Think That Your Child May Have Asthma?

Is your child having trouble breathing? Discover the warning signs of asthma.

Do you notice that your child seems particularly out of breath or strains to breathe after playing outside? Does your child get tired easily or do you notice them coughing more often? Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood disorders and it’s time to talk to one of our Grayslake, IL, pediatricians at at Mundelein Pediatrics right away if your baby or child is displaying one or more of these symptoms,

• A persistent cough that may be exacerbated by exercise
• A cough that is worse at night
• A whistling or wheezing sound when your child breathes
• Gasping for air or using their body to breathe (e.g. shrugging their shoulders)
• Rapid or fast breathing
• Complaining of a tight chest

While you may not want to panic or worry yourself over nothing, if you notice that your child has trouble breathing or is acting unusual they should absolutely be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to let our receptionist know what’s going on with your child and the symptoms they are experiencing. Knowing that your child could be dealing with a potentially serious problem ensures that they get the immediate care they need.

Signs of an Emergency

It’s also important to recognize the signs that your child may be having an asthma attack. In this case, you should call 911 rather than seeing a pediatrician if you notice,

• Your child’s ribs stick out
• They are sucking their tummy in to help them breathe
• They can’t finish sentences because they are having trouble catching their breath

Treating Asthma

While there isn’t a cure for childhood asthma, our Grayslake, IL, children’s doctors can work with you or you to determine the right treatment plan to manage your child’s symptoms. This usually involves avoiding or limiting exposure to triggers such as,

• Cold weather
• Viral infections (e.g. cold)
• Smoke and pollutants
• Allergies (e.g. pollen; mold; pet dander)
• Exercise

Since there are certain triggers that can’t be avoided completely (e.g. exercise) it’s also important that your child can manage their symptoms through regular medication. There are two main types of asthma medication: long-term control and quick-relief. The control medication is used every day to reduce airway inflammation while the quick-relief medication is used only when symptoms of an attack appear.

If you are concerned that your child might have asthma then it’s time to call Mundelein Pediatrics in Grayslake, IL at (847) 548-7337 to schedule an evaluation.