Q&A: Childhood asthma

Q: What are symptoms of childhood asthma?

A: Symptoms include:

A change in normal breathing, such as coughing or wheezing, often interrupting sleep or play.

Shortness of breath, chest tightness, or rapid breathing (signs like the belly pumping hard and/or pulling in of the muscles between the ribs or skin at the base of the throat).

Difficulty keeping up with other kids when playing.

Q: How is asthma diagnosed?

A: The allergist will:

Get a detailed medical history, including symptoms, medications, and family history of allergies and asthma.

Ask about the child's environment at home and school (triggers like household or school pets, smoking, dust, etc.), sleep patterns, school attendance, and activities.

Perform a physical exam and, depending on the child's age, a "peak flow" meter test. Tests may be done to identify specific allergies.

Q: How is it treated?

A: The allergist will explain how to identify and eliminate or control the asthma triggers at home and in school. For a child with mild intermittent asthma (symptoms less than twice a week), the doctor typically will prescribe an inhaler to prevent or relieve the symptoms. If symptoms are more frequent, moderate, severe, or persistent, the doctor will prescribe medications to control airway inflammation.

Q: Will my child outgrow asthma?

A: Children with nonallergic asthma triggered by viral infections typically outgrow it by age 3. Children with allergic asthma typically have asthma as adults.