Childhood Asthma Treatment in Louisville, KY
If you’re in the Louisville area and think your child has asthma, the board-certified pediatricians at Kaplan Barron Pediatrics are here to help! Our pediatricians provide comprehensive diagnosis and compassionate treatment for your child’s asthmatic symptoms. If your child is experiencing symptoms of asthma, call Kaplan Barron Pediatrics at (502) 452-6337 to schedule an appointment today!
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult for air to pass through your lungs properly. It can start at any age and nearly 26 million Americans have asthma, 7 million of them being children. Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma. However, with proper management, people living with asthma can live completely normal and healthy lives without asthma.
What Causes Asthma?
The swollen airways in the lungs become sensitive to certain triggers, and when those triggers enter the body, those airways create extra mucus making it difficult to breathe which leads to asthma attacks, complications, and sometimes death. The key is to understand the triggers that cause asthma. Sometimes, you may not even know you have it until you’re exposed to those triggers. This means the environment you live in is a huge cause and risk factor of asthma. Additionally, genetics is a risk factor for asthma.
Symptoms of Asthma
You may be wondering if your child has asthma, but unsure if it’s something else. If any of these symptoms occur chronically or only around certain triggers, they may have asthma:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or pain
- Wheezing when exhaling
- Trouble sleeping due to shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
- Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu
However, it’s very possible a variety of other conditions are causing these symptoms, such as different allergies. Consult with your pediatrician about whether or not your child has asthma.
5 Common Triggers for Asthma
- Viral infections such as the common cold
- Exposure to air pollutants, such as tobacco smoke
- Allergies to dust mites, pet dander, pollen or mold
- Physical activity
- Weather changes or cold airHow do you treat asthma in children?
Diagnosis for Asthma
A pediatrician will need to conduct tests to diagnose your child. First, they will ask for symptoms, medical history, experiences, etc. to get a good sense if asthma is a possibility. After that, the most common test is called Spirometry, in which the pediatrician will use a device to measure the airflow of the lungs.
Typically, if your child has the above symptoms, has a parent with asthma, and also has allergies (including skin allergies), your pediatrician will conduct a lung functioning test. After that, usually, a trial period of asthma medication will be given, depending on the results, with a follow-up appointment to monitor the outcome.
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How Do You Treat Asthma in Children?
Your child’s physician will thoroughly explain what kind and how much of medicine is required to manage their asthma. This reduces the possibility of negative results. If the drugs your kid is taking now are managing symptoms well, the doctor may decide to change the course of therapy. For improved management, they might add another medicine or raise the dosage. On the other hand, if your child’s asthma is under control, the doctor could decide to lower the dosage of medicine in order to maintain good health. How do you manage childhood asthma?
How Do You Manage Childhood Asthma?
Keep an eye on your child’s symptoms using a simple plan.
Create a written asthma action plan with your child’s doctor based on their symptoms. This plan is a helpful tool to gauge how well the medication is working. Work with the doctor to outline specific steps to control your child’s asthma. Make sure to get a copy of the plan, and share it with anyone caring for your child, like coaches, teachers, or babysitters.
Help your child by reducing asthma triggers.
A big part of managing your child’s asthma is helping them steer clear of things that can set it off. Each child’s asthma triggers can be different. Work with your child’s doctor to identify what triggers your child’s asthma and find the best ways to keep them away from those triggers. Some common asthma triggers include:
- Viral infections such as the common cold
- Exposure to air pollutants, such as tobacco smoke
- Allergies to dust mites, pet dander, pollen or mold
- Physical activity
- Weather changes or cold air
At what age does childhood asthma resolve?
Asthma is a chronic condition, but as kids grow, some may have fewer symptoms, even into their teens.
For young infants, the pattern of wheezing can be tricky. About two-thirds of kids under six who wheeze while having a cold may not continue to do so as they get older. Some may initially get an asthma diagnosis, but it often means they didn’t have asthma in the first place, rather than outgrowing it.
If your child shows any symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath, talk to their doctor. A pediatrician can work with you to create a treatment plan if your child has asthma. Understanding their symptoms and getting the right care can make a big difference.
Schedule an Appointment at Kaplan Barron Pediatrics
Kaplan Barron Pediatrics offers screening and asthma management for your child. Call today to schedule an appointment at (502) 452-6337.