Asthma
Asthma in Children
Asthma is a chronic condition causing inflammation in the airways that bring oxygen from the mouth into the lungs. This inflammation makes breathing difficult for your child and can result in other symptoms that interfere with your child’s health.
In many cases, airway inflammation results after exposure to an allergen, such as dust or mold. Other children can develop exertional asthma, an airway inflammation that develops during physical activity and exercise.
Children with a family history of asthma and allergies may be at increased risk for asthma. Your child may also develop asthma if they experience frequent infections in their upper respiratory system.
Asthma affects as many as 6.2 million children under the age of 18. As a parent, watching your child struggle to breathe because of asthma can be overwhelming.
The board-certified pediatric team at the Children’s Clinic understands the impact asthma can have on a child’s life and offers comprehensive asthma care at their West End and downtown Billings, Montana offices. The team offers on-site diagnostics like spirometry and long-term treatment plans designed to protect your child’s overall health.
Asthma Q&A
If your child struggles to breathe due to chronic asthma, schedule a consultation with the Children’s Clinic using the online appointment request feature or by calling the office nearest you today.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
- Wheezing
- Chronic cough
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
Some children may be prone to severe asthma attacks requiring immediate medical intervention to prevent additional health complications.
How is asthma diagnosed?
The Children's Clinic provides in-office diagnostic testing for asthma. Your provider initially performs a physical exam of your child’s overall health and reviews their symptoms to determine if breathing issues are related to asthma or allergies.
A simple spirometry test is useful for measuring shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties. The test requires that your child blows into a device that measures how much air their lungs can hold and how fast your child can inhale and exhale.
The Children's Clinic providers may also recommend allergy testing to better understand your child’s triggers.
What treatments are available for asthma?
While there is no cure for asthma, the team at Children's Clinic creates a management plan for reducing allergy symptoms and preventing long-term health complications.
Some children may need daily medications to prevent asthma attacks. Your child may also need inhaled medications on an as-needed basis to reduce airway inflammation quickly.
If your child has allergy-induced asthma, the pediatric team at the Children's Clinic can work closely with you on a treatment plan to avoid triggers.
If asthma attacks result because of physical activity, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes and limiting activities that may trigger breathing problems.