Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways - the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs - to become sore and swollen. In the United States, about 20 million people have asthma. Nearly 9 million of them are children. Children have smaller airways than adults, which makes asthma especially serious for them. Children with asthma may experience wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night.
Many things can cause asthma, including
• Allergens - mold, pollen, animals
• Irritants - cigarette smoke, air pollution
• Weather - cold air, changes in weather
• Exercise
• Infections - flu, common cold
Now researchers have added on more cause of asthma: antibiotic use prior to 7 years old. This risk increases with the number of times antibiotics are prescribed; particularly if prescribed during the first year of life (AND, in the absence of a dog in the home during the first year of life).
Several courses of action may be taken to prevent asthma:
1. Judicious use of antibiotics
2. If antibiotics required, don't use one that covers a broad spectrum of bacteria
3. Own a house pet; i.e. dog!
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