Childhood Asthma, Its Treatment and Everything in Between

Asthma is a respiratory condition that is widespread and affects both adults and children. In the US alone, nearly ten million children live with asthma. In children, asthma causes airways and lungs to swell on exposure to particular triggers. The swelling results in an asthma attack, which makes it difficult for the child to breathe. While childhood asthma has been studied for many years, no known cure has been found for the condition, and it can only be managed. However, knowing the signs and how to identify whether your child has asthma or not will make all the difference in their life.

How to Identify Childhood Asthma

You are likely to confuse childhood asthma with a regular cold, especially if you've never encountered the condition before. However, look out for these symptoms that are unique to children with asthma.

• Whizzing sound when the child is exhaling.
• The child has difficulty breathing when sleeping or after slight exertion.
• The child coughs a lot at night or in cold weather.

How to know if it is Asthma or Something Else

Conditions often mistaken for childhood asthma include sinusitis, congestive heart failure, and upper airflow obstruction. You can quickly out-rule these conditions as, unlike asthma, they usually cause shortness of breath and have no other immediate visible symptoms.

When to Seek Pediatric Advice if you suspect Childhood Asthma

If you notice that your child is wheezing, coughing, or breathing with difficulty, there's still a chance they may be having a different condition and not necessarily asthma. However, you should consult a pediatrician immediately you see any of the above symptoms for diagnosis and treatment. The doctor will run tests on the child, ask questions about the symptoms and examine your family history for traces of asthma and other conditions.

Treatment Options the Pediatrician May Recommend for Childhood Asthma

Unfortunately, even in children, asthma can only be managed to prevent escalation and complete lung failure. However, it is controllable when you take into account the appropriate environmental changes, such as avoiding smoke, which is a universal irritant to those with asthma. If the pediatrician diagnoses childhood asthma, he or she will recommend the most appropriate medical therapy or treatment options. Medical treatments can include control medications for daily use, allergy medications, and quick-relief inhalers.Since childhood asthma symptoms look similar to other illnesses, it would be best to consult our team immediately so that if it is diagnosed as asthma, we can then treat it accurately. If you suspect that your child may have asthma, or for more information regarding childhood asthma, contact us today. We’ll diagnose your child’s symptoms and decide the best treatment options from there to get your child living life as normally as they can.