Asthma Specialist

What is asthma?

Asthma is when the airways in the lungs become easily inflamed, causing wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Without proper management, asthma can cause sudden, severe attacks of worsened symptoms that require emergency care. 

Childhood asthma is not a different disease than asthma in adults. However, children require specialized care. Depending on your child's age, they may not be able to explain their symptoms.

The expert team at Nevada Pediatric Specialists accurately diagnoses your child’s condition and develops an effective treatment plan to manage their asthma. Because there is no cure for asthma, symptoms often persist into adulthood. 

How do I know if my child has asthma?

Signs and symptoms of asthma vary from child to child. Additionally, many children are symptom-free for a long time before they have their first asthma attack. Common asthma symptoms include:

• Frequent coughing
• Shortness of breath
• A whistling or wheezing sound
• Chest congestion 
• Trouble sleeping due to coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
• Slow recovery from respiratory infections
• Fatigue due to poor sleep

Your child may have all of these symptoms or only one. Certain symptoms, such as coughing, may worsen when your child has a cold, during sleep, or when they run around and play. Contact with airborne allergens, such as pollen or pet dander, can also trigger asthma attacks. 

What tests and procedures diagnose asthma?

Asthma can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to many other conditions, including sinusitis and rhinitis. The team at Nevada Pediatric Specialists may recommend a variety of tests to diagnose asthma, including pulmonary function tests like spirometry and allergy tests.

Same-day and walk-in appointments are available at Nevada Pediatric Specialists in case your child has trouble breathing or experiences an acute asthma attack. 

What are the treatment options for asthma?

The team at Nevada Pediatric Specialists develops an individualized asthma management plan for your child. Depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms, treatment may include:

• Long-term control medications to reduce airway inflammation
• Quick-relief medications to provide rapid symptom relief during an asthma attack
• Treatments for allergy-induced asthma
• A plan to avoid known asthma triggers

Many of these long- and short-term medications are available as an inhalable treatment. This may involve a handheld device, such as an asthma inhaler, or a nebulizer machine with a face mask.

With a good plan in place, your child can live a healthy, happy life with asthma. Call Nevada Pediatric Specialists, or book an appointment online today.