'Untreated sinus allergies at root of childhood asthma'

THOUSANDS OF children in Ireland with asthma-related conditions are getting inadequate treatment because doctors are failing to identify nose and sinus allergies as the cause of the problem, a leading asthma specialist has claimed.

Dr Paul Carson said allergic rhinitis or blockage of the upper airways was the most important and neglected problem in paediatric medicine in Europe.

He explained that while many children present with symptoms relating to the chest such as a night cough or wheezing, it is now recognised, particularly in the US where a lot of research has been carried out, that most childhood asthma stems from untreated nasal and sinus allergies.

However, children in Ireland are repeatedly given mouth inhalers which bypass the focal point of the problem, he said.

"If you neglect to treat the nose and sinus area, you are only half treating the problem and having to use more medicines for the lungs to try to achieve total control."

Asthma is estimated to affect 400,000-470,000 people in the Republic and is the most common chronic condition in children.

The Republic has the fourth-highest rate in the world.

In his address organised by the Asthma Society of Ireland to coincide with World Asthma Day, Dr Carson outlined a catalogue of complaints which can arise from neglected or untreated rhinitis.

"At first the child may simply be snuffly and irritable in the nose and so below power."

But as the internal lining of the nose becomes progressively blocked, the child can get headaches, intermittent hearing problems from a build-up of fluid behind the ear drum and disrupted sleep.

The latter can, in some cases, progress to sleep apnoea which can leave the child tired and unable to concentrate resulting in educational difficulties.