.
· Allergy producing agents like dust, pollen grains, certain food, fur of per animals, certain foods etc.
· Stress, extreme emotions (happiness or depression)
· Sometimes an attack of asthma may flare up without an obvious reason.
· Asthma is seen to run in families. Children of parents who suffer from asthma or other allergic disorders often develop asthma or some kind of allergic disorders.

If your child has a severe attack of asthma, do the following things:

· Make your child sit up, supported by a pillow or a cushion). Don't make him lie down flat as this position least favors the air entry into the lungs.
· Give him his inhaler and give him the dose, which he has already been taking. If the symptoms don't disappear within 10-15 minutes call a doctor or an ambulance and take him to the hospital immediately. Keep giving him puffs though his inhaler until medical help arrives.
· Whenever your child suffers from an attack of asthma, note down the possible triggering factor (was he was playing in a dust storm when he had an attack or does he have an attack while playing in the fields during the flowering season or when he is playing with his pet pussy cat.
Take appropriate steps to keep him away from the possible trigger factors as much as possible.

Learn more about this author, Dorothy Wilde.
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