Asthma is one of the most common chronic disorders of childhood and is the leading cause of hospital admissions among children. However, with the proper care and management of symptoms, children with asthma can lead active, healthy lives without missing out on the things they love to do.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that can cause the airways in your child’s lungs to become inflamed and narrow, leading to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma can be triggered by things like allergens, exercise, or respiratory infections.
Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Asthma symptoms in children can vary, but common signs include:
- Frequent coughing, especially at night or after physical activity
- Wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
- Chest tightness or discomfort
- Trouble sleeping due to coughing or breathing problems
- Feeling tired or weak during play or exercise
- Coughing or wheezing that gets worse with colds or allergies
The Valley Approach to Pediatric Asthma
The Pediatric Asthma Program at Valley provides a comprehensive, diagnostic assessment for children with asthma, as well as individualized treatment plans to help promote normal physical activity, prevent sleepless nights, and reduce missed school days due to asthma.
Diagnosing Asthma in Children
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first and most important step in managing your child’s asthma. Our comprehensive evaluation includes:
- A thorough medical history: We listen closely to both you and your child to understand symptoms, patterns, and possible triggers. This helps guide the rest of the evaluation and ensures we’re targeting the right areas.
- A detailed physical exam: This allows us to check for signs of asthma, as well as other conditions that could be affecting your child’s breathing.
- Pulmonary function testing: We may perform one or more breathing tests to measure how well your child’s lungs are working. These tests can be tricky for kids, but our team is experienced in working with children to get the most accurate results.
- Additional testing if needed: Depending on your child’s history and symptoms, we may recommend allergy testing, lab work, or assessments for other conditions like sleep apnea that may be contributing to asthma symptoms.
Pediatric Asthma Treatment at Valley
We understand that receiving a diagnosis of asthma can be overwhelming. Many parents worry about what this means for their child’s future. However, when asthma is well managed, children can live full, active lives without limitations. The key is making sure your child is on the right treatment plan and adjusting it as their needs change.
At Valley’s Pediatric Asthma Program, we use the latest evidence-based guidelines to tailor an individualized treatment plan designed just for your child, helping them breathe easier and stay active. Treatments may include asthma inhalers and, in more severe cases, non-steroid biologic therapies.
Follow-Up Care and Management of Your Child’s Asthma
Ongoing follow-up care is an important part of managing your child’s asthma. For children with mild asthma, follow-up visits may be scheduled every six months. For those with more moderate to severe asthma, we recommend more frequent check-ins until symptoms are well managed.
These visits allow us to carefully monitor your child’s symptoms, review how well their medications are working, and make timely adjustments as needed.
Does Childhood Asthma Go Away?
Asthma is a chronic disease and is typically considered a lifelong diagnosis. But that doesn’t mean your child will always need medication or continue to experience symptoms as they grow. In many cases, as a child’s lungs and airways develop, asthma symptoms may become milder.
Our goal is to keep your child healthy and active while using the least amount of medication necessary. With regular check-ins, we’re able to adjust treatment based on how your child is doing. The right medication, at the right time, can make a big difference in how your child feels and functions every day.
Why Choose Valley for Pediatric Asthma Care?
- Specialized Expertise: Our pediatric pulmonologist brings advanced training and years of experience in managing all types of asthma, including the most complex and severe cases, ensuring your child receives expert care designed specifically for growing lungs.
- Leading-Edge Treatments: We stay fully up to date with the latest pediatric asthma guidelines and offer access to advanced therapies, including biologics, state-of-the-art medications that target severe asthma and are not widely available in many pediatric settings.
- Individualized, Family-Centered Care: We develop personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that reflect your child’s specific symptoms and lifestyle. We work closely with you and your family, listening to your concerns and tailoring care to achieve the best possible outcomes.
- Dedicated Support Team: Our experienced respiratory therapist, who is also a certified asthma educator, works closely with families to ensure the proper usage of inhalers and other asthma devices. Our medical assistant helps navigate insurance challenges to make sure your child gets the medication they need without unnecessary delays.
- Comprehensive Pediatric Focus: Our team provides seamless, specialized care focused entirely on children’s respiratory health, reducing confusion and stress for parents and caregivers.
