What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your child’s airways, causing them to swell, narrow, and produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult. Asthma affects people in different ways: for some, it is a minor annoyance, while for others an asthma attack can be hazardous, and even life-threatening.
There is no known cause of asthma, but doctors believe that several factors or triggers play a role in its presence, such as:
- Genetics
- Environment
- Lifestyle habits, such as exercise
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person, but if you suspect your child has asthma, you should watch out for:
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Trouble sleeping because of breathing difficulties
- Wheezing or whistling while breathing
- Coughing or wheezing attacks
Many times, asthma can be triggered by outside factors, namely:
- Exercise-induced asthma: Asthma attacks that come on during exercise
- Occupational asthma: Workplaces (or homes) that have chemical fumes, mold, gases, or dust
- Allergy-induced asthma: This type of asthma is triggered by common allergens, such as pollen, mold, and pet dander
How is asthma treated?
Since there is no cure for asthma, treating your child’s symptoms and managing the condition is the best you can do. Dr. Flynn will discuss the many ways you can avoid and minimize your child’s asthma attacks, such as:
Medications
Several medications provide long-term control, as well as quick relief, such as:
- Inhaled and oral corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Beta agonist inhalers to open the airways
- Allergy medications to reduce allergic reactions that may cause an asthma attack
Trigger avoidance
This is one of the most effective ways you can control your child’s asthma and include:
- Air conditioner use
- Minimizing dust
- Mold prevention
- Elimination of secondhand smoke
- Regular grooming of pets
- Weight maintenance
- Regular exercise
- Covering your child’s mouth in extreme cold
Controlling asthma is often a varied effort, and Dr. Flynn will work with you to help your child lead a normal and active life without the constant threat of asthma attacks.
