Could My Child Have Asthma?

Did you know that nearly 7 million children have been diagnosed with asthma?

Asthma can be hard to diagnose in children, because what is considered the definitive test—spirometry—cannot usually be properly performed on children until they are about 5 or 6 years old.

Here are some symptoms and risk factors for you to be aware of.

Does your child wheeze? If he has four or more episodes of wheezing in one year, or if the wheezing lasts longer than one day or wakes him up from sleeping, asthma is likely. It is also likely that your child wheezes when he is not suffering from a cold or upper respiratory infection.

Does your child have a persistent cough that is worse at night or when he exercises? This can be a sign of asthma.

Does your child have a parent or sibling with asthma? This increases his risk.

Does your child have eczema, allergic rhinitis or food allergies? Does he have pollen allergies? These are signs of increased risk as well.

The good news is that many children with asthma symptoms grow out of them. If your child does have asthma, it can be treated and managed with medication. Be sure to talk to your child’s pediatrician if you suspect asthma.

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