When Should Your Child See an ENT for Asthma?
About 1 in 6 kids in the United States have asthma.
Childhood asthma develops when the lungs and airways become inflamed as a result of exposure to certain triggers. These triggers can be as simple as inhaling a pollen or catching a cold.
What causes childhood asthma?
Childhood asthma is one of those conditions on which the cause is not fully understood. However, experts believe there are some factors that may be involved in its development. This includes:
• A family history of asthma
• Inherited tendency to develop allergies
• Developing some forms of airway infection at a young age
• Environmental factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke or air pollution
Asthma triggers can vary from one child to another. The most common ones include viral infections such as colds, exposure to air pollutants such as smoke, weather changes, and allergies to dust mites, pet dander, mold, or pollen.
When should your child see an ENT?
You should take your child to see an ENT specialist if you suspect that he or she has asthma. Here are some of most common symptoms to watch out for:
• Frequent coughing that worsens when the child catches a viral infection
• Shortness of breath
• A wheezing sound when breathing out
• Chest congestion
When a child has asthma, he or she may complain of constant coughing or his/her chest feeling uncomfortable. The coughing and wheezing can get worse with crying, laughing, or with strong emotional reactions.
Even if your child hasn’t been diagnosed with asthma, and is having difficulty breathing, see a specialist immediately. Severe asthma attacks can start with coughing and eventually progress to wheezing and labored breathing.
How is childhood asthma treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of your child’s asthma. The goal of treatment is to minimize the symptoms of asthma, reduce asthma flare-ups, and to minimize or eliminate limitations on physical activities.
If your child has severe wheezing episodes, the doctor may prescribe medications to improve the symptoms.
There are also long-term medications that may be prescribed to prevent inflammation that can lead to asthma symptoms.
Greater Knoxville Ear, Nose & Throat is the region’s premier otolaryngology center for children and adults, providing the most advanced care for nose and sinus issues, allergies, mouth & throat, and ears & hearing. Our ENT experts will thoroughly examine your child’s asthma symptoms, and determine which treatment option is best.
We want to help your child breathe easy. If you need to request an appointment, please call (865) 244-4396.