Does Your Child Have Asthma?

Asthma can dramatically affect a child’s quality of life. The condition can keep your child from being active, participating in sports, and enjoying the fun of being a child. You don’t want your child to live in fear of an asthma attack. Fortunately, your pediatrician can help. Dr. Anthony DiGeorge and his professional team at Southwestern Pediatrics in Maricopa, Arizona provide a wide range of pediatric healthcare services, including effective treatments for asthma.

So, how do you know if your child has asthma? When a child has asthma, symptoms are often more severe because a child’s airways are smaller. Your child may have asthma if he or she is experiencing:

• Severe coughing or wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic or recurring bronchitis
• Tightness in the chest

If you have an infant or toddler, it may be more difficult to tell. Some of the signs and symptoms your infant or toddler may have asthma include:

• Feeding more slowly
• Difficulty breathing while feeding
• Frequent coughing, especially when active
• Quickly tiring when doing an activity
• Avoiding being active because of breathing problems

It’s important to seek emergency medical treatment if your child is:

• Gasping for air
• Not speaking because of breathing problems
• Breathing too deeply, causing the abdomen to get tucked underneath the ribcage

If your child has allergies, treating the allergies is often the first line of defense against an asthma attack. Exposure to an allergen can often be the cause of an asthma attack. Your pediatrician will do allergy testing to find out what your child is allergic to. Common allergens include pollens, pet dander, dust, and mold. Allergy treatment may include shots or sublingual drops.

If your child does have asthma, the doctors at Southwestern Pediatrics can offer effective treatments including:

• Rescue inhalers for when your child has acute symptoms
• Long-term asthma medications to give lasting relief from symptoms
• Sublingual immunotherapy for long-term management of asthma

Your child can enjoy a happy, healthy life by controlling and managing asthma symptoms. Your pediatrician can help your child feel better, and give you peace of mind. To find out more about asthma treatment for children, call Dr. Anthony DiGeorge at Southwestern Pediatrics in Maricopa, Arizona today. Call at (520) 568-9500.