Pediatric Asthma

by Dr Khadijatou Aboulmaali M. Sid Ahmed on October 24, 2018
Articles

What Is Asthma?

  • Asthma is a chronic disease of the tubes that carry air to the lungs. These airways become narrow and their linings become swollen, irritated, and inflamed.
  • In patients with asthma, the airways are always irritated and inflamed, even though symptoms are not always present.

What are the Symptoms of Asthma?

  • Wheezing, the classic symptom
  • Cough
  • Tight chest
  • Trouble breathing

What are the Symptoms of Asthma?

  • Wheezing, the classic symptom
  • Cough
  • Tight chest
  • Trouble breathing

What are the Causes (Triggers) of Asthma Attacks?

  • Infections that affect breathing (like colds or the flu)
  • Pollens (trees, grass and weeds)
  • Animals (like cats or rabbits)
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Irritants (such as smog, car exhaust, menthol vapors, barns, dirty basement)
  • Food Allergy (Serious). Asthma attacks caused by food allergy can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis). Examples are nuts or fish.

Asthma Attack Scale

  • Mild:
    • No Shortness of Breath (SOB) at rest. Mild SOB with walking. Can talk normally. Speaks in sentences.
    • Can lay down flat.
    • Wheezes not heard or mild.
    • Green Zone: Peak Flow Rate 80-100% of normal rate)
  • Moderate:
    • SOB at rest.
    • Speaks in phrases.
    • Wants to sit (can’t lay down flat).
    • Wheezing can be heard. Retractions are present (ribs pull in with each breath).
    • (Yellow Zone: Peak Flow Rate 50-80% of normal rate)
  • Severe:
    • Severe SOB at rest.
    • Speaks in single words.
    • Struggling to breathe.
    • Wheezing may be loud or absent. Retractions may be severe.
    • (Red Zone: Peak Flow Rate less than 50% of normal rate)

Peak Flow Meter:

A peak flow meter measures Peak Flow Rates (PFR). It tells us how well a person can move air out of the lungs. A PFR can be used in children 6 years and older.

How is asthma treated?

  • Asthma is treated with different types of medicines. The medicines can be inhalers, liquids, or pills.
  • Your doctor will prescribe medicine based on your child’s age and his or her symptoms.
  • Asthma medicines work in 1 of 2 ways:
    • Quick-relief medicines stop symptoms quickly. These medicines should only be used once in a while. If your child regularly needs these medicines more than twice a week, tell his or her doctor.
    • Long-term controller medicines control asthma and prevent future symptoms. If your child has frequent symptoms or several severe episodes in a year, he or she might need to take these each day
  • Almost all children with asthma use an inhaler with a device called a “spacer.” Some children also need a machine called a “nebulizer” to breathe in their medicine. A doctor or nurse will show you the right way to use these.
  • Asthma that is not treated with the right medicines can:
    • Prevent children from doing normal activities, such as playing sports
    • Make children miss school
    • Damage the lungs

What is an asthma action plan?

An asthma action plan is a list of instructions that tell you:

  • What medicines your child should use at home each day.
  • What warning symptoms to watch for (which suggest that asthma is getting worse)
  • What other medicines to give your child if the symptoms get worse
  • When to get help or call for an ambulance

If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.

Harpreet Saini
Harpreet Saini
Consultant Psychologist - English, Hindi & Punjabi
CDA Licensed Psychologist - 13+ Years
Dr. Mohammed Fried Ahmed
Dr. Mohammed Fried Ahmed
Clinical Psychologist - Arabic
PHD Psychotherapy - 6+ Years
Khansa Abd Almalik
Khansa Abd Almalik
Clinical Psychologist - Arabic
PHD Psychotherapy - 6+ Years
Prerna Siroya
Prerna Siroya
Counselling Psychologist - English & Hindi
CDA Licensed Psychologist - 4+ Years
Dina Alqedra
Dina Alqedra
Clinical Psychologist - Arabic & English
DHA Licensed Psychologist - 6+ Years
Nuzhat Basheer
Nuzhat Basheer
Consultant psychologist - English, Hindi & Tamil
CDA Licensed Psychologist, M.Sc. in Psychology - 10+ Years
Vidushi Sukam
Vidushi Sukam
Consultant Psychologist - English, Hindi & Punjabi
CDA Licensed Psychologist | RCI Licensed Rehabilitation Psychologist - 13+ Years
Olena Taleski
Olena Taleski
Counselling Psychologist - English and Russian
Master Degree in Psychology - 13+ Years
Simrah Hamdulay
Simrah Hamdulay
Consultant psychologist - English and Hindi
CDA Licensed Psychologist, MSc in Child and Adolescent Psychology - 3+ Years
Javaria Zahra
Javaria Zahra
Counselling Psychologist - English, Urdu and Hindi
MD/ MS/ MPhil in Applied Psychology - 16+ Years
Fatima Altaf
Fatima Altaf
Counselling Psychologist - Urdu, Hindi and English
Msc. Psychology - 8+ Years
Aarhie Kaushik
Aarhie Kaushik
Clinical Psychologist - English & Hindi
Msc. Psychology - 8+ Years
Dr. Febna Moorkath
Dr. Febna Moorkath
Psychiatric Social Worker - English & Malayalam
PhD & M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work - 10+ Years
Dr. Fatemeh Abdi
Dr. Fatemeh Abdi
Clinical Psychologist - English and Persian
PhD. in Psychology - 20+ Years
Dr. Azizreza Ghasemzadehi
Dr. Azizreza Ghasemzadehi
Counselling Psychologist - Farsi & English
PhD in Psychology & Education of Exceptional Children - 20+ Years
Saima Khan
Saima Khan
Clinical Psychologist - English, Urdu, Punjabi & Pashto
Ph.D. Scholar in Clinical Psychology - 6 Years
Kinan Ali
Kinan Ali
Counselling Psychologist - Arabic and English
PhD. in Psychology - 6 Years
Dr. Abdelaziz Osman
Dr. Abdelaziz Osman
Consultant Psychiatrist - Arabic and English
MD, AB, Msc, Cert - 20+ Years
Naeema Ali
Naeema Ali
Psychologist - Arabic & English

Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.

Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.

She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.

She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.

Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.

Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.

Area of interest:

  • Psycho-oncology

  • CBT

  • Psychometric Assessments

  • Children, Adults and Family therapy

Qualification and Membership:

  • Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin

  • Licensed by Community Development Authority

Graduation in Psychology, (Phd) - 30 Years
Dr. Mohammed Bardi
Dr. Mohammed Bardi
Consultant Psychiatrist - Arabic, English

Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Area of interest:

  • Mood disorders

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)

Qualification and Membership:

  • MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).

  • ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007

  • ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010

  • ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011

  • ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015

  • BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY

  • ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY

  • ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015

  • BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010

  • CDA) Licensed Psychologist

Therapeutic Approach:

  • At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Substance use disorders

  • Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders

  • Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)

  • Personality disorders

  • Cognitive disorders including Dementia

  • Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)

  • Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct

  • disorders and ADHD

M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) - 15 years

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