FAQS: Asthma in Children

Asthma can be difficult to manage, especially when your child has asthma. A child’s airways are much smaller and narrower than those of an adult. That means when your child has an asthma attack, the symptoms can be much more severe. Fortunately, your pediatrician can help. Our providers at Decatur Pediatric Group in Lithonia, Clarkston, and Smyrna, GA, offers a full range of children’s medical services, including diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

If your child has asthma, you may have a few questions. These are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about asthma:

What are the signs and symptoms of asthma in children?

Children may experience moderate to severe:

• Wheezing or coughing 
• Shortness of breath
• Recurrent bronchitis
• Tightness in the chest

Asthma in infants or toddlers may be more difficult to notice. You need to pay attention to:

• Your child feeding more slowly
• Your child has breathing difficulty while feeding
• Frequent coughing, especially when your child is active
• Your child quickly tiring when active

How can my pediatrician help?

Asthma is often accompanied by allergies, which may bring on an asthma attack. Your pediatrician may recommend allergy testing to determine if your child has allergies. Treatment for allergies may include:

• Allergy injections
• Sublingual immunotherapy

Your pediatrician may test your child’s lung function using spirometry and other testing. For asthma treatment, your pediatrician may recommend:

• Rescue inhalers to relieve acute symptoms
• Long-term asthma medications to provide lasting asthma relief

Is asthma serious?

Whenever your child has difficulty breathing, it’s a serious event. Severe asthma can be life-threatening. You should call 911 if your child is:

• Gasping for air
• Turning pale
• Not speaking because of inability to breathe

These are just a few frequently asked questions about asthma in children. To learn more about how your pediatrician can help when your child has asthma, call our providers at Decatur Pediatric Group in Lithonia, Clarkston, and Smyrna, GA. You can reach the office by calling (404) 296-7133, so call now.