Asthma

Asthma is a chronic health condition that often develops during childhood. At Edison Health in Edison, New Jersey, children and adults can rely on a team of highly skilled practitioners who can diagnose and treat asthma. When you’re ready to learn more, booking a visit is as simple as a phone call or a few moments online. 

What is asthma and how does it develop?

Asthma is an inflammatory condition that affects your airways. When these passageways become swollen and narrow, they can no longer effectively move air into and out of your lungs. This deprives you of the oxygen needed to thrive and creates a range of disruptive symptoms. 

Researchers are uncertain of the exact cause of asthma. They believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is to blame. What is known is that asthma often develops during childhood, and it can affect a person for the rest of their life. 

How do I know if my child has asthma?

Knowing the signs and symptoms of asthma empowers you to take action if you notice these changes in yourself or your child. Some of the indications that a child might have asthma include:

• Wheezing sounds while exhaling
• Problems sleeping due to coughing or wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Breathing issues that grow worse during illness or physical exertion

Your child’s pediatrician can perform a basic screening to determine if asthma is the source of these symptoms.  

Can treatments help manage my child’s asthma?

There is no cure for asthma, but finding a good treatment plan can help minimize symptoms and allow kids with asthma to live active, healthy lives. Your child’s pediatrician explains all available treatment options to help you make an informed decision. 

A number of medications are available to help control asthma. Some drugs are delivered through an inhaler device, allowing children to simply breathe in to find relief. There are quick-relief inhalers as well as those that offer improvements over the long term. 

Oral medications can also be useful in managing asthma, and there are many choices. Kids who also have seasonal allergies (commonly linked to asthma) might find relief through allergy treatments. Identifying and taking steps to avoid allergic reactions can go a long way toward reducing asthma symptoms. 

Treating asthma is an ongoing process. Your child’s pediatrician works closely with your family to ensure that treatment efforts are providing relief. Be sure to communicate about which treatments seem to be working and which are not providing adequate relief. 

When you’re ready to learn more, book a visit online or over the phone. You’ll sit down with a skilled pediatrician to explore diagnostic and treatment options.