Asthma in Children: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Asthma can be serious, especially in children. A child’s airways are smaller, so an asthma attack can bring on symptoms that are much more severe. Your pediatrician can help. Dr. Mary Ogunsanya at Maryland Children Health Center provides a wide range of pediatric medicine services, including diagnosis and treatment of asthma. She has two convenient office locations in Glenn Dale, and Oxon Hill, MD.
What You Need to Know about Childhood Asthma
Did you know that estimates indicate 1 in 10 children suffer from asthma, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control or CDC. Some factors can increase a child’s risk of having asthma. These risk factors include:
- A family history of asthma
- Allergies, which can trigger an asthma attack
- Exposure to smoke, pollution, and other irritants
Your child may have asthma if you notice your child having breathing difficulties or fatigue, especially when active. Frequent wheezing and coughing are also symptoms of asthma.
Asthma is often closely linked to allergies, so if your child suffers from asthma, your child may also have allergies. You need to find out what your child is allergic to, so your child can avoid the allergen, and lessen the likelihood of an asthma attack.
Our pediatrician may recommend skin testing, to find out what your child is allergic to. During skin testing, small amounts of various allergens are placed under the skin. If the area becomes red, swollen, or itches, your child is most likely allergic to the substance. If your child has allergies, your pediatrician may recommend:
- Allergy injections
- Sublingual immunotherapy
Asthma is diagnosed using lung function tests and spirometry, to find out how well your child’s lungs are working. If your child has asthma, your pediatrician may recommend:
- Short-term rescue inhalers
- Long-term asthma management medications
Our pediatrician may also recommend some environmental modifications, including:
- Vacuuming and dusting frequently
- Installing a HEPA filter in your child’s bedroom
- Keeping pets off furniture and out of your child’s bedroom
- Using hypoallergenic pillows and linens
Want To Know More?
To find out more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma, call Dr. Mary Ogunsanya at Maryland Children Health Center. You can reach her in both the Glenn Dale and Oxon Hill, MD, offices by calling at Glenn Dale (301) 218-0398 and Oxon Hill (301) 567-1767, so call today.