Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic health condition characterized by narrowed airways. It can affect people of any age but often develops during childhood. While some kids suffer only minor symptoms, others experience debilitating breathing difficulties due to asthma. 

Researchers are unsure of the exact cause of asthma, but it’s believed a combination of genetic and environmental factors is to blame. If you have close family members who suffer from asthma, you and your child are at an elevated risk. 

Environmental factors that can contribute to asthma include:

• Tobacco smoke
• Air pollution
• Chemicals used in farming or manufacturing
  
  

There is also a clear link between childhood allergies and asthma, although the exact connections remain largely unknown. 

What are some signs my child might have asthma?

Knowing the signs and symptoms of asthma can help you know when to seek professional care. Some of the things to keep an eye out for in children include:

• Wheezing sounds during exhalation
• Shortness of breath
• Labored breathing during sports, play, or other exertion
• Sleep disruptions
• Coughing 
• Chest tightness or discomfort

Your child’s body and brain need oxygen to survive and thrive. Asthma can prevent adequate airflow, so it’s important to visit Caring Pediatrics for a diagnostic exam if you feel there is a problem with breathing. 

How is asthma treated?

Treating asthma is really a matter of managing the disease. There is no cure for asthma, so kids and adults need to find a management plan that works for them. 

Your doctor works with your child to teach them how to identify when symptoms are worsening or when an attack is coming on. It’s also helpful to learn which situations or substances trigger an asthma attack, so they can avoid those circumstances to the highest degree possible. 

Medications can help treat asthma. There are numerous options to choose from, and your doctor works with you to find the right options. They may prescribe bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs that your child takes through an inhaler or a nebulizer. 

Some medications work immediately to reduce airway inflammation, while others offer more long-term relief to prevent attacks. 

Learn more about asthma action plans and treatment options during a visit to Caring Pediatrics. Online booking is fast and easy, or you can always call to speak with a member of the administrative staff.