RESUMEN
This survey of 48 multicultural parents of children with asthma identifies and compares alternative and complementary treatments used for asthma, and compares any potentially effective or harmful effects. Thirty-nine (81%) of the parents used at least one form of alternative or complementary therapy to treat their child's asthma. Nontraditional therapies included prayer, over-the-counter medications, herbal teas, vitamins, and massage. African-American parents were more likely to rely on prayer, and Hispanic parents were more likely to use herbal and massage therapies. Use of over-the-counter medications and vitamins was similar among groups. Three herbal remedies were potentially toxic: lobelia, possible pennyroyal mint, and tree tea oil. Medical histories for all patients should include inquiries into the use of alternative therapies.
Asunto(s)
Asma/terapia , Terapias Complementarias , Adolescente , Adulto , Negro o Afroamericano , Antiasmáticos/uso terapéutico , Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Niño , Preescolar , Terapia Combinada , Femenino , Hispánicos o Latinos , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Anamnesis , Texas , Población BlancaRESUMEN
Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in infancy and childhood. However, it may be overlooked as a cause or complication of respiratory disease and/or neurobehavioral problems. In this report of a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy, severe developmental delay, and asthma, Sandifer's syndrome was diagnosed after she was found to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Awareness of GERD and Sandifer's syndrome may spare neurologically impaired children from persistent symptoms and delayed appropriate treatment.
Asunto(s)
Asma/complicaciones , Parálisis Cerebral/complicaciones , Reflujo Gastroesofágico/complicaciones , Tortícolis/complicaciones , Preescolar , Femenino , Reflujo Gastroesofágico/diagnóstico , Humanos , Síndrome , Tortícolis/diagnósticoRESUMEN
Patients whose asthma symptoms are poorly controlled with the therapies usually recommended for this disease are considered to have "difficult" asthma. Although such patients represent a small proportion of patients with asthma, children who have difficult asthma are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Once the diagnosis of asthma is established, caregivers must appropriately categorize and treat the asthma according to the patient's level of symptom severity. The purpose of this article is to present an approach to the management of patients with difficult asthma by (a) searching for alternative diagnoses or conditions that are often associated with asthma, (b) investigating environmental issues, (c) reviewing inhalation techniques, and (d) determining the patient's level of compliance with the prescribed treatment plan and simplifying it whenever possible.