Asthma
At CHOC, we understand asthma is a long-term disease. Therefore, we specialize in providing support for kids with asthma at the CHOC Asthma Center.
What is asthma?
When your child has asthma, the airways of the lungs become sensitive to triggers (allergens and irritants). With exposure to triggers, the following changes occur:
- The lining of the airways becomes swollen and inflamed
- The muscles that surround the airways tighten
- More mucus production, leading to mucus plugs
All of these factors cause the airways to narrow. This makes it hard for air to go in and out of the lungs.
What causes asthma?
The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but believed to be partially inherited. The environment, infections and chemicals released by the body are also involved.
Exercise causes symptoms in many people with asthma, and can occur during, or shortly after, exercise. In some people, stress or strong emotions can cause asthma symptoms.
The following may be asthma triggers:
- Allergens: Pollens, grasses, trees, mold, pets, dust, cockroaches.
- Irritants: Strong odors (perfumes, household cleaners, cooking fumes, paints and varnishes), chemicals (gases, fumes), air pollution, changing weather conditions (temperature, barometric pressure, humidity and strong winds), smoke (inhaled or secondhand).
- Respiratory problems: Nasal allergies, sinus infections, cold or flu.
- Medicines: Aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen.
- Other health conditions: GERD (gastroesophageal reflux), sleep apnea, overweight, depression.
- Other: Exercise, especially in cold weather, strong emotions that go along with crying or laughing.
Who is at risk?
It is most common in children and teens from ages 5 to 17, and those living in cities. Other factors include:
- Personal or family history of asthma or allergies
- Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke
- Family history of asthma
- Children with allergies
- Exposure to secondhand and tobacco smoke.
What are the symptoms?
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing
- Coughing
- Breathing becomes harder and may hurt
- Talking and sleeping may be difficult with severe symptoms.
How is asthma diagnosed?
To diagnose asthma and rule out other lung disorders, your doctor will rely on your child’s medical history, physical exam and other tests. An important test for the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma is spirometry.
A spirometer is a device that is used to determine how well the lungs are working. It measures the amount and speed of exhaled air.
Other tests may be necessary to check for conditions such as allergies.
What are the treatment options?
Your child’s doctor will figure out the best treatment based on:
- Child’s age
- Child’s overall health and medical history
- How sick your child is
- How well your child can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
There is no cure for asthma, but can be controlled by avoiding triggers, taking medicines prescribed by your child’s doctor, monitoring symptoms, and knowing what to do if symptoms get worse.
Get more asthma advice from CHOC experts on CHOC’s Health Hub.