Know the signs of asthma and when to talk with our Nashville, TN, pediatricians.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic health problems in children. The Tennessee Department of Health reports that the prevalence rate for asthma is 6.2 percent among 12-17-year-olds and 7.5 percent among 6-11-year-olds. Wondering if your child might have asthma? Here are some of the symptoms our Nashville, TN, pediatricians look for when diagnosing childhood asthma.
They Have a Persistent Cough
While it’s normal for your child to cough when they have a respiratory infection, a warning sign that your child might have asthma is if they cough regularly even when they aren’t sick. An asthmatic cough will be persistent and may get worse at night or first thing in the morning. You may also notice that your child coughs more during exercising or when excited or laughing.
You Hear a Wheezing Sound
Another telltale sign of childhood asthma is if our Nashville, TN, pediatricians can hear an audible whistling sound when your child breathes out. This whistling noise in the chest is known as wheezing. Sometimes wheezing is inaudible and can only be detected with a stethoscope.
They Experience Breathlessness
If you suspect that your child might have asthma, it’s important that you monitor how they breathe. Are they breathing rapidly? Is their breath shallow? Are they struggling to breathe or seem easily winded with activity? Does it seem like your child has to use their entire body to breathe? If you can say “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to bring your child into our Nashville, TN, so we can determine if your child has asthma.
They Have Tightness in Their Chest
If your child is old enough, they may say that their chest or tummy hurts or “feels funny”. Chest tightness is a common asthma symptom due to airway inflammation. Fortunately, asthma inhalers can help reduce inflammation of the airways to prevent chest tightness and other symptoms.
I Think My Child Has Asthma. What Should I Do?
While asthma can be scary, the good news is that our pediatricians can provide the proper treatments to improve your child’s breathing and manage their symptoms. This is why it’s important to book an appointment with our team at the first signs that your child might have asthma.
Is your child displaying symptoms of asthma? If so, call Pediatric Associates of Davidson County in Nashville, TN, at (615) 329-3595 to schedule an immediate evaluation with our team of pediatricians.
