How to tell if your child has asthma

It's three a.m. and you are listening to your daughter coughing in her room. She's been up all night and neither of you have gotten any sleep. This is the third time she's had bronchitis already this year. And, even when the antibiotics wear off, you know she'll still cough at night, after she plays at the park. What should you do?

Bring it up to her doctor. Nearly 9 million children have asthma, an inflammatory condition of the bronchial airways that causes normal functions to become excessive and over-reactive. This makes airways smaller and causes them to produce extra mucus, making airflow more difficult. But, as a parent, what symptoms can you watch for and how early can you really tell that asthma is setting in?

FREQUENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Children who have asthma often have a weakened immune system and their lungs cannot handle even the smallest invading bugs, like colds and coughs. Asthma sufferers will frequently find themselves in the doctor's office more than their friends, being diagnosed with bronchitis or even pneumonia. It isn't at all uncommon for a child with asthma to have these illnesses a few times a year. If it seems like your child is always fighting off a cold or the flu or something more serious, requiring antibiotics, it might be time for your doctor to look a little deeper.

COUGHING

Coughing is usually the first indicator of asthma. Crying, stress, or exertion like exercise exacerbates coughs in asthma sufferers. Coughing can be especially bad at night when your child tries to relax for the night. Your child may also begin complaining of fatigue. You may not realize why for quite some time, but usually it is because the nighttime coughing of undiagnosed and untreated asthmatics can greatly disrupt their sleep.

WHEEZING AND CHEST TIGHTNESS

Wheezing, a high pitched whistling sound that is made as air tries to pass through the tiny passage of a constricted airway sounds frightening to a parent. It can sound like your child is gasping for air, and they are. It is often not the first sign of asthma, but it is something to watch for. Children may also complain of chest tightness or like their is a weight on their chest, or even like there is something sitting on them. Depending on the age of the child, they may use different words, maybe thinking that their clothes are always too tight on top.

ASTHMA ATTACK OR SUDDEN ONSET

When the symptoms of your child's asthma compound or become acute suddenly or become triggered by a combination of or overabundance of a certain trigger in their environment, your child may have a sudden and violent display of asthma symptoms, resulting in their inability to breathe. Every child's triggers will vary but common ones include airborne allergens like mold, dust or pollen. They will likely panic and be very scared if this happens to them without any warning. Having a full-blown asthma attack is a very clear and obvious sign that your child is suffering from asthma and will obviously need to be brought up to your child's pediatrician. But, the primary task at hand will be to get them emergency medical attention through your closest emergency department and to help them remain calm. Stress and fear will cause their symptoms to accelerate.

WHAT ABOUT BABIES?

In children that are too young to speak, like infants, it's possible to spot some early indicators as well. In addition to shortness of breath, you may notice a softer, shorter cry; rapid, noisy breathing; a sucked in looking chest (between the ribs at the front of the neck); and difficulty feeding. A baby who has trouble breathing will have trouble eating and breathing at the same time and will therefore be a fussy eater.

Every mother has watched the rapid and odd breathing patterns of their newborn and been awed at what is normal for them, how quickly and erratically they breathe. A normal newborn's respiratory rate is about 40 times per minute. Adults typically breathe between 12-20 times per minute. So, try not to panic too much as you watch your baby breathe heavily. They may not be as short of breath as you think they are.

If you notice that your child has only one or two of these symptoms, it isn't likely that he or she has asthma. But, if they are piling up, it is a good idea to run it by your doctor. If he or she is suffering from asthma, it is a condition that does not have a cure, but can be controlled through a variety of medications and through controlling environmental triggers that aggravate your child's condition. Watch for the combination of symptoms and talk to your doctor.