Breathing problems in kids can be caused due to asthma
by Avni Deshmukh Respiratory ProblemsIf your child has been coughing
continuously and is missing school lately, there may be more to it than just a
cough. Coughing is one of the symptoms of asthma and needs to be taken
seriously if it lasts longer than three weeks. In such a situation, it is always
preferable to note down the symptoms your child is facing and inform your
doctor about it.
Diagnosis of bronchial asthma in kids
The doctor will first learn about the
medical history and symptoms faced by your kid followed by a medical test. Asthma
in kids is different from asthma in adults as they may not display typical
symptoms and the levels of severity may vary across different ages. As a
parent, it is important to be clear about the symptoms and answer any questions
raised by your doctor.
- Symptoms
Asthma in children is often
characterized by frequent coughing, breathlessness, chest tightness and
wheezing amongst others. The cough is usually dry and occurs when the child is
playing or sleeping at night. Wheezing is a noise made by the child at the time
of exhalation. Your doctor may enquire about the frequency of symptoms followed
by medical history of asthma.
- Medical
history
Your doctor may evaluate the child’s
family history of asthma, eczema (a skin disease), lung complications, allergies
and so on. He/she may also ask if the child has faced any breathing problems in
the past.
- Physical
examination and tests
The doctor will then inspect the chest
and airways for any respiratory problems. Additionally, he may check the height
and weight of the child considering his/her age. In some cases, specialised
testing such as spirometry and challenge testing may be conducted to rule out
other causes for symptoms.
Note that, it is important to identify
triggers that cause the symptoms to avoid wrong diagnosis. For instance, your
child may cough due to pollution, dust or certain types of food items. This is
termed as allergic cough which may or may not be related to asthma depending on
other symptoms your child is showing.
Based on the severity, the treatment
prescribed may be short term or long term. Also, your doctor may develop an
action plan describing the recommended usage of drugs and actions to be taken
during emergencies. Regular medication and identification of triggers can
help control the disease and enable your child to lead a normal life without
any interferences.
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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.