Asthma

It can be scary when your kiddo is struggling to take a full breath. Did you know that up to 8% of American children have asthma, a chronic condition that makes it hard to breathe? Angel Kids Pediatrics, with multiple locations in Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and St. Johns, Florida, are trained to diagnose and manage asthma in children. If you are concerned about your child’s asthma, it’s important to make an appointment today. Contact 904-224-KIDS (5437) to request a consultation for your child today or request an appointment online. 

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes your airways to narrow, swell, and make excess mucus. When combined, these factors affect your ability to breathe, causing shortness of breath. 

Symptoms of asthma vary from mild to potentially severe. For some children, it’s a minor annoyance, but for others, it triggers a life-threatening reaction called an asthma attack.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing when exhaling
• Difficulty sleeping
• Coughing

As the condition worsens, your child might also have trouble breathing during activities like exercise or playing sports.

When should I see a pediatrician about asthma?

Make an asthma appointment for your child at Angel Kids Pediatrics if they frequently cough or wheeze when running or playing. That’s especially true if their symptoms don’t respond to at-home treatments, like rest or taking over-the-counter decongestants.

How is asthma diagnosed?

To diagnose asthma, your child’s pediatrician reviews their medical history and asks about their symptoms, including when they started and if certain activities, like going to recess, make them worse. Next, your child’s provider orders lung function tests, that may include:

Spirometry

Spirometry measures how much air you can exhale after a deep breath and how fast you can breathe out. These readings help your child’s pediatrician determine the severity of the narrowing in their bronchial tubes. 

Peak flow

Peak flow measures how hard you exhale (breathe out). If your child has lower than average peak flow readings, it means their lungs aren’t working at full capacity.

How is asthma treated?

Treatment of asthma depends on your child’s age and the severity of their symptoms. The team at Angel Kids Pediatrics might recommend: 

• Recognizing and avoiding asthma triggers
• Tracking your child’s breathing
• Long-term asthma control medications
• Activity modification
• Combination inhalers

Call 904-224-KIDS (5437) to request an asthma consultation for your child, or request an appointment online today.