Asthma symptoms in children to be aware of
You'd think that asthma symptoms in children would be quite obvious. After
all, you would definitely notice it if a child is gasping for breath or wheezing
uncontrollably. However, it is quite easy to mistake asthma for health
conditions like allergies, chest colds and other problems.
As is the case with adults, asthma symptoms in children sometimes go unnoticed or are misdiagnosed. It is easy for both parents and doctors to think the child has spring allergies or a cold, particularly if they are looking at just one episode in isolation.
Asthma must be recognized as soon as possible. In children, asthma can be a particularly distressing disease once it reaches a full-blown stage. Not only do children have to endure the agony and terror of not being able to breathe normally during an asthma attack, the disease can also affect other aspects of their lives like performance at school and their self-esteem.
Asthma symptoms in children may include coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. They may occur alone or in combination. Since these symptoms are common to other illnesses as well, it is easy to mistake asthma for something else. Undiagnosed asthma can be a serious health issue.
You should watch out for the following asthma symptoms in children
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Coughing
If the child has coughs even when there is no cold, it might be due to asthma. Watch out for coughing that starts during or after physical exertion. Asthma often produces a racking kind of cough. Night-time coughs may also be due to the disease, particularly if it appears to be chronic. -
Wheezing
This is one of the classic asthma symptoms in children and in adults. Wheezing on exhalation is more common than during inhalation. The wheezing is often loud and can be heard from another room. Any wheezy, squeaky sounds from your child may be warning signs of asthma and you must consult the doctor. Of course, many children with asthma do not have wheezing at all. -
Shortness of breath
This is again a classic asthma symptom. Keep in mind that children will usually not be able to identify shortness of breath. You must look out for shallow and/or rapid breathing. There are also other signs of short breath due to asthma such as:-
Restlessness at night during sleep
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Nostrils flaring while inhaling
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A frightened look on the child's face
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Trying to draw in breath through pursed lips
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Deepening of spaces between the ribs while breathing
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General fatigue or exhaustion even when there has been no physical activity
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Hunched over posture
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The hollow of the throat moving in and out while breathing
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Chronic / frequent illnesses of the respiratory system
Diseases like bronchitis, frequent colds, pneumonia, etc may indicate that asthma is present, even when other symptoms like wheezing are not obvious.
Other symptoms you need to watch out for include excessive throat clearing, noisy breathing and irregular breathing in general.
The above are the most common asthma symptoms in children. If any of them are present, you must consult a doctor for a thorough evaluation.