Pediatrics in Westminster, CO: Frequently Asked Questions About Asthma

Asthma is a chronic medical condition suffered by millions of Americans. Though it may occur at an early age, it most commonly develops during early childhood or mid-adulthood. Children who have asthma often develop their first symptoms before reaching the age of five. As with many medical conditions, genetics and environmental exposure play a role in the development of asthma.

When a child has asthma, it means that the inner lining of the breathing tubes connected to their lungs has become swollen or inflamed. Knowing what triggers the inflammation and avoiding these causes can help you control your child’s condition. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about asthma, as listed and answered by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

Will my child outgrow his/her asthma?

Most of the time, a child with asthma will improve as the lungs mature and get bigger. However, AAAAI warns that “If your child has atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergies or if there is smoking in the home or a strong family history of allergies or asthma, there is a greater chance that asthma symptoms will persist.”

Can asthma be cured?

There is no known cure for asthma.  It would only seem that a child becomes “cured” of the condition as he grows up because his lungs mature and his body grows bigger. However, the factors that made him asthma-prone as a child can still be present. “For most children and adults, asthma can be controlled throughout life with appropriate diagnosis, education and treatment,” AAAAI advises.

How can symptoms be controlled at school?

You and your family must work and hand-in-hand with your Westminster, CO pediatrics physician and school personnel to keep your child’s asthma in check. Alert his teachers about his condition and ask them for help to ensure he takes his medication on time during school hours. “With the approval of physicians and parents, school-age children with asthma should be allowed to carry metered-dose inhalers with them and use them as appropriate,” notes AAAAI.

To live a full and healthy life not limited by asthma, children need to have an asthma action plan. If your child doesn’t have one yet, visit a trusted Westminster pediatrics physician like the ones at Indian Crest Pediatrics to have one created for him.



(Article Excerpt and Image from Childhood Asthma: Tips to Remember, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology)