Childhood Asthma

Asthma is one of the most prevalent of all the childhood diseases. It is estimated by the American Lung Association that there are 4 million children that have an asthma attack every year and that many more children probably go undiagnosed as the asthma is treated as a cold or a cough. They also state that 14 million school days are lost per year in the United States for kids that have asthma.

Children with asthma have chronically inflamed and irritated breathing passages. This irritation often occurs as a result of allergies or in conjunction with an allergic reaction. It is estimated that over 75% of children that have asthma also have moderate to severe allergies to one or more items. As the air passages become inflamed, the damage continues to intensify. The longer the asthma goes untreated or uncontrolled, the greater the damage to the respiratory system.

Symptoms of Childhood Asthma

One of the biggest misconceptions is that childhood asthma is usually first noted with children exhibiting wheezing and shortness of breath. These are usually the initial symptoms of adult asthma, not childhood asthma. Childhood asthma is more likely to be noted by chronic coughs that do not seem to have any other flu or cold-like symptoms. These coughs may be very dry coughs and may last for prolonged periods of time without seeming to clear up or decrease. There may also be a “rattling” sound to the cough, especially after exercise or excitement or stress. After the coughing session, wheezing may occur, especially if the asthma is triggered by exercise such as running, swimming or energetic play.

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Often a child will have a history of bronchitis or even pneumonia. The family may have a history of asthma, severe allergies, or other respiratory problems. The child may complain of a tight or restricted feeling in the chest and may report feelings of being tired or sleepy during the day, especially if they are not sleeping at night due to breathing problems. Often childhood asthma is worse at night, so watch for coughs that increase in strength and frequency when the child is put down to sleep.

For parents concerned about childhood asthma, be sure to notify the pediatrician as soon as possible and have a complete respiratory evaluation and examination done. It is helpful to the physician if you keep track of when the coughing or wheezing starts, what the child is doing, and where the child is when it occurs. Keeping an asthma journal or log is a great way to provide information to the physician to help with the diagnosis. In addition, this will help to start identifying the triggers and will help with control of the childhood asthma symptoms.