Asthma Specialist

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term, chronic condition that causes inflamed and narrowed airways and excess mucus production that makes breathing difficult. Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe and can sometimes be life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

If your child experienced the following symptoms, they may have asthma:

• Chest tightness or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
  
  

Your child may have trouble sleeping because of asthma symptoms. They might experience symptoms during physical activity or in cold weather. Asthma symptoms often become worse when your child has an illness, like a cold or the flu.

Your child’s risk of developing asthma increases if they have a relative with asthma or if they have allergies. Their risk may also be higher if they’re overweight or are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.

How is asthma diagnosed?

Your Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics practitioner reviews your child’s medical history and symptoms. They complete a physical exam and conduct lung tests to help determine if your child has asthma and to establish its severity. For example, your doctor may use a peak flow meter to measure how hard your child can breathe out. Your child might complete the test before and after inhaling a bronchodilator medication to determine if breathing improves with the treatment. 

If they think your child’s asthma is allergy-induced, your Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics specialist may also test your child for allergies using blood tests or skin prick tests. 

What is the treatment for asthma?

Dr. Platner has a special interest in managing difficult asthma cases and educating families about appropriate treatment. She works with you to personalize a treatment plan to meet your child’s unique needs.

Oftentimes, medications are prescribed that your child takes every day to help prevent inflammation in their airways. Your child is also prescribed a rescue inhaler to use for asthma flare-ups. If they’re too young to use an inhaler, a bronchodilator medication can be administered with a nebulizer machine that creates a mist that they inhale. 

For ongoing management of allergy-induced asthma, your Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics specialist might recommend treatment for allergies using medications or allergy shots.

Don’t let symptoms of asthma ruin your child’s quality of life or lead to serious, life-threatening breathing problems. For expert asthma management, schedule an appointment with Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics over the phone or online today.