Our team at Southfield Pediatrics delivers outstanding care for infants, children, and teens in and around the Michigan communities of Bingham Farms and Novi. We offer expert diagnosis and treatment for childhood illnesses such as asthma and allergies and excel at helping parents make informed decisions about their children’s health.
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for asthma. However, there’s much we can do to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, limiting their impact on your child’s life and overall health.
Understanding asthma development
Asthma is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. In children, asthma can vary widely in severity and frequency of symptoms.
Some children experience occasional mild symptoms, while others may have more frequent and severe attacks. Asthma typically develops due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
For instance, children with a family history of asthma or allergies are more likely to develop the condition. Additionally, exposure to allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and respiratory infections can trigger or exacerbate asthma symptoms.
The outlook for childhood asthma varies from child to child. Some children may experience fewer symptoms as they grow older, many seeming to “outgrow” asthma by their teen years. Others may continue to have asthma symptoms into adulthood.
Importantly, even children whose asthma seems to lessen are still vulnerable to an attack. Thus, older children and adults with a history of asthma must remain aware of the warning signs and symptoms of an attack, which can become life-threatening without treatment.
Asthma symptoms
Every child is different, and asthma symptoms and frequency of attacks can vary. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness or pressure
- Coughing and wheezing
- Symptoms triggered by colds, viral illnesses, or exercise
- Worsening symptoms at night
- Seasonal symptoms (triggered by high pollen counts)
Signs of a severe or worsening asthma attack include gasping for air, difficulty talking due to shortness of breath, and irregular or rapid breathing.
What to expect when your child has asthma
Once your Southfield Pediatrics provider diagnoses childhood asthma, we focus on effective management through medication, parent/child education, and environmental control measures (trigger avoidance) to improve long-term outcomes and decrease the likelihood of persistent symptoms.
For instance, your child may benefit from daily asthma medication to help improve lung function and reduce the risk of asthma attacks. Fast-acting “rescue” inhalers are also crucial, designed to enhance breathing within moments of use.
Our team also works with you to identify and avoid triggers such as dust mites, pollen, mold, pet dander, and others to help minimize asthma symptoms. We’ll also develop a personalized asthma action plan, which includes precise instructions for monitoring your child’s asthma control and steps to take during an attack.
Routine office visits are also essential for monitoring asthma symptoms. These visits allow your Southfield Pediatrics specialist to adjust treatments as needed and assess lung function.
While some children may seem to outgrow asthma, it’s important to recognize that asthma is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. No one can cure asthma, but our team can help your child overcome its negative impact on their overall health and well-being.
Schedule an evaluation at Southfield Pediatrics today by calling the office or requesting an appointment online.