About Asthma Symptoms in Children

Children love to play, and their exposure to various allergens such as air pollution, dust and secondhand smoke can trigger asthma. However, asthma can also be inherited. If this is the case, your child may be at risk, but the symptoms may not be that noticeable. Plus, undiagnosed asthma can lead to a more harmful state if treatment and precautions are not initiated by a child's parents or guardians.

Parents' awareness of asthma symptoms can save a child from further problems. In most cases, a recurring cough may be the only symptom present, but keep in mind that other signs of asthma may arise. Symptoms vary and are not the same for every episode of asthma attacks. They depend greatly on whether the exacerbation is mild, moderate or severe. Children experiencing quick body exhaustion when doing some physical activities may reflect a mild episode of asthma. During moderately severe episodes, wheezing is apparent--which indicates some narrowing of the lungs' airways. Chest tightness or pain is also evidence of asthma in some children. Sleep disturbances may occur with kids who have moderate episodes of asthma. In more severe cases, children may experience rapid breathing, loss of breath, constricted chest and neck muscles and retractions in the chest during an asthma attack. In this case, the child may speak in short words rather than full sentences. Upper respiratory viral infections such as common colds are the most recognizable asthma-like indicators for children younger than 5. You may find one or two of these symptoms in your child, but it doesn't automatically mean your child has it.

Attacks mainly occur because of the failure to effectively control asthma with proper medications. Asthma usually develops before a child reaches age 3. Not being able to manage it at an earlier stage may trigger a more complex increase in the airway difficulty, which can be life-threatening.

Asthma can be treated either when it occurs or by developing a long-term asthma treatment plan. A routine and daily checkup for your child must be prepared so the doctor can maintain records of your child's asthma and eventually prescribe a treatment. Corticosteroid is a common medicine used daily by children who suffer from asthma. This medicine averts attacks by reducing inflammation of the airways. A long-term plan, on the other hand, identifies what triggers the child's asthma attack and what should be done to prevent it.

Although a slim number of children outgrow asthma, most have to deal with it throughout adolescence and adulthood. Arming your child with the information and techniques he needs to manage his asthma will help him to be a much better steward of his respiratory health down the road.