As a parent, understanding the signs of asthma can help you identify the condition in your child and ensure that they receive the required care. Early detection and treatment can reduce symptoms and prevent the condition from inhibiting your child’s activities.
Signs in Kids
Signs to look out for in your child include:
- Coughing (either constant or intermittent)
- Coughing that worsens at night, with exercise, with viral infections, or in cold air
- A wheezing sound while exhaling
- Chest tightness/ congestion
- Shortness of breath/ difficulty breathing, particularly while your child is exercising
- Slow recovery after a respiratory infection
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping due to wheezing, coughing, or breathing problems
Your child may experience one or more of these symptoms, and they may come and go with time. Either way, if your child is displaying any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit an asthma specialist for an exam. A doctor can perform various tests, including allergy tests, spirometry, peak flow monitoring, and chest x-rays, all to help diagnose.
Risk Factors For Childhood Asthma
In many cases of childhood asthma, the cause is simply genetics. Your child can inherit the genetics to develop allergies. However, exposure to environmental pollutants and the development of certain airway infections early in life can also contribute. Limiting your child’s exposure to air pollution and secondhand smoke, as well as receiving treatment for any allergies, can help prevent flares.
At Kratz Allergy & Asthma in Florida, we provide expert care for children and adults with. To schedule an appointment, reach out to us today!