Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease of the airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In asthma they can become inflamed and narrowed, causing wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. When symptoms get worse than usual, that's an asthma attack or flare-up.
It is the most common chronic disease of childhood, often starting before age 5. It can mean missed school and hospital stays — but treatment can keep it under control.
Causes and triggers
The exact cause is unknown; genes and environment likely both play a part. Attacks happen when a child meets a trigger — something that sets off or worsens symptoms. Triggers vary from child to child and can change over time.
| Type | Triggers |
|---|---|
| Allergic asthma | allergens: dust mites, mold, pets, pollen from grass, trees and weeds, and waste from pests such as cockroaches and mice |
| Nonallergic asthma | cold air, certain medicines, household chemicals, infections such as colds and flu, outdoor air pollution, tobacco smoke |
| Exercise-induced asthma | physical exercise, especially in dry air |
Who is at higher risk
- Children exposed to secondhand smoke before birth or when small.
- Family history — especially if the mother has asthma.
- Black and African American and Puerto Rican children.
- Children with obesity or allergies.
- Children who often had viral respiratory infections when young.
- Boys in childhood; girls in the teen years.
Symptoms
- chest tightness;
- coughing, especially at night or early morning;
- breathing problems — shortness of breath, fast breathing, gasping;
- wheezing — a whistle when breathing out;
- tiredness, dark circles under the eyes, irritability;
- in infants, trouble eating or sucking.
Symptoms can be mild or severe, frequent or rare. In an attack they get much worse, suddenly or gradually.
Get medical help right away for signs of a severe attack: severe coughing, serious trouble breathing, or turning very pale or blue in the face, lips or fingernails.
Diagnosis
Asthma is hard to diagnose in children, especially young ones: its symptoms look like other childhood illnesses, and occasional symptoms can seem like repeated infections. The provider may use:
- a physical exam and medical history;
- a chest x-ray;
- lung function tests such as spirometry — which younger children usually can't do;
- allergy skin or blood tests, if there's a history of allergies.
For a child too young for lung tests, the provider may suggest a trial of asthma medicines for several weeks to see if symptoms improve.
Treatment
You and your child's provider make a treatment plan to manage symptoms and prevent attacks:
| Part of the plan | What it means |
|---|---|
| Avoid triggers | e.g., if smoke is a trigger, no smoking in your home or car |
| Quick-relief medicines | work fast to open the airways during an attack; include an inhaler your child keeps with them at all times |
| Control medicines | reduce airway inflammation and prevent narrowing; not every child needs them — it depends on how severe the asthma is and how often symptoms occur |
If quick-relief medicine doesn't work in a severe attack, get medical help immediately. The provider may adjust treatment until symptoms are under control.
Sources
Based on "Asthma in Children," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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