Happy Wheezer

My 6 month old grandson Oscar has just been diagnosed as being a 'Happy Wheezer'. Have any other parents had any experience of this. Any information help or even comments will be passed to my Daughter. She is terribly anxious at the moment so any comments will be appreciated.

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Hi Nanny Prior

i just read your post and your profile.

I'm not really sure about the term 'happy wheezer' - so don't feel confident or able to comment effectively - sorry.

I just wanted to say that your daughter shouldn't feel that she's failed her son - most of us with young children with asthma (or asthmatic symptoms) struggle to manage it - if you read through past posts on the parents and carers bit especially you will find that most of us parents are struggling through - trying to do our best - it can be an anxious time especially in the beginning - I've found this site to be really useful - just reading about and hearing from other people in the same boat seems to help.

If your daughter is unsure of what this diagnosis means then she should go back to her GP - if necessary book a longer appt and take someone with her - I always try to write down my main points/questions so that if I get flustered or if i end up in tears (which is often) then i have it written down or someone else to take over!!!

Has she tried ringing the Asthma Nurse of this site - i found them really helpful -they were able to answer my questions and i wasn't on a time clock as with GP's.

Sorry not to be able to be of more help - i'm quite new to all this too - but i just wanted to let you know that there is support out there.

Take care and I hope that your grandson's ok.

Claire

[KateMoss]

The description ' Happy Wheezer' could mean that, although he is wheezing away he is quite happy & content & carried on playing etc! I have noticed it in both my Niece & Nephew especially when I pick them up - you can feel the wheeeze!

The child may not apear to be too bothered by it but it is worth checking it out so it can be controled & doesn't get worse.

Kate

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I was reading the Observer allergy pull out last weekend and it in they said that some babies do wheeze but it is not asthma and not harmful. Was your grandson premiture or did he had broncoliotis as a baby?. Both of these can apparently lead to wheeze that resolves itself as the baby gets older and the airways get bigger they are nothing really to worry about. It also seems it can happen randomly although that is more rare. I guess the main thing is they keep an eye on it. If Oscar gets distressed or is struggling to breathe or if she is at all worried get him (mothers intuition is a valid reason to get a 2nd opinion) checked out ASAP. And please remember a lot of things you read here are the very very severe end of the asthma scale so don't be frightened. I had a child who wheezed as a baby and had the most appauling and frightening croup but he is the only one of my kids who now does not have asthma wheeze does not always mean asthma.

Bex

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Wot Bex said. Plus some stats for you:- 50% of babies <2 who wheeze will grow out of it and are not asthmatic. Don't forget that wheeze does not automatically mean asthma, just as asthma does not necessarily mean wheeze... wheeze is simply a descriptive term applied to a noise that is generated in the airways.

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Happy wheezer""

This is a condition in which a child, usually under 1 year old, has a chronic, persistent or intermittent wheeze, heard without a stethoscope, but is happy and smiling, not at all distressed.

It is probably true that these children do have asthma, and the problem is one of therapy, especially given the limited efficacy of asthma medications in children of less than 18 months. It is thought that inflammation and oedema account for a more significant part of the airway obstruction in the very young child and hence bronchodilators are less effective.

The diagnosis ""Happy wheezer"" is thus for the most part a psychological reassurance, both for the parents and the physician. However, there is debate as to what the smiling actually means and whether is important to monitor oxygen levels in this apparently benign condition.

It's a good thing, it means that hopefully he will grow out of his symptoms and that it may not be asthma causing them.