Get Healthy 502- Asthma and Allergy
Did you know May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month? As temperatures increase and flowers bloom, it’s an important time for parents and caregivers to consider whether their child may have asthma or may need an action plan to manage their asthma.
Asthma is a common, chronic disease in which the lungs react to “triggers” or materials in the air — such as smoke, pollution, pollen — or to some respiratory infections. Asthma affects 1 in 13 children and remains the top reason that children miss school days.
Common symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing and chest tightness. When diagnosing asthma, a health provider will look at medical history, conduct a physical exam and review results from diagnostic tests.
Because there is no cure for asthma at this time, controlling the condition is crucial. Tracking your child’s asthma symptoms and updating their asthma action plan are key components of managing the disease.
Do you have a child with diagnosed asthma?
Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness offers a monthly class to learn more about asthma, including triggers, symptoms and how to detect early warning signs. Go to NortonChildrens.com/Classes&Events to register for an upcoming Open Airways class taught by a certified educator.
Do you think your child has asthma?
Pediatricians with Norton Children’s Medical Group, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, are available for appointments to diagnose and treat children with asthma.
Does your child need specialized asthma treatment?
The board-certified physicians with Norton Children’s Pulmonology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, treat hundreds of children and teens each year with severe, complex, uncontrolled or difficult-to-treat asthma. Call (502) 588-4940 to schedule a next-day appointment with an asthma specialist.
Asthma facts
- More than 6 million U.S. children under age 18 have asthma.
- Asthma is more common among children than adults.
- Kids with asthma can play sports as long as the asthma is controlled. Asthma is the most common disease among Olympic athletes.
- Extreme weather conditions play a significant role in worsening asthma.
- Both outdoor irritants (such as pollen and ragweed) and indoor irritants (such as pet dander and fumes from cleaning products) can cause asthma attacks.
