Millions of children risk a deadly asthma attack

Millions of children are at risk of a life-threatening asthma attack after research suggests that almost all young patients do not use their inhaler properly.

A study of 65 young asthmatics revealed that 97% of them do not know how to use their inhaler correctly.

Misuse of inhalers may not breathe deeply enough, may be vaporized by exhaling or exhaling too soon after using the medication.

And the study also revealed that parents of young people were generally unaware of their children's ability to use the rescue medication.

Researchers worry about parents' lack of knowledge about inhalers or their inability to control the use of the drug could be responsible for children's poor technique.

Failure to properly use an inhaler means that the full dose of the medication can not reach the lungs, much of it remaining in the mouth or throat.

The research was conducted by the University of Chicago and directed by Dr. Anna Volerman, associate director of Med-Peds Education.

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness among children in the United States, affecting one in 12 young people in 2015, according to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

And in the UK, one in 11 children suffers from asthma, a young being hospitalized as a result of an attack every 20 minutes, according to British statistics on asthma.

The disease is often managed by steroid inhalers that reduce airway swelling to prevent an asthma attack.

If a patient has symptoms, a reliever inhaler can help relax the muscles of the trachea, making it easier to breathe.

To test how children with asthma use their inhalers, the researchers analyzed 65 teenagers aged 8 to 14 attending four public schools in Chicago, as well as their parents. Most of the youth were male and 90% were African American.

Children were asked to show how they used their inhaler, 97% having done wrong.

The findings – published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology – further revealed that only one child "had demonstrated his mastery" with his inhalation technique, the researchers wrote.

Parents were also asked how much their children used their inhalers.

Of those who believed that their child was using it well, only 4% were correct when the technique was evaluated.

"Previous studies have shown that parents and children overestimate children's ability to properly use their inhaler," said Dr. Volerman.

"We looked at whether the parents' and the child 's confidence was the same and whether one or the other was a good sign of the child' s actual ability to use the baby. 39, inhaler correctly.

"We found that most parents and children overestimated the capabilities of the child based on a high level of trust on the part of the child – despite the misuse of inhalers."

At the end of the study, experts urge parents of asthmatics to have their child's inhalation technique properly checked.

Dr. Todd Mahr, allergist and president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, added, "It's not enough that an allergist or other health care provider Ask a child or his parents if he knows how to use an inhaler.

"Just asking is not a reliable screening tool to determine who needs additional training on how to properly use an inhaler.

If your child has asthma, consult your allergist to make sure he has the proper inhalation technique. Bring the inhaler with you to your next appointment and have your allergist or one of their employees watch your child take it.