Doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians report that childhood asthma has been on the rise since the 1960s. Close to five million children under the age of 18 suffer from asthma, nearly 5 percent of the population. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is characterized by wheezing and coughing that is prevalent among children with a family history of atopic disease. Atopy is when a person is prone to allergies. Signs your child is asthmatic usually appear before the child is five years old.
Cough and wheezing
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that children with a persistent cough may have asthma. Signs of asthma vary between children. While most children with asthma produce a wheezing sound when they exhale, some just develop a lingering cough with chest congestion. Wheezing usually sounds like a high-pitched whistle when the child exhales. When coughing and wheezing occur during the night causing sleep disruptions for the child, asthma could be present. Typically, asthma symptoms are worse at night. When coughing and chest congestion worsen when a child comes down with a cold or the flu, it could be sign of asthma. Repeated bouts of bronchitis or other pneumonia could indicate the child has asthma.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is a common symptom among children with asthma. If they have trouble breathing when playing or exercising, children should be checked for asthma. Complaints of chest pains or tightness around the chest could signal asthma symptoms. As the asthma progresses, children will begin to breathe more from the abdomen, sucking air in so hard that their stomach pulls in under their ribs.
Severe attacks
Nostrils flare and widen when a child is having a severe asthma attack caused by constricting airways. Breathing becomes so difficult that the child has to stop to take breaths while talking. Emergency care should be sought if a child has increased heart rate, chest pain and sweating as he gasps for air.
Triggers
Many parents recognize the first asthma signs in their child's reaction to certain triggers. Doctors at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America report that babies often show signs of asthma when fed certain foods. Common allergens in children with asthma include cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, soy products and wheat. Babies can develop a runny nose, wet cough, diarrhea and vomiting. Other common environmental allergens that trigger asthma attacks include dust mites, animal dander and mold. Older children may develop asthma symptoms in response to pollen and mold. Tobacco smoke is another trigger of asthma symptoms in children of all ages.
