Asthma attacks can be terrifying for both children and parents. Knowing what to do during an asthma attack is a vital part of protecting your child’s life. At Bright Futures Pediatrics in Las Vegas, Nevada, the team is highly-skilled in managing asthma symptoms and provides in-depth education to help your child enjoy life, despite their asthma diagnosis. To learn more about asthma treatments, schedule a consultation online today or by calling either the Southwest or Centennial Hills location.

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What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes the airways of the lungs to narrow.

Signs your child may have asthma include:

  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Frequent chest colds

In children with asthma, symptoms often appear before they reach five years old. Symptoms in young children can be hard to detect.

Asthma symptoms can appear at any time, with episodes lasting anywhere between a few minutes and several hours. In some cases, symptoms can be serious, especially for young children. If not adequately managed, symptoms can be disruptive to your child’s daily routine and may even be fatal.

How is asthma diagnosed?

The team evaluates your child’s symptoms to determine what triggers their asthma symptoms. They guide you to ensure your child is avoiding these triggers to reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks.

A variety of factors can trigger your child’s asthma symptoms, including:

  • Colds
  • Allergens
  • Smoke
  • Anxiety
  • Chemical smells
  • Physical exertion

The team may also perform pulmonary function tests on older children to gauge how air flows in and out of their lungs. In some cases, they may request additional testing, such as chest X-rays, to identify lung inflammation.

What treatments are available for asthma?

The team creates a customized plan to manage your child’s asthma symptoms, which is the most critical part of treatment.

In addition to identifying asthma triggers, the team develops an action plan for your family to ensure that everyone knows how to prevent an attack and what needs to be done if your child has an asthma attack.

If the team determines a medicated treatment is necessary, they provide in-depth instruction to teach you and your child how to use that medication to prevent an attack properly. They also instruct your child on how to use the prescription during an allergy attack.

Prescription asthma medications may include metered-dose inhalers that reduce inflammation in the airways. These medications are typically fast-acting, and inhalers should be with your child at all times. At-home nebulizer treatments are also useful in opening your child’s airways to prevent asthma attacks.

There is no cure for asthma, but with proper management and lifestyle changes, your child can enjoy a happy, healthy life.

Learn more about managing asthma symptoms by calling Bright Futures Pediatrics or booking an appointment online.