By: Clinton Dunn MD, FAAP & Addie Dodson, MD, FAAP
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disease that affects the lungs. In a child with asthma, the airways are very sensitive. The lungs may be inflamed even though symptoms are not always present. The degree and severity of airway inflammation with asthma varies over time.
Children with asthma may also be sensitive to colds and other
viral infections. Certain weather conditions and particles or chemicals in the air can also make asthma symptoms worse. Ongoing exposure to these substances can continue to increase airway inflammation.
Asthma can be serious and even life-threatening. But while there is no cure for asthma, the symptoms can be treated and kept under control so kids can lead healthy, active lives.
What are some common symptoms of asthma?
Symptoms of asthma are different for each child. They can appear quickly or develop slowly.
Symptoms that are usually worse at night are often a warning sign of asthma. A cough may be the first and sometimes only asthma symptom. Other warning signs may include:
Wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound). However, most wheezing is not easily heard. Ask your child's doctor how to listen to your child's chest with or without a stethoscope.
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Tightness in the chest.
Decreased ability to exercise.
What happens during an asthma attack?
During an asthma attack, the airways become narrower or blocked. The inner lining of the airways becomes swollen and irritated, and the muscles around them tighten. This makes breathing difficult.
Who gets asthma?
In the United States, roughly one out of every 10 children has asthma. In some U.S. communities, rates are as high as 25%. Asthma is one of the main reasons children
miss school. It is also often the cause of children's hospitalization.
The number of children with asthma has been rising worldwide. The amount of illnesses caused by asthma may also be increasing in some parts of the country. The reasons for this are not exactly known. However, we do that many things can affect whether a child develops asthma. For example, these include:
What is the allergic march?
Some children with asthma may also have other "allergic diseases," including
eczema,
food allergies and
nasal allergies. This connection is sometimes called the allergic march or atopic march because the conditions often develop over time—starting in infancy. If other doctors are caring for these conditions, it's important that care is coordinated.
How is asthma treated?
The goal of asthma treatment is to prevent or reduce symptoms, so children can fully take part in regular physical activities and daily life. It's also important to prevent emergency department visits and hospital stays caused by asthma attacks. The best way to do this is to know and control
asthma triggers and provide
asthma medicine as planned by your primary care provider or an asthma specialist.
More information
About Dr. Dunn
 Clinton Dunn, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and allergist/immunologist who practices in the Hampton Roads Virginia area. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the AAP Section on Allergy and Immunology. His clinical interests focus on atopic dermatitis, asthma, food allergy and applying high quality evidence-based medicine for the improvement of pediatric allergic/immunologic diseases.
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About Dr. Dodson
 Addie Dodson, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and currently completing her fellowship in pediatric pulmonology at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Dodson is a member of the AAP Section on Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine. She currently serves as the section's executive committee fellow-in-training liaison. Dr. Dodson's clinical interests within pulmonology are growing while she continues in her fellowship, but she has special interests in asthma, use of technology to improve practice, medical education and advocacy.
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