Signs Your Child May Have Asthma

What your pediatricians in Westchase and Clearwater want you to know

It’s natural to want to protect your child and when you see your child having difficulty breathing, it can be scary. It could be asthma, a potentially life-threatening condition. It’s important for you to recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma and know what to do. Your pediatricians at Westchase Pediatric Care and Clearwater Pediatric Care want you to know the facts about asthma in children. They have two convenient office locations in Westchase and Clearwater, FL, to help you and your child.

Childhood asthma produces more severe symptoms because a child’s airways are smaller. Asthma can be triggered by exposure to allergens including pollens, pet dander, dust mites, and other common substances. Some common signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Severe coughing and wheezing
• Breathing difficulties
• A tight feeling in the chest
• Bronchitis that recurs frequently

Infants may feed more slowly and have breathing difficulties while feeding. Toddlers may not play or run because of breathing problems. Toddlers can tire quickly and cough while doing activities. Colds and other illnesses may last longer.

You should seek out emergency treatment for your child if you notice any of these life-threatening signs or symptoms:

• Difficulty speaking because of breathing problems
• Inability to breathe or gasping
• The abdomen getting sucked underneath the ribs during breathing

The first step in asthma treatment is to test the level of lung function through spirometry or peak flow measurement. Nitric oxide testing is performed to measure how well the lungs are working.

Recommended treatments for childhood asthma typically include rescue inhalers for short-term relief and long-term asthma medications. Sublingual immunotherapy and other allergy treatments may also be suggested.

You can do a lot to prevent asthma attacks by monitoring your child’s environment. Keep your child away from cigarette or cigar smoke and allergy triggers to limit the onset of symptoms.

You are not alone in treating your child’s asthma. Your pediatrician wants to help. Just pick up the phone and call your pediatricians in Westchase and Clearwater, FL. Call today!