Learning the Early Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Are you concerned that your child may have asthma? Treating asthma symptoms as early as possible is important to help your child breathe better. Many parents are concerned about their children and visit Family Health Care to get answers. It’s important for parents to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of childhood asthma because this is a condition that has the potential to be life-threatening. The bright side is that this condition is treatable and the right medications are administered. If you believe your child might have asthma, continue reading to learn more about the earliest warning signs.
Common Asthma Symptoms
The symptoms of this respiratory disease vary from person to person. Some children experience severe symptoms that interfere with their ability to play and participate in sports or other strenuous activities. Other children have milder symptoms and may not have many serious incidents. The symptoms listed below can vary in intensity from child to child:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest pain or tightening
- Coughing, especially at night
Early Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack
While it’s important to get your child seen by a primary care provider, it’s just as important to know how to spot the signs of an asthma attack if your child is diagnosed as asthmatic. Parents who spot the early warning signs can help their child better through the episode and provide the necessary support to help them manage the symptoms and not feel frightened . When you can’t breathe, it’s scary, especially for young children.
If your child has been diagnosed with asthma
stay alert for the following signs that an asthma attack may be imminent:
- Feeling tired or weak following exercise
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased coughing and wheezing
- Shortness of breath or losing breath easily
- Exhibiting symptoms of an upper respiratory illness such as having a headache, sneezing, feeling congested or having a sore throat
These are general signs of an asthma attack and the subsequent episode could be minor or quite severe. As asthma symptoms worsen, your child may have trouble performing routine daily activities like walking up stairs or walking to the car without feeling out of breath. If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, consult with your primary care provider as soon as possible:
- A cough that refuses to go away
- Increased wheezing
- Increased shortness of breath
- Increased coughing
- Quick-relief medications such as your child’s rescue inhaler that doesn’t relieve the symptoms
When asthma symptoms continue to worsen, it’s not unusual for children to feel anxious, find it difficult to talk, and have a pale, sweaty face.
Work Closely with Your Child’s Primary Care Provider
Childhood asthma is a serious condition, but it’s treatable. In fact, when parents work closely with their child’s primary care provider to develop a plan, it makes it easier to anticipate and handle a serious asthma attack when it happens.
Do you have a child whom you think has the early signs and symptoms of asthma? Contact Family Health Care for affordable family health care.
