Although there is no precise data and comprehensive research on the number of children suffering from asthma in Montenegro, pulmonologists and pediatricians warn that it is the most common chronic disease among the youngest, and that the number of patients has been steadily increasing in recent years.
"During the past month, we registered about fifteen newly diagnosed children with the first symptoms of asthma in the Institute's clinic, while in the same period we examined up to 160 children with the same problems," said Dr. Radulović.
According to Dr. Radulović, accurate and detailed data on the incidence of asthma, which should be available to the competent Montenegrin health institutions, are one of the basic prerequisites for adequate monitoring and treatment of this disease.
In 2008, according to the data of the Institute for Public Health, in Montenegro, based on the number of visits to selected pediatricians in outpatient health care, 3.100 children of preschool and school age with a diagnosis of asthma were registered.
The approximate number of patients, as emphasized by the Institute, was also in 2009, as indicated by the data that is being prepared.
"In the structure of hospital-treated children under the age of 19, during 2008 in Montenegro, 270 hospital discharges with a diagnosis of asthma were reported to the Institute, of which the most children were between one and four years old, and then between 10 and 14 years old, while in the following year, about 280 hospital treatments were reported," the Institute announced.
In 2008, according to data from the Institute of Public Health, 3.100 children of preschool and school age with a diagnosis of asthma were registered in Montenegro.
She stated that asthma is the most difficult to diagnose in children under the age of five, due to the appearance of symptoms similar to hers, but also that in 80 percent of cases, the first symptoms indicating the disease appear precisely in that period.
"For the development and occurrence of asthma in children, the genetic predisposition of the organism plays the most important role. If one of the parents has asthma, the risk that the child will also have it is about 25, and if both parents have it, up to 50 percent," the doctor explained. .
In addition, she stated that there are other numerous factors such as smoking, especially by the mother during pregnancy, respiratory irritants and viral infections, while the most important indoor allergen is house dust and dust mites.
Asthma treatment is very complex and requires close cooperation between the doctor and the patient
"The first preventive measure is the control of the environment in which the child resides and the removal of causative factors. Medicines that are used either to eliminate attacks or to prevent symptoms of the disease occupy an important place. Also, a lot of attention is paid to educating the patient and their parents for self-medication of asthma." said Dr. Radulović.
The genetic predisposition of the organism plays the most important role in the development and occurrence of asthma in children
And the doctors, the doctor explains, as participants in frequently organized workshops, are additionally educated and familiarized with the latest in treatment, use in diagnostics of new drugs, etc.
However, she warns, parents are the ones who must recognize the first symptoms of illness in their children. Asthma, if diagnosed, must be accepted in the best way.
"It is important to follow the advice, because it is a disease that can be kept under control, and it is certainly good that the fear of using a pump has been overcome in recent years," the doctor believes.
She points out that in the treatment of asthma, doctors prescribe two groups of drugs, to eliminate symptoms and to control the disease, which are used for a long time and stabilize the airways in children.
Provided that the disease is well controlled, playing sports is not only prohibited, but also recommended, adds Radulović.
"Montelukast" and "budesonide" cannot be afforded by many
Complete treatment and diagnosis of asthma, Dr. Radulović points out, takes place in Montenegro, as well as the fact that most of the necessary medicines are on the positive list, which are issued at the expense of the Fund.
"However, the drugs "montelukast" granule tablets and "budesonide", which are intended for children under the age of two, should also be on the positive list, because they are expensive and often unavailable to the parents of sick children," warned Dr. Radulović.
In Pljevlja, half of the patients are under 10 years old
Due to high air pollution in Pljevlja, children are exposed to asthma more often than elsewhere. This was confirmed to "Vijesta" by the chosen pediatrician of the local health center, Dr. Anka Stanić, pointing out that it is also worrying that almost half of the sick patients are under ten years old.
"Especially high concentrations of smoke in the air during the heating season contribute to more frequent infections of the upper and lower respiratory organs in children. Certainly, there are genetic predispositions, which are also an important trigger for getting sick," she explained.
Podgorica health centers do not have precise data on the number of children suffering from asthma, but, they claim, in order to prevent this increasingly common disease, the Center for Children with Special Needs organized numerous seminars for pediatricians, medical technicians, parents and sick children, when im and split peakflowmeters, devices for monitoring and daily asthma control.
The Head of the Center, Dr. Gordana Mandić, emphasized that, in cooperation with the Service of Selected Pediatricians, they also organized asthma schools, where parents could get answers to many questions and solve numerous doubts they face every day.
Types of asthma
ALLERGIC ASTHMA
About 60 percent of all asthmatics are included in this type of asthma. Airway obstruction and typical asthma symptoms are related to allergies and are triggered by allergens. It is important to identify what is causing your asthma. Common triggers include: pollen, mold, dust mites and animal dander.
NON-ALLERGIC ASTHMA
One third of all asthma sufferers have non-allergic asthma. This type of asthma is caused by viral infections and other irritants. Examples of what can trigger non-allergic asthma include:
- Tobacco smoke
- Viral infection
- Strong smells and sprays
- Other medical conditions
ASTHMA CAUSED BY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Exercise-induced asthma, or more commonly referred to as: exercise-induced bronchial obstruction, is when the airways become narrowed and asthma symptoms develop as a result of exercise. Exercise-induced asthma can make your asthma worse, or you may have asthma symptoms only when you exercise. It is important to understand that asthma is not caused by exercise, but that exercise is only a trigger that can lead to the development of asthma symptoms.
PROFESSIONAL ASTHMA
The work environment can be a risk factor. Jobs associated with exposure to dust and chemicals are an important cause of new cases and exacerbations of existing asthma. Asthma can be the result of direct lung irritation or sensitivity to certain substances.
ASTHMA CAUSED BY COUGH
Cough can be associated with other symptoms of asthma, but it can also precede asthma or be its only symptom. When cough is the only symptom of asthma, this is called cough variant asthma (cough variant asthma - CVA).
DRUG-INDUCED ASTHMA
Many people do not think about contraindications, but this can be very important for a certain number of people. For some asthmatics, painkillers can be very dangerous. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (known as NSAIDs) can worsen asthma and even be fatal. If you have this type of sensitivity you should stay away from ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac as they can trigger an asthma attack.
NIGHT ASTHMA
If you have wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath at night, these symptoms may represent a worsening of your regular condition or may represent nocturnal asthma as a special form of diagnosis. Close to 75 percent of asthmatics experience nighttime symptoms such as coughing at least once a week. About 40 percent experience them every evening.
ASTHMA RESISTANT TO GLUCOCORTICOIDS
Although glucocorticoids are one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs available and are normally very effective in the treatment of asthma, a small group of patients do not respond to these drugs and are usually classified as "steroid-resistant". (source - www.astma.rs)
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