What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory problem that causes your child’s airways to swell, making it difficult for them to breathe. In addition to the inflammation, asthma also leads to excessive mucus production, further hampering breathing.
Asthma affects children differently. Some may have one or two asthma attacks and simply grow out of the condition. Other kids, however, may suffer frequent and severe attacks, even requiring hospitalization.
What causes asthma?
When it comes to the human body, there are still many mysteries to be unraveled, and asthma is one of them. Why your child’s body responds the way it does to certain irritants or triggers likely has something to do with genetics and environment, but researchers haven’t confirmed a root cause.
When discussing the causes of asthma, most people think of the triggers, which is what brings on an attack. While triggers aren’t the cause of the condition, they play an enormous role in the degree to which your child is affected by their asthma. Triggers can include allergens, physical activity, temperature, and even stress.
What are the symptoms of asthma in children?
The most common symptoms of asthma in children are:
- Coughing during the night
- A wheezing sound when your child exhales
- Frequent colds that always reach their lungs
- Attacks where your child has problems breathing
This last point is a serious one, and if you’re concerned your child is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1. Otherwise, make an appointment with one of the pediatricians at Seashore Pediatrics for a full evaluation.
How is asthma managed?
Since there’s no identifiable cause of asthma, there’s no cure for the condition, either. But with your doctor’s help and oversight, there’s a lot you can do to manage your child’s asthma through:
- Prescribed spot inhalers or quick-relief medicines
- Long-term medications
- Trigger avoidance
- Immunotherapies
- Regular flu shots
- Changes around the home
Managing asthma comes down to finding the right combination of techniques to prevent attacks, which the doctors help you uncover through their experience with diagnosing and managing asthma.
For comprehensive asthma care, call Seashore Pediatrics or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.
