Additional Childhood Asthma Information: Click Here
Childhood Asthma:
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs and airway that affects almost 5 million children in the United States. Classic asthma symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing (whistling sound heard when your child breathes in or out)
- Shortness-of-breath
- Chest pain or tightnes
Depending on their age, younger children may say things such as, “it hurts” or “it feels funny”- pointing to their chest. Obviously, infants are unable to say when they are having trouble breathing. A child’s allergist/immunologist or pediatrician can teach parents what the warning signs are for more severe asthma symptoms. The severity of childhood asthma can range from very mild to potentially life-threatening.
Asthma has many triggers and it is normal for a child’s asthma to come and go during the year. Common allergic triggers include:
- Animal dander
- Pollen
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Cockroaches
Other common triggers include:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Cigarette smoke
- Cold air or exercise
- Sinus infection
Because asthma symptoms can come and go, many children and their parents stop their medications when they feel better without guidance from their doctor. But it is important to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions because stopping a daily asthma medication may put the child at risk for a more severe asthma attack. An allergist/immunlogist will be able to help make the correct diagnosis of asthma, identify potential allergic triggers, educate the patient and patient’s family regarding their asthma, and initiate a treatment regimen that is safe and effective.
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