It seems that Terry’s child, who suffers from asthma, has more difficulty breathing than usual in holiday season. She gets so upset that she wishes she knew more so she could help her child better.

As the temperature grows colder in winter, young asthma sufferers experience difficult times. Not only can the cold provoke asthma attacks, but the molds from the rotting leaves, the increase in respiratory infections at this time of the year, and even the increased indoor time and exposure to house dusts make sensitive children suffer attacks more frequently.

Asthma attacks are anything but fun, as the muscles in the tubes, which carry precious air from the mouth to the lungs, of the bronchial tree contract under the influence of the allergens in the air, making the passages narrower than normal. The stimulus of the cold air alone can cause the spasm of the bronchi that makes an asthmatic child wheeze. It becomes harder to suck air through these narrowed bronchial tubes, and the patient may become anxious and frightened as they must now consciously struggle to get enough oxygen.

Children may not eat and will not lie down, as they direct their exertions to the problem of respiration. When these signs develop (they are called respiratory diseases), it is time to seek medical help.

Many medications are available that can effectively open the bronchial tubes and reduce the symptoms. It may take a visit or two until the right dose of the right medication is established, but usually a hospital stay can be avoided. Then there are also the attentions directed to changing the home environment – reducing house dust, pets, and tobacco smoke – that can have beneficial effects for your child.

It is important that you understand the causes and treatment of the problem, and have the child treated now. It is possible for children to outgrow asthma, but controlling the situation now will allow your child to grow and mature in a normal way, and to avoid the lasting problems that childhood asthma may sometimes provoke.