Asthma in Kids
I grew up with asthma as a child. I have not-so-fond memories of visiting my asthma specialist every week – and even hauling my massive nebulizer machine to a friend’s home to spend the night! Eventually, newer medications like inhaled steroids helped me improve my asthma control, and I enjoyed my teenage years without any asthma-related limitations. Now, as a pediatric pulmonologist (or lung doctor), I want to help your child thrive with asthma, too.
Asthma causes swelling of the airway lining, extra airway mucous production, and tightening of the muscles that wrap around the breathing tubes. This can lead to cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing.
Common asthma triggers include:
- respiratory infections
- weather/temperature changes
- exposure to environmental allergens
- strong smells or scents like cleaning chemicals or perfume/cologne
- irritants like cigarette smoke or e-cigarette vapor
- air pollution or poor air quality
- exercise
In older children, teens, and adults, pulmonary function testing like spirometry may help with the diagnosis and management of asthma. But for younger children, particularly under 6 years of age, pulmonary function testing can be difficult to do. So for them, we often diagnose asthma based on symptoms, physical exam findings, and improvement with medications like albuterol and/or steroids.
It’s common for children under 5 years of age to have at least one episode of asthma-like symptoms (cough, wheezing, and trouble breathing). These one-time episodes are usually triggered by a viral respiratory infection or cold. But not every child with asthma-like symptoms will be diagnosed with asthma.
For some kids, the symptoms may occur only once and never again. For others, symptoms occur repeatedly with any cold or respiratory infection. Less often, children experience frequent cough, wheeze, and trouble breathing even when they are well. Fortunately, most younger children diagnosed with asthma experience significant improvement as they get older – some may call this “growing out of asthma.” That said, some will continue to have asthma into their teenage years and adulthood.
Even kids whose asthma doesn’t go away will lead active and healthy lives if they keep their asthma under control.
Whether a child’s asthma is “under control” depends on:
- How often they have symptoms
- How their symptoms impact their daily life, school/work, exercise, or sleep
- How often they need asthma-related urgent care or emergency department visits or hospitalizations
- Whether they have symptoms requiring oral or intravenous steroid medications
If asthma isn’t well-controlled, there’s higher risk for severe asthma attacks requiring hospitalization. Plus, it’s more likely their symptoms will have a greater impact on school and participation in sports or activities.
To keep your child’s asthma symptoms controlled, work with their pediatrician to find the right plan and medications. Although asthma is considered a chronic condition, its severity and the ability to control it may change over time. For this reason, kids should follow up with their primary care physician at least once or twice a year to discuss asthma care.
Remember, there are professional athletes and Olympians with asthma. Our goal is for children with asthma to do all the sports, school activities, outdoor adventures, and amazing things they want to accomplish WITHOUT asthma limiting them. And now that we primarily use inhalers to deliver medication, they won’t need to haul around a nebulizer machine! If asthma symptoms are interfering with your kid’s life and their ability to just have fun being a kid, their asthma medications may need to be adjusted, so please talk with their doctor.
Resources for Parents
American Lung Association
How to Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler with a Valved Holding Chamber (Spacer)
American Academy of Pediatrics
What is Asthma?
What is an Asthma Action Plan?
How to Use a Spacer Without a Mask
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Learn How to Control Asthma
Featured Author
Dr Kyle McCallin's biography reads: I am from Northern Kentucky, close to Cincinnati, Ohio. I attended medical school at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Henderson, NV. My wife and I moved to Southern California where I completed pediatric residency training at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. I then completed pediatric pulmonology fellowship training at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. I chose to become a doctor pretty early in my life. I was hospitalized for several months as a child, and I gained tremendous appreciation for the nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and other care providers who helped me recover. It is my passion and privilege to provide care, in turn, for my patients. For fun, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our dachshund, watching movies and cartoons, and playing video games. I also enjoy martial arts and classic movies. More information about Dr. McCallin can be found on his webpage. Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.