Reactive Airways Disease

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 2, 2024.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Reactive airways disease (RAD)

is a term used to describe breathing problems in children up to 5 years old. The signs and symptoms of RAD are similar to asthma, such as wheezing and shortness of breath. RAD symptoms can occur because of airway swelling. A child's airways are small and narrow, making it easy for them to fill and get blocked with mucus. These factors make it hard for healthcare providers to know what is causing your child's symptoms, or the best way to treat them.

Signs and symptoms of RAD

are similar to asthma. Your child may have any of the following:

• Wheezing or crackles when your child breathes
• Trouble breathing
• A cough that does not go away
• A fast heartbeat
• A runny nose
• Symptoms worsen at night, during sickness or exercise, when laughing or crying, or when around triggers

Seek care immediately if:

• Your child's wheezing or cough is getting worse.
• Your child has trouble breathing, or his or her lips or fingernails are blue.
• Your older child cannot talk in full sentences because he or she is trying to breathe.
• Your child looks restless and is breathing fast.
• Your child's nostrils flare out as he or she tries to breathe. His or her stomach muscles or the skin over his or her ribs may move in deeply while he or she tries to breathe.
• Your child goes from being restless to being confused or sleepy.

Call your child's doctor if:

• Your child is shaky, nervous, or has a headache.
• Your child is hoarse, or has a sore throat or upset stomach.
• Your infant throws up when he or she coughs.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Treatment

may include medicines for your child's symptoms. Healthcare providers may follow up with your child as he or she gets older to see if his or her symptoms go away. Your child may need to use medicines every day or only when needed. He or she may need one or more of the following:

• Short-acting bronchodilators help open the airways quickly. They relieve sudden, severe symptoms and start to work right away.
• Long-acting bronchodilators help prevent breathing problems. They control breathing problems by keeping the airways open over time.
• Corticosteroids help decrease swelling and open the airway to make breathing easier. Your child may breathe the medicine in or swallow it as a liquid, pill, or chewable tablet.
• Breathing treatments open your child's airways so he or she can breathe more easily. Your child may need to use a nebulizer or an inhaler to help him or her breathe in the medicine. Ask healthcare providers for more information about these devices, and to show you and your child how to use them.
• Oxygen may be given to help your child breathe easier. He or she may need a nasal cannula (small tubes placed in the nose) or mask.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• salmeterol
• montelukast
• Fasenra
• terbutaline
• Nucala

Inhalers:

• A metered dose inhaler is a small, tube-shaped device. Your child holds the open end inside his or her mouth. The medicine comes out as a mist when he or she presses a switch. He or she may use a spacer with this inhaler. A spacer is a large tube that holds the mist before your child breathes it in.
• A nebulizer has a long tube that goes from the machine to a small round container that holds asthma medicine. The liquid turns into a mist when the machine is turned on. Your child breathes in this mist through a mouthpiece.
• A dry powder inhaler is a small tube or disc-shaped device that contains powder asthma medicine. Your child holds the open end inside his or her mouth. The powder is released when he or she presses a switch. With this type of inhaler, your child must breathe in hard to suck in the powder.

Help your child prevent flares:

• Keep your child away from cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke can harm your child's lungs and cause breathing problems. Ask your healthcare provider for more information if you currently smoke and want help to quit.
• Keep all follow-up visits. Tell healthcare providers about your child's symptoms. For example, tell them how often and how badly your child is wheezing or coughing. Make sure your child gets all of the vaccines suggested by his or her healthcare provider.
• Help your child avoid triggers. A trigger is anything that starts your child's symptoms or makes them worse. If you know that your child is allergic to a certain food, do not let him or her have it. The allergy can cause his or her airways to close. This can be life-threatening. Avoid areas where there is pollution, perfume, or dust. Remove pets from your home.
• Avoid spreading illness. Keep your child away from others if he or she has a fever or other symptoms. Do not send your child to school or daycare until his or her fever is gone and he or she is feeling better. Keep your child away from large groups of people or others who are sick. This decreases his or her chance of getting sick.
• Make changes to your home. Your child's signs and symptoms may get worse when he or she is around dust mites, cockroaches, or mold. You can help keep your home free from these triggers. Keep the humidity (moisture level in the air) low. Fix leaks, and remove carpets where possible. Use mattress covers, and wash bedding every 1 to 2 weeks in hot water. Wash tables and other surfaces with weak bleach (1 tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water).
• Ask healthcare providers to create an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan may help you and your child manage RAD symptoms at home. The plan will include signs to watch for that mean your child's symptoms are getting worse. The plan will state what to do if this occurs, and list emergency phone numbers. Your child's triggers will be on the plan so that you both know what to avoid. The plan will list any medicines your child takes. It will also state when your child should see his or her healthcare provider for a follow-up visit.

Help your child develop a strong immune system:

• Breastfeed your child, if possible. Breast milk helps protect him or her from allergies that can trigger wheezing and other problems.
• Help your child get enough exercise and eat healthy foods. Your child's healthcare provider can teach you how to manage your child's cough or shortness of breath while he or she is active. If symptoms get worse with exercise, your child may need to take medicine through an inhaler 10 to 15 minutes before exercise. Give your child healthy foods. Ask your child's healthcare provider what a healthy weight is for your child. If your child weighs more than his or her provider says is healthy, symptoms of RAD may get worse.

Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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