What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition that can make it hard to breathe. Asthma does not always cause symptoms. But when a person with asthma has an “attack“ or a flare up, it can be very scary. Asthma attacks occur when the airways in the lungs become narrow and inflamed.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Asthma symptoms can include:
- Wheezing, or noisy breathing
- Coughing, often at night or early in the morning, or when you exercise
- A tight feeling in the chest
- Trouble breathing, shortness of breath
Symptoms can happen each day, each week, or less often. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Although rare, an episode of asthma can lead to death.
Is there a test for asthma?
Yes. Your doctor might have your child do a breathing test(spirometry) to see how his or her lungs are working. Most children 6 years old and older can do this test. This test is useful, but it is often normal in children with asthma if they have no symptoms at the time of the test.
Your doctor will also do an exam and ask questions such as:
- What symptoms does your child have?
- How often does he or she have the symptoms?
- Do the symptoms wake him or her up at night?
- Do the symptoms keep your child from playing or going to school?
How is asthma treated?
Asthma is treated with different types of medicines. The medicines can be inhalers, liquids, pills or injections. Your doctor will prescribe medicine based on your child’s age and his or her symptoms. Asthma medicines work in one of two ways:
- Quick-relief medicines stop symptoms quickly. Doctors prescribe these when children do not have symptoms often. Some children get very active after taking these medicines.
- Long-term controller medicines control asthma and prevent future symptoms. If your child has frequent symptoms or many severe episodes in a year, he or she may need to take these each day.
Almost all children with asthma use an inhaler with a device called a “spacer.“ Some children also need a machine called a “nebulizer“ to breathe in their medicine. Your doctor will show you the right way to use these.
It is very important that you give your child all the medicines the doctor prescribes. You might worry about giving a child a lot of medicine. But leaving your child’s asthma untreated has much bigger risks than any risks the medicines might have. Asthma that is not treated with the right medicines can:
- Prevent children from doing normal activities, such as playing sports
- Make children miss school
- Damage the lungs
What is an asthma action plan?
An asthma action plan is a list of instructions that tell you:
- What medicines your child should use at home each day
- What warning symptoms to watch for (which suggest that asthma is getting worse)
- What other medicines to give your child if the symptoms get worse
You, your child, and your doctor will work together to make an asthma action plan for your child. As part of the action plan, your child may need to use a device called a “peak flow meter.“ This device is used at home to see how well your child’ s lungs are working. Your doctor will show you and your child the right way to use a peak flow meter.
Should I see a doctor or nurse?
See a doctor or nurse if your child has an asthma attack and the symptoms do not improve or get worse after using a quick-relief medicine. If the symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
Can asthma symptoms be prevented?
Yes. You can help prevent your child’s asthma symptoms. You can keep your child away from things that cause or make the symptoms worse. Doctors call these “triggers“ If you know what your child“s triggers are, you can try to avoid them. If you don’t know what they are, your doctor can help figure it out.
Some common triggers include:
- Dust and mold
- Animals, such as dogs and cats
- Pollen, plants, and trees
- Cigarette smoke
- Getting sick with a cold or flu (that’s why it’s important to get a flu shot each year)
- Exercise
If you can“t avoid certain triggers, talk with your doctor about what you can do. For example, exercise can be good for children with asthma. But your child may need to take an extra dose of his or her inhaler medicine before exercising.
What will my child’s life be like?
Most children with asthma are able to live normal lives. You can help manage your child“s asthma by:
- Making changes in your life to avoid your child“s triggers
- Keeping track of your child“s asthma
- Having your child use a peak flow meter
- Following the action plan
- Telling your doctor when your child’s symptoms change
Sometimes, asthma gets better as children get older. They may not have asthma symptoms when they become adults. But other children can still have asthma when they grow up.
Reference: Modified from Patient information: Asthma in children (The Basics) In: UpToDate, Basow, DS (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2012.