Social and emotional impact of childhood asthma

Article Abstract:

The rate of disability associated with childhood asthma is increasing, possibly due to poor management and difficulties in controlling this disease. Asthma and other diseases often cause social and emotional problems due to uncontrolled symptoms, distress and concern about the underlying presence of the disease, and difficulties with prevention, avoidance, and management. The social and emotional effects of childhood asthma can be classified into four categories: social and leisure pursuits, schooling, practical aspects of daily life, and emotional effects. With regard to social and leisure pursuits, asthma can interfere with a child's participation in sports, contact with animals, pollen, and smoke, and planning of holidays for the child and entire family. Childhood asthma can increase absence from school, and thereby interfere with academic performance and psychological well-being. Concerning practical aspects of daily living, asthmatic children may have to avoid certain foods, dusty or smoky environments, and certain materials, such as soft furs that may provide sources of pleasure and comfort. These children must constantly be protected against catching colds. Parents of asthmatic children may be faced with extra housework, less sleep, and frequent absences from work to attend to sick children. Asthma can also cause financial burden because of time lost from work, the need for medications and specialized equipment, and babysitter costs. Studies show that asthma causes stigma, loss of self-esteem, and family stress. Parents may become overprotective and focused on the asthmatic child, neglecting other children. Asthmatic children may use their illness to gain attention. However, asthma may also bring families closer together. The social and emotional impact of childhood asthma needs to be recognized so that asthmatic children and their families receive the appropriate care and assistance. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Complications and side effects, Asthma

---

Compliance with treatment in asthma and Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Article Abstract:

Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in which adults fabricate an illness so as to receive medical care. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a type of child abuse in which parents either fabricate illnesses in their children or cause the illnesses of their children to require excessive medical care. The hallmark of the proxy syndrome is that children are better once they are removed from the care of their parents. Most often, this syndrome is characterized by parental falsification of illness, resulting in the need for continuous invasive and excessive medical procedures. Among a series of 1,648 asthmatic children, 17 families were identified as having behaviors suggestive of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Ten families with 11 children undertreated their children, either by providing ineffective treatment during acute asthmatic attacks, or by withholding preventive medication or exposing children to known allergens. In all cases, families were educated as to appropriate acute and preventive treatments and failed to spontaneously mention their inappropriate behaviors to health care personnel. Seven families behaved as though they wished children to be chronically ill, and overreported the severity of children's symptoms. Coughing was described as acute asthma, for instance, and families often demanded potent medications for such attacks from physicians unfamiliar with the children. In all families, there was a disturbed psychosocial background, such a history of a chronic medical problem (including asthma), depression, or recent divorces or family deaths. The report indicates that compliance of parents and patients with prescribed medical treatment should be checked so that Munchausen syndrome by proxy might be identified early and the child's health might be protected. A commentary on the report and condition follows the article. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Caregivers, Family, Asthmatics, Munchausen-by-proxy syndrome, Munchausen syndrome by proxy

---

Increasing asthma prevalence in a rural New Zealand adolescent population: 1975-89

Article Abstract:

The death rate due to asthma is greater in New Zealand than in other Western countries. The Maori population has a higher rate of death or hospitalization due to asthma than other cultural groups. Most studies examining the prevalence of asthma have focused on urban areas. In 1975, a survey of adolescent health was undertaken and involved students aged 12 to 18 years from a rural New Zealand community, consisting of a large number of Maoris. The study consisted of a questionnaire related to the prevalence of asthma, wheezing, and respiratory health; a clinical chest examination; and spirometry, the measurement of the air capacity of the lungs. A survey was undertaken in 1989 to reassess the incidence of asthma and related symptoms in 435 adolescent schoolchildren from the same rural, largely Maori population. The results of this 1989 survey were compared with those of an identical 1975 survey carried out at the same school. The children also underwent spirometry. The results showed that the prevalence of asthma or wheeze increased from 26.2 percent in 1975 to 34 percent in 1989. The increase involved groups with reported asthma, and those with wheeze unrelated to colds or without previous diagnosis of asthma. The incidence of wheeze increased from 24.3 to 27.4 percent among Europeans and from 27.1 to 36.2 among Maoris between 1975 and 1989. The increase was not due to reclassification of other respiratory problems. These findings show that there was an increase in the prevalence of asthma in this New Zealand population over a 14-year period. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, New Zealand, Maoris

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Autism. Lack of benefit of a single dose of synthetic human secretin in the treatment of autism and pervasive developmental disorder
• Abstracts: Autosomal dominant transmission of gouty arthritis with renal disease in a large Japanese family. Arthritis and epidemiology in Europe
• Abstracts: The emergency visit and management of asthma. Gamma-delta T cells in asthma. Observations on asthma mortality
• Abstracts: Quality assurance in the care of the patient with cancer. Performance status assessment in cancer patients
• Abstracts: Myofascial mimic of temporomandibular pain: differential diagnosis and treatment with combination therapy. Multiple sclerosis and early diagnosis: a literature review

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.