Childhood asthma is one of the most common chronic ailments affecting infants and children in the United States. It’s a serious disease that affects a child’s ability to move air through the lungs. However, asthma often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms and the pattern of asthma flare-ups can vary widely from child to child.
Dr. Gyula Soos and his team at Dr. Soos Pediatrics are well-acquainted with childhood asthma and what it can mean for your child’s overall health. They offer expert education and state-of-the-art care regarding the condition, including information about what parents should know about asthma.
To that end, here are 3 things Dr. Soos wants to share.
Wheezing is probably the most familiar symptom parents cite when considering the possibility that their child has asthma. But not all children wheeze when having an asthma attack, and not all wheezing is related to asthma.
Wheezing can certainly be related to asthma. But upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, and even certain digestive issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease can also cause wheezing in children.
Dr. Soos considers a combination of symptoms when determining whether your child may have asthma. These symptoms may include:
The inability to take in enough air can also cause your child to become quite anxious, which can worsen the tightening effects of asthma. This is often due to an emotional response as well as a psychological response caused by the brain’s “panic” over dropping oxygen levels.
A recent study cited by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) notes that children with eczema (atopic dermatitis) and allergies, such as hay fever, are seven times more likely to develop asthma by age 3 than children without either condition.
Because it’s often impossible for very young children to describe how they’re feeling, medical experts like Dr. Soos rely on a combination of diagnostic measures to identify asthma. This often includes a detailed discussion with parents about your child’s symptoms as well as your own health history since allergies, eczema, and asthma tend to run in families.
Other factors that increase your child’s risk of developing asthma include:
Identifying your child’s asthma triggers is vital to effective treatment. But triggers vary widely and can be difficult to spot. However, paying attention to the timing of your child’s symptoms can highlight a pattern that helps Dr. Soos zero in on the trigger.
For instance, asthma attacks that most often occur during the height of ragweed pollen season, mid-August through the first hard frost, are often triggered by seasonal/fall allergies.
Other patterns to watch for include symptoms that typically occur:
Once your child is diagnosed with asthma, Dr. Soos develops an asthma action plan that provides detailed information to you and your child about asthma, including:
Schedule a visit with us at Dr. Soos Pediatrics today for further information about childhood asthma and a treatment plan that can restore your child’s active life. Call our office in Dublin, Georgia, or book an appointment online.
