Understanding Childhood Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Pediatric asthma is more common than in adults because children's airways are narrower and are often more sensitive to triggers, like allergens and smoke. Therefore, as a parent, even if your child doesn't have a diagnosis as of yet, it's helpful to know what causes it and what symptoms to watch for, as well as how a pediatrician at Florida Pediatric Group, serving West Melbourne, FL, and the nearby regions, will diagnose it.

Causes

Asthma can be caused by you or your child's other parent having asthma. It's also more likely if allergies run in the family on either side. Children with asthma have narrower airways, making inflammation more of a concern. They're also more sensitive to air pollutants and respiratory infections compared to healthy adults.

You may notice they have symptoms when they're around cigarette smoke, pets (if they have a pet dander allergy), or exercise, among other issues. We refer to these as triggers.

Children in areas with high air pollution are more susceptible to asthma. Obese children are more likely to have it as well.

Symptoms 

By knowing what symptoms asthma can cause, you can know if your child could possibly have it. You can then bring them in for a visit so a practitioner at our West Melbourne, FL, office can diagnose the problem and provide the necessary treatment.

The most common asthma symptoms include the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Congestion 
• Coughing spells, especially during exercise, a respiratory infection, or when the air is thin and cold
• Wheezing (whistling noise that happens when your child breathes out if they have asthma or congestion)

All these issues can lead to your child having several other problems, such as difficulty sleeping when their symptoms act up. The lack of sleep can lead to fatigue during the day. They may notice the symptoms worsening with a cold, flu, or respiratory infection.

Diagnosing

If you believe your child has asthma, you should bring them in for a visit. We can determine whether it is asthma, allergies, or an infection.

To diagnose, a pediatric practitioner from our practice will ask questions about your child's symptoms. During the exam, the specialist will also listen to your child's chest to hear any congestion, wheezing, or other symptoms associated with asthma.

If you think your child might have asthma, contact Florida Pediatric Group, serving West Melbourne, FL, and the general vicinity, for an examination. After a proper diagnosis, your child can find relief, whether it's asthma or not.

Contact us at 321-752-5210 today for an appointment.