A cough here, a wheeze there. Most children have respiratory illnesses every now and then. But for about one in 15 kids, these symptoms are a sign of something more significant: childhood asthma.

Unlike short-term bugs, asthma is a chronic, inflammatory condition. In children who have it, their airways swell and narrow from time to time, making breathing difficult. While the condition lasts a lifetime, with proper management, it doesn’t have to limit your child’s life.

Is My Child At Risk?

Scientists are still untangling asthma’s exact causes. One way it seems to start is when the body is exposed to an allergen — for instance, pollen or pet dander. Some people’s immune systems react strongly to certain allergens and go into overdrive, causing the airways to swell and the muscles around them to tighten.

 Kids are at higher risk for asthma if they:

• Have a parent with asthma

• Have skin and food allergies

• Have frequent respiratory infections

• Were exposed to secondhand smoke before and/or after birth

Pick Up the Patterns

How can you tell the difference between asthma and other illnesses? Monitor and track your child’s symptoms over time.

When symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath are linked to asthma, they usually follow a pattern. They tend to flare up:

• At night, causing trouble sleeping

• Early in the morning

• During exercise

• After exertion, laughing, or crying

• In cold air

Asthma often starts before age 5. But the condition can be difficult to diagnose, in part because kids can’t explain how they’re feeling. So, information from parents becomes critical. If you notice troublesome trends, tell your child’s pediatrician or an allergist/immunologist. Either can diagnose and treat the disease.

As part of the exam, the healthcare provider may want to test your child’s lung function. This usually involves blowing into a special device. Since young kids can’t always do this, the provider may instead start asthma treatment to see how your child responds.

Asthma can’t be cured. But with medication and careful planning, it can be managed. Doing so can help your child breathe easier today and prevent permanent lung damage in the future.



WellConnect is here to help you find a pediatrician who understands asthma management and can provide the specialized care your child needs. Call our Connection Specialists at 812-376-5136 for help scheduling your first appointment.