Asthma in Children

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• What makes a child more likely to develop asthma?
• Why are more children getting asthma?
• How can I tell if my child has asthma?
• How is asthma diagnosed in children?
• How is asthma treated in kids?
• What asthma medications can children take?
• How do I give my child asthma medication?
• How do I know when my child's asthma is well controlled?
• Will my child outgrow asthma?
• What do I do when my child has an asthma attack?

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. It affects as many as 10%-12% of children in the U.S. and, for unknown reasons, is steadily increasing. It can begin at any age, but most children have their first symptoms by age 5.

Asthma Risk - Who & Why? Medical Author: Alan Szeftel, MD, FCCP Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR One of the more frequent questions my patients ask me concerns the relative risk of their child developing allergies or asthma. In previous Doctors' Views, I have raised issues relating the environment to the development of allergies or asthma. However, both a genetic predisposition and environmental/lifestyle factors are necessary for these conditions to develop. The incidence of asthma has risen dramatically in the past 20 years—a period too short to reflect any significant changes in the gene pool. This supports the important role that environmental influences (allergy, infection, lifestyle, and diet) have on the development of asthma. What role then does genetics (heredity) play in asthma? A genetic link in asthma has long been suspected primarily due to "clustering" of cases within families and in identical twins. This does not prove a genetic cause, since it may also reflect shared environmental exposures. Several studies conclude that heredity increases your chances of developing asthma, particularly if allergies or other allergic conditions are present. Moreover, you may pass this tendency to asthma to the next generation. So, what are the chances that your child will develop asthma? Get statistics on the risks of kids developing asthma » Top Searched Asthma in Children Terms: preventing an attack, signs and symptoms, asthma and school age children, allergens, diagnosing, treatment, Singulair, medicine Asthma Resources from Medscape and eMedicine Asthma News and Articles Asthma Clinical References Asthma CME

What makes a child more likely to develop asthma?

There are many risk factors for developing childhood asthma. These include:

• Presence of allergies



• Family history of asthma and/or allergies



• Frequent respiratory infections



• Low birth weight



• Exposure to tobacco smoke before and/or after birth



• Being male



• Being black



• Being raised in a low-income environment

Why are more children getting asthma?

No one really knows why more and more children are developing asthma. Some experts suggest that children are being exposed to more and more allergens such as dust, air pollution, and second-hand smoke. These factors all are triggers of asthma. Others suspect that children are not exposed to enough childhood illnesses to build up their immune system. It appears that a disorder of the immune system where the body fails to make enough protective antibodies may play a role in causing asthma.

And still others suggest that decreasing rates of breastfeeding have prevented important substances of the immune system from being passed on to babies.

How can I tell if my child has asthma?

Signs and symptoms to look for include:

• Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play, at night, or while laughing. It is important to know that cough may be the only symptom present.



• Less energy during play



• Rapid breathing



• Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"



• Whistling sound (wheezing) when breathing in or out



• See-saw motions (retractions) in the chest from labored breathing



• Shortness of breath, loss of breath



• Tightened neck and chest muscles



• Feelings of weakness or tiredness

Keep in mind that not all children have the same asthma symptoms, and these symptoms can vary from asthma episode to the next episode in the same child. Also note that not all wheezing or coughing is caused by asthma.

In kids under 5 years of age, the most common cause of asthma-like symptoms is upper respiratory viral infections such as the common cold.

If your child has problem breathing, take him or her to the doctor immediately for an evaluation.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler, Advair Diskus - Information on fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler (Advair Diskus), a drug prescribed for the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• Chest X-ray - A chest x-ray is a radiology test that involves exposing the chest briefly to radiation to produce an image of the chest and the internal organs of the chest. chest x-ray can be used to define abnormalities of the lungs such as excessive fluid, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, cysts, and cancers.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, Heartburn) - Learn about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, acid reflux, heartburn) symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and nausea. Causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention information is also included.

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