If you have a child showing signs of asthma in Nashville, TN, seek medical attention immediately. This chronic condition affects the respiratory system, and its triggers can vary. When your child meets with the Pediatric Associates of Davidson County team, they will have expert care from doctors to help manage the condition effectively for a better life.

What Are Signs of Asthma?

 According to the CDC, about 44% of asthmatic children had uncontrolled asthma in 2021. You may notice signs of this condition if your child frequently coughs and wheezes, especially at night. Wheezing may sound like whistling sounds when breathing. Shortness of breath occurs as the airways become constricted due to a trigger. It can also come from chest pain or tightness. This condition occurs from the immune system's response to things it doesn’t recognize. Those triggers may include pet dander, certain foods, dust, pollen, or too much exertion. 

How Can Doctors Help?

 When you seek medical care for asthma in Nashville, TN, your doctors will work to find the source of the trigger so the child can avoid these flare-ups. They will start by examining your child and testing their lung capacity. Doctors may also run tests to rule out other conditions like chronic lung infection or bronchitis. Skin patches, prick tests, and blood lab results can help determine which allergies trigger the attacks. An exertion test can determine if asthma attacks are linked to exercise. Once doctors and parents understand the main trigger, proper medication and lifestyle adjustments can help the child.

Your doctor will prescribe inhalers for quick relief. At least one should always be on the child, and others should be in easily accessible locations around the house. Sublingual Immunotherapy helps your child’s immune system grow stronger over time. It works by delivering small, controlled doses of the allergen to help them build tolerance.

Lifestyle adjustments may also be necessary for the health of the child. If you smoke or live in a polluted area, it can cause asthma attacks. Therefore, quitting smoking, moving to a new area, and installing proper window screens and AC filters are essential to keeping the air clear. AC ducts can contain a build-up of dust, mold, dirt, and other contaminants, so change those filters and get servicing regularly. Keep carpets clean as they can also build up these triggers.

The Pediatric Associates of Davidson County team can help your child with asthma in Nashville, TN. This chronic ailment affects the lungs and requires proper intervention to avoid severe health consequences. To learn more and make an appointment, call us at 615-329-3595.