Asthma in Children (cont.)
How is asthma diagnosed in children?
Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, in older children
the disease can often be diagnosed based on your child's medical history,
symptoms, and physical exam.
- Medical history and symptom description. Your child's
doctor will be interested in any history of breathing problems you or your
child may have had, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin
condition called eczema, or other lung disease. It is important that you
describe your child's symptoms -- cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest
pain or tightness -- in detail, including when and how often these symptoms
have been occurring.
- Physical exam. During the physical examination, the doctor
will listen to your child's heart and lungs.
- Tests. Many children will also have a chest X-ray and
pulmonary function tests. Also called lung function tests, these tests measure
the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled. The results help
the doctor determine how severe the asthma is. Generally, children younger than
5 are unable to perform pulmonary function tests. Thus doctors rely heavily on
history, symptoms and examination in making the diagnosis.
Other tests may also be ordered to help identify particular asthma triggers.
These tests may include allergy skin testing, blood tests and X-rays to
determine if sinus infections or gastroesophageal reflux disease (a
gastrointestinal condition that causes reflux of acid stomach contents into the
esophagus or even into the lungs) is complicating asthma.
How is asthma treated in kids?
Based on your child's history and the severity of asthma, his or her doctor
will develop a care plan, called an "asthma action plan." The asthma
action plan describes when and how your child should use asthma medications,
what to do when asthma gets worse, and when to seek emergency care for your
child. Make sure you understand this plan and ask your child's doctor any
questions you may have.
Your child's asthma action plan is important to successfully controlling his
or her asthma. Keep it handy to remind you of your child's daily asthma
management plan, as well as to guide you when your child develops asthma
symptoms.
In addition to following your child's asthma action plan, you want to make
sure exposure to asthma triggers is limited, and preferably avoided.
Next: What asthma medications can children take? »
- 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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