Child Asthma

Does your child suffer from asthma?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that as many as 6.8 million children have asthma, which is close to 10 percent of all kids. The symptoms range from mild to severe, requiring close monitoring at all times. If your child has been diagnosed with asthma or has symptoms of this health condition, make it a priority to learn as much as possible about managing it successfully. Also, don’t hesitate to discuss this condition with your pediatrician who offers Asthma and Allergy Evaluation and Management.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes difficulty in breathing. The lungs spasm and become inflamed, causing the child to wheeze, trying to catch his breath. Doctors believe that asthma is caused by allergies or hypersensitivity to environmental conditions that make the lungs swell and tighten. An attack may be brought on by other factors, like stress or fear. When children suffer from this condition it is particularly concerning because they are more likely to participate in high-energy activities like sports and games with peers. Symptoms of an asthma attack include:

• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing and gasping for air
• Coughing at night

What causes asthma in children?

The exact cause of childhood asthma is still somewhat of a mystery to doctors and experts, but many believe it is a hereditary condition passed down through families. Your pediatrician finds that children who suffer from asthma are usually very sensitive to irritants and certain substances in the air. Sometimes even certain types of food, like shellfish, can trigger asthma symptoms. It’s important for children who are managing asthma symptoms to get an allergy test so that they know which irritants to avoid.

Asthma treatments

Of course the most pressing question on the minds of parents who have children with asthma is how to treat it successfully so that it doesn’t disrupt their lives. Your pediatrician’s office prescribes asthma medication (inhalers) for fast relief and may also prescribe long-term therapies (like Sublingual Immunotherapy, which may help boosts a person’s resistance to allergens) aimed at reducing the instances of asthma attacks over time.

Get help from your pediatrician

For asthma education and treatments, parents are encouraged to seek the assistance of their local pediatrician. Each pediatrician and their staff are committed to providing the very best care and therapies for children who are managing asthma symptoms.