Asthma Symptoms in a Child

Some children are more at risk for developing asthma than others. If your child has already been found to suffer from allergies, she is more likely to develop asthma. Also, if you or any of your family members have ever had trouble with allergies, your child will have a higher chance of developing asthma. Any child who has been found to have some type of respiratory infection more than once is more susceptible to asthma. If you or your spouse smoke around your child, you are increasing her chances of suffering from asthma. Finally, it has been found that more African-American boys come down with asthma than do children of any other nationality.

Some symptoms may not seem to indicate asthma in and of themselves. When several of these symptoms surface, you will begin to notice that something is wrong. Your child may have asthma if he is experiencing any of the following symptoms: decreased energy; exceptional tiredness; fast breathing; coughing that occurs while playing, participating in sports or exerting energy; chest pain or discomfort; a feeling like the child is unable to breathe; tight chest muscles; or a wheezing sound that can be heard when your child breathes.

Only a doctor can diagnose your child as suffering from asthma. If you notice that your child has any of the symptoms mentioned above, call your doctor right away. If it is an emergency, your doctor will send you to the emergency room to get help right away. Your child may be diagnosed by one of the hospital's doctors. If your child has a mild case, your pediatrician will be able to give you the tools you need to take care of the attacks at home. Your pediatrician may refer you to a specialist who can diagnose your child and provide even more specific care.

The first step to treating asthma is to know what the triggers are. Pay attention to when your child is having the attacks. It may happen when the pollen count is highest, or when your child is suffering from the common cold. Some triggers can be avoided, such as being around cigarette smoke. Your doctor may give your child an inhaler to use when an attack begins. If the asthma attacks occur frequently, a specialist may order your child to use a nebulizer, which will help to keep the child's airways open.

Ignoring the problem and not seeking treatment when your child shows symptoms of asthma is dangerous. Children can die from severe asthma attacks. Just because the first few attacks may not be severe doesn't mean that your child's asthma won't get worse. Being prepared is the key to keeping your child safe. Seek medical advice immediately and do your part to keep your child's asthma under control.