Understanding Child Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Common among young children, asthma is a chronic condition that can impact their breathing, affect their ability to participate in physical play, and even in having a full night's rest. If you are concerned about your child's asthma symptoms you can get in contact with your Maricopa, AZ, pediatrician, Dr. Anthony DiGeorge of Southwestern Pediatrics & Family Care.

Causes

Although no one is born with the condition, it's possible to be predisposed to asthma because of genetics and environmental factors. Asthma tends to develop early in childhood when the immune system is still in development.

During a normal breath, you inhale through your mouth and nose, and then air passes down into the airways into the lungs. Oxygen is then delivered throughout the body via the bloodstream. Asthma symptoms occur when the small passages in the lungs become inflamed and make it very difficult for air to enter through.

Symptoms

There are different factors that can trigger an asthma attack, such as engaging in physical activity, the weather, allergies, and exposure to irritants, to name a few.

These triggers can cause difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, pain or tightness in the chest, wheezing, and other symptoms.

Not all children will experience every symptom or the same set of symptoms, so it's important to seek a professional diagnosis and treatment if you suspect that your child is suffering from asthma or any other respiratory issue.

Child Asthma Treatment in Maricopa, AZ

Your child's doctor will discuss with you their medical history as well as perform a physical examination, a pulmonary function test is also usually necessary to determine if your child has asthma. There may be other tests involved, such as imaging tests and blood tests, among others.

The goal of treatment with asthma is to manage the condition to improve your child's quality of life, so treatment plans are personalized to their needs, namely by addressing the triggers of the condition. For example, if your child suffers from allergies, a common trigger, they will work to get these under control. Their doctor may also prescribe medication to reduce inflammation and a bronchodilator to treat sudden symptoms.

For help managing your child's asthma, you can schedule a consultation with Southwestern Pediatrics & Family Care, with Dr. DiGeorge, in Maricopa, AZ, by dialing (520) 568-9500.