Causes and Treating Asthma in Children

Does your child or wheeze or frequently complain of chest pain? Asthma might be the cause of his or her symptoms. The pediatricians at asthmaClearwater and Westchase Pediatric Care in Westchase and Clearwater, FL, share common symptoms of asthma and discuss treatment options.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in your child's lungs. The airways also produce excess mucus, which makes it even harder to breathe. Common symptoms of asthma in children include:

  • Wheezing (You hear a whistling sound when your child breathes out.)
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Coughing, particularly at night or after physical activity
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble sleeping

If asthma is severe, your child may breathe rapidly, be unable to speak easily, or you may notice that his or her chest rises and falls dramatically with each breath. Visit the emergency room immediately if you notice any of these signs of respiratory distress.

Why does my child have asthma?

It's not always possible to figure out why your child has asthma, but these factors may increase the likelihood that your son or daughter will develop the disease:

  • Another family member also has asthma
  • He or she has allergies
  • Someone in the family smokes
  • He or she had a low birth weight or had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as an infant
  • Frequent respiratory infections are a problem

How is asthma treated?

Treating asthma involves using inhaled or oral medications that open the airways, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles around the airways. When you visit our Westchase or Clearwater offices, we may recommend allergy testing to determine if allergies contribute to your son or daughter's symptoms. If he or she has allergies, medications or immunotherapy will not only improve his or her allergy symptoms but will also reduce asthma symptoms.

Making a few changes to your child's environment can reduce asthma flare-ups. Your son or daughter may breathe easier if you designate your home a smoke- and fragrance-free zone, vacuum regularly, replace carpets with hardwood flooring, and using air-conditioners and HEPA filters to remove allergens from the air.

Are you concerned that your child may have asthma? Schedule an appointment with the pediatricians at Clearwater and Westchase Pediatric Care by calling (813) 818-1543 for the Westchase office and (727) 461-1543 for the Clearwater office.


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