Childhood asthma is an increasing health concern both in the U.S. and around the world. If a boy or girl is experiencing inflammation of the main air passages of the lungs, the bronchial tubes, then he or she may be experiencing the chronic condition of childhood asthma. Yet, the signs and symptoms of childhood asthma are often hard to detect.
It is a sad fact that childhood asthma often goes undiagnosed. Symptoms of childhood asthma include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. However, often times, these signs of childhood asthma are mislabeled as a cold or bronchitis.
You should know that there are certain clues you should be looking for if you suspect that your son or daughter is experiencing childhood asthma. A cough that seems to rattle the chest, rapid breathing, and frequent chest colds are tell-tale signs of childhood asthma.
While it's untrue that anger or anxiety causes childhood asthma, certain emotions can worsen the symptoms. As a result, if a child coughs after running and appears irritable for no reason, he or she may be suffering from childhood asthma.
If childhood asthma is undiagnosed, it can cause a child problems in school or interfere with extracurricular activities. Because of the nighttime coughing that often accompanies childhood asthma, children may find it difficult to concentrate in school or at sports events because of fatigue.
If you suspect your son or daughter has childhood asthma, it's important to obtain a physician's opinion as soon as possible. In fact, you should make an immediate appointment with a pediatrician if your child experiences such childhood asthma symptoms as constant coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
Childhood asthma can lead to asthma attacks which can be both frightening and dangerous. Those suffering from childhood asthma who experience an attack may find it impossible to talk and may have a rapid heart rate, profuse perspiration, and chest pain. A childhood asthma attack usually starts with coughing and ends with wheezing.
Physicians categorize childhood asthma attacks as mild, moderate, and severe. If a childhood asthma attack is severe, it is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical care. Still, it's one thing to suspect childhood asthma--it's another thing to get an accurate diagnosis.
When attempting to determine if your son or daughter is experiencing childhood asthma, your pediatrician will ask about episodes of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and abnormal skin color. A family history of childhood asthma can also be a key indicator.
If a physician suspects allergies to be the cause of a case of childhood asthma, he or she may ask your child to undergo a skin or blood test. The doctor may also have your child breathe into a machine that can help diagnose childhood asthma. A low level of airflow may be a sign that childhood asthma is at work.
If the doctor suspects allergies as a cause of your child's asthma, he or she may give your child an allergy skin or blood test. The doctor also may ask your child to breathe into a machine that measures airflow. A low level may indicate asthma.
Asthma: Steps in diagnosis
Watch and listen
Asthma is a very individual disease, so no two children have exactly the same signs and symptoms. Carefully observe your child and listen to his or her complaints. If you suspect asthma, see the doctor. He or she can prescribe treatment and recommend a plan to help control your child's condition, restore normal breathing and prevent asthma attacks.
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