Childhood asthma and Symptoms

With childhood asthma, the lungs and airways become easily inflamed when exposed to certain triggers, such as airborne pollen. In other cases, childhood asthma flares up with a cold or other respiratory infection. Childhood asthma can cause bothersome daily symptoms that interfere with play, sports, school and sleep. In some children, unmanaged asthma can cause dangerous asthma attacks.

Childhood asthma isn't a different disease from asthma in adults, but children do face unique challenges. Asthma in children is a leading cause of emergency department visits, hospitalizations and missed school days. Unfortunately, childhood asthma can't be cured, and symptoms may continue into adulthood. But with the right treatment, you and your child can keep symptoms under control and prevent damage to growing lungs.

Symptoms

Common childhood asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Frequent, intermittent coughing
• A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
• Shortness of breath
• Chest congestion or tightness
• Chest pain, particularly in younger children
• Other signs and symptoms of childhood asthma include:
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Bouts of coughing or wheezing that get worse with a respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu
• Delayed recovery or bronchitis after a respiratory infection
• Trouble breathing that may limit play or exercise
• Fatigue, which can be caused by poor sleep