Asthma is the number one cause of chronic illness in children. As many as twelve percent of children in the United States suffer from asthma. The disease can affect anyone at any age, but most children have their first symptoms by the age of five.
Risk factors for developing asthma include:
- Allergies
- Family history of allergies
- Family history of asthma
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Low birth weight
- Exposure to tobacco smoke before and after birth
- Being male
Watch for these symptoms if you suspect your child has asthma: frequent coughing, lack of energy during play, rapid breathing, wheezing, and complaints of chest tightness. A cough may be the only symptom of asthma! Look for coughing during play, at night, or while laughing. You may also hear a whistling sound known as wheezing during breathing. The difficulty breathing may result in feelings of weakness or tiredness and a lack of energy during play. Your child may complain about chest tightness; you may notice a tightness in the neck and chest muscles. Not all children have the same symptoms. The symptoms may vary from one asthma episode to the next in the same person.
A diagnosis of asthma will be based on a physical exam, description of symptoms, and family history. The doctor will listen to your child’s chest and lungs, and may request pulmonary function tests to measure the amount of air in the lungs. Your doctor may also want to test for allergies that are triggering asthma attacks.
Treating asthma includes having an asthma action plan — when and how your child should use asthma medications and when to seek emergency care. You need to try to limit your child’s exposure to asthma triggers like exercise and allergens. The doctor may prescribe a daily anti-inflammatory medication if your child has frequent asthma episodes. Treat attacks with a bronchodilator medication as instructed in the asthma action plan.
If your child is experiencing severe wheezing, severe coughing, blue lips and/or fingernails, and trouble walking or talking, go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.